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, 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.

In this podcast episode, Sarah Grotta and Tom Brown discuss the evolving role of stablecoins in the U.S. financial landscape. They explore the impact of stablecoins on banking and payments, the concept of deposit tokens, and how banks and merchants are adapting to these changes. The conversation also touches on regulatory developments, investment trends, and the potential use cases for stablecoins and deposit tokens in the future.

Takeaways

• Stablecoins are gaining traction and have significant potential.
• The regulatory landscape is evolving, impacting stablecoin adoption.
• Banks are exploring how to integrate stablecoins into their operations.
• Merchants see stablecoins as a way to improve payment processes.
• Deposit tokens represent a new way to manage bank deposits on-chain.
• The Clarity Act provides a clearer framework for stablecoin issuance.
• Investment trends in fintech are influenced by market dynamics.
• Understanding the differences between stablecoins and deposit tokens is crucial.
• Operational improvements are a key focus for merchants adopting stablecoins.
• The future of stablecoins will depend on regulatory clarity and market acceptance.