Fintech Combine

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovacs sits down with Dr. Lamont Black of Wide Open Ventures to break down what’s next for credit unions as AI and stablecoins move from hype to real strategy. They unpack the impact of the Genius Act, why stablecoins are becoming a mainstream payments rail, and what credit unions should do now to prepare—without jumping into tech for tech’s sake. Dr. Black also shares how leaders can approach AI adoption as organizational change, what “agentic AI” means for the future of member relationships, and why being a “fast follower” can quietly turn into doing nothing.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode, Kris Kovacs hosts Troy Wyatt, CEO of DataOps, and Shawn Gilfedder, CEO of Kitsap Credit Union, to discuss the transformative impact of agentic technology on credit unions. The conversation begins with an introduction to the participants and a brief overview of their organizations. Shawn shares insights into Kitsap's journey towards leveraging data and AI to enhance member experiences, emphasizing the importance of internal culture and collaboration in adopting new technologies. Troy elaborates on how DataOps supports credit unions in managing their data effectively, enabling them to create personalized services for their members. The discussion also touches on the recent changes in Washington state law that allow credit unions to make direct equity investments in tech companies, highlighting Kitsap's pioneering role in this area.As the conversation progresses, the speakers delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by agentic technology, including the need for a cultural shift within organizations to embrace innovation. They discuss the importance of understanding business processes and data governance, as well as the potential for AI to enhance operational efficiency. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of credit unions in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation to meet member needs effectively.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

As we wrap up the year, this special holiday episode of The Fintech Combine brings together industry leaders to reflect on where credit unions are headed and how innovation continues to shape the future of community-based financial institutions. From collaboration and technology to growth strategies and evolving member expectations, this conversation looks back on the lessons of the past year while offering thoughtful perspective on what lies ahead. It’s a timely, end-of-year discussion focused on progress, possibility, and the people driving meaningful change across the credit union ecosystem.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovacs sits down with Kalyani Ramadurgam, co-founder and CEO of Kobalt Labs, to explore how AI is transforming third-party risk management and compliance for financial institutions. Kalyani shares how her background in AI research and fintech led to building an auditable, secure, and highly explainable platform that automates the most manual parts of risk review. Together, they discuss why spreadsheets are no longer enough, how credit unions of all sizes can benefit, and what the future of AI-driven compliance looks like.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of the Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovacs sits down with Mitch Rutledg, co-founder and CEO of Vertice AI, to explore how community financial institutions can finally unlock the power of their data without massive teams or endless projects. Mitch shares his journey from leading advanced analytics at global giant SAS to building Vertice AI specifically for credit unions and community banks, and explains how smarter use of first-party data, AI-driven targeting, and intelligent agents can transform member engagement, lending and deposit growth, and indirect conversions. If you’ve ever felt “too small” to be truly data-driven, this conversation will change your mind.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with Omar Jordan, founder & CEO of Coviance, to unpack how credit unions can deliver a true fintech experience in home equity and HELOC lending. Omar shares the origin story (from fax-era frustrations to 72-hour clear-to-close), why broken process and policy—not the LOS—slow lenders down, and what’s changed at Coviance over the last 18 months, from scaling the team to helping 450+ institutions modernize member lending.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with Jonty Hirsowitz, founder and CEO of Deferit, to explore how his latest innovation — Pebble — is helping consumers build credit simply by paying their everyday bills on time. Jonty shares his journey from corporate law to fintech entrepreneurship, the problem Pebble solves for thin-file consumers, and how credit unions can use embedded credit tools to engage younger members and drive financial inclusion.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

Want to Start a Podcast? Hear This First.Before you hit record, listen in on what works, what doesn’t, and what every fintech leader needs to know about launching a show.

