Fintech Insider By 11:fs

About this episode: Host Kate Moody, Fintech Strategy Director at 11:FS, is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week. This week's guests: Ahmad Yaacoub - VP MENA and Country Head for Saudi Arabia at Thunes Mei Lim - Group CFO and Managing Partner at Anthemis and CommonAI Board Directo Dave Morris - CEO of FoundryOS Also featuring a voice note from Jason Mikula, Publisher at Fintech Business Weekly, from Episode 981 of Fintech Insider News. Stories covered on the podcast: As we edge closer to the monumental 1000th episode of Fintech Insider, there’s certainly no shortage of big stories to cover. This week, Plaid agrees to pay JP Morgan for access to customer data - a major move in the data-sharing space. We also hear from Thunes about the launch of real-time payments in Saudi Arabia. Plus, we unpack a record-breaking raise from HALA in the region. We also get a first-hand look

About this episode: In this episode of Fintech Insider Insights by 11:FS, recorded in partnership with AdalFi and live at the very first Money20/20 Middle East in Saudi Arabia, host David Barton-Grimley explores a critical and fast-evolving frontier in financial services: the future of underwriting. As SMEs sit at the intersection of consumers and banks, the lines between who serves whom—and how—are blurring. It is no longer enough to rely on static risk models. In today’s digital economy, real-time data and dynamic cash-flow insights are reshaping how lenders, fintechs, BNPL providers, and banks assess risk and build trust. Joined by a panel of experts and brought to you in partnership with AdalFi, this episode examines how the industry can better serve SMEs—without compromising on risk or compliance. Tune in as we explore the data-driven future of underwriting and the partnerships powering it. This week's guests:  Salman Akhtar - CEO and Co-founder of AdalFi Walid Hassouna - CEO at ValU 

About this episode: Host Benjamin Ensor, Director of Research & Strategy, is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week. This week's guests: Luke Voile - CEO of Pipe Amee Parbhoo - Managing Partner at Accion Ventures  Uneesa Zaman - Founder of Ayda Invest Stories covered on the podcast: On this week’s episode, we look at Accion Ventures raising over $60 million to fund fintechs focussed on financial inclusion; Revolut eyeing UAE expansion after securing a licence from the central bank; Pipe partnering with Uber Eats to support small restaurants across the US; digital bank Snappi launching in Greece; Lloyds buying UK wallet fintech Curve; and maybe one of the rudest “and finallys” we’ve ever had. Timestamps: Intro - (00:01) Accion Ventures closes $61.6 million fund to invest in early stage fintech - (04:07:) Revolut plans UAE debut after securing Central Bank Licen

About this episode: Money is moving faster than ever - across borders, between people, even between machines. Real-time payments and account-to-account (A2A) technology are quietly transforming the payments landscape, challenging legacy systems and reshaping how we move money. In the UK, change is on the horizon as the government sets out plans to modernise payment infrastructure. But can the system keep up? In this episode - in partnership with Mastercard - host Benjamin Ensor is joined by industry experts to explore the future of real-time payments, the rise of A2A, and what it all means for the future of commerce. This week's guests:  Helena Forest - Executive Vice President (EVP), Product & Commercial for Real‑Time Payments at Mastercard Andy Sacre - Head of Payments at Monzo. Ugne Buraciene - Group CEO at payabl. Find out more about ⁠Mastercard's A2A Payments -- Links to check out:  Join our WhatsApp community, where you can get the inside track on all all things 11:FS, as w

About this episode: Host Laura Watkins, Director of Media and Marketing is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week. This week's guests: Jamie Campbell, Deputy CEO at 11:FS Holdings Matt Cooper, Co CEO at Crowdcube Mike Curtis, Co-founder and CTO at Multiply ai Also featuring voice notes from : Diya Jolly, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Xero Sarah Kocianski, former CEO of Fintech Wales:. Stories covered on the podcast: On this week’s episode, we dive into Project Arnaud - the latest wealth management tool from Jason Bates, David Brear, and Jamie Campbell of 11:FS Holdings, alongside Max Koretskiy. Klarna has finally filed for an IPO, but what does the future hold for the BNPL giant? We explore the implications. Meanwhile, Crowdcube shares insights into its move into later-stage investments. We also take a closer look at Xero’s new AI super-agent, JAX, and exa

