Finovate Podcast

In this episode, Greg sits down with Melissa Solis, CEO of Inbenta, to discuss the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the banking industry. Melissa shares her impressive personal journey leading to her current role at Inbenta, a company focused on leveraging AI to transform financial services. She highlights the massive investments banks are making in AI, projected to reach $45.6 billion in 2024, and the challenges they face in achieving meaningful ROI due to issues like inconsistent data and the lack of explainable AI models.Melissa delves into the critical importance of addressing the "data problem" in AI implementation, emphasizing that banks do not need to overhaul their systems but instead adopt a "knowledge-first architecture." She explains Inbenta’s four-stage approach—intelligent ingestion, knowledge engineering, advanced AI orchestration, and governed responses—that enables banks to build on existing systems while ensuring transparency and compliance. By focusing on structured data and explainable AI, banks can reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, and meet regulatory requirements, avoiding the risks of "black box" decision-making and compliance penalties.The conversation also explores the customer-facing side of AI, where Melissa outlines best practices for deploying virtual assistants, live agent support, and enterprise search tools to enhance customer experience. She stresses the importance of personalization, real-time problem-solving, and integrating AI with existing systems to deliver consistent, human-like interactions. Melissa concludes by urging banks to act quickly but wisely, as the cost of inaction or poor implementation can lead to lost customers and competitive disadvantages. This episode offers valuable insights for financial institutions navigating the complexities of AI adoption in a rapidly evolving landscape.More info:Inbenta: https://www.inbenta.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/inbenta/Melissa Solis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-solis-3532302a/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/#Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #ai #aistrategy #payments #cx #credit #lending #digitaladoption #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization

In this episode, host Greg Palmer dives into the complexities and opportunities of cannabis banking with guests Stacy Litke, VP of Banking Services at Green Check, and Megan Bennett, Manager of Marijuana Related Business at Wright-Patt Credit Union. The discussion begins with an overview of the challenges financial institutions face when engaging with cannabis-related businesses, particularly the disconnect between federal and state laws.While cannabis is legal in many states, it remains federally illegal, creating significant compliance and operational hurdles for financial institutions. Both guests highlight the importance of understanding the industry, managing risk tolerance, and navigating regulatory requirements, such as enhanced due diligence and ongoing reporting obligations.The conversation then shifts to the immense growth and potential of the cannabis industry, which generated $30 billion in sales last year and continues to expand as more states legalize cannabis. Stacy and Megan discuss the opportunities for financial institutions to support both direct cannabis businesses, such as dispensaries and cultivators, and indirect businesses, like service providers and payroll companies.They emphasize the importance of partnerships between financial institutions and fintech companies, such as the collaboration between Green Check and WPCU, which has enabled efficient program management and compliance monitoring. Green Check’s technology plays a pivotal role in ensuring that deposits align with state-legal sales and regulatory requirements, providing financial institutions with the tools to manage risk effectively.The episode concludes with advice for financial institutions considering partnerships with fintech companies. Megan stresses the importance of thorough research, asking tough questions, and understanding the long-term dynamics of the partnership. She highlights the value of working with fintechs like Green Check, which prioritize collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.Both guests underscore the broader implications of cannabis banking, noting that financial institutions already working with high-risk industries may find the transition to cannabis banking less daunting. The episode provides valuable insights for financial institutions and fintechs looking to navigate this emerging and lucrative market.More info:WPCU: https://www.wpcu.coop/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/wright-patt-credit-union/Green Check: https://greencheckverified.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-check-inc/Megan Bennett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-bennett-cams-acbp-/Stacy Litke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-litke-2247195/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/#Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #cannabis #cannabisbanking #payments #compliance #credit #lending #digitaladoption #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization

In this episode, host Greg Palmer sits down with Debbie Hsu, EVP of Product at Experian, to discuss the company’s innovative approach to empowering consumers through technology. Debbie shares insights into her role at Experian, where she leads product development for North America’s consumer services.She highlights Experian’s mission to bring financial power to all by leveraging data and technology responsibly, creating tools that help consumers better understand and manage their financial situations with confidence. Debbie’s passion for solving meaningful problems at scale shines through as she explains how Experian is working to make a real impact on consumers’ financial lives.The conversation focuses on Experian’s virtual assistant, EVA, a consumer-first AI tool designed to simplify complex financial questions and provide actionable guidance. Available through the Experian app and website, EVA helps users navigate tasks like improving credit scores with Experian Boost, freezing credit files during data breaches, and understanding spending and cash flow insights.Debbie emphasizes the importance of finance-specific AI tools like EVA, which are built on trusted data and domain expertise, as opposed to generic AI solutions that may provide misleading or incomplete advice. She also shares how real-world consumer interactions with EVA have revealed a strong need for clarity on financial fundamentals, such as credit scores, debt management, and identity protection.Debbie concludes by discussing the critical role of trust in AI-driven financial tools. She outlines Experian’s commitment to transparency, high-quality data, and strong governance to ensure EVA acts in consumers’ best interests. By empowering users to stay in control of their financial decisions and providing personalized, explainable recommendations, Experian aims to build lasting trust with its customers. This episode offers valuable insights into how consumer-centric AI can address real financial challenges and create a more inclusive financial ecosystem.More info:Experian: https://www.experian.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/experian/EVA: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-eva/Debbie Hsu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-hsu/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/#Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #Experian #EVA #consumer #credit #lending #digitaladoption #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization

