In a tech landscape overflowing with buzzwords like “disruption” and “innovation,” the real question is: Who actually benefits from all this progress? At this year’s SXSW, fintech leaders dug into the deeper issues—how to use technology responsibly, how to serve those long ignored by traditional banking, and how to make sure innovation isn’t just a…

The financial world is rapidly evolving, and at the center of this transformation is a new paradigm: agentic payments. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, machines and digital agents are beginning to make decisions—and transactions—on behalf of humans. This shift isn’t about incremental change; it’s about a complete rethinking of how value is exchanged in…

The sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has reignited urgent conversations about bank liquidity risk across the financial sector. While some may dismiss the event as a one-off failure tied to tech startups or crypto exposure, the reality cuts much deeper. SVB’s downfall underscores systemic issues that many institutions face—rising interest rate pressure, liquidity…

Success in fintech doesn’t follow a straight line. It loops through triumphs, failures, pivots, and the occasional total reset. This is the nature of creative destruction in fintech—a cycle where progress is born from disruption and reinvention. The industry thrives not despite failure, but because of it. That’s the story emerging from a new generation…

As the worlds of commerce and technology collide, the expectations businesses have around payments are evolving. Traditionally, the B2B payments space has been complex, slow-moving, and tangled in paperwork. But now, we’re seeing a major shift—companies are borrowing from the consumer playbook. The idea of applying B2C strategies in B2B payments is gaining traction, and…

The gap between what consumers expect from financial services and where institutions are investing is getting wider. While banks and fintechs tout innovation through AI and embedded services, consumers are asking for something more fundamental: simplicity, clarity, and control. At the heart of it all is a demand for more intelligent, intuitive digital identity in…

Banking regulation uncertainty is driving a new era of disruption in financial services. Between shifting political winds, evolving oversight, and economic turbulence, banks and fintech companies alike are operating in an environment where the rules seem to change by the month—if not the week. What once felt like a push toward greater freedom and innovation…

Data is the lifeblood of financial innovation. But as fintech evolves, how we collect, manage, and share that data is coming under serious scrutiny. From open banking regulation to the murky mechanics of credit builder cards—and even the complications of cannabis banking—today’s financial landscape is a patchwork of policy, platforms, and potential. Understanding these intersecting…

As banking faces an era of rising interest rates, fintech disruption, and regulatory pressure, one question has taken center stage: are brokered deposits in banking still viable—or a ticking time bomb? For decades, brokered deposits were seen as a red flag. They signaled higher risk appetites, possible liquidity issues, and regulatory scrutiny. But today’s financial…

Embedded banking strategy is revolutionizing the way we experience financial services. No longer confined to traditional banks, financial interactions are now seamlessly integrated into our daily lives—whether we’re booking a ride, shopping online, or managing a company’s cash flow. This shift demands more than just innovative technology; it requires a strategic rethinking of how and…

As fintech partnerships continue to grow, so do the complexities of their underlying infrastructure. A central point of friction? FBO accounts in fintech—a seemingly simple tool that’s creating serious operational, regulatory, and financial challenges for banks and startups alike. If you’re building or supporting a fintech product, it’s time to rethink how these accounts work,…