Christmas special: Wrapping up season ten | Fintech Daydreaming S10E10

As 2024 draws to a close, Ville Sointu and I have recorded the final episode of Fintech Daydreaming Season 10, our annual Christmas special. This episode was a chance to reflect on our journey, celebrate five incredible years and ten seasons of podcasting, and thank everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.

It’s been a journey filled with curiosity, passion, and a lot of learning, not just about fintech, but about resilience, adaptability, and the power of community. And as we wrapped up the season, I couldn’t help but draw a connection between what keeps us podcasting, what drives innovation in banking, and an unexpected experience I had the other evening at an art and wine evening.

Five Years, 10 Seasons: What Keeps Us Going

Ville and I have often reflected on what keeps us coming back to the podcast season after season. Podcasting is no small feat, statistics show that most podcasts don’t make it past their first season. So what’s been different for us?

1. The Community: One of the most rewarding aspects of Fintech Daydreaming has been the direct feedback from our listeners. Whether it’s someone approaching us at a conference or dropping a comment online, the connections we’ve built with our audience are priceless.
2. Passion Over Profit: From the very beginning, we agreed that this podcast wasn’t about monetization or metrics. It was about having meaningful conversations, sharing ideas, and engaging with thought leaders we admire.
3. The Guests: From fintech pioneers to industry leaders, every guest has brought unique insights, challenging us to think differently and learn more.

As we’ve often said, Fintech Daydreaming isn’t just a podcast, it’s a passion project for Ville and I. And the passion is what drives us forward.

Lessons from Art for Banking

A few nights ago, I attended a small art and wine evening. The theme? Painting a galaxy landscape. I’d love to say I discovered a hidden talent, but the truth is, my creation was more abstract than celestial. I (or should that be my girlfriend ? Irene B. ) ended up titling it Space Covid, an apt name for what turned out to be a chaotic blend of colors and imagination.

What struck me about the experience wasn’t the result, but the process. Painting, like many creative endeavors, requires experimentation, risk-taking, and a willingness to embrace imperfection. It reminded me of the banking industry’s own challenges as it navigates digital transformation and the need to innovate.

Just as I took a leap into painting, banks must continuously explore new business models, technologies, and customer engagement strategies. The financial industry, much like my galaxy painting, can be unpredictable and messy. But it’s the willingness to step into the unknown that drives progress.

This year, we’ve seen significant trends shaping the future of banking, many of which we discussed on the podcast:

1. Embedded Finance: In our conversation with Jani Ristim?ki from BearingPoint, we delved into how embedded finance is reshaping customer experiences and challenging traditional banking models. Jani highlighted how financial services can integrate seamlessly into non-financial platforms, a trend we expect to see more of in 2025.
2. Financial Literacy: Elisabeth Prager’s episode emphasized the importance of closing the gender wealth gap through financial education and empowerment. Her work with Aila Money serves as a reminder that financial inclusion is about more than access, it’s about understanding.
3. Regulation and Compliance: Eva-Lotta Hokkonen brought a refreshing clarity to the complex world of fintech compliance. Her insights into how regulatory frameworks can be both a challenge and a competitive advantage were eye-opening.
4. Nordic Fintech Trends: Our standing episodes with Janne Salminen and Helsinki Fintech Farm—Nordic Fintech Highlights—provided a recurring pulse on the regional industry. From central bank warnings on cash access to the evolution of subscription management through Mastercard's acquisition of Minna Technologies, these episodes captured the dynamic and evolving landscape of Nordic fintech.
5. Digital Resilience and Open Banking: The ongoing evolution of payment systems, from tap-to-pay innovations to the regulation of NFC payments, showcased the balance between customer convenience and security. These trends were a recurring theme throughout the season.

Season 10 Guest Highlights

Each guest brought unique insights, making Season 10 one of our most engaging yet. Here are the highlights from each guest episode:

Chris Skinner: "When Money Starts Thinking for You"

Chris kicked off the season with a deep dive into his latest book, Programmable Money: When Money Thinks for You. He explored the future of “smart money” and how AI and intelligent networks could revolutionize finance. Chris challenged traditional notions of governance, arguing that while money needs to be governed, it doesn’t always have to be by governments. His concept of hybrid finance, a blend of decentralized and traditional models—left us with plenty to ponder. - https://youtu.be/95q_qVV_9UY

Elisabeth Prager: "Gender, Wealth, and the Aila Money Revolution"

Elisabeth P. shed light on the gender wealth gap, a topic often overlooked in financial discussions. She explained how systemic issues perpetuate the disparity and how Aila Money is working to bridge the gap with tailored tools and education. Her data-backed assertion that it could take up to seven generations to close this gap was both sobering and motivating. - https://youtu.be/FJTsHhwzC7k

Jani Ristim?ki: "Everything Embedded"

Jani Ristim?ki unpacked the buzzword “embedded finance,” explaining how financial services are increasingly delivered in the context of non-financial platforms. He emphasized the need for banks to shift their mindset from selling products to embedding services where customers already are. This episode underscored the importance of ecosystems and partnerships in modern banking. - https://youtu.be/NaWcNtzNfdA

Eva-Lotta Hokkonen: "Cracking the Compliance Code for Fintech"

Eva-Lotta Hokkonen brought a lawyer’s precision to the table, helping us navigate the complexities of fintech compliance. She highlighted the growing regulatory landscape in Europe and how fintechs can turn compliance from a burden into a competitive advantage. Her practical advice and nuanced understanding of the industry made this episode essential listening for anyone in fintech. - https://youtu.be/sl0XW_7mBrk

Jyrki Katainen: "From Policy to Banking"

Our conversation with Jyrki, the former Prime Minister of Finland and now Head of Public Relations at Nordea, was a standout moment. Jyrki shared how his background in politics informs his approach to public affairs in banking. He discussed the evolving role of banks in society, the importance of trust, and why transparency is the cornerstone of leadership. - https://youtu.be/U1JT7UlX2Ao

Nordic Fintech Highlights with Janne Salminen

These recurring episodes provided an invaluable overview of the trends shaping the Nordic fintech scene. From central bank digital currencies to embedded finance innovations, Janne helped us unpack the stories that mattered most. His expertise and ability to connect the dots across regional developments were invaluable.

The Art of Exploration

As we prepare for Season 11 and look forward to 2025, I’m reminded of the importance of exploration, not just in podcasting or painting, but in life and business. Whether it’s diving into a new project, adopting a new technology, or reimagining a business model, the willingness to take risks is what drives growth and innovation.

For banks, this means moving beyond traditional products and services. It means embracing trends like platform banking, embedded finance, and customer-centricity. And it means asking tough questions: Are we adapting quickly enough? Are we meeting customers where they are? Are we willing to fail and learn in the pursuit of something greater?

A Festive Thank You

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To our listeners, thank you for joining us on this journey. Your feedback, engagement, and support have been the fuel that keeps Fintech Daydreaming alive. As we celebrate five years and ten seasons, Ville and I are filled with gratitude and excitement for what’s to come.

This holiday season, I encourage you to embrace your own galaxy painting moment—whatever that might look like. Take a leap, try something new, and don’t be afraid of imperfection. Because in the chaos, there’s always potential for something extraordinary.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and here’s to a bright and exploratory 2025.