In this episode, Greg sits down with Luz Urrutia, CEO of the Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), to explore the critical role of small businesses in the economy and the challenges they face in accessing capital.Luz shares her personal journey as a Venezuelan immigrant and her experience with the U.S. banking system, which inspired her to lead AOF in creating economic opportunities for underserved small business owners. As a digital-first nonprofit lender and community development financial institution (CDFI), AOF provides affordable loans, educational tools, and support networks to help small businesses thrive, particularly those in low-income or distressed communities.Luz delves into the innovative approach AOF takes to bridge the $100 billion capital gap for small business loans. Combining technology, data analytics, and human judgment, AOF ensures that unbankable yet financeable business owners receive the support they need. Beyond lending, AOF emphasizes education, offering free resources, webinars, coaching, and a new digital accelerator program in partnership with Ripple. This initiative equips small business owners with digital tools and skills in areas like payments, automation, and marketing, while also providing grants to help them implement their learnings.Looking ahead, Luz discusses the evolving small business landscape, highlighting the growing importance of AI, the rise of micro-businesses, and the resilience of entrepreneurs in adapting to challenges. She underscores the need for access to capital and support systems as key factors in driving success. With a focus on measurable outcomes, AOF has deployed over $1 billion in loans, created significant economic impact, and helped millions of small business owners improve their financial standing. This episode offers a compelling look at how fintech innovation and intentional support can transform lives and communities.More info:Accion Opportunity Fund: https://aofund.org/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/accion-opportunity-fund/Luz Urrutia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luz-urrutia/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/#Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #SMB #payments #credit #lending #digitaladoption #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization

In this episode of the Finovate podcast, host Greg Palmer sits down with Robert Bueninck, CEO of Unzer, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing small and medium-sized businesses in the digital payments space. Robert introduces Unzer as a European fintech focused on providing a unified commerce suite for businesses, enabling them to integrate online, in-store, and mobile payments into one ecosystem.He highlights the unique dynamics of the German market, where cash transactions still dominate, and explains how cultural factors, privacy concerns, and banking practices contribute to this trend. The conversation also touches on the differences in payment methods across Europe and the global innovation happening in markets like India, Brazil, and Asia.The discussion shifts to the struggles small businesses face in adapting to the digital economy, particularly in providing seamless customer experiences and accessing financial services. Robert emphasizes the need for tools that help local businesses innovate and compete, especially as the lines between online and offline commerce blur.He also points out the shortcomings of traditional banks in serving small businesses, such as slow processes and poor user experiences, which have opened the door for neo-banks and challenger banks to step in. The impact of COVID-19 on accelerating digital adoption among small businesses is explored, with examples of how local retailers have embraced online transactions and unified payment experiences.Finally, the episode delves into the role of policymakers and regulators in shaping the future of digital payments. Robert critiques the European regulatory environment, calling for a shift in focus from compliance paperwork to solving real-world problems. He uses the analogy of traffic rules to illustrate the complexity of the digital payments landscape and the need for a more pragmatic approach to regulation.The episode concludes with an exciting announcement about Unzer’s launch of Unzer Financial Services, which aims to provide merchants with a complete ecosystem for managing payments, accounts, and spending—all from a single platform.More info:Unzer: https://www.unzer.com/en/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/unzer/Robert Bueninck https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbueninck/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/#Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #SMB #payments #digitaladoption #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #unzer

In this episode of the Finovate podcast, host Greg Palmer wraps up conversations with the FinovateEurope Best of Show winners, featuring Márk Hetényi, CEO of Ready. Márk introduces R34DY’s innovative platform, which specializes in context engineering to create deterministic maps of systems for AI agents.This technology enables reliable answers for tasks such as documentation, bug fixing, data mapping, and process modeling, addressing the growing demand for AI solutions in financial institutions.Márk also highlights the evolution of R34DY’s platform since its debut at FinovateEurope last year, emphasizing its ability to deliver precise and reliable results for complex systems.The discussion delves into the increasing adoption of AI in the financial sector, with Márk sharing insights from his global engagements with banks and institutions. He notes the challenges banks face in applying AI to legacy systems and complex architectures, emphasizing the need for deep AI knowledge and deterministic approaches to overcome these hurdles. Márk also highlights the growing belief in AI’s potential to tackle more complex tasks, such as system transformations, while addressing the limitations of traditional AI solutions that often produce unreliable results.Márk concludes by discussing R34DY’s vision for democratizing AI technology, making it accessible to smaller and medium-sized institutions that lack the resources of larger banks. He shares his excitement about helping these organizations achieve the same level of efficiency and innovation as their larger counterparts. The episode also touches on Márk’s advice for fintechs preparing for events like Finovate, emphasizing the importance of engaging demos and genuine networking to make the most of such opportunities.More info:Ablements by R34DY: https://ablements.com/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/r34dy/Márk Hetényi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhetenyi/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/#Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #llm #legacycode #AI #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #financialrisk #r34dy #ablements #corebanking

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Ohad Kotler, co-founder and CEO of Tweezr, one of the Best of Show winners at FinovateEurope. Ohad shares insights into Tweezr’s innovative approach to addressing legacy systems in banking, emphasizing the importance of understanding and reverse-engineering existing systems rather than replacing them outright. He explains how Tweezr combines bottom-up analysis of source code with top-down perspectives on banking operations to create robust capability maps, enabling businesses to design effective changes and evolve their systems. Ohad’s firsthand experience with legacy system challenges at ING has shaped Tweezr’s AI-native solution, which leverages large language models (LLMs) to provide meaningful insights and facilitate decision-making.The conversation delves into the technical aspects of Tweezr’s solution and its unique ability to bridge the gap between deterministic code analysis and business-oriented frameworks. Ohad highlights the importance of clarity, safety, and human oversight in managing legacy systems, especially in the context of AI-driven modernization efforts. He also discusses the recent announcement by Anthropic regarding Cloud Code’s ability to modernize systems, noting its impressive speed but emphasizing the need for complementary solutions like Tweezr to ensure stability and meaningful change. The discussion underscores Tweezr’s focus on enabling businesses to understand and evolve their systems effectively, while addressing the inherent challenges of legacy code.As the episode concludes, Ohad reflects on Tweezr’s momentum following back-to-back Best of Show wins at FinovateEurope. He shares how the event has facilitated valuable conversations with major banks and core banking solution providers, opening doors for collaboration and growth. With plans to continue evolving their solution and engaging with the banking industry, Tweezr aims to play a key role in the global transition toward modernized banking systems. This episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of AI, legacy systems, and the future of banking technology.More info:Tweezr: https://www.tweezr.io/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/tweezr/Ohad Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohad-kotler/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/#Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #llm #legacycode #AI #cx #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #financialrisk #tweezr #corebanking

