Blog

As a long-time attendee, judge, and trusted voice at Finovate conferences, William Mills conducts on-site interviews with fintech’s most influential leaders. At this year’s FinovateFall in New York, he sat down with Mary Joseph, Senior Vice President of Strategic Investments at Citi, for an insightful conversation on the future of fintech.

Mary shared her expert views on the evolution of compliance technologies, the challenges and opportunities in emerging markets, and how to identify resilient investment opportunities during times of economic uncertainty. She also discussed how niche fintechs can grow into successful platform companies and offered a global perspective on where fintech is headed.

Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews and highlights from FinovateFall.

Watch the full interview below.

In today’s competitive fintech landscape, having cutting-edge technology is only part of the equation. Without strong visibility, even the most innovative companies can struggle to gain traction. That’s where a strategic public relations program becomes essential, not just for awareness, but for driving real business outcomes.

Just a few weeks ago, on September 17, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point, constituting the first rate cut of the year. In its wake, a deluge of commentary and punditry overtook print, broadcast and social media, as subject matter experts across a wide range of industries got their takes in about the Fed. This is far from new or surprising, of course. Nearly all Fed decisions are accompanied by a bevy of coverage and commentary, even when the Fed decides to do nothing. When the Fed does something like cutting rates, the aftermath is fertile ground for public relations professionals to get their clients’ opinions published. 

AI-driven search has significantly altered the way people seek information – and the way brands show up in digital channels. As a result, fintechs are being challenged to navigate this new normal and enhance how their organizations are represented in AI-generated results across platforms such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google’s AI overviews and more. In this new landscape, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) has become a critical imperative.

What is Finovate? Why and how is it different from other events? How do we maximize event participation? What do I need to know to have a great Finovate demo?

As we move toward the end of the year, there is some reason for optimism in the fintech space as global fintech funding reached $11 billion in Q2 2025. This represents a 22 percent increase over Q1 2025 as well as a 22 percent YOY increase. This is notable as it signals the strongest quarterly performance and first time the industry has seen funding cross the $10 billion mark in almost three years.

As FinovateFall 2025 approaches, we look back at a standout moment from FinovateSpring earlier this year, where William Mills sat down with AI keynote speaker and author Sharon Gai. In their conversation, Sharon discussed how artificial intelligence has been reshaping the fintech landscape, offering clear insights into the differences between narrow and general AI. She reflected on the evolution of organizational structures in response to AI advancements and highlighted the importance of cultural relativism in global business expansion. Drawing from her international experience, she emphasized that adaptability and learning agility had become crucial skills as payment systems evolved and AI continued to transform cross-border operations. 

Looking ahead, William Mills will return to FinovateFall 2025 as a judge, bringing his deep expertise to evaluate the next wave of fintech innovations. Tune in for more insightful interviews and expert commentary throughout the event.

Watch the full interview below.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned in more than three years of training in the gym is this: progress comes from sustained, consistent effort. Muscle builds a few sets at a time. Day after day after day. Results show up slowly, but they do come.  

Before working in fintech communications, I was a relationship banker at one of the largest banks in the U.S. I spent my days perfecting how to talk with clients about their financial goals, answer tough questions, and earn their trust. 

As this fall’s conference agendas are rolling out, one thing is clear: everyone wants to talk about agentic AI. This newest form of artificial intelligence is just the next step in the recent AI transformation we find ourselves in – not just in financial services, but across every industry.