Episode 545: Buzzword Bingo

In This Episode In this episode Brett King catches up with Ali Paterson, Editor-in-Chief, FF News about ... fintech and banking! Having been part of the architecture, or rather furniture, of the industry for many years, these two leaders, writers and influencers look at fintech -- through rearview mirrors and what's on the road ahead -- in a lighthearted discussion from respective vantage points. There are standout moments (does anyone remember the literal payments race?), personalities, culture, and some favorite stories. Read the entire transcript here. Podcast Content: Chapter 1: 00:00:00 - Introduction: A Decade of Fintech Chronicles Brett King and Ali Patterson introduce the episode, sharing stories about their long-standing relationship and Ali's role in fintech journalism. Chapter 2: 00:05:30 - Founding FF News: From Future Banking to Buzzword Bingo Ali discusses his early days in fintech reporting, founding FF News at Finnovate London 2015, and covering industry-shaping events. Chapter 3: 00:14:00 - Capturing History: Starling, Revolut, and the Early Challenger Banks Memorable moments with fintech pioneers like Anne Boden and Nick Storonsky, highlighting how Starling and Revolut emerged from humble beginnings. Chapter 4: 00:22:15 - Stories of Success and Collapse: Loot and Wirecard A look back at the rise and fall of standout fintechs like Loot and Wirecard, and the lessons they provide for the industry. Chapter 5: 00:30:45 - Fintech Media: The Secret to Longevity and Client Trust Ali shares how FF News thrives through resilience, client relationships, and unconventional solutions to deliver value. Chapter 6: 00:40:30 - Buzzword Bingo and the Evolving Media Landscape How fintech media has shifted to focus on targeted engagement over vanity metrics, including strategies for TikTok and content delivery. Chapter 7: 00:48:15 - Emerging Markets: The Caribbean as Fintech’s Next Wave Discussion on the Caribbean as an untapped fintech hub, with opportunities for challenger banks and financial innovation. Chapter 8: 00:55:00 - The Payments Race: Innovation, Community, and Crazy Logistics Ali recounts the entertaining and logistically challenging Payments Race events that highlighted global payments evolution. Chapter 9: 01:05:00 - Best and Worst Interviews: From Will.I.Am to Frank Abagnale Jr. Ali shares stories of his most memorable interviews, including thought-provoking conversations with fintech leaders and unexpected challenges. Chapter 10: 01:12:00 - Advice for Fintech Founders: Be Unique and Recognizable Tips for fintech entrepreneurs on creating impactful stories, standing out in media, and building a strong, unique brand presence. Related Content: * Episode 144: Metaverse Deep Dive - Decoding the Buzzword * Episode 561: Demystifying Fintech: Insights on Banking's Future * Episode 547: The BaaS Bombs Drop + Synapse Bankruptcy