Balancing Innovation and Regulation: Navigating New Frameworks in Fintech

As financial systems innovate to offer new products and address problems facing our communities, they may be subject to new processes like novel activities exams. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of regulatory frameworks with Kirsten Muetzel, Principal at KLM Advisory. Tune in to understand how fintechs and bank partners are adapting to innovative activities and what it means for safety, soundness, and consumer protection in the ever-evolving financial ecosystem.

Episode #23: Kate Goldman

Cryptocurrency has gone mainstream. Digital assets have been endorsed by major banks across the world and are no longer niche investments made only by those with insider knowledge of blockchain. While the technology has seen a rapid rise in popularity, it’s still not ubiquitous – for the uninitiated, digital currencies still seem foreign, and maybe even worrisome. The rise of crypto presents a number of questions about how this new technology fits into the traditional banking sector. Kate Goldman, a senior policy associate at Elliptic, talks with David about crypto’s current regulatory state, the possibilities afforded by blockchain technology and how Web3 and conventional finance can work together to create better outcomes for consumers. Featuring music from Mason Zgoda.

Episode #26: Kevin Edwards

Kevin Edwards has learned a lot about leadership during his time at Real Leaders. Edwards, the company’s vice president of growth, hosts the Real Leaders Podcast and has interviewed hundreds of executives who put social and environmental responsibility at the forefront of their organizations. Edwards talks with Becca and Bryan about social entrepreneurship, what motivates leaders beyond profit and how Real Leaders compiles its list of Top Impact companies. Featuring music from The Choir.

Episode #1: Apple Crider

Apple Crider is an entrepreneur, podcast host and Youtuber focused on personal finance. His content aims to demystify the financial world for his viewers, especially young people. Listen as Apple talks with David about entrepreneurship, what the younger generation thinks about brick-and-mortar banks and how to narrow your focus to become more efficient. Featuring music by The Choir.

Episode #44: Dominic Kalms

Dominic Kalms grew up with a passion to do good and improve the world. In 2021, Kalms launched B Generous as the Founder and CEO, the first philanthropic product to give people the financial freedom to donate to nonprofits. Kalms is also President and Board Member at GVNG, another fintech he created to empower anyone to launch a digital nonprofit. Kalms discusses his journey to start B Generous, the importance of philanthropy and technology, and what the NextGen Banker looks like. Featuring music from Alsever Lake.

Episode #17: Mike Bechtel

Mike Bechtel makes his living as a futurist – but in order to make predictions about tomorrow, he grounds himself in the past. “Futurists are just secretly historians,” he says. Bechtel is Deloitte’s chief futurist and talks with David about how companies can prepare for the future while also tempering their expectations based on experience. He gives insights into what he feels will drive the technology of tomorrow – “going beyond the screen,” says Bechtel – and how corporate leaders can devise a plan to keep up. Bechtel also says the banker of the future will “lead with need.” Featuring music from Phil Madeira.

Episode #21: Ron Feldman

For Ron Feldman, it’s a simple equation: The more diverse your workforce, the better off your organization will be. Feldman, the first vice president and chief operating officer at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, talks with David about the Fed’s efforts to hire and retain a more diverse workforce. He also speaks to the positive impact a diversity of voices can have on bank regulatory functions. Featuring music from Ben Kyle.

Ahead of the Curve: Strategic Foresight with Eric Schurr

As a certified practitioner in strategic foresight, Eric unravels how organizations can solve market opportunity challenges using provocative questions to help anticipate and better prepare for change. By re-imagining opportunities for our organizations, strategic foresight can give us the tools to become future-looking. If adopted, the language of foresight begins to infiltrate the language of projects and everyday work.

Episode # 4: Jason Henrichs

Jason Henrichs is a veteran in the fintech space. He’s the founder of Fintech Forge and a co-founder of Alloy Labs, along with being a host on Breaking Banks, the #1 global fintech radio show and podcast. Jason talks with David about the importance of adaptability in an ever-changing fintech environment as well as what role banks can play in this new frontier. In Jason’s words, the “face of banking is fundamentally going to look more different in the next five years than it has in the previous 500.”

