Shows
ConvergeThe "One API" simplifying payments in Africa and beyond, with Sid Gautam of FlutterwaveWe sat down with Sid Gautam, Head of Enterprise at Flutterwave, to discuss the challenges and innovations in cross-border payments, particularly in Africa. He shares insights on the evolution of stablecoins from his time with BVNK, the unique regulatory landscape in Africa, why stablecoins are so promising for emerging and underbanked markets, and how Flutterwave aims to simplify payments across multiple currencies and countries. We also touch on the importance of compliance, customer-centric innovations, and the future opportunities and challenges in cross-border.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services to...2025-06-1830 min
ConvergeTariff turbulence, bond selloffs, US dollar safe haven no more?This week, Head of Market Insights Steven Dooley discusses the current state of the market amidst ongoing uncertainty, particularly focusing on tariffs, equity market performance, the dynamics of the US dollar, and the strength of European currencies. He touches on how recent legal rulings on tariffs have impacted business operations and market sentiment, the rebound in equity markets, and the shifting perceptions of the US dollar as a safe haven. The conversation also highlights the performance of the Euro and British pound, as well as the technical patterns forming in the Japanese yen.2025-06-0515 min
ConvergeThis month in fintech: Consolidation, acquisitions, and trepidation as volatility goes mainstreamIn this episode, hosts Alex Lawrence and Alanna Frost discuss the growing role of AI in finance - including how AI agents are now capable of managing end-to-end payment processes. They touch on the increasing interest in stablecoins among traditional banks, the rising demand for speed in payments, and how fintech is shifting towards deeper partnerships and operational efficiency. The conversation also highlights the evolving expectations of CFOs, with agility and risk management taking center stage.Check out the Convera Payments Pulse report for more on the shift.Brex CFO Imperative report for source material...2025-05-2918 min
ConvergeUS fiscal concerns return to the foreIn this episode of the Converge Market Update, George Vessey and Steven Dooley discuss the recent developments in financial markets, focusing on the US-China trade deal, US fiscal concerns, the performance of the US dollar, and the implications of Australia's monetary policy shift. They analyze how these factors are shaping market sentiment and investor behavior, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty and the potential for future market movements.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes on...2025-05-2218 min
ConvergeThe "Visa of BNPL" that's transforming embedded paymentsIn this episode, Bryce Deeney, CEO and founder of Equipifi, discusses the innovative approach of his company in the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) space. He shares his unique journey from being a professional poker player to leading a fintech startup that aims to disrupt traditional banking models. The conversation delves into the challenges of launching a new financial product, the future of embedded finance, and the potential expansion into the SME market. Bryce emphasizes the importance of consumer engagement and the operational efficiencies that Equipifi brings to financial institutions.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that di...2025-05-1436 min
ConvergeHistoric Asian currency moves spark speculation of FX accordIn this episode of Converge, host Steven Dooley and Convera's lead APAC FX and global macro strategist, Shier Lee, discuss the significant movements in Asian currencies, particularly the Taiwanese dollar, and their implications for the broader FX market. The factors driving these changes include tariff worries, of course, but also trade and foreign equity flows, illustrating why these currencies have recently gained. The conversation also touches on the outlook for commodity currencies and the economic landscape across Asia, highlighting the interplay between currency movements and macroeconomic developments.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of...2025-05-0712 min
ConvergeBlockchain meets the real-world: Stablecoins, last-mile payments, and financial inclusion with Stellar's Raja ChakravortiIn this conversation, Raja Chakravorti discusses the transformative potential of blockchain technology, particularly through the Stellar Development Foundation. He emphasizes the importance of creating accessible financial solutions for underserved populations, the role of tokenization and stablecoins in democratizing finance, and the significance of regulatory clarity in driving innovation. The discussion also highlights Stellar's partnerships and initiatives aimed at improving cross-border payments and expanding its reach in the APAC region.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is fo...2025-04-3039 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Trump vs. Powell - the saga continuesIn this episode of Converge Market Update, George Vessey and Kevin Ford discuss the growing concerns surrounding the 'Sell America' trade, particularly in light of President Trump's threats to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell unless he cuts interest rates. They explore the implications of this tension on market dynamics, the importance of Fed independence, and the potential future of the US dollar amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational pu...2025-04-2320 min
ConvergeThe explosive growth of stablecoins with BlockFuelIn this podcast, Jody Flournoy from Blockfuel talks about how blockchain is shaking things up in traditional finance, especially when it comes to cross-border payments. The conversation covers why stablecoins matter, some of the challenges with international transactions, and what a "stablecoin sandwich" actually means. Jody also touches on where digital treasuries could be heading, how crypto regulations are shaping up, and the mix between permissioned and permissionless tech in finance. It all comes back to the importance of transparency, trust and staying adaptable as the financial world keeps changing. Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that di...2025-04-1639 min
ConvergeMarket Update: A week where decades happenIn this conversation, George Vessey and Kevin Ford discuss the recent turbulence in financial markets triggered by Trump's aggressive tariff policies. They explore the implications of these tariffs on the economy, the potential for a 'hard reset' theory suggesting a deliberate slowdown to pressure the Federal Reserve, and the challenges of balancing economic policies amidst rising inflation and market volatility. The discussion also delves into the weakening US dollar and its impact on global markets, highlighting the uncertainty and complexity of the current economic landscape.Note: Recorded before Trump's recent U-turn on tariffs.Disclaimer: Converge...2025-04-1020 min
ConvergeTokenizing real estate and the future of fractionalized investing with Jack Land of MetaWealthReal estate tokenization is changing how people invest in property. In this episode, hosts Alex Lawrence and Alanna Frost speak with Jack Land, Head of Marketing and UK Growth at MetaWealth, about how blockchain - specifically Solana - enables fractional ownership of high-end real estate. They discuss the benefits of tokenization, regulatory challenges, and how ESG principles shape asset selection. The conversation also explores the broader implications of Web3 for traditional finance and how real-time tracking of rental yields builds investor trust. Tune in for insights from the latest Fintech Meetup and deep dive into real-world asset...2025-04-0238 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Confusion aboundsIn this episode of the Converge Market Update, George Vessey, Lead FX & Macro Strategist, and Steven Dooley, Head of Market Insights, discuss the ongoing tariff developments and their impact on financial markets. They explore the mixed economic data trends, the responses from central banks, and the contrasting signals from consumer confidence and commodity prices. The conversation also delves into the recent movements in the FX market, highlighting the performance of various currencies amidst the prevailing uncertainty.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that th...2025-03-2618 min
