In this episode of the Fintech Fun podcast, Chris Titley sits down with Jason Leong, CEO and co-founder of PocketSmith, a bootstrapped New Zealand fintech helping households worldwide take control of their finances.

Jason shares the 17-year journey of transforming PocketSmith from a simple cash flow calendar into a global platform used in 190 countries. He explains the concept of the “home CFO,” why true financial data ownership matters, and how Consumer Data Right (CDR) in Australia is reshaping open banking.

From handling unexpected expenses to tackling bill shock, Jason discusses practical budgeting approaches, the psychology of money management, and how PocketSmith adapts to the evolving needs of budget planners, investors, and digital nomads. He also opens up about the role AI should play in personal finance, cultural differences in money mindsets, and his personal passions for travel hacks and sneaker collecting.

Tune in to discover how you can become your own “pocket smith,” crafting a financially confident future for yourself and your household.

00:00 – 00:14: Introduction to Jason Leong and PocketSmith’s global reach.

00:14 – 01:37: Founding story of PocketSmith, naming the company, and bootstrapped origins.

01:37 – 04:09: The “home CFO” concept and solving the time drain of managing finances.

04:09 – 06:26: Understanding net worth, data ownership, and the rise of open banking.

06:26 – 08:20: Segmenting personal finance users – planners, investors, and digital nomads.

08:20 – 11:35: CDR’s role in Australia, data access challenges, and global integration.

11:35 – 13:11: How Australians think about money vs. Kiwis and the cultural differences.

13:11 – 15:28: Managing financial emotions, reducing stress, and time-saving benefits.

15:28 – 19:40: Evolution of PocketSmith’s features and customer-driven product changes.

19:40 – 23:14: Handling unexpected expenses, rollover budgeting, and financial flexibility.

23:14 – 24:59: Tracking savings goals, budget optimization, and behavior-driven insights.

24:59 – 27:11: Shifting financial aspirations and Gen Z’s surprising money habits.

27:11 – 29:54: The Australian fintech ecosystem, partnerships, and CDR’s progress.

29:54 – 33:21: AI’s role in finance, risks of hallucinations, and cautious adoption.

33:21 – 35:30: PocketSmith’s future roadmap and feature improvements.

35:30 – 42:24: Founder spotlight – Jason’s reflections on life, travel, and sneaker collecting.

42:24 – 43:55: How to get started with PocketSmith and its human-centered approach.

Jason Leong's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonleong/

PocketSmith - https://www.pocketsmith.com/

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In this episode of the Fintech Fun podcast, Chris Titley chats with Michael Ragavan, founder of Our Leg Up, a revolutionary financial service aiming to tackle wealth inequality by making homeownership more accessible. Michael shares how Our Leg Up enables aspiring homeowners to purchase properties with just a 5% deposit, eliminating the need for lenders' mortgage insurance and providing competitive interest rates.

He discusses the platform’s unique partnership model that connects equity-rich investors, banks, and aspiring homeowners, all while mitigating financial risks. Michael also touches on the challenges of educating the market, the role of partnerships in scaling, and the company’s global aspirations. Tune in to hear how Michael’s innovative approach is redefining the Australian dream of homeownership and how AI is playing a role in streamlining the process.

00:00 - 00:17: Introduction and Michael’s live check-in from Mexico.

00:17 - 01:07: Origins of Our Leg Up – Tackling wealth inequality and barriers to homeownership.

01:07 - 01:47: The changing landscape of the Australian dream and how Our Leg Up fits in.

01:47 - 02:48: The unique partnership model connecting investors, banks, and aspiring homeowners.

02:48 - 03:25: Investor benefits and how returns are structured.

03:25 - 04:26: Geographic reach and the potential for global expansion.

04:26 - 05:43: Risk mitigation and preparedness for economic shocks.

05:43 - 06:41: Building and scaling the business with a lean team.

06:41 - 07:57: Scaling through partnerships and educating the market.

07:57 - 08:48: Leveraging AI for customer support, risk assessment, and productivity.

08:48 - 11:02: Personal interests: Soccer, drumming, and FIFA on PlayStation.

11:02 - 11:46: Looking ahead: Plans to support 50-100 property purchases in 2025.

11:46 - 12:23: Funding milestones and goals for growth in 2025.

Our Leg Up: Platform enabling aspiring homeowners to purchase property with a 5% deposit.

AI in Financial Services: Used for risk assessment, customer support, and secondary analysis.

Basel III Framework: Underpinning the scalability of Our Leg Up across 100+ countries.

Carnatic Drums: Michael’s early foray into music and stress relief.

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In this episode of the FinTech Fun podcast, Chris Titley interviews Jamie Twiss, CEO of Before Pay Group. Jamie dives into Beforepay’s innovative approach to short-term lending and its mission-driven model that offers Australians a transparent, ethical alternative to predatory payday loans. He also discusses the company’s enterprise software arm, Carrington Labs, and its expansion into the U.S. market. Jamie shares insights on the role of AI and machine learning in credit decisions, the challenges of scaling automation, and how Beforepay has become a lifeline for Australians facing unexpected expenses. Tune in for a mix of fintech innovation, personal stories, and a touch of Russian literature!

00:00 - 01:28: Introduction and Beforepay 101 – How it started and its two business arms.

01:28 - 02:52: Addressing small, short-term financial needs with a mission-driven model.

02:52 - 03:53: Automated processes and personalized repayment schedules.

03:53 - 05:46: Managing credit risk ethically and balancing profitability.

05:46 - 07:27: Customer insights: Coping with inflation and the spectrum of financial needs.

07:27 - 09:41: Carrington Labs – Expansion into the U.S. and global opportunities.

09:41 - 11:03: Launching new personal loan products and their market impact.

11:03 - 14:25: Using AI and machine learning to enhance credit decision-making.

14:25 - 16:00: Jamie’s personal interests – From Russian literature to marathon running.

Beforepay App: Offering quick, short-term pay advance solutions with a flat 5% fee.

Carrington Labs: Enterprise software arm licensing advanced credit decision-making tools.

Russian Literature: Jamie's passion for classics that explore the human experience.

Sydney Marathon: Jamie’s yearly running challenge.

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June 2024 – Vanta Fintechfun