Episode #16: Jan Köpper

Jan Köpper is the head of the impact transparency and sustainability department at GLS Bank in Germany. Jan talks with Becca and Bryan about his role at GLS as well as how the bank measures its impact and why it’s important for financial institutions to track metrics other than revenue and the bottom line. In addition, Jan talks about how he wound up in values-based banking and what he’s excited about in 2022 and beyond. Featuring music from Mason Zgoda.

Episode #33: Ahon Sarkar

Ahon Sarkar wants to make finance more “human.” That means personalizing financial experiences, creating diverse product offerings and making sure everyone has access to free and fair banking. Sarkar, the general manager of Q2’s Helix platform, talks about the future of embedded finance and the importance of helping consumers reach their financial goals through tailored products and services. Featuring music from Snow Bones.

Episode #9: Darrin Williams

Darrin Williams' career is a unique combination of business, law, and politics. Currently serving as the CEO of Southern Bancorp, Inc., Williams oversees the strategic direction and operations of each of Southern's three Community Development Financial Instituations (CDFI): Southern Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company; Southern Bancorp Bank, one of America's largest rural development banks; and Southern Bancorp Community Partners, a 501(c)(3) development finance and lending organization - collectively known as "Southern." Darrin talks with David about his work at Southern, the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and why it's a great time to be a CDFI. Featuring music from Greyson Turner.

Episode #20: Josh Levine

Company culture is top of mind right now. As organizations struggle with the “great resignation,” hiring managers are searching for new ways to attract and retain talent. Josh Levine, the owner of Great Mondays and an expert on company culture, talks with David about the importance of providing workers with more than just monetary incentives and embedding mission and values into everyday work. He also speaks to the need for relationship-building during remote and hybrid work. Rituals need to be established to connect workers from different departments in order to remain successful, Josh says. Featuring music from Jesse Sprinkle.

Episode #47: South by Southwest 2023 LIVE Street Interviews

Sunrise Banks team heads to Austin every March to hear about emerging trends in finance and the latest in banking technology. In this episode, Becca and Bryan play interviews we conducted with festival goers this year showcasing some of the houses we were at, what we learned from different sessions and the top three interesting fintechs we met. Featuring music from Ariel Red.

Episode #5: Jennifer Tescher

Jennifer Tescher is an expert on financial health and the founder of the Financial Health Network. Jennifer talks with David about how to define and measure financial health as well as what role banks and fintechs can play in ensuring consumers reach their financial goals. Featuring music from Arbor.

Episode #15: Melanie Holdsworth

Melanie Holdsworth is the Organizational Process Excellence Manager for Teachers Mutual Bank Limited, one of the largest customer-owned banks in Australia. Melanie helped to create Hiver, a digital bank geared towards essential workers. Melanie talks about how Hiver got its start as well as values-based banking and Teachers Mutual Bank Limited’s work in the sustainability space. Featuring music from Stephen Munoz.

Episode #46: Jeff Keltner

Dispelling myths of artificial intelligence being a human persona like in The Terminator or The Matrix, Jeff Keltner of Upstart and podcast host of Leaders in Lending talks about using AI or predictive algorithms to improve access to affordable credit. With 80% of Americans never defaulting on a loan but less than half having a prime credit score, Jeff talks about how this technology uses larger sets of data to help understand the real risk. Featuring music from Adrian Walther.

Episode #7: Jeannine Jacokes

Jeannine Jacokes is the chief executive and policy officer for the Community Development Bankers Association and the CEO of Partners for the Common Good, a national nonprofit loan fund. She also has experience on the Hill, having worked with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and as a staff member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Jeannine talks with David about community banking as well as what she’s learned during her time in government and how bankers can create partnerships with legislators. Featuring music from Wayne Everett.

Episode #32: Aaron McCreary

Climate and finance might seem mutually exclusive. In fact, they’re closely connected. Aaron McCreary of Doconomy talks with David about climate fintech and how financial institutions can better track their carbon footprint. McCreary also discusses his path to a career in sustainability and what consumers can expect in the future when it comes to eco-friendly offerings from banks and other corporations. Featuring music from PRIZM.

Episode #42: Sarah Biller

Financial technology is evolving rapidly. And Sarah Biller is excited about what the future holds. Biller, who is the executive director of Vantage Ventures and a cofounder and board member of Fintech Sandbox, talks about practical applications of financial services in the metaverse, how fintech can play a role in sustainability and why meaningful data is necessary to spur innovation. Featuring music from GHOST.

