Fintech Takes

Alex Johnson
  • 4.9 (10)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Fintech Takes

Fintech moves fast. But here at Fintech Takes, Alex Johnson and his rotating panel of guests move faster so that you can stay on top of the latest and greatest news in the industry without breaking a sweat.  Welcome to Fintech Takes—the place where fintech’s biggest nerds come to sit back, relax, and completely geek out. Join Alex and a lineup of fintech’s brightest minds as they dissect what’s happening in fintech and banking.  Each week, Alex and his guests recap the most interesting developments in fintech and explore the industry’s most pressing questions, diving headfirst into the intricate workings of some of the industry’s most ground-breaking business models and unpacking the emerging players that promise to shape fintech’s future. From riveting conversations with fintech’s most relevant operators to comprehensive recaps of the month's most compelling news stories and in-depth analyses of the latest regulatory developments, Fintech Takes is your one-stop-shop for navigating the fintech universe. Subscribe now to join fintech’s nerdiest podcast around!

  1. 10 HR. AGO

    Fintech in 2025: Where the Industry Goes Next - BNPL 2.0

    Welcome to a live recording of the Fintech Takes podcast, coming to you from Money20/20. In this limited series with Marqeta, we’re diving into the aspects of fintech and financial services that we’re most optimistic about heading into 2025. In episode 3, we tackle one of my favorite topics: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). Joining me are Rahul Shah, who leads core product at Marqeta, and Ahmed Siddiqui, who leads product and payments at Branch. I’ve called the demise of BNPL way too many times—my bad. The twist? BNPL isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving in both low and high-interest environments, proving it’s no ZIRP-era fluke. Younger consumers aren’t treating BNPL as a trend—they see it as standard. And it’s not just for sneakers or makeup anymore—BNPL is expanding to all kinds of purchases. Why? Millions of Americans still lack access to traditional credit, and BNPL fills that gap. It’s made small-dollar lending possible, scaling micro-transactions in ways we couldn’t have imagined 50 years ago. Could BNPL push traditional credit to rethink its structure? As BNPL grows, will it promote financial health or push consumers toward overextension?  Tune in to hear why BNPL isn’t replacing credit but pushing the ecosystem to adapt and innovate.  Transform your business with Marqeta's modern card issuing platform. Our open API platform allows businesses to instantly issue cards and process payments. Integrate end to end credit and payment solutions into your business processes using our modern card issuing platform. Learn more at marqueta.com Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Rahul: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-shah-a8415a/ Follow Ahmed: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siddiquiahmed/ Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson

    27 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    S9 E9: Not Fintech Investment Advice: Paydock, Bluespine, Astrada, and Rise

    Welcome back to Not Fintech Investment Advice, where we spotlight new and exciting fintechs. I’m Alex Johnson, creator of Fintech Takes, joined by Simon Taylor who’s gracing us stateside in Washington, DC.  It’s been a wild week—imagine the former FDIC chair on stage as news broke that the *current* FDIC chair, Marty Gruenberg, had resigned, all in a room packed with regulators and sponsor banks…and the two of us. Talk about a vibe shift. Big shoutout to the American Fintech Council for putting on a wonderful event. First up, Paydock is flipping the script on merchant acquiring—think "bank direct," but for acquiring, not issuing. They’re upgrading bank tech without the messy, painful internal overhaul. This way, banks can woo new customers with modern features they couldn’t offer before while staying price-competitive.  Next, Bluespine is automating self-insurance for large employers with an AI-powered platform tailored to each company's plan. Self-insurance works for big companies, but being the insurer is costly. A recent Money 20/20 report highlights a clash: AI companies pushing for productivity gains VS others focus on cutting costs. How these forces play out will be key. Then, Astrada is reimagining embedded finance with “bring your own card” (BYOC) as a service, allowing platforms to offer financial perks without issuing cards. Given that Navan’s BYOC pivot unlocked partnerships with Citibank and Brex, and Visa and Mastercard are adapting, too, this trend raises a key question: Will Ramp stick to their proprietary system, or will BYOC become the new norm? And lastly, Rise is using stablecoins to solve the nightmare of paying global contractors. Could this decentralized approach be the future of seamless cross-border payments? Let's dive in and find out. Plus, we dive into the future of fintech innovation, from building regulatory visibility to exploring how a "call report" for fintechs could reshape market transparency and regulatory oversight. 00:03:28 - Paydock  00:14:35 - Bluespine 00:25:18 - Astrada 00:37:59 - Rise 00:50:38 - Manifesting Fintech Ideas Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Simon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sytaylor/ Substack: https://sytaylor.substack.com   Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson Companies featured: https://paydock.com/ https://www.bluespine.io/ https://astrada.co/ https://www.riseworks.io/