About this episode: We’re all looking for the perfect partner- whether in life or business. And in today’s fast-moving fintech world, the right partnership can make or break your product. In 2025, digital innovation is reshaping how companies collaborate. According to Deloitte, over 70% of fintech product launches now involve a strategic partner and cross-company collaboration has doubled in just three years. Partnerships aren’t optional anymore, they’re essential. From scaling faster to innovating smarter, teaming up is often the only path to market success. Join host Benjamin Ensor and a panel of experts as they dive into the new rules of product partnerships: Because in fintech, finding “the one” is just the beginning. This week's guests:  Deniz Oran- Head of Payment Partnerships EMEA at Google Mo Damman, Head of Card Network and Product Partnerships at Adyen Veronica Glab -Strategic Partnerships lead at Juice Ventures -- Support our sponsors: If you're running an early-st

About this episode: Content warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide, which some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening Host Kate Moody, Fintech Strategy Director is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week. This week's guests: Megan Caywood,  CEO at Caywood Grant Evans, VP of WorldPay Oliver Smith, Head of Content @ Money20/20 Europe Stories covered on the podcast: On this week’s episode, we dive into why Visa is halting its open banking operations in the U.S., amid growing regulatory challenges. Square has made its product roadmap publicly available - but what are the pros and cons of such transparency? We also explore why Revolut is offering free subway tickets to its U.S. customers, and examine The Commonwealth Bank of Australia's surprising reversal on its decision to replace call centre staff with AI. Plus, we take a closer look at

About this episode: As a long, hot summer in fintech rumbles on, we thought we’d take a closer look at what’s heating up the industry right now - stablecoins. Once a niche corner of crypto, stablecoins are now reshaping everything from cross-border payments and corporate treasury to on-chain finance and consumer savings. With an estimated $230–$270 billion in circulation and growing adoption from major players - Stripe, in 2025, launched stablecoin-powered accounts in over 100 countries; PayPal teamed with Coinbase to promote its PYUSD stablecoin; and Visa expanded its settlement system to support PYUSD and other tokens - stablecoins are no longer just for trading. They’re becoming the rails of the next-gen financial system. In this episode, David Barton-Grimley is joined by an expert panel to unpack why stablecoins are exploding in popularity, how regulatory clarity in the EU and beyond is fuelling institutional adoption, and what it all means for the future of global finance. This week's guests:  A

About this episode: Host David Barton Grimley, Director of Startegy and Head of Product at 11:FS is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week. This week's guests: Anine de Kock, Head of Partnerships at Peach Payments Jason Saltzman, Head of Insights at CB Insights Chantal Swainston, Founder of The Heard Also featuring a voice note from Joe Colchester, Head of Product at 11:FS Pulse. Stories covered on the podcast: We dig into why Klarna is making major moves with its BNPL loans in the US. Monzo steps into the mobile space, riding high on impressive customer satisfaction ratings. We also take a closer look at Robinhood’s brand-new AI investing tool and what it could mean for your money. Elsewhere, Peach Payments launches real-time payment features in the South African market -we find out what that means for merchants and users alike. And yes, there’s time for another es

About this episode: AI has already delivered impressive gains - from streamlining back-office operations to powering conversational assistants. But Agentic AI represents an entirely new frontier. These systems don’t just respond - they act. They make decisions, take initiative, and operate on behalf of users with a level of autonomy that could fundamentally reshape how banks and financial institutions serve their customers. So, what’s still missing? What barriers are holding us back? And most importantly, what needs to happen for Agentic AI to deliver real value - for both customers and institutions? In this episode, David Barton-Grimley is joined by Gradient Labs, who recently worked with a major UK bank to implement Agentic AI in a way that didn’t just automate, but truly transformed critical customer interactions. Alongside a panel of experts, the conversation digs into the biggest challenges around ownership, regulation, and trust. Is Agentic AI the future of customer experience - or just the latest