Episode #11: Jasmin Panjeta

Jasmin Panjeta started his career in cybersecurity but quickly learned it wasn’t for him. What he did know, however, was that he wanted to work for an organization that valued more than the bottom line. Enter Jasmin’s journey in values-based banking. Today Jasmin is a communications and public relations professional working for Oikocredit, a worldwide cooperative that focuses on microfinance and impact investing. Jasmin talks with guest hosts Becca Hoeft and Bryan Toft about his move from Bosnia to the Netherlands, finding purpose in his work and the effect your banking habits can have on the greater good. Featuring music from Chris Taylor.

Episode # 3: Dr. Tia Kansara

Dr. Tia Kansara is an award-winning entrepreneur, lecturer and author. She’s also the CEO of Replenish Earth, an organization that helps governments, businesses and individuals become more environmentally sustainable. Dr. Kansara talks with David about mindfulness, the ability to adapt in a post-pandemic world and how changing our definition of “success” can pave the way to a more eco-friendly future. Featuring music by Mason Zgoda.

Mastering Product Leadership: Balancing Strategy, Management, and Humanity

Technology, your customer base, your business—these things are constantly changing, and in order to be a good product manager, understanding each piece of the puzzle is essential. In this episode, Colleen Wilson, Fintech Advisor and Product Executive breaks down how you can be a strong product leader by effectively managing both product management and product strategy to bring humanity back to [product] leadership and grow business.

Episode #10: The Banking Habits of Gen Z

We know that the next generation wants fast, easy access to their bank accounts - and that they rarely, if ever, set food inside a physical bank branch. But aside from convenience, what other concerns does Gen Z have when it comes to their personal finances? We went to local universities to talk with students about their perspectives on digital banking, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity and how they envision the bank of their future. Sunrise Banks Chief Brand Officer Becca Hoeft and Chief Revenue Officer Bryan Toft sit in for David in this episode. Featuring music from Holly Nelson.

Episode #22: Alex Johnson

The digital landscape is changing. News of the metaverse, NFTs and cryptocurrency floods our newsfeeds as we hear about Web 3’s promise and limitations. So where do banks fit into this equation? Will crypto ever become less volatile? And do financial institutions need to start thinking about their place in virtual reality? Alex Johnson, the founder of the Fintech Takes newsletter, tackles all these questions and more while also speaking to “hands-on-the-wheel” money and Generation Z’s new outlook on managing their finances. Featuring music from The Choir.

Episode #27: South By Southwest 2022: A Recap of Our Time in Austin

Even though the festival took place in March, we’re still talking about what we learned at South By Southwest. The Sunrise Banks team heads to Austin every year to hear about emerging trends in finance and the latest in banking technology. In this episode, Becca and Bryan play interviews we conducted with festival goers this year about fintech, democratizing finance and what the next-gen banker looks like. Featuring music from Michael Gungor.

Episode #40: Delicia Hand

The digital banking world is no doubt convenient. But Delicia Hand wants to make sure it’s fair, too. Hand, the director of financial fairness at Consumer Reports, helped put together a framework that evaluates how well digital financial products are working for consumers. Hand talks about the framework -- which includes principles like privacy, inclusivity and transparency -- as well as how working on Capitol Hill during the Great Recession framed her perspective on developing financial policy. Featuring music from Maor.

Episode #35: Jennifer Liu

Banks and other institutions looking to enter the crypto space want security and regulation. Anchorage Digital offers both. Anchorage is the first federally chartered crypto bank and offers institutions custody, staking, governance, trading and financing solutions for digital assets. Jennifer Liu, Anchorage Digital’s head of lending, talks with Bryan and Becca about what Anchorage does and how she envisions the future of finance. Featuring music from Ramona Woolf.

Episode #29: Andre Beaupre

How can companies work towards more than just a profit? Andre Beaupre explores that question in his book, “The Purposeful Nine and Soulful Advantage,” which showcases nine companies integrating socially and environmentally responsible tactics into their everyday work. Andre, who also founded the strategic consulting firm Soulful Advantage, talks with David about the movement within the corporate sector to “do good” while remaining financially viable. He touches on the importance of a top-down approach when it comes to mission, why purpose helps companies recruit and retain talent and how he became interested in values-based business. Featuring music from Luna Wave.

