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Money isn’t Everything explores the many ways fintech is changing what it means to be a bank or credit union. Host Mary Wisniewski, Cornerstone's editor-at-large and long-time fintech reporter, interviews early-stage startups, academics, and creative fintech thinkers, on how they're rewriting financial services. Listen every other Thursday morning. Expect laughter.
36 Episodes
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There’s plenty of buzz about “self-driving money.” But what about those moments when people want more than an algorithm? Mary talks with Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful, a fintech firm betting on both humans and AI. Sam shares what’s broken in the traditional advisor model, how Fruitful’s subscription approach works, and why TikTok isn’t the place for personal finance advice. Show notes: Fruitful Chapters: [00:00] Welcome & Guest Intro – Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful [00:30] Blending Huma...
JPMorgan Chase lit a fire under the fintech world. The biggest U.S. bank says it wants to start charging aggregators for access to data through the bank's API. Some call it a smart business move. Others say it’s a threat to open banking. So, who’s right? Today on the show: Mary talks with Huw Davies, co-founder and chief executive at open finance company Ozone API, about what this shift could mean for banks, fintech firms and the rest of the industry. From pricing models to global lesso...
The federal government is phasing out a range of paper checks in favor of digital payments. On the show: Mary speaks to Lurein Perera, CEO and co-founder of GiveCard, a fintech company that helps nonprofits and government agencies issue and manage prepaid debit cards for direct cash assistance programs. They chat about the slow disappearance of checks, the importance of financial inclusion, and why money apps need to understand a variety of languages to help build trust. Show notes: •GiveCa...
Sophia Goldberg, CEO and co-founder of Ansa and author of "The Field Guide to Global Payments," views Girl Math as a joyful expression. Sophia explores the social media trend with Mary and shares her view on why it matters to all brands. They also discuss what’s broken with gift cards and opine on reward programs that resonate with people. Subscribe to the Money Isn’t Everything podcast here: https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/money-isnt-everything Send us a text
Mary chats with Keith Armstrong, chief operating and compliance officer at Stretch, a startup that began as a neobank for people who were returning home from incarceration but has since made a notable pivot. Keith shares the early lessons from building a product for a misunderstood audience, the limits of academic research and how buying sneakers can carry deep meaning. Plus: They explore Stretch’s new goals and the realities of banking-as-a-service post Synapse crisis. Show notes: StretchE...
On the show today, Mary talks to Elizabeth Osborne – COO at Great Lakes Credit Union – about preparing for open banking regardless of what happens to the rules. As she says: “Whether it's a credit union or a bank, we should treat it as a threat. And if it doesn't become a threat, that's great. You're prepared.” They also explore how the credit union’s bet on bilingual chatbot Olive is working and ways Great Lakes is serving gig workers, asylum seekers and longtime members alike. Plus, Eliza...
On the show today: Mary chats with Amy Loh, head of marketing at Pipe and former Square veteran, about how fintech is shaking up small business finance. Amy shares how Pipe approaches granting small businesses, like nail and hair salons, capital through their software partners at a time when some Pipe customers are seeking more money to prepare for tariff shocks. Amy also talks about Pipe’s recent acquisition of Glean.ai and shares career advice on being intentional and vocal about your gr...
Designing for death might not be the usual founder journey—but it’s exactly what Ben Hopf is doing. On today’s show, Mary talks with Ben, the founder and CEO of Atticus, about building tech that helps families navigate the financial chaos that follows a death. They chat about: How to design for grief without adding frictionHow inheritance stands to change as Gen Z comes of ageAnd yes… funeral playlists. Show notes: Estate planning reportSend us a text
Sure, some auto tariffs are softening. But the cost of car ownership is on the rise. On the show today, Mary sits down with Jacob Zachs, founder and CEO of Fasten, to talk about how his startup wants to reward consumers for one of their biggest discretionary expenses – their cars. The new product, called Fasten Rewards, gives consumers rewards for their auto loans and leases, maintenance, gas and more. Jacob talks to Mary about his ambition, auto tariffs and what's it like building a st...
