What went wrong, what we learned, and what’s next?

In this reflective episode of In Check with Fintech, Rogier sits down with two of PCN’s top recruiters, Nathan Southerton & Kevin Daul, to break down the key challenges, trends, and lessons from 2024’s fintech and fintech hiring landscapes.

This year brought a perfect storm: slower hiring processes, skills gaps, layoffs, and shifting talent demands, leaving recruiters and founders asking, “How do we find the right people to drive our businesses forward?”

In this episode, we cover:

- Major industry shifts: The rise of embedded finance, AI advancements, and regulatory changes.

- Hiring realities in 2024: Layoffs, leadership gaps, and the growing demand for niche skills.

- How freelance talent bridged gaps and changed the hiring landscape.

- What fintech companies and candidates can do to succeed in 2025.

Whether you’re interested in fintech innovation, recruitment strategies, or building a career in this dynamic space, this episode offers insights you can’t afford to miss.

Keywords: fintech recruitment, embedded finance, AI in fintech, regulatory challenges, fintech trends, hiring strategies, freelance talent, leadership roles, compliance skills.

Can Europe create a unified solution to cross-border payments?

In this episode, Christian Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode, unpacks his ambitious vision for 'payment roaming,' a system designed to eliminate barriers in the fragmented European payments landscape. By leveraging partnerships and existing infrastructure, Bluecode aims to simplify payments across borders and redefine how we transact globally.

You can also watch the episode on YouTube!

PCN CEO and podcast host, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, and Christian explore:

• The obstacles preventing seamless cross-border payments.
• How Bluecode is making interoperability a reality through strategic partnerships.
• The role of existing infrastructure in scaling innovation efficiently.
• The implications of Bluecode’s latest partnership for Europe and beyond.
• What the future of payments could look like with global interoperability.

This episode takes a closer look at the challenges, innovations, and solutions shaping the future of payments. If you’re curious about how Europe can reclaim its position as a leader in financial technology, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Keywords: Cross-border payments, payment interoperability, fintech innovation, European fintech, global transactions, Bluecode technology, future of payments, payment roaming, seamless payments, fintech leadership, digital finance solutions.

Is Europe losing its place in the global fintech race? In this eye-opening episode, Christian Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode, discusses the pressing challenges facing the payment industry and what it takes to create smarter, more secure payment experiences.

PCN CEO and podcast host, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, and Christian Pirkner dive into:

• Why the systems we trust might be holding us back.
• How Bluecode is simplifying rewards and creating a frictionless checkout experience.
• The silent trade-off you’re making with your money and why it matters.
• How Bluecode plans to reclaim Europe’s place in the global payment game.
• What’s next for seamless, secure, and smarter transactions.

This episode tackles big questions about consumer habits, digital innovation, and the future of payments in Europe. If you’ve ever wondered whether payment systems could work better for you, tune in and discover how Bluecode is paving the way.

Keywords: Digital payments, payment systems, loyalty programs, data privacy, fintech innovation, European fintech, consumer behavior, seamless payments, Bluecode technology, future of payments, Bluecode’s technology, competitive payment system

What does the future of payments look like at Mastercard? In this episode, Jan-Willem van der Schoot, Country Manager Netherlands at Mastercard, provides a closer look at Mastercard’s approach to innovation, from AI-driven solutions to advancing digital payments on a global scale.

In conversation with our CEO, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, Jan-Willem discusses his journey in the payments industry, Mastercard’s focus on data security, and the company’s role in supporting fintech growth. They also touch on the evolving landscape of financial inclusion and how Mastercard is navigating the balance between customer privacy and technological advancement.

We hope you enjoy this insightful conversation!

How is Visa driving innovation in the payments industry through AI and technology? In this episode, Jos van de Kerkhof, Country Manager Netherlands at Visa, discusses the changing landscape of payments and Visa’s role in shaping its future.

Our CEO, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, sits down with Jos to explore his journey in the payments industry, Visa's approach to innovation, and the impact of AI on payments. They also discuss how Visa addresses customer consent and data privacy in today's regulatory environment, along with key trends shaping the future of payments.

