You've decided to build a Fintech product. Now comes the hard part: hiring the right team.

Should your first hire be a product manager or a compliance expert? Do you need dedicated Fintech developers, or can your existing tech team handle it? How do you actually convince top Fintech talent to join a non-financial brand?

In this episode, I sit down with Morten Laufer from Nova Search, a Hamburg-based Fintech and embedded finance recruiter who works with both Fintech companies and non-financial brands to build their teams. We discuss the real challenges of breaking into Fintech as an outsider and the costly mistakes companies make when hiring their first Fintech talent.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why product managers should be your first hire (and what to look for)
• The compliance gap: why most companies underestimate this critical role
• How to evaluate Fintech talent when you don't have in-house expertise
• Compensation strategies: Do you need to match Fintech salaries?
• Why top Fintech talent is actually interested in non-financial brands
• The #1 risk that scares candidates away from your opportunity
• Retention strategies: keeping your team motivated beyond just salary

Building Your Fintech Team?

If you're a non-financial brand making your first Fintech hires, I can help you design the right strategy and team structure, working in collaboration with Morten to find the right talent. Reach out to discuss your needs.

Connect with Morten Laufer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morten-laufer-694a95180/

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Start(01:22) Introduction and Welcome(01:31) Morten's Background and Location(01:42) Transition from Berlin to Hamburg(02:05) Diving into Recruiting and Team Building(02:22) FinTech vs Non-Financial Brands(03:08) Challenges with Non-Financial Brands(04:37) Practical Example: First FinTech Hire(06:45) Advice for Hiring FinTech Talent(10:13) Evaluating the First FinTech Hire(14:20) Building the FinTech Team(21:26) Compensation and Retention Strategies(32:26) Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, Lars explores embedded insurance through an unusual but fascinating lens: horses.

Finlay Dargan (COO, Equine MediRecord), Paul Prendergast (Kayna), and Anthony Borgman (WTW) share how they partnered to bring mortality insurance directly into a horse health record management platform.

The conversation reveals broader insights about embedded insurance opportunities, the challenges of serving underinsured markets, and why this distribution model is 3-4 years behind embedded fintech.

Key Insights:

• The opportunity: The vast majority of horses globally have no insurance due to difficulty obtaining coverage and high costs, creating significant financial risk for owners
• Seamless integration: Horse owners can now access insurance directly within their existing workflow: clicking an insurance tab in the platform they already use for medical records, with data automatically passed through to reduce administrative burden
• Embedded insurance is catching up: Although it is 3-4 years behind embedded fintech, the infrastructure is rapidly improving. Hiscox estimates 15% of its European P&C business will be embedded within five years
• Trust matters in insurance: Unlike payments, where "new kids on the block" can win, insurance buyers want established brands with century-long track records—making partnerships between nimble tech providers and traditional insurers crucial.
• The under-insurance crisis: 43% of UK small business insurance claims involve under-insurance. Embedded solutions can help by using platform data to flag when risk profiles change (like hiring the first employee or a racehorse winning and increasing in value)
• Future possibilities: Dynamic coverage adjustments, micro-insurance for specific events (like horse transport), and compliance-driven embedded insurance across sectors from construction to franchises

You can download the whitepaper here: https://www.kayna.io/news/kayna-and-wtw-white-paper---vertical-saas-for-uk-smes

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Start

(01:50) Introduction and Welcome

(01:53) Introducing the Topic: Embedded Insurance in the Horse Sector

(02:40) Finlay's Background and Equine MediRecord

(03:04) Digitizing the Horse Racing Industry

(03:37) Insurance Opportunities in the Horse Sector

(06:08) Paul's Perspective on Embedded Insurance

(06:34) Challenges and Opportunities in Embedded Insurance

(11:20) Anthony's Role and Affinity Insurance

(20:07) The Importance of Data and Trust

(20:55) Future of Embedded Insurance in the Horse Sector

(23:28) Broader Developments in Embedded Insurance

(32:22) Conclusion and Contact Information

What if property managers across Europe are spending hours every day just trying to figure out which tenants have paid their rent? In this episode, I speak with Marcel Meitza, founder and CEO of GetMomo, a Berlin-based vertical Fintech building what he calls "the real estate operating system for Europe."