ConvergeAI Agents vs the 'Scamdemic' & Stablecoins as a Universal Payment Layer, with Simon Taylor of Fintech Brain FoodAlex Lawrence and co-host Alanna Frost sit down with fintech expert Simon Taylor from Sardine and Fintech Brainfood to talk about the "scamdemic" facing financial services and how AI is fighting back. Simon shares how his company is using AI to tackle fraud, streamline KYC, and reduce false positives. He also makes a strong case for stablecoins as a "universal layer" for payments - and why every business needs a stablecoin strategy. Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on th...2025-03-1942 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Reversal of fortunes at playIn this episode, Steven Dooley, Head of Market Insights, and George Vessey, Lead FX and Macro Strategist, break down the market volatility sparked by President Trump's tariff policies. They talk about the impact on the US economy, the chances of a recession, and the weakening dollar. They also discuss why the euro is staying strong despite major changes in Europe. The conversation wraps up with insights into how currencies are reacting to shifting geopolitical and economic landscapes. Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners th...2025-03-1215 min
ConvergeUnlocking liquidity: The impact of DeFi on cross-border payments with Nkiru Uwaje of MANSAIn this episode of Converge, we're joined by Nkiru Uwaje, COO and Co-Founder of MANSA, to talk about the big shifts happening in cross-border payments. She breaks down how decentralized finance (DeFi) and stablecoins are making transactions faster, cheaper, and more accessible - especially in emerging markets where getting US dollar liquidity isn't always easy. We get into why liquidity is such a big deal, how stablecoins cut out the middleman, and what businesses need to know about regulation. Nkiru also shares her thoughts on tokenization and how it could open up new ways to invest and...2025-03-0635 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Trump 'tariff fatigue' at a turning point?Markets are shifting—have we reached a turning point? This week, Steven Dooley joins us to discuss “tariff fatigue” in FX markets, the slowing US economy, and its impact on the dollar, bond yields, and equities. Meanwhile, Europe is showing signs of resilience, driven by stabilizing economic data, hawkish ECB signals, and lower energy costs. We also break down key FX moves, including the weakening dollar and strengthening euro, and what rising inflation means for central bank policy.Chapters00:00 Current State of the US Economy05:05 Market...2025-02-2614 min
ConvergeDemocratizing financial advice for small businesses: The AI + human balance with Uprise's Jessica Chen RiolfiWe sat down with Jessica Chen Riolfi, co-founder and CEO of Uprise, about her journey in the fintech industry, the challenges small business owners face in financial planning, and the promising role (and pitfalls) of AI.We touched on Uprise's unique approach to financial advisory combining the best of human support, embedded services, and AI. We also discussed the importance of partnerships in building best-in-class embedded finance and payments experiences, and the future of diversity, inclusion, and community impact in the fintech ecosystem.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jessica...2025-02-1922 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Inflation, tariffs & the Fed’s next moveIn this episode, FX and Macro Analyst George Vessey discusses the current macroeconomic landscape, focusing on inflation, tariffs, and their impact on markets.He highlights the persistent inflationary pressures, the evolving trade tensions under Trump's policies, and the implications for the US dollar..We also cover the volatility in markets due to these factors and provides insights into the Fed's stance on interest rates, concluding with key takeaways for investors.Chapters00:00 Inflation and Market Volatility03:12 Trade Tensions and Tariff Impacts05:56 The...2025-02-1112 min
ConvergeClosing the visibility gap: Combating fraud with big data, AI and device intelligenceThis week, we sat down with Soups Ranjan, the co-founder and CEO of AI risk management platform, Sardine, to chat about the evolution of fraud prevention technologies in the AI era. We touch on the importance of partnerships in the fintech space, and the challenges posed by AI in fraud detection - including how Sardine uses AI to detect deepfakes and improve identity verification.Soups' shares his belief in the need for a culture of transparency and vulnerability among businesses in sharing information about fraud incidents, and how Sardine's information-sharing consortium, Sonar, is closing the gap between...2025-02-0529 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Trump delivers uncertainty and unpredictabilityIs the U.S. recession still on the horizon, or has resilience pushed it further out? Can Europe’s economy surprise to the upside despite the gloom? How will inflation data shape central bank policies in the coming months?This week, we break down the February Global FXOutlook and the market’s reaction to Trump 2.0. From the initial USD rally post-election to its sharp pullback on tariff uncertainties, we analyze key FX moves across the euro, pound, and Aussie dollar. Tune in for the latest from Convera Head of Market Insights, Steven Dooley.Disc...2025-01-3017 min
ConvergeThe present and future of payments in Colombia, LatAm's 4th largest economyLatAM is a hotbed for fintech innovation, and Colombia - LatAm’s 4th largest economy - occupies a unique position in global commerce. In this episode, we sat down with Christian Guevara Téllez and Luis Felipe Aparicio of Colombian brokerage firm, Acciones y Valores S.A., to discuss the cross-border payment landscape in Colombia. We touch on the unique regulatory challenges faced in Colombia, the importance of serving SMEs (Small-Medium Enterprises) in the economy, and how Acciones y Valores is leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance payment processes, and how Colombian businesses are looking forward and embracing the sei...2025-01-2423 min
ConvergeMarket Update: New year, similar challenges with volatility on the horizonThe global bond sell-off continues to reverberate through markets, US economic resilience has dampened Fed rate cut bets, equities are falling, the dollar is surging and UK assets, including the pound, are tumbling – welcome to 2025.After a fairly turbulent 12 months, people are wondering what 2025 may hold in store. It’s that time where it’s not uncommon to see calls by analysts for the year ahead becoming obsolete. Join UK FX Analyst George Vessey as he breaks down this week's macroeconomic news with a focus on the GBP.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast...2025-01-1514 minConvergeBrightwell on the future of global payroll, embedded payments, and new payment railsTo kick of a new year of Converge conversations, we sat down with Hal Ramakers, Senior Vice President of Global Solutions at Brightwell, to discuss the evolution of Brightwell from its origins in maritime payroll for the cruise line industry to its current role in providing cutting-edge cross-border payment solutions. We cover the challenges faced in global payroll solutions, the importance of leading with a great user experience, the evolution of Brightwell's ReadyRemit and Latitude solutions, the need for cultural adaptability in payment solutions, and the ever-evolving future of cross-border payments, including the role of new rails...2025-01-0824 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Outsized optimism meets tariffs, trade uncertainties in 2025This week, Convera Head of Market Insights, Steven Dooley, discusses the significant market reactions following the 2024 US election, the impact of tariffs on foreign exchange markets, macroeconomic trends including interest rate cuts, and the outlook for 2025 amidst geopolitical tensions. We explore how the election results influenced investor sentiment, the implications of tariff discussions on various currencies, and the overall economic landscape as we look forward to the new year.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information sh...2024-12-1817 minConvergeApps, AI and speedy settlement: The future of real-time payments (RTP)At Money2020 USA, we sat down with Margaret Weichert, Chief Product Officer at The Clearing House, and Peter Tapling, Managing Director of PTap Advisory, to discuss the transformative potential of instant payment applications. We covered: The evolution of payment systems and how new technologies like tokenization are being leveraged to create seamless financial transactions The challenges and opportunities of integrating these technologies within the current financial landscape The specifics of industry adoption hurdles How instant payments can solve real-world problems How instant payments are shaping customer experiences, and what this means for businesses and consumers alike2024-12-1129 min
