One Vision Podcast — Fintech, Banking, and AI with Theodora Lau

Many people in this country don't have access to reliable financial guidance — so they're increasingly asking a free chatbot instead. The problem? A general-purpose model trained on Reddit threads inherits Reddit's appetite for risk, and now that skew shows up in the conversations people are having about their money.  In this new episode of One Vision Podcast, Alisha Chowdhury , Founder of Ki...

We're halfway through 2026, and the fintech landscape is moving faster than anyone can track. In this new episode of One Vision Podcast, Theo brings back three fan favorites — Jennifer White (J.D. Power), Tiffani Montez (Insider Intelligence / EMARKETER), and Julie Muhn (Finovate) — for a midyear roundtable that covers it all. What did the recent Finovate Spring reveal about where AI is actually l...

In this episode of One Vision Podcast, Danny Friday, CEO and Founder of Sail, joins Theodora Lau to unpack why the "boring" corners of fintech — HSA and FSA accounts — are exactly where the next wave of meaningful innovation is hiding.  Danny shares the origin story behind Sail: a claim over a Spanish-language dental receipt that exposed a deeper challenge about regulated industries: most of...

Since 2023, illicit financial activity has surged by $1.3 trillion, reaching an estimated $4.4 trillion globally. The reason isn't a mystery: bad actors have AI now too. In this episode of One Vision Podcast, Theodora Lau sits down with Tyler Allen , CEO of Unit21, to unpack what's happening on the front lines of AI-powered fraud. Tyler was Unit21's founding software engineer and he is now leading...

After more than a decade of crossing paths at conferences and following each other’s work, Theodora Lau finally gets the opportunity to host Sarah Biller , Co-Founder & Member Board of Directors of Fintech Sandbox, and Bank Director and Investor of Thread Bank, on the One Vision Podcast.  In this episode, Sarah talks about building innovation ecosystems beyond traditional hubs, including...

What happens to a deposit when the account holder dies — and why are banks so unprepared for the one moment they know is coming? In this episode of the One Vision Podcast, Theodora Lau sits down with Martha Underwood , Founder and CEO of Prismm and author of the new release: The Death of Deposits . Drawing on 25+ years across IBM, Silicon Valley, and BBVA Compass, Martha talks about the unspoken a...

In this episode of One Vision, Theodora Lau sits down with Hay Yip , Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff at FundPark in Hong Kong, for a conversation that spans heritage, working capital, and what it really takes for SMEs to scale in an uncertain world. Hay shares his journey from a commercial banking career at HSBC — spanning both London and Hong Kong — to the electric pace of a fintech sta...

What do the American people actually expect from companies deploying AI — and are corporate leaders listening? In this episode of One Vision Podcast, Theodora Lau sits down with longtime friend Tyler Spalding , Chief Marketing, Communications & Engagement Officer at JUST Capital, to unpack the organization's latest research on how the public, investors, and corporate executives view AI's impac...

What separates an AI agent that demos beautifully from one that actually runs in production at a bank? In this episode of One Vision Podcast, Theodora Lau reconnects with Maté Jendrolovics , CEO and Founder of Intuitech, for a candid conversation about the reality of agentic AI in financial services — where "80% accurate" doesn't mean 80% of the value. Maté shares how Intuitech has expanded in the...

When AI agents start buying and selling on our behalf, who do they really represent? In this new episode of One Vision Podcast, Theodora Lau sits down with Marc Massar — payments veteran and founder of Aura Labs — to unpack the merchant side of agentic commerce that most of the industry is overlooking. They dig into why today's agentic protocols are still walled gardens, what happens when transact...

While the conversation around AI often centers on automation and efficiency, the real opportunity lies in AI’s ability to act as a decision-making layer. In this episode of One Vision podcast, Theodora Lau hosts Bianca Zwart , Chief Strategy Officer at bunq, to unpack what it truly means to be AI-native. For bunq, AI isn't a feature bolted onto an existing model. It's the operating system. Bianca...

In the ever-evolving world of digital banking, understanding the shifts and trends is crucial for industry practitioners and innovators. In this episode of One Vision, Theodora Lau hosts Dharmesh Mistry and Dave Wallace to explore the transformative moments in banking and fintech over the past decade, the impact of technology on the financial services industry, and the future of work. They discuss...

