The Future of SMB Banking: AI, Automation, and Financial Intelligence | Akhil Nigam, CoFounder at Finmo,
In this episode, I speak with Akhil Nigam, CoFounder at Finmo, and we answer the critical question: How can global businesses transform their fragmented treasury operations into unified, intelligent systems that drive growth?He shares insights on why SMEs deserve better treasury solutions, how real-time payment rails are transforming cash management, and why MO AI is becoming the intelligent co-pilot every finance team needs.👉 Follow Akhil Nigam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhilnigam562/Website: https://finmo.net/👉 Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover: [00:00:00] Why SMBs should be at the center of treasury innovation[00:01:00] The economic impact of SME financial health on the wider economy[00:03:00] Why SMBs are fast-moving segments banks ignore for enterprise clients[00:05:00] How automation frees finance teams from manual work to focus on growth[00:07:00] Enterprise vs SMB treasury: The critical differences explained[00:10:00] The connected finance challenge: Why bank integration matters[00:12:00] The purpose behind building Finmo's complex treasury platform[00:15:00] Why the founding team's diverse skill set made payments possible[00:16:00] How to keep purpose alive when you're in the trenches[00:19:00] Reimagining treasury workflows: Real-time visibility and forecasting[00:20:00] The cosmetics company spending $1M on treasury with 6-month reporting delays[00:22:00] Outcome-driven product development: From features to measurable KPIs[00:23:00] Introducing MO AI: The intelligent advisor for CFOs[00:27:00] The practical transition: From FinTech to AI-powered FinTech[00:30:00] How Finmo uses AI to help AI build AI (yes, really!)[00:33:00] Upskilling product teams on vector databases, MCPs, and AI infrastructure[00:34:00] Advice for PMs: How to upskill on AI when it's not your day job[00:37:00] The cost reality of AI: Why capital intensity matters for innovation[00:38:00] Final message: From reactive reporting to growth driverSearch QuestionsWhat is the difference between enterprise and SMB treasury management?How can SMEs get real-time cash visibility across multiple currencies?Why do finance teams spend so much time on manual reconciliation?What is MO AI and how does it help CFOs?How to transform fragmented treasury operations into unified systems?What are real-time payment rails and why do they matter?How much does treasury management software cost for SMBs?Why is connected finance important for global businesses?How to automate cash flow forecasting for small businesses?What is the biggest challenge SME finance teams face?How to build AI-powered features in FinTech products?What skills do product managers need to understand AI?How to upskill on AI for non-technical product teams?Why is AI implementation so expensive for startups?What is vector database and MCP in AI development?How to justify AI costs in early-stage FinTech companies?What is purpose-driven product development in FinTech?How to measure success in treasury management...
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How To Actually Protect Your Crypto Users: 79% of Users Demand This Crypto Feature | Anthony Yeung, Chief Commercial Officer at CoinCover,
Trust remains the biggest barrier to crypto adoption. Security breaches, lost access, and the fear of irreversible mistakes keep 79% of users demanding better protection before they'll fully commit to crypto.In this episode, I speak with Anthony Yeung, Chief Commercial Officer at CoinCover, the leader in digital asset protection, and we answer the critical question: How can FinTechs build crypto products that users actually trust?Anthony shares insights on the real risks FinTech leaders need to understand when building crypto offerings, the layered protection approach that top institutions use, and why traditional banking security just doesn't transfer to the crypto world.🔑 Key Highlights:Why 79% of crypto users demand mandatory compensation schemes for protectionHow 20% of all Bitcoin ($billions) is permanently lost due to access issuesWhy your existing bank security partners won't work for crypto infrastructureThe layered defense approach that protects 600+ institutions globallyHow fraud protection with compensation builds trust like traditional card paymentsFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Anthony Yeung: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coincover-anthony/Website: https://www.coincover.com👉 Follow Monica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millares TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millares We cover:[00:01:00] Why trust is crypto's biggest barrier to adoption[00:05:00] What is CoinCover and why 600+ institutions use it[00:09:00] The loss of access crisis: 20% of Bitcoin is gone forever[00:14:00] When exchanges get hacked: The $1.5B Bybit story[00:18:00] Why the crypto industry collaborates differently than traditional finance[00:19:54] The risks FinTech CEOs don't know they don't know[00:22:14] Why you can't reuse your bank security partners for crypto[00:27:45] Making crypto accessible: Beyond the top of the pyramid[00:30:32] What is layered protection and why it matters[00:35:30] How to protect against loss of access to wallets[00:41:11] The breakthrough: Fraud protection that works like card disputes[00:44:33] Why 79% of users demand compensation schemes[00:45:48] Top 3 takeaways for FinTech teams launching crypto[00:47:52] CoinCover's global reach and regulatory approachSEARCH QUESTIONSHow to protect crypto users from losing access to wallets?Why is 20% of all Bitcoin permanently lost?How do crypto exchanges get hacked?What is layered protection in crypto security?How to build trust in crypto products?Why traditional banking security doesn't work for crypto?What happens when users lose their crypto wallet password?How to prevent crypto fraud and scams?What is non-custodial crypto backup?How much does crypto security cost for FinTech companies?What are the biggest risks when launching crypto products?How to make crypto accessible for mainstream users?What is MPC and multi-sig in crypto security?How does crypto fraud protection with compensation work?Why do...