Fintech ImpactConvera with Patrick Gauthier | E353The podcast features an interview with Patrick Gauthier, CEO of Convera Holdings, who discusses the organization's innovative approaches in the financial technology sector, focusing on cross-border commercial payments. Gauthier highlights the transformation and modernization efforts at Convera post-its acquisition from Western Union, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities embedded in this transition. The conversation revolves around the use of cloud technology, AI, and a significant focus on rendering advanced payment solutions in several market segments. Additionally, the episode explores the strategic direction of thecompany, underlining the critical importance of cooperation with financial institutions and the adoption of...2024-12-1031 minConvergeThe case for a 'fraud czar'What could a centralized authority, or 'fraud czar', do to combat the growing complexities of fraud in the global financial sector? We sat down with an expert panel at Money2020 to explore this question by looking at the various types of fraud at play, including synthetic identities and the evolving tactics of fraudsters, particularly in the context of new technologies. The group highlighted the challenges of coordinating responses across different sectors and the importance of understanding the enablers of fraud. They also closely examined international models that could inspire effective fraud prevention strategies in the...2024-12-0431 minConvergeMasters of Risk: Effective hedging strategies for modern enterprisesAt Money2020 USA, we sat down with two experts to discuss the evolving landscape of risk management and hedging strategies in the modern enterprise, particularly in the context of geopolitical instability and emerging markets like Africa. David Renta, Global Head of Hedging at Convera and Benjamin Fernandez, CEO and founder of African payments fintech, Nala, share insights on navigating these challenges, emphasizing the importance of developing strategic plans, understanding local dynamics, and maintaining profitability. We also address the regulatory hurdles that add complexity to building an effective hedging strategy, and the need for tailored solutions...2024-11-2023 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Trump trade reverberating across global marketsIn this week's market update, Boris Kovacevic discusses the implications of the recent US elections, focusing on Donald Trump's victory and its impact on the economy and global markets. We cover the economic factors that influenced the election results, particularly inflation, and explore the concept of US exceptionalism in the context of global trade dynamics. We also touch on geopolitical shifts, the future of the euro, and the Federal Reserve's response to inflation trends.Follow us on: LinkedIn Instagram X Threads YouTubeDisclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial s...2024-11-1316 minConvergeWill digital dethrone cash? The payments conundrum in the AmericasAt Money2020, we sat down with Zoya Lieberman of Endava and Ramiro Nandez of Mercado Pago to discuss the evolving landscape of digital payments in the Americas, focusing on the role of AI, the challenges of cash adoption, and the importance of user experience and financial inclusion. We explore the collaboration between fintechs and traditional banks, the regulatory hurdles faced in different markets, and the need for innovative solutions to bridge the gap between cash and digital transactions. We also touch on the potential of AI and blockchain technology to transform the payments ecosystem and drive financial...2024-11-0726 min
ConvergeMarket Update: US election market predictions from 5 days outWith five days to go until a historically close US election, market participants can't stop talking about the what ifs.
Hear from macro analyst Boris Kovacevic on what outcomes we could see in the markets globally following the November 5th US elections.
Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s new podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of th...2024-10-3112 minConvergeDigital assets go institutional: Tackling custody, crypto crime, and compliance with Ari RedbordTo kick things off at Money2020 USA we spoke with Ari Redbord from TRM Labs. With 11 years under his belt at the US Dept. of Justice, Ari shared his views about the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, the challenges of crypto crime, and the importance of compliance in the financial sector. We touch on the role of TRM Labs in combating illicit activities in the crypto space, the future of stablecoins, the implications of Stripe's Bridge acquisition, and the regulatory framework surrounding digital assets, particularly the MiCA regulation in Europe and its influence on other regions. ...2024-10-2924 min
FinTech's DEI Discussions – Powered by Harrington StarrRedefining Inclusion for Women in FinTech | Leah Glass, VP of Global Marketing at ConveraIn the latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, we’re joined by Leah Glass, VP of Global Marketing at Convera, for an eye-opening conversation on diversity, inclusion, and leadership in the financial technology industry. Leah shares how Convera is pushing the boundaries of commercial payments innovation while fostering a culture of compliance and ethics. She dives deep into breaking down the "excuse matrix" surrounding diversity in tech and financial services and highlights the ongoing challenges with tokenism and the pay gap. Leah also challenges leaders to move beyond sincerity and make real commitments to diversity, ensu...2024-10-1712 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Hope for the best, prepare for the unpredictable in 2025Grab your copy of our Are You Ready For 2025? report.With 2025 on the horizon, economic uncertainty looms. Will the world economy finds its balance, or are we still bracing for the next curve?If real wage growth falters, consumer spending could take a hit. Businesses need to be prepared for shifts in consumer behavior and tighten their risk management focus.This week, we're sharing our recent FinTech Talk with host Charles Orton-Jones of Business Insider, where we explore: Possible market impacts of the upcoming 2024 US presidential election Key indicators for businesses monitoring...2024-10-1632 min
ConvergeMarket Update: Closest US election race in recent history driving uncertainty and risksGrab your copy of our US Election Guide for FX Markets!Voters are heading to the polls on November 5th to vote for the 47th President and 50th Vice President of the United States. The most important political event of the year will be accompanied by elections for both chambers of Congress. The composition of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives will be crucial for the domestic economy, world trade, and financial markets across the world. We see three specific market risks associated with the election. However, each candidate comes with his or...2024-10-1020 minConvergeBanking on benevolence: The B Corp fintech making ethical investing easyThis week, we hosted a lively discussion with the founding team of Algbra, a UK-based fintech startup focused on ethical finance and combating financial exclusion. Algbra is a Certified B Corporation, sitting among a global network of businesses that meet high social and environmental impact standards. We explore Algebra's unique dual business model, which includes both B2C and B2B services, their commitment to social impact, and the significance of their recent strategic investment from Standard Chartered. The team discusses the challenges of both financial exclusion and ethical investing, and the launch of their...2024-10-0227 min
The Fintech Marketers and Leaders PodcastThe challenges and opportunities of rebranding, with Leah Glass, VP, Global Marketing at ConveraSend us a textShameer sat down with Leah Glass, VP of Global Marketing @ Convera, to talk about how to navigate a rebrand.Before becoming Convera, the company was part of Western Union Business Solutions, a lesser-known division dedicated to b2b payments.Leah was first introduced to payments and fintech in her prior role at Amazon. At Convera, she leads a cross-functional marketing team that drives growth, customer engagement, and competitive differentiation.She oversees lead generation, sales enablement, customer retention, integrated campaigns, and product marketing, ensuring alignment with business goals a...2024-08-1229 minConvergeFintech is Femme: The resilience and authenticity defining women in fintechIn this week's episode, Nicole Casperson, founder of Fintech is Femme, and Julie Armstrong, V.P. and Global Head of Verticalized Industry & Partnerships at Convera, share their journeys as women shaping the fintech landscape from the perspectives of Gen Z and Gen X, respectively. Both discuss the incredible resilience and audacity required to navigate and transform an industry that often underestimates women.
We discuss Nicole's transition from journalism to championing women in fintech through her platform, driven by a desire to amplify underrepresented voices and foster a community where women can thrive despite systemic challenges.
...2024-07-2446 minConvergeTaking fintechs global: Building finance without borders in 2024This week, we discuss the challenges of growing a fintech company internationally with Hong Fang, President of OKX crypto exchange, and Nicola Ebmeyer, Co-founder and CEO of Gain.Pro.
We cover the recent developments and challenges in the crypto industry, the state of the private markets, language and cultural considerations in international expansion, regulatory requirements, how to sustain a growth and innovation mindset during market downturns, and the future trends in global fintech.
Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s new podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that th...2024-07-1034 minConvergeCBDCs vs. stablecoins: The future of digital money with Alisa DiCaprio, Chief Economist, R3Recorded live on 6/4/24 at Money2020 EU!
Alisa DiCaprio is the Chief Economist for R3, one of the biggest technology and service providers in the blockchain space, focused on enterprise blockchain software. R3 traces its origins to a consortium of banks, and the company's focus on secure and confidential blockchain-based transactions has made them an ideal partner for many financial services organizations.
We discuss the future of digital money, including CBDCs, stable coins, and the role of AI in programmable money. We also explore the challenges and opportunities of CBDC adoption, the geopolitical implications, and the...2024-06-0519 minConvergeMarket Update: Key risks to watch in a year of geopolitical eventsRecorded live on 6/4/2024 at Money2020 EU!
Join Convera's Market Insights team for special candid discussion on the policy and geopolitical events shaping the global markets, including the European elections, ECB rate decision, US-China tensions, and the impact of political uncertainty on monetary policy. We cover the implications of the impending US and UK elections in 2024, non-farm payrolls report, and potential equity market sell-off. Plus, what risks to look out for in the coming weeks.
2024-06-0522 minConvergeOpen banking, open for business: The fintech boom in Latin AmericaIn this week's episode, we explore the growth of open banking in Latin America, featuring insights from Germana Cruz, CEO and Head of Financial Institutions for Standard Chartered Bank Latin America, and Fady Abdel-Nour, Venture Capitalist and LatAM fintech investor with Antler Elevate.
There are many opportunities for finance professionals in leveraging open banking innovations in Latin America. Tune in as we discuss the massive impact of open banking on traditional banks, the challenges of regulation, and the importance of security considerations amidst the rapid growth of open data availability.
2024-05-2950 min
Voice of FinTech®Helping SMEs manage cross-border payments with Patrick Gauthier, Group CEO of Convera (USA)Patrick Gauthier, Group CEO, Director & Chair Convera USA, Director and Chair Convera Europe Financial S.A., spoke to Rudolf Falat, founder of the Voice of FinTech podcast, about helping SMEs manage cross-border payments and more.Here is what they covered in more detail:Patrick, as a key figure in the payments sector, could you share your professional journey and how it led you to your current role at Convera?What problem are you solving at Convera, and why is it worth solving? Why are B2B payments special, and why they have been slower to innovateHow...2024-05-2832 minConvergeFintech2025+ | Trends, technology and transformation in global paymentsGet your copy of Fintech2025+ https://convera.com/lp/fintech-2025-report/
We project a significant surge in cross-border payment flows, expected to reach an eye-popping $290 trillion by 2030, driven by the rise of international e-commerce, greater workforce mobility, and advancements in digital payment technologies. This growth highlights the need for robust fintech solutions that enhance transaction speed, transparency, and security.
Convera's new report, Fintech2025+ Trends, technology and transformation in global commercial payments is a detailed analysis of the transformative role of fintech in global commerce, focusing on the cross-border payments landscape as a critical element of...2024-05-2223 minConvergeMarket Update: The Fed’s conundrum continuesThe US economy has clearly been in a league of its own in the post-pandemic era. And 2024 has underlined the exceptional position of the US economy compared to its peers with inflation and employment data broadly surprising to the upside.
The lagging data that is relevant for the National Bureau of Economic Research to make a call on whether the US has entered a recession has remained resilient over the past quarters. Still, a weak GDP print for Q1, the softening of leading indicators and job growth cooling have revived the talk of a potential recession this...2024-05-1513 minConvergeBackseat bookkeeping: Scaling and automating financial operations with SequenceJoin Riya Grover, co-founder and CEO of Sequence, as we discuss how her fintech, dubbed "the financial router," is building a flexible toolkit to help companies automate their contract-to-cash process.
The move towards usage-based pricing and the adoption of hybrid pricing models are driving the need for tools like Sequence. And while spreadsheets are still useful, they are increasingly limited when it comes to managing complex workflows across today's modern digital organizations. Sequence aims to provide scalability and automation in finops, allowing companies to achieve more with less human effort.
We also spoke about how...2024-05-0827 minConvergeMarket Update: Neutral Fed, intervening Japan, recovering EuropeApril has been about many things. In the United States, it was about inflation surprising to the upside and investors pricing out rate cuts from the Fed. In Asia, it was about a strong dollar leading central banks to verbally or physically intervene in FX markets to prop up demand for their own currencies. And in Europe, it was about confirming the bottoming of economic activity.
In this week's Market Update, hear from Boris Kovacevic as we discuss how Jerome Powell failed to promote a hawkish narrative despite inflation remaining elevated and how the strong dollar is...2024-05-0212 minConvergeThe AI CEO? How machine learning could drive C-suite level decisions with Siqi ChenIt's well known that AI is an incredible tool for productivity, stretching across many use cases. But can AI's tentacles ever reach the C-suite, with the art and science needed to delicately balance the broader needs of an organization?
Siqi Chen believes it can. We discuss how finance has lagged behind other areas in terms of software innovation and why it's solving this problem is long overdue, as well as his perspective on the future of AI in the C-Suite and the potential for AI to automate certain aspects of company management. We also cover the importance...2024-04-2437 minConvergeMarket Update: Investors adjusting to a new worldThe macro markets look a lot different now than they did at the beginning of April, and the story has once again been US economic data to blame for volatility.
With the 3-month average jobs growth running at 244 thousand and 3-month annualized core inflation at 4.5%, policy makers will most likely be able to sit out a couple of meetings and hold rates unchanged.
Investors are coming to terms with this. But the adjustment is also complicated by the recent developments in the Middle East and central banks outside the US laying the groundwork for easing po...2024-04-1712 minConvergeThe FTX effect on fintech: Building trust and strong governance in the crypto industryIn light of Sam Bankman Fried's recent 25-year prison sentence and the FTX collapse, what are the deeper implications on the crypto industry as we move into a new era of digital asset adoption? In this week's episode, we discuss the erosion of trust, the need for strong governance and risk management controls, and the responsibility of individuals in understanding the risks involved when participating in or operating a business in the crypto space.
Join Jessica Cath, Head of Financial Crime for the UK's Thistle Initiatives, and Mardi MacGregor, partner at Fox Williams LLP, as they highlight...2024-04-1032 minConvergeConverge Market Update: FX in the Greenback’s shadow2024 has so far been about US soft data surprising the consensus to the upside and investors paring back their expectations for rate cuts across the developed world. Naturally, this has led both government bond yields and the US dollar higher.
However, the low volatility rate in the FX space means that while the Greenback has risen against 78% of its global peers in the first quarter of 2024, the year-to-date gain has only been slightly above 3%. It will get harder for the US dollar to sustain the momentum given (1) how much Fed easing has already been priced out and (2...2024-04-0312 minConvergeA leap forward for humanitarian aid: Improving global disbursements through blockchain with StellarThe disbursement of humanitarian aid has been a historical challenge for many organizations aiming to provide relief around the globe. The Stellar Development Foundation's Aid Assist program is aiming to change that.
Powered by the Stellar blockchain, Stellar is on a mission to democratize access to financial services, with the goal of revolutionizing how humanitarian aid reaches its recipients through innovative digital wallets - an approach born from the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and since expanded to other areas of need.
