In this episode of FinWise EYE ON, host Sarah Grotta, Chief Fintech Officer at FinWise, sits down with Reed Luhtanen, Executive Director & CEO of the U.S. Faster Payments Council, for a deep-dive conversation on the rapid evolution of faster and real-time payments in the U.S.

Reed brings a unique, ecosystem-wide perspective—spanning banks, fintechs, payment networks, merchants, and regulators—to unpack how the industry has moved from “why faster payments?” to “how fast can we get live?”

Listeners will learn:

• Why instant payments have officially passed the tipping point in the U.S.
• How RTP and FedNow adoption has accelerated—and what’s driving it
• The most compelling real-world use cases, from payroll and earned wage access to loan disbursements, insurance payouts, marketplaces, and healthcare
• How fintechs access faster payment rails through bank partnerships
• Why “receive-only” participation isn’t enough—and the ROI case for enabling send
• Key fraud and risk considerations—and why real-time doesn’t mean reckless
• How industry standards (confirmation of payee, transaction tags, exceptions handling) can unlock broader adoption
• The role of AI, stablecoins, and tokenized deposits in the future payments landscape
• Why optionality and redundancy may be a strength—not a weakness—of the U.S. payments system

Whether you’re a community bank, fintech, program manager, or payments professional, this episode offers valuable insight into where faster payments are today—and where they’re headed next.

In this podcast episode Simon Darchis, Head of Fintech Products and Strategic Initiatives at FinWise Bank, sat down with Ed Walters, VP of Lending Partnerships at Upstart, for a wide‑ranging and candid conversation on how lending is evolving—and what banks, fintechs, and investors need to understand to stay ahead.

Ed and Simon unpack:

• How AI is reshaping credit access—and why starting with the customer problem (not the product) matters more than ever
• What it really takes to innovate responsibly in lending while balancing regulators, sponsor banks, and investors
• Lessons learned from the 2022 credit cycle stress test—and how modern underwriting models are adapting to macroeconomic risk
• How fintechs and sponsor banks can build durable, multi‑year partnerships in a fast‑moving, highly regulated environment
• Why the future of lending is moving toward “always‑on” credit, meeting consumers at their point of need with the right product, at the right price

Ed also shares practical insights on product ideation, compliance‑by‑design, model explainability, and what strong risk management looks like at scale—all grounded in real-world experience.

If you’re thinking about the future of consumer lending, AI in underwriting, or how fintech–bank partnerships can evolve sustainably, this episode is for you.

In our latest episode, Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer at FinWise Bank, sits down with Dana Lawrence, VP of Go‑to‑Market Strategy & Customer Relationships at Themis, to unpack one of the most important—and misunderstood—levers for success in financial services:

➡️ Compliance as a true business differentiator.

If you work in fintech, banking, risk, regtech, or anywhere in the BaaS ecosystem, this conversation hits home. Here are a few of the standout insights:

• Compliance is your brand.
• The pendulum may swing—but responsibility doesn’t.
• How to turn the ‘Department of No’ into the ‘Department of Know.’
• What’s coming in 2026

And a powerful reminder: In a hybrid world, in‑person community matters more than ever. For innovation, for collaboration, for sanity.

If you're navigating risk, underwriting new fintech models, evaluating partnership opportunities, or preparing for your 2026 compliance strategy—this is a conversation worth your time.

Year in Review 2025: Insights from FinWise Bank

Join host Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer at FinWise Bank, and a panel of FinWise leaders as they reflect on the biggest shifts, challenges, and opportunities in fintech and banking partnerships over the past year. This special episode brings together:

• Kenzie Mexican, SVP, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer
• Simon Darchis, Head of Fintech Products and Strategic Initiatives
• Chris Comber, SVP, Credit Management and Strategy
• Nick Chiappetti, VP, Fintech Marketing and Partnerships
• Donnie Drake, SVP, BaaS Operations
• Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer (Host)

What’s inside: • How 2025 compared to the regulatory “wildfire” of 2024 • The maturing fintech landscape: fewer startups, more mergers & acquisitions • Shifting regulatory tone, but persistent compliance focus • The rise of AI and stablecoins—hype vs. practical impact • Evolving consumer expectations and product innovation • Predictions for 2026: bank charter trends, AML modernization, and more collaboration

Tune in for candid perspectives, industry trends, and a look ahead to what’s next in fintech and banking. Happy holidays from the FinWise EYE ON Podcast team!

In Part 3, we dive into the conversations shaping the future of fintech, banking, and payments. From cultural transformation in community banking to innovations in family finance, earned wage access, and stablecoin adoption, this episode is packed with insights from industry leaders.

