Operate Podcast Carey Ransom

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we dive deep into the evolution of 'Banking as a Service' (BaaS) and its complexities. My guest, Rafael DeLeon, the SVP of Industry Engagement at NContracts, shares his extensive insights on the partnership dynamics between community banks and fintech companies. We explored how these relationships started, the operational challenges they faced, and how they've matured over time. Rafael discussed the importance of trust, risk management, and regulatory compliance in these partnerships, highlighting the transition from what he calls the 'Wild West' of BaaS to a more structured environment today.
We also talked about the broader regulatory environment in the banking industry, focusing on how regulators are handling the rapid pace of change, interest rates, and macroeconomic challenges. Rafael provided his perspective on recent enforcement actions and what they signal to the industry, emphasizing the need for transparency, strong risk management systems, and strategic planning.
From there we addressed the impact of technology on smaller banks and how it can enable them to be more efficient and competitive. Rafael shared his optimistic outlook on the future of community banking, particularly how fintech partnerships and regulatory guidelines will shape the industry's landscape.
Towards the end of our conversation, Rafael reflected on his career transition from a long tenure at the OCC to his current role at Ncontracts. He discussed how his new position allows him to leverage his regulatory expertise and passion for the banking industry to foster innovation and compliance. This episode provided a comprehensive look at the current and future state of community banking, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in financial services, fintech, and regulatory affairs.
Thank you to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.
EPISODE CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 Preview
00:36 Intro
00:49 Sponsor
01:21 Meet Rafael DeLeon: SVP of Industry Engagement at Ncontracts
02:27 Banking as a Service: Challenges and Evolution
05:58 Regulatory Oversight and Compliance
10:56 Risk Management in Banking Partnerships
19:46 Future of Banking and Regulatory Environment
35:36 Technology's Role in Small Banks
38:09 Bridging the Tech-Bank Language Gap
41:27 Journey to Becoming a Bank Regulator
47:20 Transition to NContracts
50:19 NContracts' Growth and Innovations
53:38 Rafael's Superpower: Connecting People
56:23 Future of Banking: AI and Payments
57:50 Regulatory Vigilance and Risk Management
59:47 Accountability in Regulatory Agencies
01:01:05 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we delve into the use of AI & Machine Learning within the commercial real estate lending industry. My guest is Shayne Skaff, co-founder and CEO of Blooma, a SaaS company revolutionizing commercial real estate lending and portfolio management.
Our discussion outlines Shane's entrepreneurial journey, the origins of Blooma, and the challenges and opportunities within the commercial real estate market. Shane shares insights into the impact of technology on underwriting and portfolio management, the adaptability of the workforce to technological advancements, and the significance of community banks to the economy. The conversation also touches on the future of machine learning and AI in banking, the importance of data quality, and the vision for Blooma to facilitate lender and borrower connections and streamline the syndication process within commercial real estate.Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.
CHAPTER MARKERS:00:00 Preview00:33 Intro00:46 Sponsor01:16 Meet Shayne Skaff: Co-Founder & CEO of Blooma02:26 Navigating the Complex Landscape of Commercial Real Estate Loans07:16 The Evolution of Blooma: From Idea to Industry Innovation10:08 Bridging the Gap: Technology Adoption Across Generations17:55 The Future of Commercial Real Estate: A Vision for Innovation20:18 Harnessing AI and ML: The Backbone of Blooma's Technology25:40 The Challenge of Data Management in Banking27:42 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Insights from Shane Scaff38:47 Mentorship and Continuous Learning: A Founder's Perspective43:53 Looking Ahead: Family, Business, and the Future

In this episode, we delve into cybersecurity and the importance of making it relevant to each individual, beyond just their organization. My guest is David Shipley, Co-founder and CEO of Beauceron Security. David shares his journey from a career-altering cybersecurity incident at the University of New Brunswick to leading a cloud-based platform designed to enhance personal and organizational cybersecurity practices by empowering people to be in control of technology. The discussion explores current cybercrime trends in the banking industry, as well as the impact of geopolitical instability and technological advancements on cyber risk, the role of AI in both aiding and complicating cybersecurity efforts, and strategies for building positive security cultures within organizations. He also reflects on the challenges and rewards of growing a startup in Canada, emphasizing the importance of team resiliency, continuous learning, and embracing failure as a pathway to innovation. 
Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.
CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Meet David Shipley: From Military to Cybersecurity CEO
02:28 Current Cybersecurity Challenges and Trends
07:36 Strategies for Banks to Combat Cyber Threats
17:23 The Beauceron Inception Story: A Cybersecurity Journey
26:05 Evolving Security Awareness Training
26:59 Customer Success Stories: Phishing Defense and Employee Training
30:13 Reflections on the Startup Journey
33:27 The Impact of Cybersecurity Work
35:45 Operating a Canadian Startup
41:14 Looking Ahead: Growth, AI, and the Future of Cybersecurity
46:34 David's Rituals & Disciplines
50:24 Closing Remarks