About this episode: Join host Benjamin Ensor from 11:FS as he teams up with an expert panel to explore the week’s biggest stories across fintech, banking, and the broader financial services landscape. This week's guests: Aaron Carpenter, CEO at Transact Pay Bruno Diniz, Managing Partner at Spiralem Theodora Lau,  Founder of Unconventional Ventures Also featuring a voice note from Daniel Kornitzer, VP of Global Partnerships at EBANX Stories covered on the podcast: This week, there's major payments news as Stripe and EBANX team up to bring Pix to SME clients in Brazil. Brex has secured a payments license to operate in the EU-but what does that mean for its IPO ambitions? We're also joined by TransactPay to unpack their recent acquisition by Marqeta and what it means for both companies. Meanwhile, Cambodia's Wing Bank has launched the country's first combined credit and debit card, and we take a closer look at the acquisition rumours swirling around UK fintech unicorn GoCardless. And fi

About this episode: London was the fintech capital. Smart regulation. Absurd levels of talent. Mountains of capital. All crammed inside the M25 like a pressure cooker. And for years, it worked. We weren’t just on the map. We were the map - the bloody compass, even. But fast forward to today, and it doesn’t feel like we’re top dog anymore. London’s not punching like it used to. So… what happened? More importantly - what now? In this episode, host David M. Brear and a panel of knowledgeable guests ask: is London still leading the world in fintech and tech innovation, or has the crown quietly slipped? This week's guests:  Valentina Kristensen - Corporate Affairs Director at OakNorth  Oliver Smith - Freelance Journalist --  Links to check out:  Join our WhatsApp community, where you can get the inside track on all all things 11:FS, as well as having your say on the things we should be paying attention to. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/KpA4gFbbWDlLFm7kx39raf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Fintech Insider is about to hit 1000 episodes! We’re celebrating this epic milestone with a very special Fintech Insider: After Dark. Join fellow fintech fans for an evening of food, drinks, and good vibes as we bring you a live edition of our news podcast featuring your fave Fintech Insiders. Tickets are free and available right now at 11fs.com/afterdark  When: Wednesday 24th September from 6pm Where: Village Underground, London Our panel so far:

About this episode: Join host Ross Gallagher from 11:FS as he teams up with an expert panel to explore the week’s biggest stories across fintech, banking, and the broader financial services landscape. This week's guests: Brian Spurling - Head of EMEA at Cogo Jasper Sneff Nanni - Managing Principal at FS Vector Ruth Foxe Blader - Managing Partner, Foxe Capital Stories covered on the podcast: This week, we delve into Revolut’s bid for a U.S. banking licence, examining it in the context of its prolonged “mobilisation” phase here in the UK. Cogo has launched a new electronification tool aimed at helping homeowners and vehicle owners save money - they join us to talk us through it. We also cover a record-breaking funding round by Alaan in the UAE, while Klarna is back in the spotlight - could an IPO revival be on the cards? Host Ross shares his thoughts on Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences and Coinbase’s latest TV ad, which has stirred debate in the UK... This week's guests: Timestamps: Int

About this episode: This week’s episode is brought to you by someone who truly lives at the intersection of regulation and innovation: Colin Payne, Head of Innovation at the FCA. If you’re not familiar with the FCA - the Financial Conduct Authority - it’s one of the UK’s key financial regulators. Think of it like the SEC in the US: overseeing markets to ensure they’re fair, transparent, and safe. But Colin isn’t just observing the future - he’s actively shaping it. Join David Brear, Group CEO at 11:FS, as he dives into Colin’s unique journey and uncovers what it really means to lead innovation at the FCA. This is a conversation that left David buzzing with positivity long after the mics were off - and one you definitely won’t want to miss. This week's guests:  Colin Payne - Head of Innovation at the FCA --  Links to check out:  Join our WhatsApp community, where you can get the inside track on all all things 11:FS, as well as having your say on the things we should be paying attention to. ⁠⁠⁠

