FinWise EYE ON:

Compliance is Your Competitive Advantage in 2026 with Dana Lawrence from Themis

In our latest episode, Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer at FinWise Bank, sits down with Dana Lawrence, VP of Go‑to‑Market Strategy & Customer Relationships at Themis, to unpack one of the most important—and misunderstood—levers for success in financial services:
➡️ Compliance as a true business differentiator.
If you work in fintech, banking, risk, regtech, or anywhere in the BaaS ecosystem, this conversation hits home.Here are a few of the standout insights:
Compliance is your brand.
The pendulum may swing—but responsibility doesn’t.
How to turn the ‘Department of No’ into the ‘Department of Know.’
What’s coming in 2026
And a powerful reminder: In a hybrid world, in‑person community matters more than ever.  For innovation, for collaboration, for sanity.
If you're navigating risk, underwriting new fintech models, evaluating partnership opportunities, or preparing for your 2026 compliance strategy—this is a conversation worth your time.

FinWise Team 2025 Year in Review

Year in Review 2025: Insights from FinWise Bank
Join host Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer at FinWise Bank, and a panel of FinWise leaders as they reflect on the biggest shifts, challenges, and opportunities in fintech and banking partnerships over the past year. This special episode brings together:
Kenzie Mexican, SVP, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer
Simon Darchis, Head of Fintech Products and Strategic Initiatives
Chris Comber, SVP, Credit Management and Strategy
Nick Chiappetti, VP, Fintech Marketing and Partnerships
Donnie Drake, SVP, BaaS Operations
Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief FinTech Officer (Host)
What’s inside:• How 2025 compared to the regulatory “wildfire” of 2024• The maturing fintech landscape: fewer startups, more mergers & acquisitions• Shifting regulatory tone, but persistent compliance focus• The rise of AI and stablecoins—hype vs. practical impact• Evolving consumer expectations and product innovation• Predictions for 2026: bank charter trends, AML modernization, and more collaboration
Tune in for candid perspectives, industry trends, and a look ahead to what’s next in fintech and banking. Happy holidays from the FinWise EYE ON Podcast team!

Money2020 - Special Episode 2025 - Part 3

In Part 3, we dive into the conversations shaping the future of fintech, banking, and payments. From cultural transformation in community banking to innovations in family finance, earned wage access, and stablecoin adoption, this episode is packed with insights from industry leaders.
Featured Guests & Time Stamps:
Chris Eggemeyer, VP, Castle Creek Capital (00:32 – 10:59)Madhu Yalamarthi, Co-Founder & CEO, Modak (11:05 – 20:12)Julie Valencia, Head of Compliance, Modak (11:05 – 20:12)Andrew Grant, Regulatory and Transactional Attorney, Runway Group (20:13 – 24:00)Todd Rotolo, Head of Growth & Marketing, Chisel (24:01 – 31:53)Kyla Galicia, Head of Client Relationships and Implementations, Chisel (24:01 – 31:53)Dimitri Dadiomov, Co-Founder & President, Modern Treasury (31:54 – 38:28)Rob Kaczmarek, CEO & Founder, Inbanx (38:29 – 48:19)Alex Gostomelsky, CFO, Tapcheck (48:20 – 59:00)Matt MacDonald, Fintech Practice Leader, Wolf & Company (59:01 – 65:04)Emmett Shipman, Fintech Strategy, Wolf & Company (59:01 – 65:04)Highlights:✔ AI and automation in compliance✔ Stablecoins as a new payment rail✔ Bank-fintech collaboration and cultural shifts✔ Financial wellness and accessibility for families and workers

Fintech Partnerships, Bank Charters & the Future of Banking with Kiah Haslett

In this episode, Kiah Haslett, creator of Fintech Takes Banking, sits down with host Sarah Grotta to talk about the evolving relationship between banks and fintechs. They explore the lessons learned from Banking-as-a-Service, the surge in charter applications, and what these trends mean for compliance, risk management, and innovation. The conversation also dives into regulatory shifts, payment charters, and the potential impact of initiatives like the Skinny Master Account and Section 1033. If you want to understand how technology, regulation, and strategy are reshaping banking, this episode is a must-listen.

