Leaders In Payments and FinTech - The EDC Podcast

In this episode, Mark Beresford and Amine Saidi of Edgar, Dunn & Company talk with Erich Litch, General Manager of Payments Software, and Phil Bruno, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at ACI Worldwide, about how banks can modernize legacy platforms without risking a full-scale overhaul. From convergence across payment rails to the growing role of orchestration, they explain why modernization is no longer optional for financial institutions.

 

They also explore how real-time payments are reshaping global markets—from Brazil’s Pix to India’s UPI—while open banking creates new opportunities for value-added services. Erich and Phil share how AI and emerging agentic AI are being used to fight fraud, streamline transactions, and automate back-office tasks, helping banks compete with fintechs on speed and customer experience.

 

Join us as we explore how modernization, AI, and new payment models are redefining financial services worldwide.

In this episode: 

• Modernizing legacy banking platforms without full-scale replacement
• Convergence across payment rails as a driver of efficiency and flexibility
• Real-time payments adoption in Brazil, India, and the US
• Open banking as an enabler of value-added services and innovation
• AI in payments intelligence: fraud detection, transaction optimization, customer experience
• Emerging role of agentic AI in automating back-office tasks
• Stablecoins and cross-border crypto transfers as future payment options
• Payments innovation’s potential for financial inclusion—and its cost challenges
• Why traditional banks remain the backbone of global financial systems

Resources:

LinkedIn (Erich Litch): https://www.linkedin.com/in/erich-litch-500548 

LinkedIn (Philip Bruno): https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-bruno 

Website: https://www.aciworldwide.com 

Jaya Vaidhyanathan, CEO of BCT Digital, and EDC Director Mark Beresford discuss the evolution of AI in financial services

In this episode, Mark Beresford, Director at Edgar, Dunn & Company, talks with Jaya Vaidhyanathan, CEO of BCT Digital, about how big data and AI are revolutionizing risk and compliance. From fraud prevention and real-time monitoring to climate risk modeling for insurers, Jaya explains how AI delivers insights beyond human capability and why it works best as a collaboration between machines and human judgment.

 

They also explore why we’re at an AI “inflection point,” what it means for the future of work, and how early adoption can keep you competitive. Jaya shares lessons from her own career—spanning investment banking, global consulting, and entrepreneurship—including navigating gender bias and building resilience in male-dominated industries.

 

Join us for a forward-looking conversation on AI’s role in reshaping financial services—and why the time to act is now.

 

In this episode: 

• Gender representation and challenges for women in tech, finance, and entrepreneurship
• How big data fuels AI-driven risk and compliance solutions
• Real-time fraud detection using AI and pattern matching
• Applying AI to climate risk modeling for insurance
• Why AI’s “inflection point” is comparable to the advent of the internet
• AI as a collaboration between machine insights and human judgment
• The impact of AI on the future of work and job roles
• Importance of early adoption to stay competitive in financial services

 

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaya-vaidhyanathan-26039510

Website: https://www.bctdigital.ai 

In this episode, Greg Toussaint, Director at Edgar, Dunn & Company, chats with Jacques-Olivier Schatz, CEO of Xpollens. Jacques-Olivier unpacks what embedded payments really mean and how they’re showing up in everyday experiences—from travel reimbursements and instant payouts to crypto wallets and marketplaces. He shares how Xpollens helps companies bring payments directly into their user flows without compromising on security or compliance.

 

They talk about how regulation, often seen as a blocker, can actually drive innovation when built in from day one. Jacques-Olivier also shares why banks and fintechs need to work together, and what the rise of AI agents could mean for the future of payments.

 

Join us for a conversation on what’s changing in the payments space—and why embedded finance is more than just a buzzword.

In this episode: 

• Defining embedded payments from a “Banking-as-a-Service” perspective
• Real-world use cases: travel, insurance, crypto, marketplaces, and gambling
• How modular payment solutions create seamless, real-time user experiences
• Regulation as an enabler—especially with the rise of e-invoicing in Europe
• Building compliance, security, and automation into payment APIs from day one
• Bridging the gap between fintech agility and bank robustness
• The future role of AI agents in commerce and payments
• Challenges ahead: security, consent, and responsibility in AI-driven transactions

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacques-olivier-schatz-b3062720 

Website: https://www.xpollens.com

In this episode, Mark Beresford sits down with Mike Carlo, CEO of XanderPay, and Rohan Shaju, Consultant at EDC, to delve into the hidden potential of hotel payment systems and the strategic changes reshaping the industry. Mike shares his insights on the transition from traditional property-level payments to innovative centralized systems. He reflects on the complexities of hotel ownership models and the advancements needed for seamless guest experiences.

Rohan provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities identified through his extensive research, including the role of centralization, AI, and payment orchestration in optimizing hotel revenue and customer satisfaction. Together, they explore the transformative power of centralized payment systems and the potential impact on the future of hospitality.

Join us as we explore the future of hotel payments, the technological innovations on the horizon, and the strategies hotels can implement today to stay ahead in a competitive industry.

In this episode, Volker Schloenvoigt meets with Kamran Hedjri, Group CEO of PXP, to explore the evolution of payment processing and the strategic transformations shaping the industry. Kamran shares his journey from software development to leading a global payments company, reflecting on the challenges of navigating ever-changing regulations, including the evolving PSD framework, and the growing complexity of cross-border payments. He discusses how PXP has embraced AI, real-time business intelligence, and intelligent payment routing to deliver a seamless and unified commerce experience.

Join us as we dive into the future of payments, the impact of regulatory shifts, and the innovations driving the next era of financial services.

In this episode, Mark Beresford, Head of the Retail and Hospitality Practice and Director in the London Office at Edgar Dunn & Company, speaks with Adam Katz, Founder & CEO of Kooltra, about the challenges and opportunities in foreign exchange (FX) and cross-border payments.

They explore how Kooltra provides infrastructure solutions for financial institutions, enabling them to streamline multi-currency operations, compliance, treasury, and transaction monitoring. Adam discusses why many banks and fintechs struggle to scale FX and cross-border payments, the impact of pricing competition, and how Kooltra helps firms modernize their infrastructure without costly in-house development.

Tune in for a deep dive into the future of FX infrastructure, the increasing complexity of treasury management, and strategies to optimize cross-border payments.

In this episode, Mark Beresford, Head of the Retail and Hospitality Practice, and Director in the London Office at Edgar Dunn & Company, speaks with Nitin Pulyani, Head of Product Development at Cashfree Payments, about India’s rapidly evolving digital payments ecosystem.

They discuss how Cashfree has positioned itself as a key enabler of seamless, API-driven payment solutions for businesses, addressing the country’s unique challenges and opportunities in online transactions, real-time payments, and regulatory shifts.The conversation explores India’s booming fintech landscape, the impact of UPI on innovation, and how Cashfree is driving financial inclusion while scaling its operations in a dynamic market.

Tune in for a deep dive into the future of payments in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.

In this episode, Jean Sideris, Director for the MENA region at Edgar Dunn & Company, speaks with Suryaveer Singh, Head of Loyalty, CRM and Data Analytics at Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC). Suryaveer shares his journey into the loyalty space and the development of Yes Rewards, ENOC's innovative loyalty program. They discuss the challenges of operating in a regulated fuel industry, strategies to drive customers toward higher-margin non-fuel services, and the importance of data protection and GDPR compliance.

Suryaveer highlights the success of Yes Rewards and reveals plans to expand the program through new partnerships, enhancing customer engagement and value beyond fuel services.

Join us for insights into loyalty, data, and payment innovations shaping the UAE’s dynamic retail market!