The Payments Podium

Healthcare payments have been stuck in the past… but not any longer In this episode of the Payments Podium, Kevin “Payments Professor” Olsen sits down with Ryan Tennyson from SolutionReach to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes in healthcare payments—and why things are finally starting to change. From agentic AI transforming revenue cycle management to ACH becoming a core payment...

The payments world is heading into uncharted territory. In this episode, we explore what’s next for banking and treasury, from the rise of digital-asset-focused bank charters to AI agents executing payments on behalf of humans. We dig into identity, programmability, smart contract risk, and why immutability still makes treasurers nervous. The conversation also tackles regulatory clarity, quantum c...

2025 was a whirlwind for electronic payments, and this episode breaks it all down. The Payments Professor is joined by industry voices from treasury and fintech to unpack the biggest developments of the year, from explosive M&A in treasury management systems to AI-driven cash forecasting, fintech compliance concerns, stablecoins, instant payments, and the stubborn persistence of checks. We explore...

In this conversation, Payments Professor and Kari Mitchum discuss the role of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) in supporting community banks and the electronic payments industry. Kari shares her personal journey into the field, the importance of community banks in local economies, and the advocacy efforts ICBA undertakes to represent these institutions. The discussion also cover...

In this episode, the Payments Professor, Kevin Olsen, speaks with Ashley Mustico from Nacha about the AAP (Accredited ACH Professional) accreditation. They discuss the importance of the AAP in the electronic payments industry, the journey into electronic payments, the benefits of obtaining the AAP for both individuals and organizations, the format and preparation for the AAP exam, and what to do a...

In this eye-opening episode of The Payments Podium, the Payments Professor welcomes a special guest from Nairobi, Kenya — Patrick Tanui, a seasoned expert in risk, compliance, and governance across banking, telecom, and fintech sectors in Africa. Patrick shares invaluable insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital transformation in Africa’s financial landscape. From the rise of mobi...

Are checks becoming obsolete? Not so fast! In this conversation, Payments Professor Kevin Olson and Steve Cree explore the surprising resilience of checks in today's electronic payments landscape. They discuss the history, misconceptions, and ongoing importance of checks for key transactions like rent and utilities. Learn why checks still hold significant dollar value, how millennials are using th...

In this episode of the Payments Podium Podcast, the Payments Professor, Kevin Olsen, sits down with special guest Karen Sylvester to unravel the complexities of UDAP (Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts and Practices) and its impact on electronic payments and financial institutions. Discover how Karen’s journey from part-time teller to industry expert has shaped her perspective on consumer protecti...

In this Payments Podium episode, Gary Stein discusses the role and importance of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in the payments industry. He shares insights into the regulatory landscape, including the significance of various regulations and the recent developments in open banking and fintech. The discussion also touches on the challenges and opportunities in the payments sector,...

In this episode of the Payments Podium Podcast with our host, the Payments Professor, with special guest Tedd Huff from Fintech Confidential, Joe Casali from Wrestling Payments, and Peter Tapping from PTap Advisory, we dive into the complex and ever-evolving world of payments, innovation, and technology. From the intricate "digital maze" of systems, rules, and regulations to the fascinating inters...

In this episode of Payments Podium, the Payments Professor, Kevin Olson, sits down with Ian McAllister, COO of Unit21, to discuss combating fraud in instant payments. Explore trends like AI’s role in scams, real-time fraud monitoring, and tips for banks to enhance their defenses. Learn how Unit21 is empowering financial institutions with cutting-edge strategies and insights to stay ahead in the fa...

Join the Payments Professor as he chats with Marshall Greenwald about the future of instant payments, fraud prevention, and how Ionia is revolutionizing merchant payment solutions. Learn how instant settlement, reduced fraud risk, and consumer-focused innovation are shaping the payments industry. Whether you're a merchant or a payment professional, this episode offers valuable insights on enhancin...

