About this episode:
Host Benjamin Ensor, Director of Research and Strategy at 11:FS, is joined by a fantastic panel of guests as we dive into some of the biggest stories from the worlds of fintech, banking, and wider financial services this week.
Stories covered on the podcast this week include:
On this week’s final news show of the year, we hear from GoCardless about their exciting acquisition by Mollie. It’s been a big week for Monzo, which has secured an Irish banking licence and acquired UK mortgage brand Habito. We also take a look at Orange Payments and Visa’s new partnership, aimed at accelerating online payments across the African market. Finally, as a festive finisher, we examine the latest Gen Z Christmas spending habits which sparks a wider conversation about our panel’s worst Christmas gifts.
This week's guests:
- Hiroki Takeuchi, CEO at GoCardless
- Jas Shah,Fintech Product Expert & Author @Fintech: Under the Hood
Timestamps/stories
Intro - (00:00)
GoCardless acquired by Mollie-(05:36)
Monzo secures EU licence; opens Irish waitlist-(16:38)
Orange Money Group and Visa Announce a Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Online Payments in Africa-(28:27)
BBVA doubles down on ChatGPT with OpenAI alliance - (35:59)
Savvy Gifting This Christmas to Kickstart Brits; 2026 Financial Goals: HSBC UK Survey- (45:39)
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Links to check out:
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About 11:FS
At 11:FS, we don’t just talk digital - we make it happen. We're building truly digital financial services by partnering with bold teams to take them from market insights to real-world products. Whether you're an incumbent innovating or a startup breaking new ground, we bring the strategy, research, design, and delivery to make it real. Less talk, more impact.Proud winners of the British Bank Award for Consultancy of the Year - five times and counting.
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About Fintech Insider:
Fintech Insider by 11:FS is a bi-weekly podcast that covers everything from finance and banking to technology and the latest trends in financial services.
Our expert hosts, with hands-on industry experience, are joined by key decision-makers, VCs, and top reporters from across the financial landscape, including guests from companies like Stripe, Revolut, Plaid, PayPal, and Monzo. Together, they break down the biggest news and innovations shaping the space.
Our weekly news show drops every Monday, covering major stories like mergers, new product launches, regulatory shifts, and emerging tech trends. On Thursdays, our Insights show goes deeper into the hottest topics driving the future of finance, including AI in banking, decentralised finance, and the evolving landscape of embedded finance.
Whether you're already in the fintech game or just starting to explore, this is the #1 podcast for you.
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