With a background in banking and consulting at BCG, Marcel identified a massive opportunity in an industry where the average property manager oversees 900 units and hundreds of bank accounts but still relies on manual spreadsheets and outdated processes to track payments and allocate funds.

We dive into

• The ageing workforce crisis in property management: How demographic shifts are forcing the industry to automate or face operational collapse as experienced workers retire
• Why traditional banks abandoned real estate: The relationship breakdown that created opportunities for specialised vertical FinTech solutions
• Building trust in conservative industries: The critical importance of German banking partnerships for customer acceptance and why foreign providers failed
• ERP integration strategy: How GetMomo positions itself as a "Fintech plugin" rather than replacing existing systems, enabling gradual adoption
• From 15-year banking relationships to modular solutions: the shift from monolithic bank relationships to specialised workflow-focused Fintech tools
• Vertical Fintech advantages: Why industry-specific solutions can outcompete both traditional banks and horizontal FinTech players
• The technical moat of legacy integration: How building connections with traditional German banks creates competitive advantages over banking-as-a-service providers

Marcel's journey from discovering manual check processing in New York social housing to building Europe's property management infrastructure offers valuable insights for vertical FinTech founders.

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction to the Real Estate Payment Problem

(01:40) Marcel's Background and GetMomo's Mission

(03:26) Deep Dive into Get Momo’s Product Offering

(06:06) Money Flows and Banking Products

(11:23) Customer Trust and German Banking Partnerships

(14:54) Technical Integrations and Banking Partners

(18:29) Open Banking and Future Prospects

(26:02) Expansion and Future Goals

(27:39) Marcel's Personal Journey into Real Estate Fintech

(29:56) Conclusion and Contact Information

What if jewellery retailers could access thousands of dollars in inventory with just a few clicks and no upfront cash? In this episode, we sit down with Stefan Scherpenborg, Head of Nivoda Capital, to explore how they're revolutionising B2B financing in the global jewellery trade.

Stefan shares how Nivoda transformed from a diamond and gemstone marketplace into a comprehensive growth platform, building embedded credit from the ground up to solve cash flow constraints that were limiting retailer growth.

• Why traditional banks abandoned jewellery financing: How marketplace data creates superior underwriting opportunities
• The "Buy Now, Grow Faster" philosophy: prioritising customer growth over lending profits, with credit as an invisible checkout option
• Building fintech within a marketplace: Stefan's hybrid approach combining third-party compliance with in-house data control and decision-making
• From wholesale to digital transformation: How social media and bespoke customer demands are reshaping jewellery retail and creating new financing needs
• Marketplace-native credit advantages: Leveraging transaction data, payment behaviour, and customer relationships for more accurate risk assessment than traditional lenders
• Scaling embedded finance globally: The three-horizon approach from stability to revenue optimisation to international expansion
• Practical fintech product advice: Lessons learned from transitioning from traditional banking to building customer-centric financial products in a specialised industry

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.(00:00) Introduction & Welcoming the Guest(02:49) Overview of Nivoda's Mission(03:24) How Nivoda Empowers Jewellers(07:28) Nivoda Capital: Embedded Lending(11:16) Building Nivoda Capital(14:27) Partnership Approach and Compliance(24:21) Final Thoughts and Advice

How do you take a document-first SaaS and scale it into a global quote-to-cash platform? In this episode, Philipp Pohlmann shares his journey from fintech founder to scaling embedded payments into one of PandaDoc’s most strategic pillars. He breaks down the product, technical, and organizational challenges of embedding finance in a non-financial platform.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons from embedding payments for 60,000+ customers worldwide
• Why “thinking like a fintech” is essential
• How to design invisible fintech experiences
• Building global infrastructure with Stripe, Square, PayPal, and Authorize.Net
• Strategic decision points when an incubation evolves into a core product offering
• Why not every company needs to become a fintech

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Start

(01:19) Introduction and Greetings

(01:50) Overview of PandaDocs

(02:02) Company Origins and Growth

(02:58) Customer Use Cases

(06:38) Integration and Payment Features

(07:19) Lead to Cash Workflow

(11:41) Global Payment Solutions

(13:03) Embedded Payments and Adoption

(16:40) Acquisition of Denario

(21:25) Challenges and Evolution

(23:41) Team Structure and Future Plans

(30:27) Final Thoughts and Contact Information

🎯 Think embedded finance only happens in the US and Western Europe? Think again

In this episode, Lars dives deep into the thriving embedded finance ecosystem of Central & Eastern Europe with Danuta Czapeczko, an industry veteran from PragmaGO - the region's largest embedded lending provider.