In this episode of the Operate Podcast, we delve into the essential role that technology and data analytics play in the banking industry's future. My guest was Brian Bauer, CEO of Revio, a promising banking and analytics technology startup that's making waves by assisting banks in leveraging their core banking transaction data to foster growth. Brian shares his journey from a 10-year military career to becoming a leader in the FinTech and banking sectors, emphasizing his participation in a FinTech accelerator and his experience co-founding a banking startup in the cannabis sector.
Our discussion includes the significant impact of technology on banks' competitiveness, the shift towards a practical approach to innovation within community banks, and how data analytics can aid banks in understanding their customers better. Brian elaborates on how Revio empowers banks to not only identify but act on business opportunities through insightful analytics of customers' external financial activities. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of banking technology and how banks' ability to make timely decisions significantly influences their readiness for future challenges.
Highlighting the importance of culture, team building, and the role of entrepreneurship in driving change, this episode provides a comprehensive look at how banks can navigate the volatile financial world by embracing innovation and data-driven strategies.
CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 Preview
00:33 Intro
00:45 Sponsor
01:17 Brian Bauer, CEO at Revio
02:48 Banking in a Year of Change: Insights and Adaptations
07:35 The Shift Towards Practical Innovation in Banking
10:03 Revio's Mission: Deepening Bank-Customer Relationships Through Data
20:45 Real-World Impact: How Revio Empowers Banks with Data-Driven Insights
26:35 Competitive Analysis: A New Perspective for Banks
27:51 The Roadmap Ahead: Enhancing Bank Insights
30:57 Data Literacy and Infrastructure in Banking
37:21 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Lessons from a Fintech Accelerator
45:02 Cultivating High Performance and Looking Forward
And thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures!

Given all that is going on in partner banking between community banks and fintechs, it was good timing to have Adam Shapiro on from Klaros Group.
We took a deep dive into the evolving landscape of the financial industry, particularly at the intersection of banking, innovation, and regulation. Adam shared his extensive experience in it. Our discussion focused on 'banking as a service' (BaaS), diving into the regulatory scrutiny it is facing and the importance of understanding the changing regulatory landscape for banks and fintechs. Adam provided insights into compliance, risk management, and the potential of technology to address these challenges effectively.
He also touched on the impact of recent regulatory actions, the importance of banks investing in lines of business like BaaS, and strategies for fintechs in partnering with banks. Looking forward, Adam shared his optimistic view on the future of finance, highlighting the roles of embedded finance and technology in shaping a compliant, innovative, and consumer-friendly financial ecosystem.
This episode offers invaluable insights for financial industry professionals, regulators, and anyone interested in the future of banking and fintech partnerships.
CHAPTER MARKERS:00:00 Highlight00:16 Intro00:28 Sponsor00:59 Adam Shapiro, Partner/Co-founder of Klaros Group02:03 Banking as a Service (BaaS): Navigating Regulatory Waters03:54 The Importance of Compliance and Risk Management in BaaS08:52 Advising Fintechs in a Tightening Regulatory Environment18:33 The Future of Banking and Fintech Collaboration21:48 The Genesis of Klaros Group23:56 Reflecting on Four Years at Klaros34:43 Predictions for Banking, Regulation, and Fintech in 202438:14 Adam Shapiro's Personal Insights and Rituals43:02 Looking Ahead with Klaros Group
Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.

Entrepreneurs always inspire me, and Michael Berman re-affirmed that when we met a couple years ago. It's also been a pleasure to build a partnership with him and his company, NContracts. He shared a lot of company and personal history, as well as industry perspective, in this conversation.
With an increased need for efficient and effective risk, vendor and compliance management in banks, NContracts is well-positioned to help community banks to better compete. And that's what we align on so strongly between our 2 firms.
Thanks to show sponsor, BankTech Ventures.