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Savannah Price, founder and CEO of Serene, one of the Best of Show winners at FinovateEurope 2026.

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer sits down with Dor Eligula, co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Bridgewise, to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the investment and wealth management industries. Dor shares insights into his personal journey, the founding of Bridgewise, and the company’s mission to bridge the wisdom gap in financial services. With a focus on enabling smarter investment decisions, Bridgewise leverages cutting-edge AI technologies to serve a diverse range of clients, from retail investors to brokers, advisors, and quant hedge funds.Dor delves into the transformative impact of AI on both individual and institutional investors. He explains how Bridgewise uses AI to analyze 70,000 financial instruments daily across 18 languages, providing detailed insights into stocks, ETFs, ESG factors, and more. The platform’s ability to convert unstructured data into actionable intelligence empowers users to make informed decisions, while its agentic AI layer orchestrates portfolio management at an unprecedented scale. Dor also highlights the psychological benefits of informed investing, emphasizing how better tools and processes can enhance investor confidence—even in the face of losses.The conversation concludes with a look at global trends and the future of AI in wealth management. Dor discusses regional differences in AI adoption, comparing markets like the US and Japan, and predicts the rise of niche-focused AI applications as the next wave of innovation. He shares his vision for Bridgewise as a leader in AI for wealth and offers insights into the broader economic implications of AI advancements. Packed with valuable perspectives, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and finance.More info:Bridgewise: https://bridgewise.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridgewise/Dor Eligula: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doreligula/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/#Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #investing #wealthmanagement #AI #research #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #businessintelligence #capital #wealth

In this episode of the Finovate podcast, host Greg Palmer sits down with Matt Ober, Managing Partner at Social Leverage, to discuss the dynamic world of venture capital in the fintech space. Matt shares insights into Social Leverage’s focus on seed-stage investments, highlighting their success as early investors in companies like Robinhood, eToro, and Alpaca. With the recent close of their fifth fund, an $85 million venture, Matt reflects on the current investment landscape, emphasizing the influx of capital into AI-driven solutions and the evolving opportunities in financial services driven by regulatory changes and technological advancements.The conversation delves into the role of AI in reshaping industries, particularly in financial services. Matt discusses how AI is enabling companies to streamline operations, reduce costs, and rethink traditional business models. He highlights the importance of leveraging AI for tasks like data collection, organization, and analysis, which can significantly enhance decision-making processes. While acknowledging the imperfections of AI, Matt stresses the importance of transparency, auditability, and critical thinking when utilizing AI tools. He also shares his perspective on the future of financial services, predicting the rise of super apps, tokenization, and global investment opportunities that will simplify access to private and public markets.Finally, Matt offers valuable advice for fintech founders looking to stand out in a crowded space. He emphasizes the importance of networking, securing warm introductions, and targeting the right investors who align with their vision. He also warns against common mistakes, such as raising money from unsuitable investors or structuring teams ineffectively. The episode concludes with Matt’s predictions for the next five years, including the blending of investing, gambling, and prediction markets, as well as the global expansion of investment opportunities. With San Diego hosting FinovateSpring, Matt also shares his enthusiasm for the city’s vibrant business ecosystem and lifestyle, making it an ideal destination for innovators and investors alike.More info:Social Leverage: https://www.socialleverage.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/socialleverage/Matt Ober: https://www.linkedin.com/in/obermattj/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/#Finovate #FinovateSpring #Banking #banks #venturecapital #fintechVC #AI #SMEfintech #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #diversity #capital

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Joel Blake, OBE, founder and CEO of GFA Exchange, who will also be moderating a session FinovateEurope. Joel shares his eclectic journey into the fintech space, driven by a passion for democratizing access to finance and empowering businesses to grow regardless of their differences. He discusses his background, which spans grassroots work, policy development, entrepreneurship, and technology innovation. Joel highlights the creation of GFA Exchange, a data intelligence platform that enables lenders and private capital providers to benchmark, monitor, and trade financial insights to manage risk and optimize portfolios. By focusing on SME financial health as a tradable asset class, GFA Exchange aims to disrupt the market and foster equitable inclusion.Joel delves into his personal and professional experiences that shaped his focus on SME financing. From humble beginnings to roles in employment mentoring, diversity leadership in sports, and co-founding an SME lending firm, Joel has consistently sought to bridge gaps and create opportunities for underserved businesses. His work in SME lending led to the development of a technology-driven alternative risk model, achieving a default rate four times lower than the UK average. This success inspired him to transition into policy, where he led initiatives to deploy capital and support business growth for thousands of SMEs. Joel emphasizes the importance of leveraging diversity and inclusion as a driver for growth, not just as a moral imperative.Looking ahead, Joel shares his vision for the future of financial services, emphasizing a human-centered approach that integrates technology and AI with principled intelligence. He predicts trends such as deeper insights from data, earlier-stage business support, and increased collaboration between corporate organizations, smaller businesses, and regulators. Joel also expresses excitement about moderating at FinovateEurope, where he looks forward to facilitating actionable insights for attendees and fostering meaningful dialogue among innovators and leaders.More info:GFA Exchange: https://www.gfaexchange.com/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfaexchange/Joel Blake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelblakeobe/Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/#Finovate #FinovateEurope #Banking #banks #grassrootsfintech #financialinclusion #democratizingaccess #SMEfintech #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #innovation #ai #digitraltransformation #fintech #finserv #modernization #diversity #capital