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Solving Wealth Management for MENA Henrys: Why Sharia-Compliant Investment Platforms Matter | Ziad Mabsout, Co-Founder & CEO at Vennre
The MENA region presents a massive opportunity for growth: The High Earners, Not Rich Yet (HENRY's).In this episode, I speak with Ziad Mabsout, Co-Founder & CEO at Vennre, about building investment platforms specifically for the Henry segment in MENA and why Sharia-compliant solutions are an unlock. Ziad shares his journey from getting rejected for a $50K investment to building a fintech that solves exactly the problem he had back then: Accessibility. We explore how the lack of pension systems in MENA creates urgent demand for investment solutions, and why Sharia-compliant products attract non-Muslim customers seeking ethical investing options.We dive deep into the unique challenges of building for emerging markets, the importance of customer protection in investment platforms, and practical strategies for serving high earners who lack access to private banking. Ziad also shares invaluable insights on startup team building, the importance of conviction in your mission, and why being humble while staying persistent is crucial for FinTech founders.Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes!👉 Follow Ziad Mabsout: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziadmabsout/Website: https://www.vennre.com/👉Follow Monica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millares TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[02:30:00] Defining High Earners, Not Rich Yet (Henrys) [05:12:00] Why Henrys are underserved by traditional wealth management [08:31:00] The relationship with money: spending, saving, investing [12:40:00] MENA vs Western market differences for Henrys[17:26:00] The pension gap crisis in emerging markets [20:00:00] Understanding Sharia-compliant investing [23:46:00] Why non-Muslims choose Sharia-compliant products[26:10:00] Incorporating Zakat calculation into the platform [34:09:00] Building startup teams: values, attitude, conviction[36:34:00] The importance of humility and learning as founders [39:05:00] Handling failures and maintaining persistence [42:52:00] Future vision and conviction in the Henry marketSEARCH QUESTIONSWhat is FinTech?What are Henrys in FinTech and why do they matter? How to build investment platforms for high earners in MENA? What is Sharia-compliant investing and how does it work? How to build FinTech products for emerging markets? What is the pension gap in MENA region? How to serve underserved high earners with FinTech? Building wealth management platforms for professionals? What makes Sharia-compliant FinTech successful? How to protect customers in investment platforms? Building startup teams in FinTech: best practices? Why is team building harder than fundraising for startups? How to find a job in FinTech?How to validate FinTech product ideas in MENA? What are the challenges of building FinTech in emerging markets? How to design investment products for busy professionals? What makes investment platforms successful in MENA? How to serve the middle market in...
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What Separates Sustainable Neobanks From Those That Fail To Reach Profitability? | Brian Muse-McKenney, CRO at Episode Six
With 400 Neobanks globally raising $300 billion but only a few achieving profitability, the industry faces a critical question about sustainable business models.In this episode, I speak with Brian Muse-McKenney, Chief Revenue Officer at Episode Six, and we answer the big question: What separates sustainable Neobanks from those that fail to reach profitability?Brian brings deep expertise from over 16 years in global payments, having led PayMe to become Hong Kong's #1 payments app and now helping fintechs build modern payment products at global scale in Episode Six. He shares insights on the fundamental shift from growth obsession to economic discipline and reveals the specific metrics and strategies that actually drive profitability.We explore the critical importance of unit economics over vanity metrics, the power of the 80/20 rule in customer focus, and why multi-product revenue strategies are essential beyond interchange fees. We also discuss the infrastructure decisions that can make or break scaling economics, the culture shifts needed for sustainable growth, and practical frameworks for identifying and nurturing profitable customer segments.🔑 Key Highlights:The shift from growth at all cost mentality to disciplined economics in Neobank’s strategyWhy LTV matters more than downloads and monthly active usersHow the 80/20 rule transforms customer acquisition into profitable growthThe infrastructure partnerships that enable or destroy unit economics at scaleWhy saying "I was wrong" creates winning cultures that drive profitabilityFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.Socials👉 Follow Brian Muse-McKenney:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-muse-mckenney-1423a21aa/Website: https://episodesix.com/👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTimestampsWe cover:[00:00:00] Neobanking profitability state : 400 companies, 15 profitable[00:02:00] From growth at all costs to economic discipline mindset shift[00:03:00] Unit economics that actually matter for sustainable growth[00:09:00] Revenue diversification beyond interchange fees[00:11:00] FX, lending, and subscription models that drive margins[00:16:00] The 80/20 rule: Why power users beat customer acquisition[00:19:00] Customer research strategies for identifying profitable segments[00:24:00] Low-hanging fruit for struggling Neobanks[00:26:00] The courage to say "I was wrong" and cut unprofitable customers[00:29:00] Psychological safety and winning culture fundamentals[00:32:00] Global profitability patterns: Asia vs Europe vs North America[00:39:00] The 10X innovation doctrine for market differentiation[00:45:00] Infrastructure partnerships that enable profitable scaling[00:51:00] Three key takeaways for sustainable Neobank successSearch QuestionsWhat separates profitable neobanks from failing ones?How many neobanks are actually profitable in 2025?What unit economics metrics matter most for neobanks?How to build revenue beyond interchange fees in fintech?Why do most Neobanks fail to reach profitability?What is the 80/20 rule for Neobank customer growth?How to...