🔍 What You'll Discover:

• Why Poland has 380+ FinTech companies you've never heard of
• How Allegro (Europe's first marketplace) is crushing embedded finance
• The surprising transportation and retail innovations happening in CEE
• Why Romanian expansion makes more sense than neighbouring countries
• How innovative local banks are helping, not hurting, FinTech growth

💡 Key Insights:

• The unbanked populations in CEE represent massive untapped markets
• Digital adoption rates rival Western Europe, but with unique challenges
• B2B embedded lending is exploding across e-commerce platforms
• Currency complexity and regulatory differences create expansion puzzles

🌍 Featured Markets: Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Romania

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Intro(01:24) Welcome and Introductions(02:18) Danuta's Background in FinTech(03:11) Understanding Embedded Finance(04:46) Western vs. Eastern Europe in FinTech(05:57) Challenges in CEE Markets(08:01) Key FinTech Hubs in CEE(11:42) Non-Financial Brands in Embedded Finance(15:17) Transportation and Retail Innovations(17:18) Challenges in Building Embedded Finance Products(24:18) PragmaGo's Market Expansion(26:14) PragmaGo's Offerings and Partnerships(29:23) Conclusion and Contact Information

Discover how Procounter, Finland's largest accounting software company, is revolutionising small business banking through embedded finance.

Guest Juho Putkonen sits down with host Lars Markull to discuss how they're making neobanks obsolete by building banking services directly into their invoicing and accounting platform.

Procounter serves over 100,000 Finnish companies through their accounting software (~13.5% of Finland's GDP in invoices). But they identified a massive pain point: traditional banks were charging businesses around €80 per month just for data transfers between bank accounts and accounting software, with weeks-long onboarding processes.

Their solution? Partner with challenger bank Alisa Bank to offer embedded banking at €10 per month with instant data integration.

Key Topics Covered:

• How Procounter achieved 10% adoption of their banking product in just 7 months

• Why traditional Finnish banks charge €80/month vs Procounter's €10 solution
• The strategic partnership with challenger bank Alisa Bank and why local IBANs matter
• Future roadmap: corporate cards, foreign exchange, and real-time accounting integration
• Why invoice financing has great functionality but poor visibility (only 1% adoption despite 10% market need)
• The importance of embedding sales and marketing, not just functionality
• How one lucky conversation sparked an entire embedded banking venture
• Why embedded finance is becoming the "sexiest area of Fintech"
• Lessons for non-financial companies looking to build financial services

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content.This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction and Welcome(01:38) Guest Background and Location(02:24) Company Overview and Brands(07:53) Embedded Banking Services(12:36) Collaboration with Alisa Bank(21:19) Future Plans and Product Development(26:30) Short-Term Financing Services(33:17) Final Thoughts and Conclusion

The partnership landscape between financial institutions and tech companies is rapidly evolving. What started as Fintech startups challenging banks has transformed into a collaborative ecosystem where embedded finance is the next frontier.

In this episode, host Lars Markull sits down with Richard Würl from Redstone VC to decode the five partnership models that actually work when collaborating with banks and financial institutions.

Richard shares insider insights from Redstone's portfolio companies, including Atlas Metrics (ESG reporting) and Banxware (Embedded Lending), revealing how both Fintech startups and non-financial brands can successfully navigate bank partnerships.

Key Topics Covered:

• The five partnership models every founder should know
• Why banks are increasingly open to partnerships (beyond digitisation)
• When to approach banks (hint: earlier than you think)
• Red flags to avoid in bank partnership deals
• How to sell to financial institutions without getting stuck in endless sales cycles
• Real-world examples from successful Fintech-bank collaborations

Perfect for: Fintech founders, embedded finance leaders, B2B software companies exploring financial services, and anyone building partnerships with traditional financial institutions.

Guest: Richard Würl is a Partner at Redstone, a Berlin-based VC firm with a dedicated Fintech and B2B software fund backed by banks and insurers. Redstone specialises in connecting portfolio companies with their extensive financial institution network.