Driving innovation forward – lessons from a fintech founder turned community banker. Detailed Summary: In this episode, Christian Ruppe, Chief Innovation Officer of Colony Bank, joins Greg to discuss his journey from fintech entrepreneur to banker. Colony Bank is a $3.3 billion community bank headquartered in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with a footprint primarily in South Georgia and offices in surrounding areas. As the largest community bank in Georgia, Colony serves both consumers and businesses, particularly catering to larger businesses that find national banks too impersonal but need more capabilities than smaller community banks can offer. Rupp shares Colony Bank’s three-year innovation journey, which began with building the necessary infrastructure to be “ready” rather than “right” when facing industry threats and opportunities. This foundation-building phase required developing new organizational muscles around technology adoption, due diligence processes, and implementation strategies. Now that this groundwork is established, Colony is exploring forward-looking technologies, with agentic AI being a particular focus. They’ve partnered with DeepSea to develop AI agents that handle tedious manual processes like indirect lending verification, which has improved accuracy while freeing staff to focus on growth-oriented tasks. When advising fintechs on partnering with banks, Rupp emphasizes the importance of addressing immediate problems banks are actively trying to solve. Community banks have limited capacity to implement new technologies, so solutions that address current “fires” have a much higher chance of being adopted. He notes that while banks may not immediately implement every interesting solution they encounter, they often remember these technologies when relevant problems arise later, highlighting the value of patience and relationship-building in the fintech-banking partnership process. More info: Colony Bank: https://colony.bank/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/colony-bank/ Christian Ruppe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruppe/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #Finovate #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #bankingInnovation #fintech #communitybanking #digitaltransformation #AI #innovation #startup #banking

Bringing a rewarding investment experience into FI’s with FinovateSpring Best of Show winner Bits of Stock. Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg interviews Arash Asady, CEO and co-founder of Bits of Stock, a Best of Show winner at FinovateSpring 2025. Arash introduces Bits of Stock as an embedded digital wealth and financial benefits platform that empowers financial institutions to bundle banking with fractional stock and crypto investing. The company helps banks boost deposits and card engagement through stocks as rewards, roundups, and investments. Arash explains that financial institutions face competitive threats from fintechs like Robinhood and Acorns, which offer comprehensive services including fractional investing that appeal to younger customers who expect all financial services within one digital experience. The conversation highlights how Bits of Stock’s stock rewards program differentiates from traditional rewards systems. Their research showed stock rewards were 34 times more effective than cashback in driving card spending, with users increasing card spend by 20% month over month. Arash emphasizes that stock rewards remove barriers to investing and help address wealth inequality, noting that currently 90% of stocks are owned by just 10% of the population. The platform offers a “free to premium” model that fits well into financial institutions’ checking account strategies, allowing users to access free fractional investing with basic features and upgrade to premium tiers with additional benefits. Looking ahead, Bits of Stock plans to expand its feature set within the free-to-premium experience, focusing particularly on partnerships with digital banking providers to bring their platform to millions of households. Arash mentions they’re working to add features that will drive more fee income and revenue for financial institutions. The company is preparing for a significant Series A funding round, targeting a $20 million raise by the end of 2025. More info: Bits of Stock: https://www.bitsofstock.com/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitsofstock/ Brandon Min: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aasady/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #podcast #fintechpodcast #financialservices #bankingInnovation #fintech #voice #antifraud #investing #rewards #CU #communitybanking #digitaltransformation #AI #innovation #finovatespring

I swear, it wasn’t me! – connecting with FinovateSpring Best of Show winner Herd Security on their anti-deepfake fraud prevention solution. Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Brandon Min, founder and CEO of Herd Security, a Best of Show winner at FinovateSpring 2025. Brandon explains that Herd Security focuses on helping organizations build “herd immunity” against generative AI cyber attacks, particularly deepfakes. Unlike competitors who focus solely on detection or training, Herd helps organizations understand their deepfake risk exposure by answering two key questions: what is the organization’s overall vulnerability to deepfakes, and which employees are most susceptible to these attacks. Their approach includes proprietary voice detection algorithms that analyze audio for AI manipulation as part of a comprehensive layered security strategy. Brandon identifies two primary threat vectors for financial institutions: inbound call centers where fraudsters can use deepfakes to bypass verification systems, and recruitment processes where bad actors might impersonate candidates to gain organizational access. He notes that while deepfake attacks are still relatively uncommon, there have been significant incidents, including a Hong Kong firm losing $25 million to a video deepfake fraud. Brandon emphasizes that organizations should be proactive rather than reactive in addressing these emerging threats, as traditional voice attacks (without deepfakes) have already caused significant damage to companies all over the world. During his demo, Brandon took a measured approach to raising awareness without fearmongering. He showed the technology’s capabilities by spoofing the host’s voice in a friendly message, then escalated to showing how the same technology could be used in a wire transfer fraud scenario. Brandon stresses the importance of education and preparation, comparing the current situation to early warning signs before a tsunami – we’re seeing the beginning signs of deepfake threats, and while it’s difficult to predict exactly how they’ll evolve, organizations need to understand their vulnerabilities now rather than waiting for a major incident to occur. More info: Herd Security: https://www.herdsecurity.io/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/herd-security/ Brandon Min: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-min-356ab290/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #AIPodcast #FinancialServices #BankingInnovation #FinTech #voice #antifraud #security #deepfake #security #DigitalTransformation #AI #innovation #finovatespring