In this episode of the Fintech Combine, Kris Kovac talks with Cale Johnson, founder of Onsetto and former ClickSwitch CEO. Cale shares hard-won lessons from building and selling his first fintech, why business account switching is the industry’s hidden bottleneck, and how Onsetto is helping banks and credit unions finally achieve true commercial primacy.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of the Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovacs sits down with Karan Bhalla, founder of AIVantage, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping credit unions and community banks. From hyperpersonalization to fail-fast innovation, Karan shares lessons from his 25-year career in banking and fintech, and offers practical insights into how small and mid-size institutions can embrace AI to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovacs sits down with Marcell King, CEO of Nuuvia, to explore how youth banking solutions are helping credit unions stay relevant in a rapidly changing market. From financial education for kids to competing with fintech giants like Greenlight, Marcell shares insights on how Nuuvia is transforming the way credit unions engage the next generation of members.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this conversation, Mark Price, CTO of Akuvo, shares insights into the innovative solutions his company is developing in the FinTech space, particularly focusing on their cloud-based collections platform and the introduction of AI technologies. He discusses his journey from a coder to a management role, the impact of their Virtual Collector product, and the importance of building a culture of innovation within the organization. Mark also emphasizes the significance of effective communication and understanding audience needs when presenting ideas and solutions.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with Steve Soukup, CEO of DefenseStorm, to discuss how the company protects credit unions and community banks from evolving cyber threats. They explore risk management, fraud prevention, AI‑powered threat detection, and why trust is the foundation of effective cybersecurity in the financial sector.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with Jon Sternstein, founder and CEO of Stern Security, to explore his journey from credit union security engineer to cybersecurity entrepreneur. Jon shares how he built a bootstrapped SaaS platform protecting credit unions and hospital systems, the evolving threat landscape, and why securing the planet starts with smarter, scalable tools.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, Kris Kovac sits down with Kevin Martin, Head of Strategy at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union—the third-largest credit union in the U.S.—to unpack how focused strategy, disciplined planning, and a commitment to member experience have fueled massive growth. From turning away thousands of ineligible applicants to embracing AI and innovation portfolios, Kevin shares how SchoolsFirst stays aligned, agile, and ahead of the curve.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with Andy Bandyopadhyay, CEO and founder of Attune, to explore how credit unions can turn financial wellness into measurable growth. Andy shares their journey from Silicon Valley giant Instagram to launching a platform that helps institutions track member impact with the same rigor as financial KPIs. If you've ever wondered how to align mission with metrics—or why "PFI is dead"—this episode is a must-listen.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

Join Kris Kovacs as he chats with John Findlay, the dynamic founder of Lemonade LXP, about how his game-based training platform is transforming digital adoption in community banks and credit unions. Learn how Lemonade LXP helps frontline staff boost tech fluency, drives massive cost savings, and uses AI to turn complex training modules into engaging experiences. John also shares his entrepreneurial journey, lessons from his earlier startups, and why listening to customers has been key to his company’s success.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode, we sit down with the co-founder of Dots, a groundbreaking fintech startup transforming how gig workers get paid. From their roots at Google to building a streamlined payment solution, they’ve redefined payroll by prioritizing speed, flexibility, and simplicity. Learn how Dots enables businesses to pay gig workers instantly—without extra fees—while navigating complex global payment systems. Discover the story behind their pivot from microtransactions to fintech, their lean approach to scaling, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or just curious about fintech innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

Discover how credit unions can become essential partners for small businesses while boosting local community impact. Learn strategies to attract small business owners, build trust, and foster economic growth in your area. Don’t miss these actionable tips to strengthen your community connections!Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac chats with Kian Sarreshteh, CEO of InvestiFi, about how their platform helps credit unions compete with fintech giants like Robinhood. Kian discusses “Investing from Checking,” seamless integrations, and their modular approach to offering stocks, ETFs, crypto, and robo-advisory, all designed to attract younger members and keep deposits in-house.Follow the Pod:https://twitter.com/fintechcombineFollow Kris Kovacs:https://twitter.com/ManagementByteshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/https://www.instagram.com/kriskovacs/The Fintech Combine is Produced and Edited by Anson Beckler-JonesFollow Anson Beckler-JonesInstagram - @ansonandcoYoutube - @ansonandco