Join Tori Samples, Sr. Product Manager, Stellar Aid Assist, as she sheds light on...2024-03-2731 minConvergeConverge Market Update: Low volatility amid policy ambiguityGlobal investors have become comfortable pricing in the eventual turn of the global monetary policy cycle to a more accommodative stance. However, the big macro theme in early 2024 has been the paring of G3 policy easing bets against the backdrop of somewhat rebounding inflation rates. This has led to a rebound in bond yields and the Greenback, without putting pressure on equity markets.
Volatility across assets remains low, though, despite the ambiguity surrounding the future policy path of central banks. One reason for the lack of price movement in FX: the synchronization of policy pricing.
J...2024-03-2010 minConvergeThe Fintech Effect: Plaid on the state of the industry, AI, Pay by Bank, financial inclusion and consumer confidenceThis week, we sat down with Raja Chakravorti, Head of Universal Access at Plaid, to broadly discuss the state of the fintech industry in 2024 and the evolving consumer attitudes that are shaping it.
Why has fintech become so ubiquitous and where is it headed in 2024? How has the definition of fintech evolved over time, and what roles will we increasingly see AI play across financial services?
Learn why pay by bank, emerging alternatives for credit scoring, new methods for financial inclusion, and the importance of fintech education in building consumer confidence are crucial to the...2024-03-1331 minConvergeConverge Market Update: A March towards disinflation, rate cuts and policy shifts?March will be an interesting month in financial markets, driven by three major themes: inflation, paring back of interest rate cut expectations, and the lack of volatility despite underlying risks. Upcoming events in March, including central bank rate decisions, will be significant and could induce price action.
Will we see a continuation of the disinflationary trend, a potential end to the US exceptionalism sentiment, and possible changes in central bank policies?
Global Macro Analyst Boris Kovacevic breaks down this week's most notable macroeconomic news.
Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s new podcast that discusses a...2024-03-0612 minConverge1% built: Opportunities and challenges in building Africa's payment infrastructuresPayments in Africa are "1% built," presenting a massive opportunity to unlock growth for businesses and improve lives - not just on the continent itself but also around the globe where migrants proliferate and prosper.
Join Benjamin Fernandes, CEO of Nala, a cross-border payments and remittances fintech focusing on building Africa's modern payment infrastructure, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in African payments. With unconscionably high costs and complexities, payments within and to/from Africa illustrate the pressing need for infrastructure and regulatory improvements - and Benjamin and Nala are at the helm.
Co-hosted with Money2020...2024-02-2850 minConvergeConverge Market Update: Resilient economic growth, stalled rate cuts, and geopolitical tail risks leading in to MarchRegister for Convera Live! https://convera.com/events/convera-live/
Last week's economic data deluge, including the latest inflation reports that called into question the timing of rate cuts, triggered some significant volatility across financial markets, creating a modest case of whiplash. Could this become more frequent as central banks begin policy easing this year?
Meanwhile, the carry trade has become more popular, benefitting the high-yielding dollar which has already climbed 6% against the yen this year on top of the massive gains in 2023. But the pound is also in demand, reaching its highest level against the...2024-02-2014 minConvergeTackling identity risk in finserv: Knowledge-based authentication and AI in the fight against fraudFraud feels like one of the inevitabilities of our financial system - if we had a system that was 100% fraud free, it would be so restrictive and buttoned down that it would be almost impossible to use. And because we still rely on many antiquated systems to confirm the identity of customers, fraud continues to be a major problem.
Passwords persist as the dominant auth method despite their fragility, and newer, more promising auth methods like Passkeys championed by the FIDO alliance for a few years now are just beginning to take foot. WebAuthentication has added a lot...2024-02-1421 minConvergeConverge Market Update: Hot tip? Watch wages in 2024This past week, in a rare mainstream media appearance, US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell joined 60 Minutes and within that time sent expectations for a US March rate cut plunging. Regardless, major global financial markets are broadly looking for around the same moves over the next 18 months – about 200 basis points of cuts.
Yet not all conditions are moving in parallel, and while wages are easing lower in the US, they continue to press higher in Europe and the UK.
If some central banks cut as other stay on hold, this could drive some big moves in...2024-02-0717 minConvergeThe VC fintech environment in 2024: Pragmatism and the art of playing the long gameFintech has always been an exciting space for venture capital investors, but it’s no secret that today's environment remains a challenging one for the venture capital industry. During the previous era of low interest rates, investors were competing to back startups at increasingly high valuations, but now future ROI remains uncertain for many. Many funds are sitting on record amounts of capital ready to deploy but startups are reluctant to take on reduced valuations.
This has led to valuations moving from "art" to "science," or hard data and fundamentals, requiring pre-seed companies to return to "mechanics" in...2024-01-3127 minConvergeConverge Market Update: Watershed moment for China as US equities reach record highsJanuary has been all about the broad pushback of policy makers and the economic data against the trend of lower bond yields that started in November. Central bankers have won the first round against investors that had hoped to see the first rate cuts from the Fed, ECB and BoE already in March.
However, the month-to-date advance of bond yields and the US dollar have not been able to dent the attractiveness of US equities, which continued to outperform their global peers, reaching a new all-time high this week.
At the same time, China is...2024-01-2512 minConvergeCan fintech replace the CFO? How AI & automation can revolutionize spend managementIn the past, finance teams didn’t always benefit from innovation in software like sales and marketing teams did. Now, a group of fintechs are bringing new technologies to market for CFOs and their teams - leveraging the disruptive power of AI.
As we see more and more tools solve for the less glamorous work that finance teams do, e.g. reconciling staff expenses, does this signal a trend towards an automated financial future?
Erica Dorfman, Head of Financial Products for spend management platform Brex, joins us to discuss the strategy behind her company's push to...2024-01-1822 minConvergeConverge Market Update: Monetary policy, geopolitics and slower growth kick off 2024It's been a year already! Join Convera Macro Analyst Boris Kovacevic for the first episode of the year as we re-cap 2023 and deep-dive into potential market and macro risks for the year ahead, covering geopolitics, inflation, central banking, Germany, China and global FX outlooks.
Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s new podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely th...2024-01-1112 minConvergeThe ESG imperative: How policy & fintech can help heal the climate crisis with Nameer KhanClimate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and the concept of Environmental, Social & Governance investing (or ESG) is at the heart of corporate efforts to reduce it. But
why do many businesses find ESG implementation to be such a challenge, and how can they not only get started with it but also embed sustainable ESG practices long term to ensure these important trends aren’t just a fad?
Carbon credits and marketplaces have emerged as one powerful possibility to address accountability and transparency in not only offsetting, but reducing carbon from the atmosphere - a n...2024-01-0342 minConvergeConverge Market Update: Macro data in focus with central bank meetings around the cornerThis week, in a window of ~60 hours, policy will be set for 60% of the global economy.
Gear up for the last important week of the year when the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of England set policy on Wednesday and Thursday. Convera global macro strategist, Boris Kovacevic, breaks down the possibilities ahead, with an eye on what the macro data is telling us.
We cover:
How many basis points the ECB, Fed and BoE might cut rates next year.