Episode #13: Kate Hammer

Kate Hammer’s career path is anything but conventional. Hammer, currently Vancity's director of government relations, wound up in banking after beginning her career in journalism, working at the New York Times and the Globe and Mail. She’s also been involved in politics, serving as an advisor to Canada’s first female, openly gay premier. Hammer’s varied career path has given her an array of skills that help in her current position, where she advocates for financial policy that helps consumers gain access to banking products and services. She’s also worked to shape Vancity’s climate commitments. Hammer talks about the urgency banks and other corporations face to save our planet as well as how to make sure all individuals are included in digital transformation. Featuring music from Jesse Sprinkle.

Episode #38: Holly Glowaty

Not familiar with “branded currency?” Holly Glowaty has you covered. Glowaty, the chief partnerships officer at Prizeout, speaks to why some consumers are choosing loyalty programs and gift cards over cash and where these products fit in the financial technology value chain. Glowaty also talks about her work as cofounder of the Women in Incentives Network and promoting inclusivity in the financial industry. Featuring music from The American Indie.

Episode #6: Theo Lau

Theo Lau is an author, podcast host, startup advisor and public speaker. She wrote “Beyond Good: How Technology is Leading a Purpose-Driven Business Revolution,” with Bradley Leimer. Theo talks with David about the role companies can play in fighting inequality and working towards the common good. Featuring music from The Sweet Sorrows.

Episode #31: St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter refers to his time as mayor as a “journey.” And a large part of that journey has homed in on creating greater equity in Minnesota’s capital city. Carter, first elected in 2017, has raised the city’s minimum wage, started a college-savings program for St. Paul youth and allocated resources to St. Paul libraries to increase access to social services. Carter talks with David about these initiatives and more, including his thoughts on how banks can regain trust among communities that have been traditionally underserved by the financial sector. Featuring music from Adrian Walther.

Episode #19: Melissa Bradley

Melissa Bradley is busy: She’s the cofounder of Ureeka, a managing partner at 1863 Ventures and a cofounder and managing partner at Sidecar Social Finance. She’s also a professor at Georgetown University. Melissa speaks with David about empowering New Majority – BIPOC – entrepreneurs and reflects on changing demographics in business. “From a demographic perspective, when we use the word ‘minority,’ to speak about people of color, it’s just not quantitively accurate,” says Melissa. Melissa also discusses the banker of the future and the impact technology will continue to have on the financial sector. Featuring music from The Choir.

Episode #45: SXSW

This special episode is live from Fintech House at South By Southwest (SXSW) event from March 2023. Listen as guest host Dara Tarkowski, Managing Partner, Actuate Law and host of Breaking Banks’ sister podcast Tech on Reg speaks with Mike Bechtel, Chief Futurist at Deloitte Consulting and David Reiling, Chairman and CEO, Sunrise Banks; Author, Fintech for Good; and host of Provoke.fm‘s NextGen Banker. Where are the opportunities in evolving technology; what’s hype and nonsense? At times we are so busy wondering if we can do something, that we don’t always think if we should. Intentionality and mindfulness are good things, and mild chaos is where opportunity lies, where niches and new angles can be discovered. Featuring music from Holly Hammel.

Episode #37: Monisha Chakrapani

Monisha Chakrapani is well-versed in the fintech world. As co-host of the Fintech Café podcast, Chakrapani talks with innovators in the financial industry on a weekly basis. And that’s in addition to her 15-year career in the banking industry. Chakrapani discusses what she’s learned from her podcast guests, inclusion in the financial sector and the future of embedded finance. Featuring music from The Sweet Sorrows.

Episode #36: Charles Potts

Charles Potts is bringing technology to the community banking industry. Potts, the chief innovation officer for the Independent Community Bankers of America, connects community banks with fintech partners to develop innovative solutions that help bankers and consumers. Potts talks with David about the challenges community banks face in today’s tech-driven world and the opportunities they have to thrive in the future. Featuring music from Centerpiece.