Money2020 - Special Episode 2025 - Part 2

Money20/20 Special Edition – Part 2Recorded live at Money20/20, this episode dives deeper into the conversations shaping banking, fintech, and regulatory strategy. From embedded banking solutions to AI-driven compliance and the evolving role of partnerships, our guests share insights on innovation and what’s next for financial services.
Featured Guests & Time Stamps:
Jason Henrichs, CEO, Alloy Labs (00:34 – 9:25)
Dana Lawrence, VP GTM Strategy & Customer Relationships, Themis (9:28 – 15:42)
Troy Maas, CTO & Founder, ASA (15:43 – 23:09)
Landon Glenn, CEO & Founder, ASA (15:43 – 23:09)
Sunil Singh, Founder & CEO, Tallied (23:12 – 27:07)
Yankie Markowitz, CEO, SBA Loan Group (27:08 – 30:45)
Stan Orszula, Partner, BFKN (30:46 – 43:13)
Abdul Mitha, Partner, BFKN (30:46 – 43:13)
What you’ll learn:✔ How banks and fintechs can build trust and transparency for successful partnerships✔ Why embedded banking and Software Development Kit (SDK) solutions are changing the game✔ The role of AI in compliance, risk management, and dispute handling✔ Regulatory trends and how to engage with regulators early for smoother innovation✔ Why relationships and collaboration remain the foundation of growth

Money2020 - Special Episode 2025 - Part 1

Money20/20 Special Edition – Part 1Recorded live at Money20/20, this episode dives into the conversations shaping the future of banking, fintech partnerships, and payments innovation. Hear from leaders across the industry as they share insights on AI, risk management, regulatory shifts, and building trust in partnerships.
Featured Guests & Time Stamps:
Karen Schmidt, VP Product & Business Development, Sutton Bank (00:33 – 3:57)
Marc Rehberger, SVP, Head of Tech Enabled Banking, Customers Bank (3:58 – 8:15)
Chris Rigoni, EVP, Head of Partner Banking & Payments, Axiom Bank (8:16 – 14:33)
Tony McGee, Director of Business Development, Lithic (14:34 – 22:29)
Joe Morgan, EVP, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Continental Bank (22:30 – 29:52)
Abby Hogan, SVP, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, FairPlay AI (29:53 – 37:09)
Kanishk Mehta, Director, Risk Advisory Services, Kaufman Rossin (37:10 – 46:58)
Brittany Decker, Head of Sponsor Banks, Visa (46:59 – 59:17)
What you’ll learn:✔ How community banks can embrace innovation and compete beyond geography✔ Navigating fintech-bank partnerships in a shifting regulatory landscape✔ Building modern API-led infrastructure for payments and card issuing✔ Leveraging AI for compliance, risk management, and operational scale✔ Why trust and communication remain the foundation of successful partnerships
🎧 Listen now and join the conversation about the trends shaping banking and fintech at Money20/20.

Navigating Fintech Growth: Compliance, Partnerships, and the Regulatory Landscape with FS Vector's Trevor Tanifum

In this episode of the FinWise EYE ON: podcast, hosted by Sarah Grotta, Deputy Chief Fintech Officer at FinWise Bank, the focus is on the current environment for innovative fintechs in the U.S. Sarah is joined by Trevor Tanifum from FS Vector, a firm that helps fintechs with compliance and becoming ‘bank ready.’
 
Trevor explains the three practice groups within FS Vector: advisory, licensing, and advocacy. The discussion covers the day-to-day activities of advising fintechs, the intricacies of partnering with banks, and the importance of presenting a well-prepared compliance framework to avoid risks.
 
They also delve into the regulatory environment in Washington, touching on the impact of administrative changes on policy and enforcement. The podcast wraps up with insights on topics like the rising interest in stablecoins, the challenges of launching fintech products, the competitive banking partnership landscape, and the implications of current data privacy and access regulations.
 
 

Enhancing Corporate Payments with Strategic Innovation with Alex Jimenez from Backbase

Enhancing Corporate Payments with Strategic Innovation with Alex Jimenez, Lead Principal Consultant from Backbase
 
In this episode of the FinWise EYE ON: podcast, host Sarah Grotta is joined by Alex Jimenez, Lead Principal Strategy Consultant at Backbase, to discuss the trends and future of corporate payments. They delve into the lag in user experience for corporate payments compared to consumer-side innovations, and explore the current state and challenges in the industry. Topics covered include the role of real-time payments, the complexity of implementing digital solutions for businesses, and the potential impact of technologies like stable coins and AI. Alex shares insights from his experience and recent conversations with business leaders, offering a grounded perspective on the future of financial solutions in the corporate sector.
 
https://www.alexrjimenez.com/
https://www.backbase.com/insights/podcasts