This season, we also have a video uploads of our episodes on YouTube!

Enjoy the conversation!

How is open banking revolutionising our financial landscape? Find out in this enlightening episode with Stefano Vaccino, Founder and CEO of Yapily, an infrastructure platform addressing a fundamental problem in financial services today: access.

In this episode, our CEO, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, has the pleasure of speaking with Stefano Vaccino, who shares his unique journey from academia to entrepreneurship, discussing the inspiration and pivotal moments that led him to start his own business.

The conversation dives into the challenges and rewards of being a solo founder, the initial struggles and breakthroughs in the early days of Yapily, balancing entrepreneurial ambitions with family life, the crucial role of family support in his journey, and much more.

Enjoy listening!

We’re celebrating 150 episodes of In Check with Fintech! 🎉

To mark this milestone, we’ve turned the tables this week by placing our host and PCN CEO, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, in the guest seat with Ivan McConville stepping in as the host!

From early inspirations and industry challenges to balancing family life and leadership, this episode dives deep into Rogier’s journey so far. 

Throughout the conversation, we explore the origins of the podcast which started as a way to give back to the Fintech community, and how it has evolved within the past years to feature the personal stories of founders and executives. 

Tune in for some interesting personal anecdotes, insights and an overall candid conversation you don’t want to miss!

What makes Berlin so special for entrepreneurs? Find out in this episode with Malte Rau from Pliant.

In this special episode of In Check with Fintech recorded live at FIBE 2024 in Berlin, our CEO, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, has the pleasure of hosting Malte Rau, Co-Founder and CEO at Pliant.

Throughout the conversation, they discuss Pliant’s recent funding of over €50 million and Malte’s biggest learnings along the way. From the value of hands-on experience versus formal education to fundraising challenges and strategic growth decisions, tune in to discover the insights, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped Malte’s entrepreneurial journey.

Enjoy listening!

How has the Fintech space evolved in the past years and what does the future look like for the market? Learn more about these in this episode of In Check with Fintech with Brian Lawlor from B4B Payments.

This week, our CEO, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, has the pleasure of joining Brian Lawlor, Group Chief Commercial Officer at B4B Payments, at their picturesque London office for an exciting episode of In Check with Fintech!

Throughout the conversation, they discuss the evolution of the Fintech market, the different applications of Banking as a Service and the opportunities within the space. From regulatory challenges to scalability solutions, Brian shares invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of the industry and gives a glimpse into the exciting possibilities ahead.

Enjoy listening!

What challenges does the banking industry face when it comes to implementing AI technologies? Find out in this episode, as Alexander Zwart from Rabobank shares his expertise and firsthand experiences implementing AI solutions within the banking space.

This week, our CEO, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, has the honour of hosting Alexander Zwart, Chief Innovation & Technology Officer at Rabobank on a live episode of In Check with Fintech recorded at the bank’s headquarters in Utrecht.

Throughout the episode, Alexander shares his career journey from selling soft drinks to leading innovation technology at one of the biggest banks in the Netherlands. He also speaks about the strategic focus areas at Rabobank, their approach to adopting GenAI, the importance of the team's psychological safety, and more.

From navigating regulatory landscapes to harnessing the power of data analytics, tune in to discover the key strategies driving innovation in the financial sector.

How is GenAI transforming the banking space? Find out in this episode, as Edwin van Bommel from ABN AMRO offers insights into the evolving role of AI in shaping our financial future.

This week, our CEO, Rogier Rouppe van der Voort, has the honour of hosting Edwin van Bommel, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at ABN AMRO on In Check with Fintech.

During the conversation, they discuss the transformative potential of GenAI in various sectors, touching on its impact on the job market and exploring real-world applications of AI, from enhancing customer service to revolutionizing internal processes. Edwin also dives into the ethical and regulatory considerations surrounding the development and implementation of AI technologies.

Tune in to discover how institutions like ABN AMRO are leveraging AI to foster innovation and address various challenges in the industry.