In this episode of The Fintech Combine, host Kris Kovac sits down with Jonty Hirsowitz, founder and CEO of Deferit, to explore how his latest innovation — Pebble — is helping consumers build credit simply by paying their everyday bills on time. Jonty shares his journey from corporate law to fintech entrepreneurship, the problem Pebble solves for thin-file consumers, and how credit unions can use embedded credit tools to engage younger members and drive financial inclusion.
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Want to Start a Podcast? Hear This First.Before you hit record, listen in on what works, what doesn’t, and what every fintech leader needs to know about launching a show.
In this episode of the Fintech Combine, Kris Kovac talks with Cale Johnson, founder of Onsetto and former ClickSwitch CEO. Cale shares hard-won lessons from building and selling his first fintech, why business account switching is the industry’s hidden bottleneck, and how Onsetto is helping banks and credit unions finally achieve true commercial primacy.
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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 to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
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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 members.
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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 innovation within the organization. Mark also emphasizes the significance of effective communication and understanding audience needs when presenting ideas and solutions.
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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.
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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 tools.
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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 shares how SchoolsFirst stays aligned, agile, and ahead of the curve.
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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 to align mission with metrics—or why "PFI is dead"—this episode is a must-listen.
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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 entrepreneurial journey, lessons from his earlier startups, and why listening to customers has been key to his company’s success.
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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 systems. Discover the story behind their pivot from microtransactions to fintech, their lean approach to scaling, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or just curious about fintech innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
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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!
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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-house.
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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.
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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 must-listen.
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To find out how Constellation can help your institution or fintech improve your digital experiences contact us at: https://constellation.coophttps://twitter.com/ConstellationDP
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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.
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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! 🚀
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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 members.
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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 credit unions embracing blockchain technology!
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