Host: Lars Markull is the founder of Embedded Finance Review, which publishes weekly newsletters and hosts industry events focused on non-financial brands launching financial products.

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content.

This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction to Fintech and Bank Partnerships

(00:25) Guest Introduction: Richard Würl from Redstone

(02:27) Redstone's Focus on Fintech and B2B Software

(03:09) The Value of Fintech and Bank Partnerships

(03:33) Investment Decisions and Partnership Angles

(05:13) Challenges and Opportunities in Fintech Partnerships

(07:45) Insights on Selling to Banks and Insurances

(12:36) Examples of Successful Partnerships

(20:44) Advice for Early-Stage Startups

(33:52) Red Flags and Pitfalls in Partnerships

(36:47) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Marcel Mansfeld, co-founder and CPO of ToolTime, shares how his German craft industry software company successfully launched embedded payments after raising € 55 million. From serving over 20,000 tradespeople with paperless workflows to building ToolTime Pay, Marcel reveals the challenges, learnings, and strategic decisions behind integrating finance into vertical software.

Main Takeaways:

• Timing is everything: Don't rush into embedded finance; build core product maturity and a sufficient customer base first before adding financial services
• Open banking vs. embedded accounts: Why ToolTime chose embedded banking over open banking APIs for a better user experience, especially for less tech-savvy customers
• The pivot lesson: Their initial card-only payment launch failed; bank transfers remain 98%+ of volume in German B2B markets
• Sell peace of mind, not payments: ToolTime monetises the complete automated billing workflow (invoice → payment → reconciliation → dunning) rather than just processing transactions
• Long-term commitment required: Embedded finance isn't a quick win; it demands dedicated teams, ongoing customer service, and continuous product iteration
• Partnership strategy: How working with Paymi (embedded finance platform) provided the flexibility to build custom user experiences
• Revenue diversification: Embedded finance seen as a strategic advantage by investors, moving beyond the core SaaS subscription model
• Customer-driven development: A 50,000+ customer insights database guided their embedded finance roadmap and feature prioritisation

Visit our website www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content.

This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Intro(01:41) Welcome and Introductions(02:05) ToolTime: Digital Solutions for the Craft Industry(02:56) Going Paperless: The Key Benefits(03:48) Understanding the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)(05:35) ToolTime Pay: Embedded Finance for Trades(10:01) Future of Payments and Financial Services(18:42) Discussing Open Banking and User Experience(19:19) Challenges with Customer Adoption(19:59) Philosophical Views on Open Banking(21:48) ToolTime's Fundraising and Embedded Finance(23:23) Monetizing Payment Products(25:43) Learning and Adapting in Embedded Finance(27:07) Structuring Payment Product Teams(27:47) Embedded Finance in European Verticals(29:03) Advice for Building Payment Products(29:45) The Importance of Customer Base(30:30) Long-term Commitment to Embedded Finance(33:48) Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Some companies have Fintech in their DNA, even though they're not from the financial services industry. Wolt, the Finnish food delivery platform, is one of these companies that has built embedded finance operations across Europe.

In this episode, host Lars Markull speaks with Anniina Heinonen, Managing Director at Wolt Payments, about how a restaurant platform evolved into a regulated financial institution operating across more than 20 European markets. What started as PSD2 compliance in 2021 has become a suite of financial products.

Anniina explains how Wolt has always been a Fintech company, managing payment flows across 30+ markets, requiring financial infrastructure. However, what sets their approach apart is that they don't focus on the direct profitability of financial products. Instead, they focus on whether these services help merchants grow, creating a flywheel effect for their core platform.

We explore Wolt's three main products: merchant acquiring, eWallet functionality through gift cards, and Wolt Capital. Wolt Capital is a cash advance solution which provides tens of thousands of euros to restaurant partners with automatic, revenue-based repayment.

You Will Learn:

• How PSD2 compliance became a driver for embedded finance
• Why controlling payment flows gives platforms advantages in lending
• How to measure success for embedded finance
• The reality of managing regulated financial services across 20+ markets with 15 people
• Why revenue-based repayment works for restaurant lending- Practical advice for non-financial companies building their first financial product
• The mindset shift from traditional finance to embedded finance
• How Embedded Finance creates competitive advantages for platform businesses.

Visit our website https://www.embeddedfinancereview.com/ for more content.