Next-gen customer service – connecting with FinovateSpring Best of Show winner Penny Finance on attracting, retaining, and serving members of the digital generation Detailed Summary: In this Finovate podcast episode, host Greg interviews Crissi Cole, founder and CEO of Penny Finance, a Best of Show winner at FinovateSpring in San Diego. Cole, a former Goldman Sachs financial advisor, created Penny Finance in 2020 to provide personalized financial planning for everyday Americans. After building a community of 20,000 individual users, Penny pivoted to partnering with community banks and credit unions when they discovered 80% of their members already had relationships with local financial institutions, while only 20% of these institutions offered financial planning services. Penny Finance’s platform connects consumers’ financial plans with their financial institution’s products, helping community banks and credit unions better serve their members. Cole emphasizes that smaller financial institutions have advantages over larger banks in their ability to tailor offerings to individual customers and provide more attractive financial products. However, these institutions often struggle with building the digital presence needed to attract and retain today’s online customers, which is where Penny’s technology helps bridge the gap. Crissi highlights that effective financial services aren’t just about technological capabilities or integration with online banking platforms, but about understanding customers and meeting them at key moments in their financial journey. She stresses that relevance and timing in the user journey are more important than fancy CRMs or mobile apps. The ultimate goal is to transform financial institutions from merely offering a menu of products to becoming true financial partners that help customers when they need it, making financial planning accessible to everyday Americans while helping community banks manage more of their members’ wallets. More info: Penny Finance: https://www.penny-finance.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/penny-finance-inc/ Crissi Cole: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crissicole111/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #Podcast #FinancialServices #BankingInnovation #FinTech #creditunion #communitybank #CX #DigitalTransformation #innovation #finovatespring

Talk to me – connecting with FinovateSpring Best of Show winner Illuma Labs on their AI CX and authentication agent Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Milind Borkar, founder and CEO of Illuma, a two-time Best of Show winner at Finovate events. Illuma specializes in voice authentication and fraud prevention solutions for mid-market financial institutions like credit unions, community banks, and regional banks. The company has evolved from primarily focusing on authentication to becoming more of a fraud prevention company, developing advanced capabilities to detect deepfakes and other voice-based fraud attempts. During the interview, Milind explains how their technology works by running parallel engines – an authentication engine that matches voiceprints and a synthetic detection engine that identifies signatures of artificially generated voices. Milind goes on to discuss how the financial industry’s response to AI-based threats has evolved. Initially, there was skepticism and fear when deepfakes first emerged, with many institutions paralyzed by uncertainty. Now, there’s growing acceptance that humans alone cannot detect sophisticated AI-generated voice fraud, and that “the only way to really battle the evil use of AI is good use of AI.” Financial institutions are increasingly interested in implementing AI solutions while also asking more questions about ethical AI use and governance frameworks, though many organizations are still determining what ethical AI implementation actually means in practice. The conversation concludes on the note that fraud challenges are universal across different types of financial institutions and geographic locations. Whether on the East or West Coast, or whether dealing with small credit unions or large regional banks, the same fundamental problems exist – just at different scales. Milind notes that fraudsters are opportunistic and don’t discriminate based on region, making Illuma’s solutions equally relevant across the financial services spectrum. More info: Illuma Labs: https://illuma.cx/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/illuma-labs/ Milind Borkar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milind-borkar-4197a917/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #AIPodcast #FinancialServices #BankingInnovation #FinTech #voice #CX #security #DigitalTransformation #AI #innovation #finovatespring

I’m sold! – connecting with FinovateSpring Best of Show winner Solda.ai on their award-winning solution. Detailed Summary: In this Finovate podcast episode, host Greg interviews Andrew Reese, the U.S. go-to-market lead for Solda.ai, a FinovateSpring Best of Show winner. Solda builds artificial intelligence sales representatives that help financial institutions boost revenue and cut costs by mirroring their best sales representatives at scale across phone, text, email, and chat channels. The technology resonated strongly with the Finovate audience because it addresses common challenges in scaling sales operations, including high costs, burnout, and inconsistent performance, while maintaining the human connection that’s essential in customer interactions. For B2C applications, Solda’s AI can handle the entire sales process from initial outreach to closing deals, including post-call tasks like updating CRMs. For B2B scenarios, the AI focuses on initial conversations, qualifying leads, and setting meetings with human sales representatives. The company emphasizes transparency about AI use while noting that less than 1% of customers actually ask if they’re speaking with AI. Solda works closely with clients to train the AI on both what to say and what not to say, which is particularly important in heavily regulated industries like banking. Looking to the future, Solda aims to improve its AI’s capabilities to consistently outperform human sales representatives and leverage conversation data to provide richer analytics for clients. The company had insightful conversations at FinovateSpring about potential applications in wealth management and insurance. Rather than replacing human teams entirely, Solda focuses on automating repetitive, mundane tasks that cause burnout and inconsistent performance, allowing human employees to focus on more strategic work like handling escalations and high-priority conversations. The goal is to help organizations transform to work alongside AI while giving human employees more purposeful roles. More info: Solda.ai: https://www.solda.ai/fintech; https://www.linkedin.com/company/solda-ai/ Andrew Reese: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpreese/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #AIPodcast #FinancialServices #BankingInnovation #FinTech #sales #data #AIExecution #DigitalTransformation #AI #innovation #financialservices #finovatespring