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How Neobanks Can Use Bitcoin & Stablecoins for Competitive Advantage | Richard Green, RootstockLabs
Neobanks are struggling with differentiation, rising costs, and intense competition - but what if Bitcoin and stablecoin infrastructure could be your competitive advantage?In this episode, I speak with Richard Green, Director of Ecosystem and Rootstock Institutional at RootstockLabs, the largest and longest-running Bitcoin sidechain, and we answer the big question: How can neobanks strategically integrate Bitcoin and stablecoin infrastructure to create competitive advantages?Richard leads GTM for strategic partnerships and growth across cross-border remittance, DeFi, institutions and stablecoins clients, bringing deep expertise from Bloomberg, Circle, and now RootstockLabs. He shares practical insights on building crypto-enabled products that solve real customer problems.We explore the fundamentals of stablecoins, cost considerations for implementation, user experience challenges, security and fraud protection, partnership selection strategies, and practical frameworks for getting started. Richard breaks down complex technical concepts into actionable strategies that Neobank founders can implement without breaking their budgets.Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Richard Green:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-thomas-green/Website: https://www.rootstocklabs.com/👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] Welcome and key question introduction[00:01:00] The most overlooked competitive advantage for neobanks[00:06:00] Stablecoin basics: What they are and how they differ from Bitcoin[00:09:00] Top use cases: Global payments and remittances[00:13:00] Cross-border payment infrastructure and partnerships[00:18:00] Real-world application and user adoption challenges[00:20:00] Cost considerations: Custodial vs self-custody models[00:24:00] Security and fraud protection in blockchain systems[00:29:00] Product design and user experience considerations[00:31:00] Customer education and trust building strategies[00:34:00] Partnership selection and evaluation criteria[00:39:00] What RootstockLabs does and Bitcoin sidechain benefits[00:41:00] Practical implementation roadmap for neobanks[00:45:00] Security advantages of Bitcoin-backed infrastructure[00:49:00] Common implementation mistakes to avoid[00:50:00] Three key takeaways for neobank foundersSEARCH QUESTIONSHow can neobanks use Bitcoin for competitive advantage?What are stablecoins and how do they work for neobanks?How to reduce cross-border payment costs with crypto?What are the security risks of Bitcoin in banking?How to choose stablecoin partners for neobanks?What is custodial vs self-custody in crypto banking?How to implement Bitcoin infrastructure on a budget?What user experience challenges exist with crypto payments?How does blockchain fraud protection work?What is RootstockLabs and Bitcoin sidechains?How to educate customers about crypto banking features?What compliance requirements exist for crypto integration?How to build crypto products without technical expertise?What revenue streams do Bitcoin features create?How to differentiate neobanks with crypto infrastructure?What are the costs of implementing stablecoin...
Welcome to Purpose Driven FinTech!
I'm your host, Monica Millares - Product Leader and fellow FinTecher.
These days, with the rising cost of living, financial stress among customers, loss of trust in banks, speculation of crypto, and uncertainty, we're facing unprecedented challenges. But there is hope. We as FinTechers have the power to make a positive impact.
Our products, the how we do product, and our people can make a difference on customers’ financial lives - and as a result, in the quality of their lives.
However, more than ever Founders, CEOs, Leadership teams and all FinTechers have a ton of pressure to build solutions that actually solve customer problems, that people want, that are differentiated And profitable
Yes that's you and me too!
That's why I've created this podcast!
I speak with FinTech CEOs, Founders, and Csuites to uncover their stories, challenges, and lessons learnt in building products with impact.
You'll get to hear real-life conversations, and you’ll walk away with practical questions, frameworks and insights that you can apply to your own FinTech products. So, are you ready to make a bigger difference in FinTech?
Let's come together and discover how Purpose, Product, and People can help us create a future of better financial wellbeing while building sustainable and profitable FinTechs.
Follow me on LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube to stay connected and be part of the conversation.
Cheers to making better FinTech and making FinTech better!
Love, Moni
Colombia