This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Start

(01:33) Introduction and Greetings

(02:10) Wolt Payments: An Overview

(02:43) PSD2 Compliance and In-House Financial Entity

(06:31) Payment Acceptance and Payouts

(07:31) eWallet and Gift Cards

(07:49) Wolt Capital: Lending Product

(21:00) Revenue-Based Payback and Risk Management

(29:23) Team Structure and Operations

(31:43) Anniina's Career Journey

(34:46) Advice for Building Financial Services In-House

Are you thinking about adding embedded lending to your platform?

Mark Hollemann, co-founder of Spring (a B2B embedded lending provider that reached $1 million in ARR before shutting down), shares the real story behind build vs. buy decisions in embedded lending.

From underwriting engines to debt financing, Mark breaks down what it takes to build lending products—and why most companies should think twice.

Key Topics:

• The three core building blocks of any lending platform (licensing, underwriting, servicing)
• Why marketplaces are uniquely positioned for embedded lending success
• How to evaluate embedded lending providers and avoid common pitfalls
• The capital-intensive reality of lending businesses and investor expectations
• Why Europe's fragmented market makes scaling embedded lending especially challenging
• Practical advice for running a proper vendor selection process
• When to build in-house vs. when to partner with external providers

Perfect for fintech founders, marketplace operators, and anyone considering embedded financial services.

(00:00) Introduction to Embedded Lending(02:32) Mark's Journey with Spring(03:32) Challenges in Building a Lending Platform(05:26) Understanding Embedded Lending Products(07:44) B2B vs B2C Lending(09:27) The Long Tail of Small Businesses(11:43) Buy vs Build: Key Considerations(16:13) Building Blocks of a Lending Platform(19:09) Understanding Licensing, Underwriting, and Servicing(19:33) Challenges in Underwriting and Lending Models(20:38) Providers and Solutions for Underwriting(23:53) Debt Financing and Initial Loans(26:21) Build vs. Buy: Market Trends and Decisions(27:58) Segmenting the Market of Lending Providers(31:12) Advice for Companies on the Buy Journey(33:44) Excitement in Embedded Lending and Marketplaces(36:41) Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, Lars Markull is joined by Tino Keller, co-founder of Accountable, the freelancer-focused finance app active in Belgium and Germany.

We explore how Accountable evolved from an intelligent tax assistant into a full-embedded banking solution and why now was the right time to launch their own bank account and card for freelancers.

🔍 Topics we cover:

• Why open banking wasn’t enough for Accountable’s users
• What pushed them to launch a fully integrated bank account
• How embedded banking increased user revenue by 20%
• Building a banking product with BaaS provider Swan
• What the acquisition by Visma means for Accountable
• Future plans: insurance, pensions & the CFO-for-freelancers vision

📈 If you’re building in fintech, embedded finance, or SaaS, or want to know what it takes to make a full-stack banking product, this episode is for you.

🔗 More content: https://embeddedfinancereview.com

👨‍💻 This episode was produced by orama.tv

(00:00) Introduction

(01:53) The idea behind Accountable

(03:05) Growth and Market Presence

(04:14) Open Banking and Accountable's Evolution

(06:14) Challenges and Realisations

(07:11) Launching Accountable Banking

(10:36) User Adoption and Feedback

(19:01) Future of Embedded Finance

(22:47) Acquisition by Visma

(27:14) Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of Embedded Finance Review, host Lars Markull speaks with Fintech veteran Arda Cagaptay about the evolution and future of merchant wallets. With 15 years of experience in Fintech and previously leading wallet initiatives at Delivery Hero, Arda shares his expertise on why merchant wallets are becoming increasingly valuable for businesses beyond just coffee chains.

The conversation explores:

• The difference between "Wallet 1.0" (basic prepaid balances) and "Wallet 2.0" (comprehensive financial ecosystems)
• Why Starbucks has been so successful with their wallet strategy ($1.7B in customer funds)
• How smaller merchants can implement wallet solutions without building from scratch
• Which industries are best positioned to benefit from wallet implementations
• The future of merchant wallets and why they're set to explode in popularity

Whether you're a merchant seeking to boost customer loyalty or a Fintech professional exploring emerging payment trends, this episode offers valuable insights into how wallets can generate new revenue streams while fostering stronger customer relationships.