True personalization is here – connecting with FinovateSpring Best of Show winner Finalytics on their award-winning solution. Detailed Summary: This episode of the Finovate Podcast features Craig McLaughlin (CEO) and Baron Conway (CSO) of Finalytics, a Best of Show winner at FinovateSpring. They join host Greg Palmer to talk about how their platform delivers real-time AI-driven personalization across digital channels by combining behavioral data with transactional and third-party data to create uniquely relevant experiences for each user in both authenticated and unauthenticated environments. This enables financial institutions to optimize marketing spend, improve conversion rates through personalized experiences, and provide full-funnel reporting that tracks customer journeys from first click to funded dollars. Finalytics focuses exclusively on credit unions and community banks because these institutions have traditionally centered their business models around member relationships. The platform helps translate the personalized, human-centered service typically found in physical branches into the digital realm. By creating tailored experiences—such as showing refinancing tools to mortgage browsers, reminding users of abandoned applications, or displaying financial literacy content to Gen Z members—Finalytics helps these institutions maintain their relationship-focused approach in digital channels while driving measurable business outcomes. The episode closes with a look toward the future. Both Craig and Baron believe AI will fundamentally transform banking within five years. Craig predicts a shift from traditional information architecture to contextual experiences where relevant content finds the user rather than users searching for content, while Baron suggests the power is shifting from financial institutions to individuals, comparing the impact of AI to that of the Gutenberg press. Both emphasize that financial institutions must embrace these technologies to remain competitive, asserting that those who fail to adapt “won’t be here” in the future. More info: Finalytics: https://finalytics.ai/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finalyticsai/ Craig McLaughlin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mclaughlincraig/ Baron Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baronconway/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #Finovate #AIPodcast #FinancialServices #BankingInnovation #FinTech #personalization #data #AIExecution #DigitalTransformation #AI #innovation #financialservices #finovatespring

FinovateSpring keynoter Javier Perez on taking AI out of the experimental and scaling it up for maximum impact. Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, Javier Perez, Global Director at VASS Financial Services, shares key insights from his recent keynote at FinovateSpring. He emphasizes that although AI holds immense potential for banks and fintechs, 85% of AI projects in the sector fail to reach production due to poor execution and misaligned teams. To overcome this, organizations must stop treating AI as a mere experiment and instead focus on execution, aligning business, tech, and compliance teams. Javier highlights the importance of beginning with high-impact use cases and ensuring the right mix of technical knowledge, financial expertise, and AI deployment experience. He also stresses the need for companies to build AI-ready data infrastructure, empower business teams to be AI-fluent, and approach AI as a cross-functional business transformation tool to ensure long-term success. Javier goes on to emphasize the importance of moving beyond AI experimentation toward execution in financial institutions. He outlines three core requirements for success: establishing an AI-ready data infrastructure, empowering business teams to become AI-fluent, and prioritizing a few high-impact use cases. Perez explains how VASS supports clients through its AI Academy and bootcamps, guiding executive teams through strategy, platform development, and implementation with experienced, end-to-end support. He stresses that AI should be treated as a business transformation lever rather than a siloed innovation initiative, urging firms to align cross-functional teams and begin practical application, even if their architecture isn’t perfect. By doing so, institutions can ensure measurable results over the next 12 to 24 months. More info: VASS: https://intelygenz.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/company/vass/ Javier Perez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fcojavierperezgarcia/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #fintech #AI #innovation #financialservices #finovate #finovatespring

Blockchain at a key inflection point – where we are now in the innovation cycle, what’s coming next, and where to find your next opportunity. Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer chats with Matthew Le Merle of Blockchain Coinvestors about the current state and trajectory of blockchain technology. He explains that his firm has invested in over 1,250 blockchain startups, including major players like Coinbase and Kraken. With a background in internet and fintech investing and previous leadership roles at top consulting firms, Matthew outlines how blockchain has evolved from a niche innovation into a foundational infrastructure, now at an inflection point similar to the early internet days. He notes that the industry is scaling rapidly, with 500 million digital wallets already in use and billions more expected in the near future as adoption expands. Matthew likens the rise of blockchain to the digitalization of communications through the internet. Just as we transitioned from handwritten letters to instant digital communication, blockchain enables the real-time, low-cost transfer of money and assets via digital wallets and stablecoins. This shift is especially impactful for global remittances, where traditional banking is slow and expensive. He emphasizes that current blockchain adoption mirrors the internet’s mid-1990s stage, where foundational tools are in place, but mass user adoption and advanced applications are just beginning. The key enabler is access—digital wallets open the door to the broader ecosystem of digital assets and services. On the topic of tokenization, Matthew asserts that virtually any asset can be digitized through blockchain. Whether it’s equities, real estate, or personal possessions, the technology allows ownership records to be placed in digital wrappers (tokens), enabling secure, flexible, and transparent transfers online. This shift not only improves speed and cost-efficiency but also unlocks entirely new functionalities such as fractional ownership and global 24/7 trading. Ultimately, he argues that blockchain will do for assets and money what the internet did for communication and content—transform how we interact, manage, and trade value in every sector. More info: Blockchain Coinvestors: www.blockchaincoinvestors.com Matthew Le Merle: linkedin.com/in/matthewlemerle; @‌mlemerle.bsky.social Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #fintech #blockchain #cryptocurrency #financialservices #innovation #tokenization #finovate #DeFi #digitization

