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In episode 229 of Fintech4Good, titled "Solutions for Immigrants" on Breaking Banks Europe, host Elizabeth Kleinveld welcomes Terver Bendega and Ethien Salinas to discuss their startups addressing challenges faced by immigrants. Bendega, CMO of Arrivall, shares his personal journey as an immigrant and the genesis of Arrivall, a platform offering rental guarantees, personal financing, and credit building to ease newcomers' integration. Salinas, CTO of Íkualo, recounts his co-founder's struggle to open a bank account, inspiring Íkualo, a financial hub for immigrants simplifying account opening and KYC processes. Both startups prioritize inclusion and empowerment, reflecting on their achievements and future plans. Bendega envisions Arrivall as a catalyst for millions of immigrant success stories, while Salinas sees Íkualo facilitating seamless financial integration. Their inspiring narratives underscore the transformative potential of fintech in fostering immigrant inclusion and empowerment.

In a dynamic conversation on the Bankers' Bookshelf podcast, Paolo Sironi and Edwin Saliba from Economist Impact delve into the future of banking through qualitative scenarios and quantitative data. They explore Economist Impact's report "Banking in 2035: Three Possible Futures," outlining five Mega Trends shaping banking, including digital transformation and economic fragmentation. The discussion focuses on three potential scenarios: trust-building in a transformed banking sector, collective action on climate change, and navigating a fragmented world. Each scenario presents unique challenges and opportunities, from rebuilding trust through digitalization to addressing cybersecurity risks. Despite banking executives' cautious optimism, there's a gap between awareness and action, highlighting the need for proactive strategies to prepare for an uncertain future. The podcast concludes with a glimpse into future episodes, promising continued exploration of critical topics in banking and fintech.







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About our guest:







Edwin Saliba has more than 10 years of experience working with governments, UN agencies, and the private sector on solving pressing public policy challenges. His interests lie in the areas of climate change, technology, and public finance. Edwin completed his undergraduate studies in Economics at the American University of Beirut, and graduated with an MPA from Columbia University. He is originally from Lebanon, and currently lives in New Jersey, US. In his free time, Edwin enjoys volunteering, reading, and outdoors activities, among many other hobbies.







READ THE REPORT: https://impact.economist.com/perspectives/sites/default/files/banking_in_2035_three_possible_futures_briefing_paper.pdf

In this episode of the Fintech4Good series on the Breaking Banks Europe podcast, host Matteo Rizzi is joined by Paula Bellizia, an influential leader in the tech industry. With over 29 years of experience, Paula has held top positions at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Currently, she is the President of Global Payments at EBANX, a company that connects global digital businesses with emerging markets. The episode focuses on Paula’s journey, highlighting her commitment to talent development, inclusiveness, and gender diversity. Matteo, who is also working on upskilling African tech talents through http://Timepledge.org , engages Paula in a discussion on her role in promoting diversity in the corporate world, including her leadership in the G20's diversity action council. Together, they explore how technology and diversity initiatives can drive positive change in global business ecosystems.

This new installment of the Fintech4Good series delved into "Affordable Housing Loans for the Underbanked in Zimbabwe." Hosted by Elizabeth Kleinveld, the discussion featured Vusa Chimanikire, CEO of Entry, and Tawana Muchatuta from Africa Growth. The conversation began with Entry's mission to provide loans for affordable housing in Zimbabwe, addressing financial exclusion. They explored Zimbabwe's economic challenges, including high interest rates hindering mortgage access. Entry's unique assessment process, focusing on psychometric analysis and financial health, was detailed. The discussion expanded to Entry's plans for expansion and Africa's fintech growth potential. Resources for further engagement were shared, highlighting Entry's commitment to rewarding financial responsibility and Africa's promising prospects in the fintech sector.







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Connect with our guests:







Vusa Chimanikire - Co-Founder & CEO of Entry









https://www.linkedin.com/in/vusa-chimanikire-11b17836









Tawana Muchatuta - Managing Partner, Africa Growth









https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmuchatuta

The Bankers’ BookShelf is back, and this week Paolo Sironi invited Erin Taylor and Anette Broløs - Co-founders of Finthropology to delve into the essence of finance beyond mere numbers. They argue that for most people, finance serves to achieve life goals and maintain social relationships, emphasizing the human aspect of financial transactions. The conversation highlights the need for financial providers to adopt a customer-centric approach, offering solutions that people can control without expecting them to think like bankers. Paulo underscores the importance of understanding these human-centered perspectives in shaping innovative financial services. They conclude by announcing the release of Erin and Anette's new book, " Customer-Centric Innovation in Finance: Leveraging Human Insights to Drive Product Innovation in the Digital Age," available on Amazon.







"The Banker's Bookshelf" serves as a platform for critical thinking, showcasing impactful readings for curious bankers and fintech enthusiasts.







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Get the book!









https://www.amazon.com/dp/1398613878?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_2S1FFNKWZVZBZZCCG4W1









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Connect with Dr. Erin B. Taylor, Director and Co-Founder, Finthropology







Erin is an anthropologist based in the Netherlands. She specialises in how people's financial behaviour is changing along with innovation in financial services. She holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, Australia, and has carried out ethnographic research in the Caribbean, South America, Africa and Europe.









https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinbtaylor/









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Connect with Dr. Anette Broløs, Director and Co-Founder, Finthropology







Anette is a fintech analyst based in Denmark. She is an experienced network leader working with strategic innovation and partnerships. She holds an industrial PhD in collaborative innovation and has a background in economics. Anette has extensive work experience in finance including six years as CEO of Copenhagen FinTech Innovation and Research.









https://www.linkedin.com/in/anette-brol%C3%B8s-a80490/

Matteo Rizzi representing Breaking Banks Europe at the Paris Blockchain Week, interviews Zoltan Rendes, Co-owner/Chief Marketing Officer at Sunmoney Solar Group. Zoltan discusses Sunmoney's transition to tokenizing its assets and the benefits of blockchain technology for sustainable investing. He highlights the company's commitment to profitability and environmental conservation, emphasizing initiatives such as tire recycling and clean drinking water solutions. Despite caution in expanding into emerging markets like Africa due to geopolitical risks, Sunmoney remains dedicated to addressing global environmental challenges. The conversation underscores the transformative potential of sustainable investing and blockchain technology in driving positive change.







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Zoltan Rendes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoltan-rendes-76759652/







sunmoney.com