For more content visit https://www.embeddedfinancereview.com/.

This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction to Starbucks Wallet

(00:37) Guest Introduction: Arda Cagaptay

(01:26) Understanding Wallets 1.0 vs 2.0

(02:10) The Starbucks Wallet Case Study

(06:34) Benefits and Mechanics of Wallet 2.0

(11:47) Merchant Adoption and Future of Wallets

(30:01) Practical Advice for Merchants

(32:30) Arda Cagaptay's Journey and Vision

(35:57) Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Embedded Finance Review podcast, host Lars Markull speaks with Sophie Guibaud, a Fintech executive with extensive experience at companies like Bankable, Fidor Solutions, and Fiat Republic. Sophie shares insights on the evolving Banking as a Service (BaaS) landscape and her recent experience in Saudi Arabia's growing FinTech ecosystem

Key Highlights:

• Sophie traces BaaS evolution from primarily serving FinTechs to now supporting diverse business models and niche-specific platforms

• Discussion of the advantages that traditional banks bring to BaaS and the execution challenges they face
• Exploration of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, aiming to establish 525 Fintech startups by 2030
• Comparison between Europe's mature BaaS landscape and Saudi Arabia's rapidly developing ecosystem
• Insights on how embedded finance will grow in Saudi Arabia, driven by highly digital consumers and proactive regulation

Visit our website, www.embeddedfinancereview.com, for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction Sophie Guibaud (01:11) Sophie's Background and Relocation (01:53) Evolution of Banking as a Service (03:11) Diverse Offerings in Banking as a Service (04:39) Regulatory Scrutiny and Market Needs (06:23) Challenges and Opportunities for Non-Fintech Brands (13:14) Traditional Banks vs. FinTech Startups (20:10) Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Fintech Growth (21:54) Comparing European and Saudi Fintech Markets (31:06) Sophie's Current Focus and Projects (31:58) Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, Lars Markull speaks with Eric-Jan Krausch, founder of 1-CP (One Click Procurement), a corporate payment solution focused on the travel industry. Eric shares his unique insights into the complex payment structures in travel and how these create opportunities for embedded finance products.

The conversation covers the intricate value chain of the travel industry, from direct hotel bookings to global distribution systems, and explains how payments flow through this ecosystem. Eric details the growing trend of virtual cards for B2B payments in travel, discusses why credit cards remain dominant in the industry despite newer alternatives, and explores innovations like tokenized tickets and blockchain-based settlement systems.

A fascinating deep dive into an industry where legacy systems meet modern fintech solutions, revealing why B2B payments in travel present larger opportunities than B2C, and how companies are finding new revenue streams through payment innovations.

Visit our website at www.embeddedfinancereview.com for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction to Travel Industry Payments(00:28) Meet Eric-Jan Krausch: Travel Payment Expert(01:21) Understanding the Travel Industry Value Chain(03:07) The Role of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)(06:53) Legacy Systems and Innovation in Travel(17:00) Financial Services in the Travel Industry(18:49) Virtual Cards and Payment Innovations(24:41) Challenges and Opportunities in Travel Payments(30:11) Future of Travel Payments and Technology(36:29) Eric-Jan’s Journey and Insights(38:54) Conclusion

In this episode of Embedded Finance Review, host Lars Markull sits down with Paul Staples, an Embedded Banking Non-Exec and Board Member who previously built embedded banking offerings at HSBC and Clear Bank.

Five years after Angela Strange's famous "every company will be a fintech" prediction, Paul shares why non-financial brands launching financial products are failing when they rely solely on brand power instead of solving customers' jobs to be done.

Paul explains how embedded finance has evolved from simply placing financial services where customers already are to requiring deep integration with specific pain points. He debunks common myths about brand trust in financial services and reveals why the next wave of embedded finance will focus on cost efficiency rather than revenue growth.

From utilities and energy trading to enterprise infrastructure, discover which sectors are ripe for disruption and why banks need new consulting skills to thrive in embedded finance. This episode offers invaluable insights for any business considering financial product integration and where the industry is headed in 2025 and beyond.