Exploring CU-specific fintech solutions, with a preview of the CU Spotlight session at FinovateSpring. Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Nick Evens, President and CEO of Curql, ahead of FinovateSpring. Nick shares his journey from working within credit unions to leading Curql, a strategic investment fund focused on credit union innovation. He explains how Curql was born from a need to support credit unions in staying competitive with big banks by pooling resources to invest in transformative financial technology. With its roots in the credit union community, Curql helps these institutions gain access to tech solutions they otherwise couldn’t afford on their own. Nick then elaborates on Curql’s mission to connect credit unions with fintechs and vice versa, underscoring its role in helping credit unions adopt cutting-edge technology. He discusses the company’s current and upcoming funds and how they support a growing portfolio of tech firms. Curql not only invests in startups but also fosters an ecosystem where over 130 credit unions collaborate and share resources. Additionally, Curql emphasizes regulatory modernization and strategic partnerships, often co-investing in companies that serve both banks and credit unions. Looking ahead to FinovateSpring, Nick and Greg discuss the special Credit Union Spotlight session, designed to highlight fintechs that cater specifically to CUs. This curated environment ensures that attendees from various roles—whether in lending, compliance, or cybersecurity—can discover relevant solutions. With a diverse lineup of presenting companies, including those focused on AI and member-facing technologies, the session aims to meet the broad needs of credit union professionals and further Curql’s mission of bridging the gap between fintech and credit unions. More info: Curql: https://www.curql.com/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/curql/ Nick Evens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-evens-76b75316/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/ #fintech #CU #creditunions #financialservices #innovation #digitaltransformation #finovate #finovatespring

Building and growing winning teams – thoughts from a seasoned fintech leader on managing high-performing engineering teams. Detailed Summary: In this episode Naga Rishyender, Manager of Software Engineering at Discover Financial Services, shares his thoughts on building and managing high-performing engineering teams in the fast-evolving fintech space. He begins by discussing his career journey—from his education at UNCC to roles at Wells Fargo, Oracle, Amazon, and now Discover—highlighting the impact of his leadership on major projects like Amazon’s “Pay with Affirm” feature. At Discover, he currently leads a team of engineers working on critical payment authorization systems, fraud prevention, and infrastructure modernization, with a strong focus on innovation and cloud technology. Naga goes on to detail his philosophy for assembling effective engineering teams. He emphasizes diversity—not just in background, but in experience levels—as a key to fostering collaboration, mentorship, and innovation. Psychological safety, clear roadmaps, and continuous learning opportunities are all pillars of his leadership approach to ensure team alignment and growth. The conversation also explores the evolving relationship between academia and the fintech industry. Naga praises the rise of fintech-specific courses in universities and highlights Discover’s Student Rotational Program as a successful model for bridging the gap between education and real-world experience. He advocates for more industry-academic collaboration through mentorship, hackathons, internships, and curriculum development. These partnerships, he argues, prepare students more effectively for careers in fintech by offering practical experience, exposure to regulations, and insight into company cultures before graduation. More info: Discover FS: https://www.discover.com/ Naga Rishyendar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naga-rishyendar-p/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #fintech #leadership #engineering #financialservices #innovation #mentorship #finovate

Former pro athlete and founder of the Male Mogul Initiative Walter Mendenhall on the recent acquisition of Help With My Loan, and the importance of fair access to credit. Detailed Summary: In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer talks with Walter Mendenhall, founder of the Male Mogul Initiative, a Chicago-based nonprofit aimed at empowering young men through leadership, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Walter shares his unique path from the NFL to teaching, and eventually to founding his organization in response to systemic issues he witnessed in his community. What began with a handful of students in 2018 has grown into a large-scale movement impacting over 3,000 young people, producing 200+ jobs, and launching Chicago’s first youth business incubator, CoLab. Walter highlights the critical issues his organization tackles—such as lack of access to capital and high rates of unemployment and gun violence among young black men in Chicago. Walter then explains how his personal experience being denied a loan, despite strong financials, sparked a deeper dive into the challenges under-resourced communities face in accessing capital. This led to his obsession with financial education and systemic barriers, eventually informing his academic work and business ventures. He emphasizes how a lack of basic financial knowledge—like understanding loan underwriting criteria—keeps many people from succeeding. His goal is to demystify these processes and educate individuals who are often left behind by traditional financial systems. The conversation turns to the recent acquisition of Help With My Loan, a Finovate alum that uses AI to speed up and streamline the commercial loan process. Walter, along with his partners, brought the company from California to Chicago to expand its reach and use it as a tool to train youth as business loan brokers. With a 95% match rate and 80% faster processing times, the platform aligns perfectly with Male Mogul’s mission to increase access to capital. Looking ahead, Walter envisions expanding their lender network, integrating blockchain for community investment, and ultimately creating scalable solutions to close the capital gap nationwide. His closing advice to fintech innovators: focus on solving real problems with passion—opportunities and support will follow. More info: Male Mogul Initiative: https://malemogulinitiative.org/ Help With My Loan: https://helpwithmyloan.com/ Walter Mendenhall IV: https://waltermendenhall.com/ , https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-mendenhall-iv-55200787/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #fintech #lending #credit #FinancialInclusion #finovate

