10-Q, Member Exclusive

A tale of two innovations: Square’s AI edge for SMBs and Morgan Stanley’s code makeover

  • We track two new AI developments this week from well-known public companies: Square and Morgan Stanley.
  • We analyze how Square’s Conversational AI signals a broader transformation in small business tech, and shed light on Morgan Stanley’s work addressing a critical, yet often ignored, AI issue.
close

Email a Friend

A tale of two innovations: Square’s AI edge for SMBs and Morgan Stanley’s code makeover

    From payments to investments: The divergent paths of AI transformation


    It’s a new week of the 10Q edition, and the conversation around AI isn’t slowing down. And judging by the pace of innovation, companies are in no mood to rest. 

    We track two new AI developments this week from well-known public companies: Square, the payments and commerce unit of Block, and legacy bank Morgan Stanley.

    AI In Payments: How Square’s Conversational AI Assistant signals a shift in SMB tech — and why it matters

    Square has introduced a conversational AI assistant, Square AI, to help sellers by answering questions about using Square’s business technology platform and providing insights into their own business trends.

    In a time when nearly every company is racing to slap AI onto a product label, Square’s latest move feels different, not because it’s more technically sophisticated, but because it directly addresses a chronic pain point for small business owners: decision paralysis in the face of complexity.


    subscription wall for TS Pro

    0 comments on “A tale of two innovations: Square’s AI edge for SMBs and Morgan Stanley’s code makeover”

    Designing new products, Member Exclusive, The Customer Effect

    Gen Z’s new financial playbook: Not just digital, but guided

    • The old financial services formula of early capture, single-product selling, and assumed lifetime loyalty is beginning to crack.
    • This shift is giving rise to a new form of financial trust among Gen Z, combining digital ease with real-world guidance.
    Sara Khairi | December 04, 2025
    10-Q, Member Exclusive

    Klarna’s American drive and SoFi’s crypto comeback

    • Klarna and SoFi may be landing different kinds of blows, yet both remain firmly in the fight for meaningful growth.
    • Their trajectories reveal broader lessons for fintechs and banks.
    Sara Khairi | November 24, 2025
    Business of Fintech, Member Exclusive, SMB Finance

    Putting small businesses first: AI, trust, and the human side of finance

    • At this year’s Money 20/20, conversations went beyond payments and embedded finance to how technology can truly support America’s smallest businesses.
    • Two fintechs shone in the discussion: Hello Alice, which aims to make capital more accessible, and Bluevine, a banking platform tailored for SMBs and sole proprietors. Different strategies, same focus -- putting SMB owners first.
    Sara Khairi | November 20, 2025
    10-Q, Member Exclusive

    The fintechs that refuse to stand still

    • Robinhood, Upstart, and LendingClub tell a bigger story about where fintech is likely headed in 2026.
    • Robinhood is chasing the frontier, Upstart is testing its own limits, and LendingClub is proving that sometimes, the most radical thing a fintech can do is simply perform like a bank.
    Sara Khairi | November 17, 2025
    10-Q, Member Exclusive

    The Loyalty Flywheel: How Truist is turning its new business card into a relationship engine

    • In the scramble for SMB loyalty, cards are becoming the new first handshake.
    • With its new SMB-focused card, Truist aims to build an interconnected ecosystem that deepens engagement with every use.
    Sara Khairi | November 10, 2025
    More Articles