About this episode: Join hosts Laura Watkins and Ross Gallagher from 11:FS as they team up with an expert panel to explore the week’s biggest stories across fintech, banking, and the broader financial services landscape. This week's guests: Michael Carter - Senior Policy Advisor at Innovate Finance Sophie Guibaud - Strategic Sparring Partner, Building Alpha Stories covered on the podcast: We discuss the UAE overtaking the UK in global fintech rankings, PayPal launching its new ‘Pay with Crypto’ feature, NatWest signing a formal agreement with PEXA to integrate its digital property exchange platform for remortgage transactions, Wise shareholders voting to move the company’s primary stock listing to the US, Australians making over 4 billion mobile wallet payments in the past year, and Revolut allowing 16–17‑year‑olds to upgrade from child accounts to controlled personal accounts for greater financial independence. This week's guests: Timestamps: Intro - (00:00) UAE usurps UK in global fintec

About this episode: Small and medium-sized businesses -or SMEs - are the backbone of the global economy. But despite their vital role in the financial ecosystem, they’re still too often overlooked and underserved. This week, we’re putting SMEs back in the spotlight - and for good reason. You might be thinking, “Haven’t we covered this before?” And yes, we have. But in 2025, the challenges have evolved - and so must our solutions. So, how can we better meet the needs of SMEs, not just locally, but globally? What real steps can we take to close the gap? At 11:FS, we never stop banging the drum for SMEs - and in this episode Benjamin Ensor is joined by a brilliant lineup of experts ready to tackle the hard questions and explore what comes next. This week's guests:  Conrad Ford, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Allica Bank Robin Jones, Co-lead iwocaPay  Hanna Sommer, Director of GTM & Strategic Partnerships at Liberis --  Links to check out:  Join our WhatsApp community, where you

About this episode: Host Benjamin Ensor, Director of Research and Strategy at 11:FS, is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week. Stories covered on the podcast: This week, Monzo begins migrating its investment accounts to Seccl, and we’re joined by Seccl to unpack what this means for users and the wider platform. We also explore Pipe’s latest move into AI, with the unveiling of powerful new agent technology. As Buy Now, Pay Later regulation tightens, even the smallest loans may soon require affordability checks — but what could this mean for providers and consumers alike? Plus: Stripe acquires Orum to boost real-time payments, Sam Altman shares fresh concerns about AI’s future, and we ask — should fintech be on the school curriculum? Young voices weigh in. This week's guests: Claurelle Rakipovic- Chief Product Officer at Pipe James Holmes - Chief Commercial Officer at Seccl 

About this episode: Today, we're zooming in on one of the hottest buzzwords in financial services: personalisation. But we're not just talking about your bank app greeting you by name - we're asking the big questions:

About this episode: Host David Barton-Grimley, Fintech Strategy Director at 11:FS, is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week. Stories covered on the podcast: JPMorgan is reportedly planning to charge fintech companies for access to customer data. Elsewhere, we explore what this development could mean for the industry. Wise joins us to discuss their latest partnership with UniCredit - a European first. In other news, Bilt's valuation has soared to $10.75 billion following a $250 million funding round. Is Lloyds Banking Group considering a takeover of Curve? And which British soap opera has been breaking the rules by promoting a fintech product on their show? This week's guests: Jason Mikula - Founder of Fintech Business Weekly  Julie Arnoux - Europe Commercial Head, Wise Platform Veronica Glab - Independent FinTech Strategist Also featuring a voice note from: Phoebe Chi