Visit our website, www.embeddedfinancereview.com, for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Guest Introduction: Paul Staples

(01:43) The Evolution of Embedded Finance

(03:52) Challenges and Opportunities in Embedded Finance

(07:08) The Role of Banks in Embedded Finance

(10:15) Future Trends and Predictions

(13:07) Case Studies and Real-World Examples

(16:34) The Importance of Customer Research

(26:48) Infrastructure and Utilities: The Next Frontier of Embedded Finance

(31:42) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Embedded Finance Deep Dive: Reinventing Banking for Property Managers

Enrique Sanchez from IESA (Aareon Spain) shares how his company created a specialized digital banking solution for homeowners associations. Learn about the pain points in traditional banking for property managers, the benefits of embedded financial services, and how technology can streamline complex administrative processes. An eye-opening look at vertical SaaS meets embedded finance!

For more content visit https://www.embeddedfinancereview.com. This episode was produced by orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast

(01:36) Overview of IESA and Its Services

(04:42) Understanding the Spanish Property Management Market

(08:46) Challenges Faced by Property Administrators

(15:13) Launching a Digital Banking Solution

(24:35) Customer Feedback and Future Plans

(31:57) Conclusion and Contact Information

Host Lars Markull talks with Ali Tabbalat about how his company EmFlex is transforming car financing in Saudi Arabia through embedded finance technology.

Ali explains how EmFlex helps consumers get pre-approved financing in minutes while shopping for cars online, a dramatic improvement over the traditional week-long process.

Rather than competing with banks, EmFlex provides the technology that enables financial institutions to offer services directly within e-commerce platforms.

The conversation covers Ali's entrepreneurial journey, why Saudi Arabia is an emerging Fintech hub, and how embedded finance represents the "wave two of fintech" that will reshape consumer financial experiences across industries.

Visit our website, www.embeddedfinancereview.com, for more content.

This episode was produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction to Ali Tabalat

(02:16) Ali's Journey into FinTech

(03:21) Early Ventures: Solfeh and Quiq Claim

(07:48) The Concept of Embedded Finance

(09:20) Building EmFlex: The Vision and Strategy

(12:25) How EmFlex Works

(17:08) Collaborating with Banks

(25:20) Why Saudi Arabia?

(28:54) Future Plans and Opportunities

(32:47) Conclusion and Contact Information

In this Embedded Finance Review Podcast episode, host Lars Markull speaks with Christopher Meyer-Mölleringhof from Fressnapf, Europe's leading pet care retailer. They dive deep into how Fressnapf is revolutionizing pet insurance through an innovative embedded approach. Christopher, who leads Fressnapf's pet insurance business, shares insights on transforming the company from a traditional pet retailer into a comprehensive pet care ecosystem. He explains the company's unique approach to embedded insurance, which offers health insurance for dogs and cats and liability insurance for dogs through co-branded partnerships in Germany and its white-label solution in France. Key highlights include: - How Fressnapf leverages its brand trust and customer relationships to enter the insurance space - Their multi-channel distribution strategy, combining digital platforms with in-store experiences - The integration of additional services like digital vet consultations - Why non-insurance companies might be better positioned to innovate in insurance products - The future potential of embedded insurance beyond traditional models This conversation offers valuable insights into how traditional retailers can successfully expand into financial services while strengthening their core business through ecosystem integration. Visit our website, www.embeddedfinancereview.com, for more content. This episode was produced by Orama.tv. (00:00) Guest Introduction & Event Announcement (01:09) Christopher's Background and Fresnapf MaxiZoo (01:37) Embedded Insurance for Pets (06:28) Customer Journey and Multi-Channel Distribution (10:34) Market Approaches and Product Innovations (17:59) Future Plans and Market Expansion (20:35) Reflections on Embedded Insurance (29:04) Conclusion and Contact Information

Explore the future of in-car payments with Mark Gerban, former Mercedes-Benz executive and current Head of Product at PairPoint.

Learn how car manufacturers are transforming vehicles into payment devices, enabling seamless transactions for parking, charging, and drive-through services.

Discover why some approaches work better than others and how emerging technologies like embedded SIMs reshape automotive commerce.

This episode is produced by Orama.tv.

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (00:33) Guest Introduction: Mark Gerben (01:29) The Evolution of Car Payments (05:39) Challenges and Opportunities in Car Payments (10:06) Future of Car Payments and OEM Strategies (21:30) Mark's Transition to PairPoint (37:16) Closing Thoughts and Contact Information