In today’s episode, we talk about how to be both a product-led organization and a customer-centric one, what fintechs are doing that keeps them closer to customers, and how banks can rethink the customer journey around financial life stages. Join the discussion with host and Head of Business Development Rob Rubin, Analyst Lauren Ashcraft, and Principal Analyst Tiffani Montez.

Global fintech revenues increased by 21% YoY in 2024, a strong increase from 13% in the previous year, per Boston Consulting Group and QED Investor’s Global Fintech Report. Challenger banks such as Monzo, Nubank, and Resolut fueled impressive 23% revenue growth in the deposit vertical. Trading and investment fintech revenues grew 21%, and Insurance fintechs measured 40% growth. Fintechs need to drill down into key demographics like digital natives, the unbanked, and the underbanked. Scaled fintechs can also focus on merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities.

The partnership highlights the importance of individual merchant deals and larger platform tie-ups

Despite being a leader in AI use, the BNPL provider said leaning on AI for customer service lowered support quality

Funding hit a two-year high, but the concentration among megarounds points to deeper problems in the startup funding space

A new type of tax-advantage account making its way through Congress could be a chance for banks to attract and retain customers.

This might improve customer loyalty and satisfaction.

The deal received conditional regulatory approval, shaking up the card space and larger financial service industry

The deal, which also includes FIS’s purchase of Global Payment’s issuing business, redraws lines that had previously been blurring

Latin America’s commerce media ecosystem is rapidly evolving. Financial, travel, and other nonretail players are now looking to monetize their own first-party data—following the path retailers have already paved.

This bodes well for fintechs trying to build out their financial services offerings.

The tie-up also makes Marqeta a more attractive card partner for fintechs

Adding a premium card and other changes could help to improve the program’s profitability

From revolutionizing logistics and digital payments to capturing a major share of ecommerce and retail media ad revenues, Mercado Libre has profoundly reshaped Latin America’s digital economy.

This will solidify Walmart’s role as a major payments player and can be a large revenue generator for the retailer

PayPal's outage highlights rising API-related flaws in finance. With 80% of U.S. adults relying on app-based payments, regulatory scrutiny and customer frustration could reshape the competitive landscape.