Today on the show, Mary talks to Shreenath Regunathan about a fresh way credit unions can prove their value to members: unlocking government benefits. Shree is a co-founder of Starlight, an early-stage fintech company that partners with credit unions. He talks to Mary about the shrinking middle class, misconceptions around financial health and how to make government benefits sound more approachable. Show notes: StarlightCan fintech and banks truly help people build savings habits?Send ...
Today on the show: Dr. Leda Glyptis, author, advisor, keynote speaker and former banker, talks about her newer book, "Beyond Resilience" with Mary. One spoiler? Her interviews with entrepreneurs for the book were weary of being labeled as successful. As Leda says on the show: "Most people are like, 'I'm not done yet.'" She talks to Mary about the uglier realities of being an entrepreneur, what the duo noticed at Fintech Meetup (a large fintech conference held in March), and why it's important...
On the show today, Mary talks to Sam Miller, co-founder and CEO of Kasheesh, about what he believes is a dangerous pattern with consumers payments: buy now, pay later. They also explore what he’s building at Kasheesh, how to create a brand where customers don’t feel shame over their money patterns and how his company pursues talent in an AI era. As he says: “Talent is forever shifting. Now, obviously with the advances in AI, it's definitely a volatile market where you're looking at talent dif...
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies are under all kinds of political and regulatory scrutiny right now. On the show today: Mary chats with Elizabeth McCluskey, a managing director of TruStage Ventures' Discovery Fund, which is a fund geared at underrepresented founders who are building products and services to expand financial access. They chat about the business case for investing in diverse founders, how credit unions are using fintech firms to attract Gen Z and the need for int...
Among the industry’s many challenges is finding talent who understands COBOL, a programming language that is still critical for financial institutions and other companies worldwide. Today on the show: Mary speaks with Bill and Eileen Hinshaw, the co-founders of Cobol Cowboys, a firm that sends in the pros who understand the "legendary language." They also talk to Mary about their work to help younger adults learn the older language. Show notes: Bill Hinshaw featured in CIO TODAYCobol CowboysS...
As Ryan Falvey sees it, 2025 will mark a very favorable period for fintech startups. Today on the show: Ryan, who is the co-founder and managing partner at Restive (a venture fund for early-stage fintech companies), talks to Mary about why. They also get into regulation wishes, productivity trends with startups and what interferes with innovating. Show Notes: Restive's State of the Market 2025Send us a text
In August 2022, Bank of New Hampshire started issuing biodegradable cards to help reduce plastic waste. 🌽 Today on the show, Mary talks to Eric Carter, senior vice president of digital solutions and innovation officer at the bank, about what motivated him to make the card switch ahead of so many other financial institutions. They also talk about bank-fintech partnerships in a post-Synapse crisis era and compelling features for digital banking apps. Show notes: Bank of New HampshireSend us a ...
Happy Thanksgiving! Today’s show is a short one. Cornerstone’s Editor-at-Large, Mary Wisniewski, hops on with herself to chat about what she’s thankful for in fintech. Send us a text
Community Financial Credit Union is taking on one of the diciest areas of finance: domestic violence and economic abuse in what the Michigan credit union refers to as its Choose the Bear movement. Tansley Stearns, president and CEO of the credit union, talks to Mary about how and why Community Financial hopes to serve as one of the resources to help survivors escape economic abuse and rebuild their lives. It is but one of many striking projects setting the Michigan credit union apart f...
While financial institutions across the country want to win over Gen Z, the demographic tends to mystify them. Katrin Kaurov, co-founder and CEO of Frich, is on a mission to help solve both challenges. Katrin talks to Mary about Gen Z stereotypes, techniques that resonate with young adults and rethinking financial literacy. She also answers questions that came up during a summer Cornerstone-Frich webinar. Show notes: FrichRead Z Hits Different: How to Better Acquire and Engage a New Generatio...
The emotional side of money is an emerging area of interest for fintech and digital banking executives. On today’s show, Mary sits down with Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, who among other titles, is a financial therapist. In fact, through December 2024, Lindsay is working as Cash App’s financial therapist. Lindsay talks with Mary about the newer profession and how it’s already showing up in fintech in various ways. They also explore how Gen Z handles money in ways that are different from past generati...
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