FinTech Connector

Creating win-win partnerships, Making better partnerships, Member Exclusive, Who owns the customer

January in Review: When partnership becomes the product

• Key partnerships now focus less on bolt-on features and more on redesigning how financial services are embedded in everyday work.
• This approach is reflected in three partnerships announced in January 2026.

10-Q, Member Exclusive

How a Brazilian digital bank is restructuring the fintech playbook – and why Wall Street is listening

• Agibank is the second Brazilian fintech in recent weeks to opt for a US IPO over a local listing.
• The trend suggests that foreign companies are increasingly viewing the US not just for valuation gains, but as a strategic destination for capital, branding, and global talent.

Embedded Finance, Member Exclusive, Payments

Making payments part of the workflow: Embedded finance in 2026

• Embedded finance solutions that simplify oversight and plug directly into existing workflows are winning.
• Eva Reda, EVP and GM at Amex, shares insights on embedded finance’s impact on commercial payments and its trajectory in 2026.

Banking, SMB Finance

Inside Bank of America’s plan to own the small business relationship

• Bank of America is building tools that address tariffs, cashflow gaps, and employee retention simultaneously.
• The bank is betting integration beats specialization as digital competitors chase individual pain points.

10-Q, Member Exclusive

When Midwest roots meet Sun Belt growth: Fifth Third’s big bet on scale and relevance

• With a $10.9 billion all-stock bid for Comerica, Fifth Third makes one of the most consequential regional banking moves of 2025.
• The Cincinnati-based regional bank balances a storied legacy with modern financial strategy and scale.