Why investors are expecting all central banks to push back against aggressive easing bets until...2023-12-1310 minConvergeA new era of open banking with John Pitts, Head of Policy at PlaidIn October, the CFPB proposed a rule that would accelerate a shift toward open banking, giving consumers more control over their data and bolstering competition for banks and fintechs to up their game.
Plaid, the open banking pioneer that seamlessly connects fintechs and services with banks, has been a key player in this evolution. And now that income and employment data is much more integrated into Plaid services, the company believes a new era with even less friction and greater protection has arrived.
Hear from John Pitts, Head of Policy at Plaid and former CFPB...2023-12-0618 minConvergeConverge Market Update: A November to remember as the best month for risk assets of the yearWe're kicking off our new bi-weekly market and macroeconomic update series with a bang. Hear from Global Macro Analyst Boris Kovacevic on why November is shaping up to be the best month for risk assets this year as investors have priced in expectations for a major central bank pivot.
In our latest global macro podcast, we distill the recent market moves and set out our thesis for why we are anticipating a macro interest rate regime shift going into 2024.
We'll cover:
1. The incoming macro interest rate regime shift
2. Why the dollar...2023-11-2919 minConvergeFinancial fairness: betting on fintech for an inclusive future with Nicole Casperson and Naré VardanyanCan financial fairness and inclusivity go hand in hand with profitability?
Many often say inclusivity is hard, inclusivity isn't profitable, but in reality, it's one of the strongest core pillars around which to build a business and drive growth. Automation and AI are casting a more inclusive, wider net through technology in financial services, unlocking opportunities in lending, banking and payments that were not available historically.
Emerging fintechs are raising the bar for banks and pushing the whole industry to serve more people, unlocking new markets and talent. But challenges remain, and the latest technologies...2023-11-2230 minConvergeHow cloud-based ecosystems are driving B2B innovation in fintechB2B financial services are at an inflection point; business infrastructure is moving to the cloud, but financial services are lagging: they are fragmented, run on legacy tech, and lack scale and resiliency.
At the nexus of driving this necessary change are integrated ecosystems of fintechs and financial cloud services providers offering businesses and financial institutions a ‘one-stop shop’ in emerging technologies for payment processing, data tokenization, AI/ML capabilities and much more - providing greater transparency, resiliency, speed, and scale.
In the next phase of fintech innovation, API-enabled cloud B2B payment platforms will shap...2023-11-1529 min
Finscale[ENG] #194 - Patrick Gauthier - Convera : Tech evolution & FX mastery unveiledBack to payments and Forex this week. Patrick delves deep into the intricate fabric of Convera, a dominant player in the payment industry. We kick off our conversation with a retrospective, as Patrick provides a comprehensive overview of WU Business Solutions' 2021 activities. He shares the motivations and strategic intricacies behind Goldfinch Partners and BauPost Group's acquisition of WUBS.
Shifting focus to the core of Convera, Patrick paints a vivid picture of the company’s current positioning: its expansive geographical presence, the pillars of its value proposition, and the diverse suite of solutions it offers. The discussion becomes mo...2023-11-1435 minFinscale in English#28 - Patrick Gauthier - Convera : Tech evolution & FX mastery unveiledBack to payments and Forex this week. Patrick delves deep into the intricate fabric of Convera, a dominant player in the payment industry. We kick off our conversation with a retrospective, as Patrick provides a comprehensive overview of WU Business Solutions' 2021 activities. He shares the motivations and strategic intricacies behind Goldfinch Partners and BauPost Group's acquisition of WUBS.
Shifting focus to the core of Convera, Patrick paints a vivid picture of the company’s current positioning: its expansive geographical presence, the pillars of its value proposition, and the diverse suite of solutions it offers. The discussion becomes mo...2023-11-1235 minFinscale in English[EXCERPT] #28 - Patrick Gauthier - Convera : Tech evolution & FX mastery unveiledThis is an excerpt from the episode published on Sunday.
Back to payments and Forex this week. Patrick delves deep into the intricate fabric of Convera, a dominant player in the payment industry. We kick off our conversation with a retrospective, as Patrick provides a comprehensive overview of WU Business Solutions' 2021 activities. He shares the motivations and strategic intricacies behind Goldfinch Partners and BauPost Group's acquisition of WUBS.
Shifting focus to the core of Convera, Patrick paints a vivid picture of the company’s current positioning: its expansive geographical presence, the pillars of its value pr...2023-11-0907 minConvergeNew rails to new worlds: Building inclusive, innovative infrastructures for global paymentsA panel of exceptional female leaders discuss what is being done on the ground in some of the most systemically important institutions and emerging fintechs (Swift, Convera, Ripple and Citi) to shape and implement next gen cross-border payments infrastructures.
How are instant and real time payments operating now, and how will they in the future? How are targets set by the G20 for adoption of new technologies as well as ISO20022 influencing the technology roadmaps of global organizations in 2023 and beyond? How has Swift positioned itself as the ‘messenger of the future? And what does the likes of...2023-11-0836 minConvergePerception vs. reality: Who "wins" in the future of cross border payments?Who will capture the most value in the cross-border payments ecosystem in the coming years? With new emphasis on instant payments and emerging rails, who stands to win the war for market share, and what models/protocols will be at the nexus of the new era? How do non-banks view this change and the opportunity ahead vs. the big banks and incumbent payment providers? Is “Coopetition” the new reality and interoperability the key to winning business? Where are the opportunities and where must businesses focus on winning in the next 5 years?
This live panel from Money2020 in Las Ve...2023-11-0131 minConvergeAre You Ready for 2024? Convera's annual macroeconomic outlookGet your full copy of the report, here:
Are you ready for 2024? | Convera
Join Head of Market Insights Steve Dooley as he shares a taste of the 2024 edition of Convera's annual flagship report to help businesses navigate what promises to be yet another uncertain and volatile year ahead, both geopolitically and macroeconomically.
Get the full report at the link above to learn more on:
How cross-border trade will be impacted by diverging interest rates
How the global bond and equity market will shift
The impact of tighter credit conditions on housing markets
The immediate future of glob...2023-10-1825 minConvergeBridging the way to a multi-CBDC world: Daniel Eidan of the Bank for International SettlementsAlso known as "the central bank of banks," the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has been guiding and influencing the world's largest financial institutions for decades. Their new innovation hub has taken a central role in exploring new technologies, #CBDCs among them, that bring "benefits that can lead to faster, cheaper and more transparent payments across borders." However, the BIS notes that "questions remain unanswered related to policy considerations, legal and regulatory frameworks, and basic operational economics that might call into question the viability of multi-CBDC platforms.”
Join Money2020's Micky Tesfaye and Daniel Eidan,
Advisor & Solution Arc...2023-10-0445 minConvergeWhen milliseconds matter: Preventing fraud in an instant payment worldSardine, "a behavior-infused platform that offers fraud prevention, compliance (KYC/AML), and payments solutions for various industries," is tackling fraud in progressive ways using their intuitive API that can detect nuances of fraudulent activity with advanced AI. And with the momentum fueling real-time payment growth, faster payments can equal faster fraud, requiring new tools to detect and thwart disaster for financial institutions experimenting with new technologies. AI tools will inevitably play a big role in mitigating fraud - yet they also serve the interests of criminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities.
