?? Checking account fee threats + when you work for the OCC but are building a pot payment startup + seaside with my Maltipoo

Why hello.

This month, I had a dreamy short road trip with my Maltipoo to Carpinteria. Did I get carried away? ABSOLUTELY. We dined outside (Benedict has aged into patio-friendly mode now). I sipped on a fancy coconut drink and ate fish. He put his foot in his dog bowl to cool off. And I read Anna Quindlen ’s “A Short Guide to a Happy Life. Then, we walked by the ocean. This is a little dude who was very aggressive. Now, he's not. He’s older. My emotions have been all over the place with him. But that day, on the beach in July, I only felt lucky.

Here’s what caught my eye in fintech this month:

• Chase threatened to charge fees for its checking account and other products if certain regulation passes. I’m sure fintech would welcome this change should it mean a portion of consumers would ditch the big bank. However, that is not something consumers are known to do. But never say never. What’s curious is what the big bank means by charging since most of the Chase accounts charge something unless someone, say, keeps a minimum balance or does something else, like establish automatic money transfers. Charging more or dropping these fee waivers would invite a shake up (catch Sam Kilmer 's latest Fintech Hustle to hear various opinions on how). While Chase’s app offers all kinds of features now (including budgeting assistance), the ship has passed on charging for a service that is regarded as free by many unless there’s something added into the package. Watch the subscription models for how the business model of a bank account may continue to evolve.
• Regulator by day, pot payments startup builder by night: Every now and then your day job inspires your night and weekend job. Such was the case for Lamine Zarrad . While working at the OCC, he was designing a pot payments startup. In this episode of Money isn't Everything, we have a lively conversation that explores unexpected ideas and why banks might want to push regulators here and there. It was a joy speaking to him. Catch the full episode here.

• Enough with the agist stereotypes – young and old alike. Also on the pod this month: Tony Brancato of Charlie (a neobank for the 62+). We explore what society gets wrong about serving older adults and what banking circles may want to consider in their product offerings in the big fight against fraud.

Other things that happened this month:

?? Mystery box of intriguing links, articles and other stuff that may interest you as it did me.

• The case for banks measuring financial health (American Banker; subscription required)
• These are cool fraud features from Monzo: They are opt-in and let customers add security measures to prevent money leaving their accounts from scams.
• If someone looked at my fridge, they’d see milk, eggs, cheese and not too much else most days. But here’s an interesting look at someone peeking inside fridges to determine where the economy is moving.
• Elder fraud remains a serious problem.
• When corporations offer egg freezing as a benefit.
• Regulators to banks and fintech companies: We want more info.
• Don't miss my colleague, Stacey Bryant , doing a LinkedIn Live on August 1 at 11:30am PST.

Let’s get where we ain’t,?

Mary

– I will be judging the Finovate Awards soon. Yay.

– Save the date: Aug 22 at 10am PT. Yours truly is talking Gen Z money trends with Katrin Kaurov in a Cornerstone-Frich production: Z hits different.