Chris Eggemeyer, VP, Castle Creek Capital (00:32 – 10:59) Madhu Yalamarthi, Co-Founder & CEO, Modak (11:05 – 20:12) Julie Valencia, Head of Compliance, Modak (11:05 – 20:12) Andrew Grant, Regulatory and Transactional Attorney, Runway Group (20:13 – 24:00) Todd Rotolo, Head of Growth & Marketing, Chisel (24:01 – 31:53) Kyla Galicia, Head of Client Relationships and Implementations, Chisel (24:01 – 31:53) Dimitri Dadiomov, Co-Founder & President, Modern Treasury (31:54 – 38:28) Rob Kaczmarek, CEO & Founder, Inbanx (38:29 – 48:19) Alex Gostomelsky, CFO, Tapcheck (48:20 – 59:00) Matt MacDonald, Fintech Practice Leader, Wolf & Company (59:01 – 65:04) Emmett Shipman, Fintech Strategy, Wolf & Company (59:01 – 65:04) Highlights: ✔ AI and automation in compliance ✔ Stablecoins as a new payment rail ✔ Bank-fintech collaboration and cultural shifts ✔ Financial wellness and accessibility for families and workers

In this episode, Kiah Haslett, creator of Fintech Takes Banking, sits down with host Sarah Grotta to talk about the evolving relationship between banks and fintechs. They explore the lessons learned from Banking-as-a-Service, the surge in charter applications, and what these trends mean for compliance, risk management, and innovation. The conversation also dives into regulatory shifts, payment charters, and the potential impact of initiatives like the Skinny Master Account and Section 1033. If you want to understand how technology, regulation, and strategy are reshaping banking, this episode is a must-listen.

Money20/20 Special Edition – Part 2 Recorded live at Money20/20, this episode dives deeper into the conversations shaping banking, fintech, and regulatory strategy. From embedded banking solutions to AI-driven compliance and the evolving role of partnerships, our guests share insights on innovation and what’s next for financial services.

Featured Guests & Time Stamps:

• Jason Henrichs, CEO, Alloy Labs (00:34 – 9:25)
• Dana Lawrence, VP GTM Strategy & Customer Relationships, Themis (9:28 – 15:42)
• Troy Maas, CTO & Founder, ASA (15:43 – 23:09)
• Landon Glenn, CEO & Founder, ASA (15:43 – 23:09)
• Sunil Singh, Founder & CEO, Tallied (23:12 – 27:07)
• Yankie Markowitz, CEO, SBA Loan Group (27:08 – 30:45)
• Stan Orszula, Partner, BFKN (30:46 – 43:13)
• Abdul Mitha, Partner, BFKN (30:46 – 43:13)

What you’ll learn: ✔ How banks and fintechs can build trust and transparency for successful partnerships ✔ Why embedded banking and Software Development Kit (SDK) solutions are changing the game ✔ The role of AI in compliance, risk management, and dispute handling ✔ Regulatory trends and how to engage with regulators early for smoother innovation ✔ Why relationships and collaboration remain the foundation of growth

Money20/20 Special Edition – Part 1 Recorded live at Money20/20, this episode dives into the conversations shaping the future of banking, fintech partnerships, and payments innovation. Hear from leaders across the industry as they share insights on AI, risk management, regulatory shifts, and building trust in partnerships.

Featured Guests & Time Stamps:

• Karen Schmidt, VP Product & Business Development, Sutton Bank (00:33 – 3:57)
• Marc Rehberger, SVP, Head of Tech Enabled Banking, Customers Bank (3:58 – 8:15)
• Chris Rigoni, EVP, Head of Partner Banking & Payments, Axiom Bank (8:16 – 14:33)
• Tony McGee, Director of Business Development, Lithic (14:34 – 22:29)
• Joe Morgan, EVP, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Continental Bank (22:30 – 29:52)
• Abby Hogan, SVP, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, FairPlay AI (29:53 – 37:09)
• Kanishk Mehta, Director, Risk Advisory Services, Kaufman Rossin (37:10 – 46:58)
• Brittany Decker, Head of Sponsor Banks, Visa (46:59 – 59:17)

What you’ll learn: ✔ How community banks can embrace innovation and compete beyond geography ✔ Navigating fintech-bank partnerships in a shifting regulatory landscape ✔ Building modern API-led infrastructure for payments and card issuing ✔ Leveraging AI for compliance, risk management, and operational scale ✔ Why trust and communication remain the foundation of successful partnerships

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation about the trends shaping banking and fintech at Money20/20.