🎧The Fintech OG Series Season Two: Matt Austin and Ahmed Siddiqui

In the podcast, Julie interviews Matt Austin and Ahmed Siddiqui. The conversation dives into their experiences in FinTech, how they got involved, and the lessons they learned along the way. Matt shares his journey from public accounting to FinTech, explaining how he entered the industry through a chance encounter with a VC. Ahmed talks about his accidental entry into FinTech via a connection at Marqeta, where he developed a deep understanding of payment systems. Both reflect on the industry's advancements, where FinTech has exceeded expectations, and where it's fallen short—especially in areas like real-time payments and overcoming traditional banking hurdles. The podcast wraps up with personal stories, touching on the importance of community in FinTech, key challenges they’ve faced, and excitement for the future of financial technology.Huge thanks to Public.com and Prism Data for sponsoring this week's episode! With interest rates falling, be sure to check out Public.com's Bond Account, which allows you to lock in a 6% or higher yield with a diversified portfolio of high-yield and investment-grade corporate bonds.If you're looking for a way to say ‘yes’ to more customers without taking on additional risk and lend more profitably without sacrificing growth, be sure to check out Prism Data. Cash flow underwriting is a game changer in consumer lending, and Prism Data is the modern analytics provider that makes it possible.