Episode #24: Alex Johnson

In episode 22, Bryan and Becca talked with Fintech Takes Founder Alex Johnson about Web3’s influence on the banking sector. That conversation is continued in part two, in which Alex speaks to Banking as a Service, the future of brick-and-mortar branches and the evolution of customer service in a digital-first world. Featuring music from Stranger Kings.

Episode #39: Jason Mikula

Jason Mikula started his weekly newsletter, Fintech Business Weekly, as a pandemic project. Today, the financial technology publication is one of the better-known reads in the industry. Mikula talks with David about his predictions for the future of finance – including thoughts on NFTs, crypto and where these elements of Web3 fit into the financial industry. Banking as a Service is also discussed in addition to fintech’s potential to support financial health among consumers. Mikula also speaks to his time in the Peace Corps and how he moved from working in digital marketing to the financial industry. Featuring music from Pete Stewart.

Episode #25: Wole Coaxum

Wole Coaxum, the founder and CEO of Mobility Capital Finance (MoCaFi), talks with David about MoCaFi’s work to bridge the racial wealth gap as well as the advantages fintech has in better serving a diverse group of consumers. Coaxum, a former Wall Street executive, also discusses his move to become an entrepreneur and how he envisions the banker of the future. Featuring music from Clouds Echo in Blue.

Episode #14: Marilyn Waite

Marilyn Waite knows a lot about sustainability and climate – she also knows the global community has much work ahead if it wants to make real positive change in the long-term. Waite leads the Climate Finance Fund, a $75 million philanthropic platform covering the markets of China, Europe and the United States. She’s also worked in renewable and nuclear energy, climate modeling and investment. Waite talks with David about what she learned at COP 26, the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials and the role fintech can play in environmental sustainability. Waite, a published author and frequent contributor to major publications, also touches on her hopes for tomorrow’s banker and how climate-friendly practices can – and need to be – implemented into not only our personal lives, but our careers. Featuring music from Alice Peacock.

Episode #43: Wayne Brown

Fintechs and customer experiences go hand-in-hand. And Wayne Brown knows how important it is for fintechs, customers, and financial institutions to be on the same page. Brown, who is the managing partner at The Walker Group, talks about how fintechs work with banks to create a positive customer onboarding experience and how the fintech industry is changing with Artificial Intelligence. Featuring music from August Anderrsun.

Episode #48: Sheel Mohnot

Before fintech was even a common word, Sheel Mohnot saw an opportunity to be a part of the digital transformation of finance and technology. Mohnot, the co-founder of Better Tomorrow Ventures, talks about his first foray into the fintech world with a non-profit and why he’s dedicated his career to making the consumer experience better. We also dive into his recent viral wedding in the Taco Bell metaverse. Featuring music from Aardverk.

Episode #41: Leah Fremouw

Leah Fremouw has vast experience in the community development space. She is currently the CEO of Bridging Virginia, a community development loan fund, and the president and founder of the Virginia CDFI Coalition. Fremouw also sits on the GO Virginia board, an economic development initiative focused on driving economic growth and job creation, and is a Richmond, Virginia, Chamber of Commerce board member. Fremouw discusses Bridging Virginia’s work to create access to capital for traditionally underrepresented groups as well as how she got her start in the financial industry. She also talks about Renegade Capital, a podcast she co-hosts. Featuring music from Half Measure.

Episode #28: Katrin Kaufer

Katrin Kaufer is an expert in values-based banking. Kaufer, a research affiliate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, directs and co-created the Global Alliance for Banking on Values Leadership Academy. She is also the director of the Just Money Program at MIT’s Community Innovator’s Lab and has co-authored two books on sustainable finance. Kaufer talks with Bryan and Becca about how she got into values-based banking, the value of finance as a tool to solve major societal problems and her thoughts on the future of the financial industry. Featuring music from Alright Years.

Episode #12: Charlene Li

Charlene Li is a New York Times Bestselling author focused on disruption: What it is, how companies can become more disruptive and what that means for organizations and their culture. Charlene’s book, The Disruption Mindset,” homes in on the topic and debunks some preconceived notions about what true disruption looks like. Every company wants to be disruptive – but how can they turn their aspirations into action? Charlene talks with David about what makes a disruptive strategy, the importance of company culture when it comes to disruption and how bankers can incorporate innovation into their long-term strategies. Featuring music from Doublepluspop.

