Pathward was named Partner Bank of the Year at the Tearsheet Big Bank Theory Awards 2026.
Will Sowell, Chief Customer Officer at Pathward, discusses what fintechs need from a bank partner today, balancing innovation with risk and compliance, and how Pathward is adapting to market changes.
Block has connected Square’s seller network with Cash App’s consumer base via Neighborhoods, giving local businesses a way to turn discovery into direct orders, customer relationships, and potentially repeat visits.
Neighborhoods is designed to bypass the traditional marketplace model. Its growth will depend on whether Cash App can generate meaningful customer demand and repeat spending without adding another layer of cost for sellers.
Block is betting voice AI could help Square become more valuable to merchants by improving the workflows that drive sales and service.
Turning this ambition into merchant value will depend on execution: accurate orders, useful recommendations, and measurable returns that justify the added cost.
