Can Credit Unions’ Collaborative Superpowers Extend to AI?
Glen checks in with CUltivate co-founder Anthony Volpe for an update on his CUSO’s progress in bringing practical AI to the back offices of a broad base of credit unions. Plus, ruminations on lesser covered aspects of the Stripe/PayPal intrigue.
Looking for the X-Factor in Stripe’s PayPal Bid
By now you’ve probably heard about Stripe’s recent $53 billion offer- alongside private equity firm Advent International as an essentially equal partner- to acquire PayPal. You’ve probably also heard that PayPal’s board has rejected the offer as insufficient. Odds are good this saga is far from over, however. Let’s explore a few of the angles that are poised to keep things interesting.
The Unstable Stablecoin Landscape
John and Glen discuss the latest maneuvers in the stablecoin world- particularly the newly announced Open USD initiative spearheaded by Bridge, bringing its parent company Stripe into the game. Is it a game changer or a press release destined for Libra-land? Also, new Fed data finds credit cards in overdrive.
Christmas in July- The Fed Delivers New (2024) Payments Data
The Federal Reserve has a quirky pattern of sharing results of its flagship payments research over major holidays. Usually that holiday is the Christmas/New Years window, with initial findings from the Fed’s triennial Payments Study shooting down the chimney. For whatever reason this cycle’s initial results were delayed until the eve of America’s 250th birthday.
Is Trust Now the Most Precious Metal?
Glen meets with Edelman Smithfield Managing Director Deidre Campbell to break down the annual Edelman Trust Barometer, the public’s “retreat into insularity,” and the resulting action items for banks and credit unions. Also- Illinois turns its focus to BNPL while JD Power highlights an FI opportunity, X Money broadens its reach, and the murky NCUA waters begin to clear.
Fighting Amsterdam Fintech FOMO
Laura Gibson-Lamothe, the Georgia Fintech Academy’s Executive Director, provides firsthand coverage of the key takeaways from Money 20/20 Europe. Laura and Glen also discuss broader trends in talent development/demand and regional differences in banking (and smoking! ) regulation. Plus- process reflections spurred by the passing of longtime Fed Chair Alan Greenspan, and the Bank of England sets a new stablecoin standard.
A Remarkable Month for Interchange – But What Has Really Changed?
The interchange debate has been a perpetual moving target for the past few years. With the dust having apparently settled momentarily, let’s dive into some remarkable events that have occurred over May and June alone.
Financial Health, No Matter the Mission
Our second batch of interviews stemming from the Financial Health Network’s EMERGE conference, both with founders of compelling fintech startups: ROX CEO Lara Hodgson (breaking down barriers to SMB credit/liquidity) and Poncho CEO John Brown (financial wellness for military families). Also- the sudden twist in Fiserv’s turnaround story.
Authentic Intelligence in Financial Health
Glen shares highlights from the Financial Health Network’s EMERGE conference, including interviews with a pair of trailblazing co-founders: Debbie Rewards’ Frida Leibowitz and Prosprous.ai’s Ted Leung. Also- Illinois kicks the interchange can down the road (again), Pope Leo pleads for humanity in AI, and a campaign to repurpose dopamine hits for financial wellness.
Are We Approaching an AI Trough of Disillusionment?
Glen and John dissect a recent online airing of grievances regarding AI’s perceived shortcomings. To Glen’s surprise, John finds validity to some of these criticisms. Also- the Pope weighs in, robots close the human gap, the term “neuro-symbolic AI” emerges, and the green shoots of a “slow tech” movement may be emerging.