Sardine CEO Soups Ranjan...2023-09-2026 minConvergeThe consumer sets the bar: How B2C innovation is pushing B2B finserv into the futureThis special episode was co-produced with Tigerhall - a leading social learning platform.
Commercial and retail clients have higher-than-ever expectations of banking as a service. How can financial institutions and banks stay ahead of the customer experience curve? How do we harness the latest applications in AI, including generative AI, to better serve customers? What best practices passed the stress test in 2023?
What implementation challenges do financial institutions need to consider when integrating identity services for their consumer and corporate customers? How can premium APIs reduce the cost associated with more secure authentication? And what role could...2023-09-1321 minConvergeFinTech vs. banks: Who's eating whose lunch? With Sardine's Simon TaylorIncumbent financial institutions pose both an opportunity and a barrier to the fintech boom. They've got the resources to acquire, emulate and dominate. But more legacy financial institutions are turning to fintechs and digital-first financial services providers as partners in the race to provide a better customer experience.
Dig into the hungry-for-innovation FinServ environment with Sardine's Simon Taylor, Head of Strategy and Content.2023-09-0624 minConvergeWhy DeFi Matters [Part 3]: CBDCs - opportunity or doom for DeFi? The challenges of building digital institutional trustMost major economies, including 19 of the G20 nations, are in the end-stage processes of developing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). These digital currencies introduce DeFi technology and concepts into the world of central banking with many potential use cases across borders and domestically.
CBDCs have opened up all kinds of opportunities for increased efficiencies, cost-savings, programmability and transparency for banks and financial institutions - but the step is clearly one towards further centralization. Added privacy concerns have led to consternation among thought leaders and future consumers.
But do CBDCs spell doom for DeFi as a...2023-08-3034 minConvergeWhy DeFi Matters [Part 2]: Tokenization and the 'financializing' of our lives, new forms of liquidity, and DLT privacy challengesPart 2 of our 3-part series.
Although it's early days for DeFi, tokenization of real-world assets shows promise for bringing much-needed liquidity to existing and newly emerging asset classes.
Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) open even more opportunities and solutions for enterprises and companies within the realm of tokenization, but the regulatory circle needs to be 'squared.' How can we expect organizations to regulate assets without proper governance and regulations?
For innovation to continue and grow, there needs to be a clear path forward - but leaps are being made for a secure DeFi...2023-08-2323 minConvergeWhy DeFi Matters [Part 1]: Bitcoin and DeFi's influence on the future of TradFi and FinServIn his upcoming book, author Ian Horne (a former FinServ relationship manager and head of content for Money20/20 EU), discusses the many reasons why the often lofty, quixotic-sounding concepts of decentralized finance (or #DeFi) should matter to anyone looking to improve the way we do business and exchange value.
For Part 1 of our 3-part series on "Why DeFi Matters" (the formal title of Ian's upcoming book), we sat down with Ian and his colleague Micky Tesfaye, Content Lead for Money20/20 EU, and Scott Johnson, VP of Technical Program Management at Convera, to explore DeFi's journey from the...2023-08-1628 minConvergeThe seismic shifts in education finance: China's student decline, new dominant markets and payment methodsIndia now outpaces China in wealth creation and GDP per capita, and the number of their students able to afford high quality education overseas is projected to grow. Overall, the demographics of students who study abroad are shifting dramatically, presenting new opportunities and challenges for students, payment providers and higher education institutions.
Furthermore, 60% of international students consider alternative payment methods as important, but alternative payment methods differ from country to region around the world. Universities and higher education institutions will need rely even more on providers that can handle rapidly changing payments methods and diverse currencies.
2023-08-0922 minConvergeThe European Payments Initiative (EPI): Bridging instant payments across the blocThe European Payments Initiative (EPI), an ambitious European payments scheme backed by a consortium of 16 banks, has been in the news lately. It is gearing up to pilot an instant payments scheme this year after agreeing to acquire two fintechs, Dutch payment scheme iDeal and mobile payments app Payconiq. The pilot will comprise a digital wallet and instant payments system using open banking in Germany and France before rolling out to other European countries. EPI also intends on adding buy now, pay later (BNPL) financing and digital identity features. Thomas Mueller from Swiss payments resolution 'regtech' Rivero joins Converge...2023-08-0220 minConvergeFighting FinCrime with FinTech: Human controls vs. AI, automation, and scaling fraud preventionIn recent years, the United Kingdom has seen a massive uptick in financial crime. The need for better controls against fraud, both human and machine, are more important than ever. And while many types of financial fraud remain the same, new channels have emerged posing unknown risks. Customer oversight has become nebulous making data-sharing crucial among global organizations. Those who can leverage and embrace new technologies while understanding the ever important role of human-powered intervention stand to gain the most. Join Alex Beavan, Head of Ethics and Anti-Corruption at Convera, and Jessica Cath, Head of Financial Crime at UK...2023-07-2620 minConvergeFrom sticky inflation to soft landing? Convera's Q3 Economic Outlook with Naz AliDownload Convera's Q3 Economic Outlook here: Convera Global Economic Outlook 2023 Q3 Edition | As we enter H2 of 2023, businesses are growing increasingly concerned about the tightening monetary conditions. Despite one of the sharpest sequences of policy tightening in living memory, inflation, especially core inflation, remains too high.
Only Canada is forecast to fall below the 3% upper tolerance threshold by the end of 2023. Canada is forecast to submerge into a recession for the duration of 2023, while US is expected to dip into a brief and shallow technical recession in Q1 2024.
Industrial production and manufacturing sectors are forecast...2023-07-1920 minConvergeThe Ripple effect: Sendi Young on leading the way in B2B crypto-enabled paymentsWithin today's complex regulatory environment, blockchain and crypto-enabled payments provider Ripple has stood out for their continued growth. Their commitment to working with the current system has led to meaningful partnerships across the banking sector, and despite legal challenges in the US, ongoing expansion globally as well as important acquisitions. Hear from Sendi Young, Ripple's EU Managing Director and UK Board Director, on the company's future, the role of their native digital asset XRP, ways that blockchain can increase financial inclusivity, and the road ahead for the ever-evolving digital asset regulatory landscape.2023-07-1214 min
The Payments Show PodcastMoving Money Worldwide: How Convera Improves B2B Commerce with International Payments, FX Risk Management, Mass Payments and More - with Patrick Gauthier, CEO at ConveraIn episode 75 of The Payments Show Podcast, I spoke to Patrick Gauthier who is the CEO of Convera. Convera is a leader in B2B cross-border payments and has 30,000 customers worldwide. It helps companies to move money (FX) – and capture value – with speed and simplicity.Timestamps[00:00] - Introduction: From Amazon Pay to Convera[03:53] - The Beginning of FinTech[06:10] - Commercial Payments is Ready for Innovation[07:58] - Underinvestment in B2B FinTech[09:33] - Crypto Skepticism: Proof of Stake vs Proof of Work[11:40] - Central Banks vs Stablecoins[13:37] - Co...2023-07-1046 minConvergeIs blockchain hiding in plain sight? Citi & Convera on tokenization, interoperability, and real-time paymentsWhile blockchain use cases have seen considerable growth in the past 5 years, there's still a long road ahead in the world of payments and the tokenization of real-world assets of value. Join Ryan Rugg, Head of Digital Assets for Citi's Treasury and Trade Solutions and Convera CEO Patrick Gauthier for an enlivening discussion on emerging digital asset tech, Citi's exploration in the space, focusing on customer needs over new technologies, Citi's GPS report on the trillion-dollar trade finance tokenization opportunity, and new regulations that could drive significant adoption in the near future.2023-07-0519 minConvergeProgressive modernization: AI transactions, APIs, ISO20022 and instant cross-border paymentsHear Mick Fennell, Global Business Line Director - Payments at Temenos, one of the largest banking cloud services providers, discuss the importance of progressive modernization for both incumbents and startups. From Temenos: "Progressive Modernization helps banks to de-compose monolithic core technology and use interchangeable capabilities to consume, compose and extend banking services, on infrastructure that scales to any size, for any segment and in any region." Learn about new AI models for rapid decisioning, ISO20022 harmonization between domestic and cross-border payments, and how cloud-enabled API services can help financial industry players improve processes, increase speed, and streamline the customer ex...2023-06-2728 minConvergeThe "Super App", Inter's explosive growth in Brazil, and the fuel behind the LatAm payments revolutionRapid growth in Brazil's payments industry has been driven by a new crop of fintech companies, enabled by Central Bank initiatives like the low-cost, always on Pix payments platform. As a result, since the beginning of the pandemic, it is estimated an additional 16 million Brazilians have become part of the financial system. More broadly in Latin America, in 2021 there were more than 300 million users of digital payments in the region. At the center of it all? An unbridled obsession over the customer experience that we all can take a note from.