Episode # 2: Jo Ann Barefoot

Jo Ann Barefoot is the CEO & Cofounder of Alliance for Innovative Regulation, a podcast host and a former deputy comptroller of the currency. Jo Ann chats with David about the age-old dilemma faced in finance: how to reconcile the speed of tech with the bureaucratic nature of regulation. The biggest point Jo Ann wants bankers to take away? Move fast. Featuring music by Ben Kyle.

Episode #30: Michelle Tran

As a financial industry veteran, Michelle Tran knows there’s a need for greater diversity in banking and fintech. That’s why she started NYC Fintech Women, a group of more than 8,000 women supporting each other to create more opportunities for females in financial technology roles. Michelle talks with Becca and Bryan about gender-equity in fintech and the trends she’s seen in digital wealth management during her time at Vestwell. Featuring music from VAULTZ.

Revolutionizing Credit Building: How Self Financial is Leading the Way

Traditionally, to get credit, you needed credit. It’s a catch-22, and a system that is set up against many of us. Joined by Paul Brady, Senior Vice President of Risk at Self Financial, this episode delves into how Self is pioneering innovative solutions to empower individuals in their journey toward financial stability. From the inception of the Credit Builder Account to the recent acquisition of their Rent and Bills Reporting services, Self is reshaping the landscape of credit building by meeting customers where they are and providing them with the tools and education needed to thrive.

Episode #8: Melissa Koide

Melissa Koide is the CEO of FinRegLab, a nonprofit research center that tests new technologies and data and facilitates dialogue to inform public policy and drive the financial sector toward a responsible and inclusive financial marketplace. FinRegLab is focusing on big questions surrounding data and Artificial Intelligence: How should it be regulated? How can it help consumers? What risks does it pose? Melissa talks with David about what tomorrow’s banker needs to know about AI and emerging tech in the financial sector. Featuring music from Daniel Benyamin.

Episode #34: Martin Rohner

Martin Rohner never intended to work in finance. In fact, Rohner, the executive director of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, started his career in the airline industry. But he soon realized he wanted to do something that created real impact – and sustainable banking fit the bill. Rohner talks with David about the GABV and the work its member banks are doing to create a more socially and environmentally responsible financial sector. He also discusses the importance of positive intention in sustainable business and the GABV’s growth since it began more than a decade ago. Featuring music from Emorie.

Blueprints for Change: Lessening Your Climate Change Impact Through Net Zero Banking

Big banks in U.S. banks allocate up to 30% of their investments to carbon-intensive industries, inadvertently fueling climate change. Many people are unaware that their bank accounts could be significant contributors to carbon emissions. In this episode, we delve into the story of Firefly, a pioneering sustainable apartment building on Grand Avenue in South Minneapolis. Architect Adam Bradley Jonas and developer Jay Rajaratnam share their insights on overcoming unique challenges in creating net zero buildings. They discuss their collaboration with Sunrise Banks and its innovative Net Zero Banking Program. Laura Wildenborg, VP of Strategic Lending at Sunrise Banks, explains how Net Zero Banking can effectively reduce emissions and drive climate action, empowering both organizations and individuals to kickstart sustainability initiatives.

Episode #18: Sonia Reinhardt

Sonia Reinhardt is a senior human resources advisor with GLS Bank and the alumni manager and human development senior advisor for the Global Alliance for Banking on Values Leadership Academy. Sonia talks with Bryan and Becca about how she got into banking, her experience with microfinance and what the Leadership Academy offers to values-based banking executives. She also discusses what she feels is the main difference between traditional banks and their values-based counterparts. Featuring music from Mason Zgoda.

Innovation for Inclusion: MoCaFi's Vision with CEO Wole Coaxum

In this episode of Social Currency, we sit down with Wole Coaxum, CEO and Founder of Mobility Capital Finance (MoCaFi,) to explore his journey from financial services to social entrepreneurship. Discover how MoCaFi is expanding access to financial resources for underbanked individuals via a cost-effective technology pilot program in New York City distributing pre-paid immediate response cards to asylum seekers. Learn how Wole envisions scaling similar programs to help the unbanked and underbanked while creating efficiencies for other local economies.