Introducing the Businesses Behind the Conversation
Debbie with Jens (middle) and Jovi (right)
Jens Podewski outlines FinXP’s role as an e-money institution operating in the B2B space for over a decade. The company provides financial infrastructure including accounts, cards and cross-border payment solutions, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently. With a long-standing career in payments, including experience at Deutsche Bank, Jens brings deep industry expertise to the discussion.
Jovi Overo introduces ONE.io as a payments platform designed to support businesses moving funds across borders, currencies and asset classes. With operations spanning multiple jurisdictions, the company aims to act as a single partner for complex financial flows. Jovi’s background spans two decades in financial services, from trading to fintech, with a clear passion for Banking as a Service.
The Energy and Themes of Pay360
Both speakers highlight the strong sense of momentum at Pay360, with innovation and trust emerging as key themes across the event. While new technologies such as AI continue to generate discussion, the emphasis on trust reflects the industry’s need to balance rapid innovation with reliability and compliance.
For Jovi, the companies best positioned for success are those that can bridge this gap effectively, combining technological advancement with dependable infrastructure.
From Operational Need to Strategic Partnership
The conversation explores how the partnership between FinXP and ONE.io began. Initially driven by a practical requirement, ONE.io needed a Banking as a Service provider capable of delivering a seamless migration with no disruption to clients.
FinXP stepped in to meet this need, and what began as a solution to a specific challenge has since evolved into a strategic partnership. Both organisations now work closely together, not as vendor and client, but as aligned teams collaborating on shared goals.
This approach, built on open communication and mutual understanding, is described as central to the partnership’s success.
What Makes a Strong FinTech Partnership
A recurring theme throughout the discussion is the importance of transparency, trust and reliability. Both leaders emphasise that strong partnerships are rooted in honest communication, including the ability to have direct and sometimes difficult conversations.
Jovi highlights the need for clarity and openness, while Jens points to alignment and consistency as critical factors. Together, they stress that effective collaboration depends not only on technical capability, but also on shared values and clear communication.
Understanding Banking as a Service
Banking as a Service is presented as a powerful enabler within the financial ecosystem. From FinXP’s perspective, it provides businesses with access to regulated infrastructure such as accounts and payment capabilities without the need to build these systems independently.
This lowers barriers to entry and accelerates innovation, allowing companies like ONE.io to focus on their core offering while relying on trusted partners for the underlying financial infrastructure.
However, Jovi challenges common misconceptions around BaaS. He argues that it is often underestimated as a simple plug-and-play solution, when in reality it is critical infrastructure that businesses depend on entirely. Reliability, compliance and scalability are therefore essential when selecting a provider.
Collaboration as a Necessity, Not a Choice
The discussion moves on to the broader fintech ecosystem, where collaboration between banks, e-money institutions and fintech companies is described as inevitable.
No single organisation can deliver every aspect of financial services at scale, making partnerships essential. Success depends on recognising strengths and limitations, and working with the right partners to deliver a more complete and effective solution.
Both speakers agree that honest self-assessment and strong communication are key to making these collaborations work.
The Evolution of Cross-Border Payments
Cross-border payments remain a major focus area, with both speakers acknowledging ongoing challenges around speed, cost and transparency.
Stablecoins are highlighted as a significant development, offering faster and more transparent alternatives to traditional systems. The current infrastructure is often described as complex and opaque, whereas emerging solutions aim to provide greater clarity and efficiency.
In addition, open banking, real-time payment rails and API-driven integration are seen as critical to improving the overall experience for businesses and consumers alike.
Looking Ahead: Key Areas of Innovation
When considering the future of fintech, both leaders point to digital identity as a major area of opportunity over the next three to five years. Improved identity solutions could streamline compliance processes and enable more seamless financial interactions.
While AI continues to attract attention, both speakers take a measured view of its impact within payments, suggesting that its value will depend on targeted and practical implementation rather than widespread disruption.
A Personal Perspective on Financial Inclusion
The episode concludes with a more personal reflection on the future of fintech. Jovi shares his hope that the industry will do more to support financially underserved populations, drawing on his own experiences growing up in a household with limited financial knowledge.
He highlights the need for greater financial education and access to services, particularly for underbanked communities both in the UK and globally.
Jens reinforces this point, emphasising the importance of education in helping individuals understand and engage with financial tools and technologies.
Final Thoughts
This episode offers a clear and practical insight into the realities of modern fintech, from the complexity of Banking as a Service to the critical role of collaboration and trust.
As the industry continues to evolve, the conversation underscores a central message: innovation alone is not enough. Success will depend on building reliable partnerships, delivering real value and ensuring that financial services become more accessible for all.
