Fintech Combine

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...

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...

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 in...

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.co...

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...

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 s...

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...

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 entrepreneuria...

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...

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/fintechcombine Follow Kris Kovacs: https://twitter.com/ManagementBy...

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-hou...

In this episode, Fred Eisel, President & CEO of Vizo Financial, shares how corporate credit unions are partnering with fintechs to help credit unions grow, embrace data, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Follow the Pod: https://twitter.com/fintechcombine Follow Kris Kovacs: https://twitter.com/ManagementBytes https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskovacs/ https://www.ins...

In this episode of Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with Nick Evans, President and CEO of Curql Collective, to explore how credit unions are reshaping fintech investment. They dive into the power of strategic investing, the evolution of CUSOs, and why community-based institutions need a seat at the fintech table. If you're a credit union leader or fintech founder, this one's a mu...

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with John Dearing, Partner at Capstone Strategic, to discuss how credit unions and CUSOs can leverage fintech investments for growth. They explore key trends, common pitfalls, and smart strategies for investing in fintech opportunities. Follow the Pod: https://twitter.com/fintechcombine To find out how Constellation can help your in...

ndy Colman, CEO of Benny, joins us to share how his fintech helps employees access the full value of their Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs). We discuss the billions in unclaimed stock benefits, how Benny solves cash flow gaps, and why credit unions are ideal partners for this innovative solution. Links:Learn more: www.heyBenny.comMeet Andy at GAC 2025!Subscribe for more fintech insights! 🚀 F...

In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovacs sits down with Josh Herman, CEO and Co-Founder of CU Wealth Next, to discuss how credit unions can leverage fintech partnerships to stay competitive. Josh shares insights into investing in WealthTech solutions, bridging the gap between credit unions and cutting-edge financial services, and creating opportunities for the next generation of me...

In this episode of Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with Frank Mazza from Metallicus and John Ainsworth from Metal CUSO to explore how blockchain is revolutionizing credit unions. They discuss the real-world applications of Metal Blockchain, including faster payments, smart contracts, fraud prevention, and the rise of stablecoins. Tune in to discover why 2025 could be a pivotal year for...

Host Kris Kovac talks with Jacob Bennett, co-founder of Crux Analytics, about transforming how community financial institutions serve small businesses. Discover how Crux uses data and analytics to strengthen banker-client relationships, their platform’s evolution, and insights into the future of fintech and AI in banking. Follow the Pod: https://twitter.com/fintechcombine To find out how Constella...

Welcome to a fresh episode of "The Fintech Combine" where we dive into the transformative role of talent management in shaping the future of credit unions. Join host Kris Kovacs and guest Jill Nowacki, CEO of Humandei, as they explore strategies for recruiting, developing, and retaining exceptional talent in the evolving financial landscape. Discover how credit unions can build inclusive, innovati...

Join us for a special year-end episode of The Fintech Combine as we celebrate a remarkable year of fintech conversations. In this festive recap, we revisit unforgettable guest insights, outtakes, and powerful moments that made 2024 an extraordinary journey. From industry leaders sharing visionary ideas to behind-the-scenes bloopers that kept us laughing, this episode is a heartfelt thank-you to ou...

Host Kris Kovac chats with Samantha Paxton about how credit unions can adopt fintech strategies to compete in 2025. From member-centric design to leveraging AI and breaking down silos, discover actionable ways to drive growth and deepen member relationships. Follow the Pod: https://twitter.com/fintechcombine To find out how Constellation can help your institution or fintech improve your digital ex...

In this episode of The Fintech Combine , host Kris Kovacs sits down with Ben Malena, former NFL running back and co-founder of AlgoPear, a fintech company revolutionizing how credit unions engage Millennials and Gen Z with embedded finance solutions. Ben shares his inspiring journey from professional football to tackling challenges in community banking and building innovative investment tools for...

In this episode, we dive into the Credit Union Technology Council Conference, where top fintech innovators showcased groundbreaking solutions in the speed rounds competition. From AI-powered customer service and digital tax assistance to tools for enhancing financial wellness and retirement planning, these fintechs are revolutionizing the ways credit unions engage and support their members. Join u...

In this episode, we sit down with Simon, the founder of MasRefund, to explore his inspiring journey from Army linguist to fintech entrepreneur. Simon shares how his experiences in addiction recovery, mental health advocacy, and tax prep led to the creation of MasRefund, an AI-powered app designed to make tax filing easy for underserved communities, particularly immigrants and the Hispanic populati...

In this episode, we preview the 2024 VentureTech Conference, where 16 fintechs will present innovative solutions to credit unions and venture capitalists. Several fintech founders share insights on their companies, challenges faced, and expectations for the conference. The discussions focus on how these fintechs aim to support credit unions, enhance financial services, and drive innovation in the...