    59 min

  3. NOV 25

    Fintech in 2025: Where the Industry Goes Next - The State of Credit in 2025

    Welcome to the Fintech Takes Podcast, live from Money 2020. Today, we’re diving into the state of credit—a topic I’m passionate about—but I’ve brought in two experts to lead the way. Joining me are Matthew Goldman, publisher of Cards for the Win and founder of Totavii, a consultancy for building fintech products, and Todd Pollak, CRO at Marqeta. We'll unpack insights from Marqeta’s latest U.S. credit report and explore why credit cards are so weird–and why even satisfied customers are quick to switch on a dime. With 3,000 credit cards on the market, differentiation is tough. So, who’s got the right formula for success? As fintechs chase profitability, credit cards are being reimagined with embedded finance, but is convenience the key, or is there a hidden danger lurking in the drive for seamlessness? From the "unsexy" stuff (loan servicing, collections) to the sexy innovations (virtual cards, digital wallets), we explore what’s next for credit and whether it’s time to rethink how credit works. Teaser: The real value of credit cards isn’t the money…it’s something else.  Tune in to find out! Transform your business with Marqeta's modern card issuing platform. Our open API platform allows businesses to instantly issue cards and process payments. Integrate end to end credit and payment solutions into your business processes using our modern card issuing platform. Learn more at marqueta.com Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page.   Follow Matthew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgoldman/ Follow Todd: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-pollak-991b6/ Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson

    34 min

  4. NOV 20

    S9 E8: Special Solo Recap on Deregulation, Marqeta, and Crypto’s Paradox

    Welcome to Fintech Takes, the podcast breaking down the latest in fintech news and trends. I'm Alex Johnson, your self-proclaimed Fintech nerd and creator of the Fintech Takes newsletter. We’re shaking up our regular schedule with a special solo episode of my 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀. What’s that, you ask? It’s my monthly hangout with fellow fintech nerds where we unpack the latest industry news, field audience questions, and have a candid chat. If you haven’t joined one yet, mark your calendar for December! Now, let’s dive in. First up: The Election. While I’m staying out of politics, I’m exploring what Trump’s reelection could mean for fintech. Deregulation is on the horizon, and early shifts in financial services are already happening. But will this “Amish rumspringer” in finance trigger another speculative frenzy? Is deregulation the right answer, or could it lead to long-term consumer challenges? Next: Marqeta. The card issuer processor’s stock plummeted 30% after Q3 earnings. Big clients are bringing program management in-house, signaling a major shift. As regulatory scrutiny rises, the old model where Visa and Mastercard acted as quasi-regulators may crumble. For intermediaries like Marqeta, it’s adapt or lose key revenue. Then, FDIC’s new report on financial inclusion: progress is being made, but many Americans are still left out of traditional banking. Can fintech close the gap, or is the system too rigid to change? Finally, crypto remains a paradox. New FDIC data shows it’s mostly for wealthy, young, banked investors—not the empowerment tool many promised, contrary to what Coinbase et al would have us believe. Is crypto reshaping financial services, or actually deepening divides?  Tune in to find out. 00:02:32 - The “Amish Rumspringa” of finance begins 00:29:13 - Marqeta and the canary in the coal mine 00:36:20 - The unbanked and underbanked  00:48:17 - Crypto’s paradox Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/  And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page.   Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson

    55 min

  5. NOV 18

    Fintech in 2025: Where the Industry Goes Next - The Optimists' Case for Fintech in 2025

    Alright, folks—let’s ditch the doom and gloom.  In this episode, recorded live from Money 2020 with the CEO of Marqeta, Simon Khalaf, we’re breaking down why there’s actually plenty to be optimistic about in the world of fintech as we head into 2025. Regulators catching up to fintech might seem like a buzzkill, but here’s the twist: it’s a sign the industry has finally made it.  We dive deep into why regulatory clarity, infrastructure upgrades, and smart AI adoption are setting the stage for the next wave of fintech innovation.  Plus, Simon shares why now is the perfect time to align incentives and leverage tech for sustainable growth. If you’re tired of all the negativity around fintech’s future, tune in for a refreshing take on why the best is yet to come. Transform your business with Marqeta's modern card issuing platform. Our open API platform allows businesses to instantly issue cards and process payments. Integrate end to end credit and payment solutions into your business processes using our modern card issuing platform. Learn more at marqueta.com Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page.   Follow Simon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonkhalaf/ Twitter: https://x.com/simonkhalaf   Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson

    35 min

  6. NOV 13

    S9 E7: Bank Nerd Corner: CFPB, All Day, Every Day

    Recording the day after the election, vibes are strange, and the future’s a question mark—but fintech regulation? Still full steam ahead. This week on Bank Nerd Corner, Kiah and Alex welcome special guest Evan Weinberger, Bloomberg Law’s banking and fintech regulatory correspondent, to break down the latest from the CFPB. Together, they dig into comment letters from banks and fintechs alike (Kiah takes the bank letters; Alex, the fintech ones), shedding light on why traditional banks are pushing for tighter fintech regulations as fintechs like Mercury make their case. Both banks and consumer advocates agree that regulators *can* police fintechs under the Bank Service Company Act, but there’s a catch: the Act is vague, resources are thin, and regulators are swamped. It’s a tug-of-war over control of your deposits.  Not to mention, they tackle recent CFPB orders exposing cracks in fintech-bank partnerships—from Goldman-Apple’s costly fumbles to VyStar’s tech mess with Nimbus.  And to wrap it up, Kiah, Alex, and Evan play "Bank Nerd Draft," sharing their all-time favorite moments in CFPB history. Ah, fintech regulation—here’s lookin’ at you, kid. Raising the standard of quality for embedded finance infrastructure, Newline™ by Fifth Third is an API platform that enables enterprises to launch and scale payment, card and deposit products directly with Fifth Third Bank.   Learn more at newline53.com Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Evan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-weinberger-3746aa4/   Follow Kiah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaslett/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/khaslett   Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson

    1h 30m

  7. NOV 6

    S9 E6: Money20/20, 2024: BaaS and Open Banking and AI (Oh My!)

    Welcome to another special Fintech Takes episode.  I’m Alex Johnson, just back from four intense days at Money20/20 in Las Vegas, and here to unpack it all with me is my friend Jason Henrichs, CEO of Alloy Labs and co-host of the Breaking Banks podcast.  In this crossover, we’re breaking down the major topics of Money20/20, 2024 edition. This year, it was all about major topics: bank-fintech partnerships, banking as a service, open banking (1033, anyone?), and, of course, AI. First up, open banking stole the show. Just last week, the CFPB finalized the 1033 rule, igniting some serious debates. I even interviewed Director of the CFPB, Rohit Chopra, on stage, where he tackled the ongoing lawsuit from big banks trying to block the Personal Financial Data Rights Rule (AKA open banking 👋). Meanwhile, the conversations around bank-fintech partnerships, third-party risk management, and BaaS were less dramatic and more…solutions-oriented, circling around setting standards and ensuring that smaller fintech companies have access to bank partnerships. As for AI? Even OpenAI admitted that AI might be overhyped heading into 2025, and the industry is ready for real talk on its utility.  Innovation may headline Money20/20, but this year’s main act? Regulators. Gone are the days when crypto and disruption headlined; in 2024, it’s all about regulatory stakes grounding the industry in today’s…reality—fancy that. Raising the standard of quality for embedded finance infrastructure, Newline™ by Fifth Third is an API platform that enables enterprises to launch and scale payment, card and deposit products directly with Fifth Third Bank.   Learn more at newline53.com Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson Follow Jason: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhenrichs/ Breaking Banks podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-banks/id641357669

    29 min

  8. OCT 30

    S9 E5: The CFPB, Cash + Culture Party Podcast (Live from MX's Money Experience Summit)

    Welcome to a special edition of Fintech Takes, recorded live from MX's Money Experience Summit in beautiful Park City, Utah.  Big shout-out to MX for letting me squeeze in some live podcasting–my favorite thing to do! First up, I chat with Ashwin Vasan, senior advisor at FS Vector, and Kelvin Chen, head of policy at the Consumer Bankers Association—two ex-CFPB experts who help untangle the knots of financial services regulation. We dive into policy talk (recorded before the CFPB's open banking rule dropped), and the messy middle ground of banking and fintech. Plus, we explore how banks are scrambling to stay relevant as embedded finance and BaaS dominate, and why seamless customer experience is the new battleground. Next, I sit down with Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB, to unpack his philosophy of mindful money management. We chat about how YNAB encourages users to think intentionally about managing their money, challenging the usual fintech rush for speed and convenience that leaves users out of the loop on their own financial decisions. And last but not least, MX founder and freshly returned CEO, Ryan Caldwell, joins to chat about MX’s real secret sauce: its culture. And his passion for culture is contagious. Ryan highlights how leadership, values, and intentional culture is the driver for team dynamics *and* customer outcomes: culture drives results, leadership makes the difference, and in fintech, both are non-negotiable. 00:01:34: Ashwin Vasan, FS Vector + Kelvin Chen, Consumer Bankers Association 00:28:01 Jesse Mecham, YNAB 00:53:45 Ryan Caldwell, MX  Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/ And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page. Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson Companies featured: https://fsvector.com/ https://consumerbankers.com/ https://www.ynab.com/ https://www.mx.com/

    1h 19m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Fintech moves fast. But here at Fintech Takes, Alex Johnson and his rotating panel of guests move faster so that you can stay on top of the latest and greatest news in the industry without breaking a sweat.  Welcome to Fintech Takes—the place where fintech’s biggest nerds come to sit back, relax, and completely geek out. Join Alex and a lineup of fintech’s brightest minds as they dissect what’s happening in fintech and banking.  Each week, Alex and his guests recap the most interesting developments in fintech and explore the industry’s most pressing questions, diving headfirst into the intricate workings of some of the industry’s most ground-breaking business models and unpacking the emerging players that promise to shape fintech’s future. From riveting conversations with fintech’s most relevant operators to comprehensive recaps of the month's most compelling news stories and in-depth analyses of the latest regulatory developments, Fintech Takes is your one-stop-shop for navigating the fintech universe. Subscribe now to join fintech’s nerdiest podcast around!

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Johnson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 Alex Johnson

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