Brandon Purcell , a former vice president and principal analyst at Forrester, recently embarked on a remarkable journey to write a book that intertwines his experiences with addiction and recovery with the concepts of artificial intelligence.  In this new episode of One Vision Podcast, hosted by Theodora Lau , we dive deep into Brandon’s unique perspectives on how these two seemingly disparat...

With a record number of companies vying for US bank charters, it’s crucial to understand the driving forces behind this surge. The regulatory environment is more welcoming than ever, allowing fintechs to innovate and meet the needs of consumers who feel underserved by traditional banks.   But it's not just about quantity; it’s about quality. In a saturated market, how can these new entra...

In this episode, Theodora Lau interviews Jennifer White, Senior Director, Global Banking & Payments Intelligence at J.D. Power, about consumer behavior, financial resilience, AI in finance, and future trends. They explore how consumers are navigating financial challenges and the affordability crisis, against the backdrop of “an era of resilience” — with two-thirds of Americans being financiall...

In this new episode One Vision podcast, Theodora Lau welcomes back Christopher Mims, Technology Columnist for the Wall Street Journal, to discuss his 2026 book “How to AI,” a practical guide aimed at the 90% who aren’t early adopters. They discuss the book’s “24 Laws of AI”, the evolving role of AI in the workplace, and how to prepare for the new future (without the hype).  Who will win the A...

Are we moving too fast in the world of agentic commerce — a new paradigm in online shopping where AI agents act on behalf of consumers, facilitating transactions and product discovery? Unlike traditional e-commerce, where consumers interact directly with platforms, agentic commerce leverages advanced technologies to streamline the purchasing process. In this episode of One Vision — FinTe...

In this episode of One Vision, Theodora Lau hosts Angi Milano , Founder and CEO of Maven Advisory, about her diverse career journey in financial services. They discuss the challenges and rewards of embracing independence, the importance of saying 'no', as well as the complexities and the art of selling in regulated industries. Angi shares insights on current trends in fintech, emphasizing the need...

In this episode of One Vision — FinTech Fuse podcast, Theodora Lau and Jas Randhawa discuss the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and implications for agentic commerce. They explore the challenges of chargebacks, the need for regulatory clarity, and the importance of consumer independence in the evolving landscape of e-commerce. While adoption is likely to grow, major risks include consumer manipu...

In this week’s One Vision Podcast, we welcome back Sandeep Mangaraj , now co-founder of Aileron Group, to discuss lessons from building a company in a crowded AI market and why AI success is more about people and process than technology.  The conversation covers executives rushing into GenAI due to FOMO, the importance of starting with desired outcomes rather than applying GenAI everywhere, a...

Dive into the future of wealth with AI in Asia! 🌏🚀 Join Theodora Lau on the latest episode of One Vision podcast as she chats with Yves Roesti , Managing Partner & CEO Synpulse Group, about how AI is transforming the industry across APAC. From cultural nuances to regulatory challenges, they explore the intricate balance of human touch and technology, the unique challenges and opportunities i...

Join Theodora Lau on this new episode of One Vision — the FinTech Fuse, as she hosts Elias Kruger , Managing Principal at Long-Range AI Consulting. Elias shares his journey from his role at Wells Fargo to launching his own AI consultancy. Discover insights into the transformative potential of AI, the importance of responsible implementation, the potential impact on training, and what the future mi...

🌟 New episode alert! One Vision — FinTech Fuse is back with a power-packed conversation with Jody Bhagat , North America President at Engine by Starling. We talk about the critical role of technology in transforming banking operations and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Whether you're grappling with legacy systems or eyeing the cutting-edge of AI, Jody's insights offer valuable guida...

🚀New Episode Alert!  🎙️Dive into the world of FinTech with our latest episode of One Vision — the FinTech Fuse. Join Theo and our guest Alex Jimenez , the OG of FinTech OG, as they explore the major themes for 2026 from innovation to governance, as AI and M&A take center stage. Explore how money movement might become ‘invisible’. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future o...

In this episode of One Vision — FinTech Fuse, we took a deep dive into Walmart with Finovate’s very own Julie Muhn . We started with Walmart's bold move to apply for an ILC charter in 2005, their foray into fintech with OnePay, and the wide array of services they now provide beyond retail. The conversation explored Walmart’s integration of emerging technologies like AI and agentic commerce, as wel...