In this compelling episode of the Payments Podium Podcast, the Payments Professor dives into the innovative world of offline payments with Anurag Dubey from Lipis Advisors. Explore the crucial role of offline payments in extending financial inclusion, enhancing payment system resilience, and ensuring continuity during internet outages or in remote locations. Anurag breaks down the technology behin...

Join the Payments Professor as he welcomes real law professor Cathy Mansfield to the Payments Podium! In this insightful episode, they discuss the evolution of consumer protection laws in payments, the importance of Reg E, and how regulations adapt (or not) to modern payment methods like Zelle and FedNow. Whether you're a payments professional or just curious about the laws that protect your finan...

In this Payments Podium episode, the Payments Professor welcomes Dr. Angela Murphy, aka Payments Elsa, back to discuss her new role at Pigeon and her vision for the future of faster payments. Dive into insights on developing effective payment strategies for financial institutions and hear about Dr. Murphy's thought leadership initiatives to educate and inspire the payments industry. Discover how s...

In this special edition of the Payments Podium, the Payments Professor teams up with Joe Casali, host of the Wrestling Payments podcast, to bring you an engaging discussion recorded during their time at the Payments Innovation Alliance meeting in Berlin. In this episode, Kevin and Joe share their insights and experiences from this prestigious global gathering, where leaders from the payments indus...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Payments Podium! In today's podcast, we dive deep into the world of financial crimes with our special guest, Rene Perez, Financial Crimes Consultant and Director of Financial Crimes Solutions Sales at Jack Henry. Rene shares his incredible journey from the hotel industry to becoming a leading expert in financial crimes and cybersecurity. In this episode...

Welcome to the Payments Podium! In this episode, we dive into the essential world of core banking systems with Ron Suhr, an expert from Modern Banking. Ron shares his unique journey into the banking industry and provides a comprehensive explanation of what core systems are, their importance, and how they function. We explore the evolution of core systems, their critical role in managing transactio...

Welcome to the Payments Podium! In this episode, we dive into the new NACHA rules, focusing on credit push fraud and risk management in the evolving electronic payments world. Our special guests, Jordan Bennett and Devon Marsh from NACHA, share their expertise on these critical changes and how they impact financial institutions and the industry. Learn about the nine new rules, the importance of ti...

In this episode of the Payments Podium Podcast, the focus is on Nacha's Payments Innovation Alliance. The discussion aims to highlight the significant contributions of the Payments Innovation Alliance in driving forward-thinking and cutting-edge payment strategies. Listeners can expect to gain valuable insights into how the Alliance fosters collaboration among different players in the financial se...

Join us for a remarkable continuation of our exploration into the history of electronic checks on "The Payments Podium." This episode features the insightful stories of Phyllis Meyerson and David Walker, key figures in the journey towards the Check 21 Act. As we pick up from the suspenseful moment at the White House guardhouse, David takes us through his memorable walk up to the West Wing, leading...

In this episode of The Payments Podium, the Professor welcomes Tom Burgess from Snipp.com to discuss innovative approaches to navigating interchange fees. The conversation delves into these fees' impact on merchants and organizations and explores potential solutions that can benefit both consumers and financial institutions. Tom shares insights on how targeted advertising through banking apps can...

Dive deep into the groundbreaking journey of Check 21 in the latest episode of "The Check21 Blockbuster Story" podcast. Join us as we unravel the intricate history and pivotal moments that shaped the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, with exclusive insights from the authors of the definitive book on the subject, Phyllis Meyerson and David Walker. Discover the challenges and triumphs experie...

In this captivating episode of "The Payments Podium," join us for an exclusive journey through the evolution of electronic checks, featuring the legendary Phyllis Meyerson and David Walker. Discover the untold stories and pivotal moments that transformed the check processing landscape. From the manual and chaotic early days of check handling, including checks literally falling off trucks, to the i...

Welcome to this enlightening episode of "The Payments Podium," where today we will dive deep into the evolving world of point-of-sale (POS) technology and its impact on small businesses. Join us as our host, alongside special guest George from the pioneering company Swoop, explores the seldom-discussed but critical aspects of POS systems. We address the pressing issues small businesses face, debun...