Innovate without needing to update your legacy tech stack. FinovateEurope Best of Show winner Tweezr explains how. Detailed episode description: In this episode, Greg sits down with FinovateEurope Best of Show winner Tweezr to learn more about their innovative approach to maintaining and modifying complex legacy systems. Co-founders Ohad Kotler and Lior Vernia created Tweezr to help financial institutions modernize without replacing their core systems. By enabling developers to make precise code changes without breaking critical functionality, Tweezr saves time and makes legacy systems more maintainable. The co-founders share their experiences working with banks and the significant challenges posed by outdated technology, emphasizing that the inability to swiftly update core systems hinders digital transformation efforts. The discussion also highlights the severe bottlenecks legacy systems create for banks, making even simple modifications a lengthy and costly process. Tweezr acts as a guiding tool (rather than an automated coding system), helping developers navigate millions of lines of code efficiently. It identifies necessary modifications, warns of potential breakages, and significantly reduces the time required to implement changes. By doing so, Tweezr empowers financial institutions to innovate without being bogged down by their outdated infrastructure. Tweezr’s AI-driven approach focuses on bridging the maintainability gap, allowing banks to continue using their legacy systems without full-scale modernization. Instead of replacing core banking software—a process that can take years—banks can use Tweezrr to optimize and maintain their existing technology stack. The AI functions as a senior engineer, analyzing dependencies and guiding developers to implement safe, effective changes. This ability to enhance legacy systems without a full overhaul is what resonated strongly with FinovateEurope’s audience. More info: Tweezr’s Demo: https://finovate.com/videos/finovateeurope-2025-tweezr/ FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/ Tweezr: www.tweezr.io, https://www.linkedin.com/company/tweezr/ Ohad Kotler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ohad-kotler-949b4941 Lior Vernia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liorvernia Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #fintech #digitaltransformation #modernization #AI #legacytech #corebanking #finovate #finovateeurope

FinovateEurope Best of Show winner Keyless on using facial recognition without storing sensitive biometric data on a specific device. Detailed Summary: In this episode, Tobin Broadfoot and host Greg Palmer highlight the challenges of traditional authentication methods, such as remembering passwords and using SMS one-time passcodes, which are both inconvenient and vulnerable to security breaches. Keyless addresses these issues by offering a decentralized, privacy-focused solution that allows users to authenticate across multiple devices securely. Their unique approach uses zero-knowledge biometrics and secure multi-party computation to perform authentication without storing or accessing personal data. Tobin also discusses the difficulties banks face when customers lose devices and how Keyless provides a more seamless and secure solution compared to traditional device-based authentication systems. The technology reduces reliance on weak factors like SMS and email verification, which are prone to account takeovers. Tobin concludes with the thought that while AI enables more sophisticated fraud techniques, including “fraud-as-a-service,” companies like Keyless are already equipped with advanced defenses to combat these evolving threats. Keyless’ ability to process biometric data locally on devices while maintaining privacy gives it a significant edge in preventing large-scale fraud. More info: FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/ Keyless: keyless.io, https://www.linkedin.com/company/keylesstech/ Tobin Broadfoot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobinbroadfoot/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #finovate #fintech #biometrics #security #ai #verification

Streamlining complex system integrations with FinovateEurope Best of Show winner R34DY. Detailed summary: in this episode, host Greg Palmer speaks with Márk Katenyi, CEO and founder of R34DY, a company that won Best of Show at FinovateEurope. The two talk about Ablements, an integration platform designed for banks and financial institutions to simplify IT architecture and streamline complex system integrations. Márk explains how the platform uses AI, including retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and agentic technologies, to ingest documentation, understand IT systems, and create deployable workflows. He highlights the industry’s long-standing struggle with integration and how AI is now enabling real solutions, rather than just theoretical improvements. Throughout the conversation, Márk discusses the overwhelmingly positive response from banks at FinovateEurope, who have long awaited AI-driven integration solutions. He acknowledges that while there is still skepticism about AI’s effectiveness, R34DY has been able to demonstrate real results. The discussion also touches on the broader role of AI in financial institutions, emphasizing the importance of focusing on enterprise use cases that reduce costs and improve efficiency. Looking ahead, R34DY aims to expand its platform’s capabilities and address market gaps, particularly in enabling faster, more secure, and compliant financial system integrations. More information: FinovateEurope: https://informaconnect.com/finovateeurope/ R34DY: https://www.r34dy.io/ Ablements: https://ablements.com/ Márk Hetenyi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hetenyi-64b7824/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/

A different approach to connecting community banks with fintechs, and predictions for the coming year

Collaboration and co-creation between fintechs and credit unions – a recap of a FinovateEurope conversation, and a preview of FinovateSpring

AI, data apps, and a preview of FinovateEurope.

The investment landscape, IPO and M&A predictions, and what to expect in 2025.

Crypto, the SEC, and what shifting regulations mean for the fintech industry.

FinovateFall Best of Show winner Nest on their partnership with Efigence, conversational banking, and the future of customer service

Neobanks, 2025 predictions, and a preview of FinovateEurope

Expanding credit for women entrepreneurs in the Global South, and how fintech can help.

Exploring opportunities and challenges in fintech for private wealth

Cryptocurrency in 2025 – where we are now, and what’s coming next

Is fintech too crowded? A high-level examination of the ecosystem now, and where we’re going from here.

FinovateFall 2024 Best of Show winners Delfi on the dangers of balance sheet risk and its macroeconomic impact.

FinovateFall Best of Show winner Bancography on the importance of physical branches and making sure they’re in the right places

FinovateFall Best of Show winner Illuma on call-center security and AI-based fraud

FinovateFall Best of Show winner Credit Mountain on the “warm decline” and relationship-building

FinovateFall Best of Show winner Eko on a new approach to bringing investing capabilities inside FIs

Successfully onboarding third-party fintechs, from strategizing, to selection, to implementation.

Why you should be thinking about B2C payments.

Payments, security, and the importance of staying flexible as an innovator.

Unicorn or Cash Cow? Building a company for the exit you want.

Insights from senior bankers on digital transformation and how fintechs can stand out from the crowd.

Exploring Fintech Sandbox and the importance of making data available to early-stage fintechs

Cannabis banking and community banks: one COO’s perspective on implementing a new program.

Understanding Web3, how it’s changing financial services, and what you should be doing now.