Meet Inter's Super App, a one-stop...2023-06-2124 minConvergeWomen in fintech: Forging a future without boundariesA roundtable discussion featuring: Susana Delgado, Global Head of Consumer & SME Payments Strategy at Swift, Nicole Olbe, Managing Director of Partnerships at Barclaycard Payments and Sendi Young, Managing Director Europe and UK Board Director of Ripple.
This special episode, guest hosted by Convera CCO Jennifer Parker, brings together four remarkable women in the fintech and payments industries to discuss
female leadership in the payments industry - where we’re at, how far we’ve come, and how far there is yet to go. Women now hold increasingly visible and influential roles across payments and finance - but it wasn't alwa...2023-06-1450 minConvergeCrypto's credibility conundrum: New lawsuits, MiCA, internet-enabled payments, and the evolving digital asset regulatory landscapeCo-hosted with Money2020. Avowed crypto skeptic and Convera CEO Patrick Gauthier sits down with crypto evangelist Teana Baker-Taylor, VP of Policy and Regulatory Strategy at Circle to discuss the fragmented global regulatory landscape for crypto assets, the new SEC lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase, regulation by enforcement, blockchain for real-time payments as a disruptive technology, creating a stable regulatory framework for digital assets, the payment ecosystem we don't yet know about that we're going to need, AR/VR, internet-enabled payments, the metaverse, the accelerating timeframe of adoption for new technologies, technology innovation vs. process innovation, and good friction vs...2023-06-0933 minConvergeEmbedded everything: Brands as banks, BNPL, digital identity and the future of frictionless financeEmbedded finance is on a tear. McKinsey estimates the US market for embedded finance reached $20 billion in revenue in 2020, with Oracle seeing valuation reaching $7 trillion in the next 10 years. We sat down with legendary fintech thought-leader and influencer David Birch, Lisa Scott, EU CEO of global real-time payments network Banked, and Miroslava Betinova, head of fintech at Griffin, an API-first full-service bank to get the low-down on the future of embedded services, including the controversy and successes of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), digital identity, the future potential dominance of 100% digital banks, brands as banks and payments providers, the i...2023-06-0826 minConvergeBuilding digital trust in an age of uncertainty, with Convera CEO Patrick GauthierBuilding trust in times of uncertainty is crucial for navigating business (and life). Uncertainty is an opportunity then for businesses to thrive, and can accelerate the most meaningful innovation (with strong evidence throughout history). Furthermore, thoughtful regulation can play an important role in creating conditions for businesses to operate clearly and serve customers more efficiently. But are opportunities being missed and technologies misunderstood in these times of market volatility that distort the long view? Patrick Gauthier, CEO of Convera, joins us for a candid discussion on today's environment, emerging technologies including digital assets and new, faster rails for payments...2023-06-0721 minConvergeMacroeconomic forecasting in "strange" timesGet your copy of the 2023 Convera B2B Payments & Trade Report, here: https://convera.com/future-of-b2b-global-payments-trade-report/
In our inaugural episode of Converge we highlight Convera's annual B2B Payments and Trade Industry Report, looking ahead up to 2028 at what might influence these industries and reflecting on a wild three years past. Host Alex Lawrence sits down with Nawaz Ali, Global Head of Market Insights, to get a clearer picture of a very cloudy economic environment and make some bold (and exciting) projections for 2023 and well beyond. If you're an international business planning your FX, B2B...2023-06-0621 min
Leaders In PaymentsPatrick Gauthier, CEO of Convera | Episode 227My guest this week has a genuine passion for building products, teams, and businesses. He has worked for some of the largest payment brands in our ecosystem and his focus is always on reinvention, which would explain why he, himself, holds 27 patents in the payment space. Convera our CEO Patrick Gauthier moved to the U.S. 30 years ago for what was supposed to be a three-year stint and, fortunately for us, and never looked back.You may not know, Convera (also previously called Western Union Business Solutions) is a cross-border payments company with a mission to make...2023-06-0626 min
ConvergeConverge TeaserConverge, a new Podcast from Convera, brings traditional banking and legacy payments providers together with fintech disruptors to challenge the narrative (and each other) on the future of finance. Global trade, currencies, treasury management, and fintech leadership continue to be hugely impacted by world events, setting the stage for fundamental technological, social and operational shifts in the future global financial industry. Moderated by Convera experts, analysts and marketers, Converge brings the industry’s best and brightest together to pressure test new ideas against the tried and true, find common ground, work through tensions and provoke disagreements – all in the name...2023-05-2201 min
Wharton FinTech PodcastPatrick Gauthier, CEO of Convera - Making global business payments simple, secure, and smartTarang Gupta hosts Patrick Gauthier, CEO at Convera, the largest non-bank B2B cross-border payments company in the world.
In this episode you will hear about
- What makes Convera the dominant player in cross-border payments
- Countries that are going to drive the future of fintech
- Operational differences in B2B vs B2C financial services organizations
- What working with Jeff Bezos is like
And much more
About Patrick Gauthier
Patrick joined as the CEO of Convera in 2021 after having held senior leadership roles at Amazon, PayPal, and Visa. He has deep expertise in developing high-performance teams...2022-12-0741 min
Fintech One•On•One#398: Patrick Gauthier of ConveraWhen we think about cross-border payments, we typically think about consumer payments, people sending money back to their home country. But the business-to-business market for cross-border payments is many times larger and more complex.Our next guest on the Fintech One-on-One Podcast is Patrick Gauthier, the CEO of Convera. Now, you may not have heard of Convera, they used to be Western Union Business Solutions. This business was spun out of Western Union last year and rebranded. Convera is actually the largest non-bank cross-border commercial payment company on the planet.In this podcast you will...2022-11-3029 min