In this episode of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller sits down with Stephanie Mazzone, SVP of Marketing at Vikar Technologies, to explore how community banks and credit unions are modernizing onboarding without replacing their core systems. Stephanie shares real-world examples of how Vikar helps smaller institutions eliminate manual processes and move from days-long onboarding to minutes.

They also discuss the practical role of AI in a highly regulated banking environment - from workflow automation to risk flagging - and what digital transformation actually looks like for community-focused financial institutions. If you’re looking to level the playing field with larger banks while staying compliant and efficient, this conversation offers clear, actionable insight.

Key Moments:

04:46 Manual Processes in Community Banking

07:56 "Success Stories"

10:15 "Technology Revolutionizing Business Growth"

13:12 "ViKar: Modernizing Community Banks"

About the guest :

Stephanie Mazzone began her career decades ago on the banking side, witnessing firsthand the highly manual, time-consuming processes involved in onboarding accounts and managing loans. Frustrated by the inefficiencies of paperwork and manual data entry, Stephanie transitioned to the technology sector. Drawing on her unique perspective and deep understanding of banking challenges, she now dedicates her work to helping banks and credit unions modernize, streamline operations, and embrace digital solutions that replace the outdated manual methods she saw at the start of her journey.

How to connect Stephanie :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-mazzone/

About the host :

Stan Altshuller is a leading figure at the intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence. As an investor, founder, and advisor, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top hedge funds, asset managers, and data companies, helping them leverage technology for smarter decision-making and growth. Stan hosts the Momentum podcast, where each week he shares practical AI strategies designed to help financial professionals cut through the noise, beat data overload, and build intelligent, data-driven workflows. With a passion for exploring what’s next in finance, Stan empowers his audience to stay ahead of the curve by turning ideas into actionable results.

Connect Stan :

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanalt/

Website www.acadia.im

In this episode of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller sits down with Leonid Flek, Head of Commercial at Stream OS, to unpack how agentic AI is finally solving the most painful part of financial operations - everything that happens after a contract is signed and before revenue is realized.

They explore real-world use cases from data-driven companies, why traditional tools fail to handle complex agreements, and where AI truly adds value versus where human oversight still matters. If your finance or data teams are stuck in manual workflows, broken handoffs, and operational bottlenecks, this conversation cuts through the hype and shows how proactive AI agents can drive clarity, speed, and measurable outcomes.

Key Moments:

01:12 From Data to Stream OS

04:56 "Streamlining Post-Contract Workflows"

06:48 "Client Praise for Simplifying Contracts"

09:48 "AI's Impact on Workflows"

15:22 "Managing AI Noise Effectively"

18:41 The Future of Agentic AI

19:31 "Full-Service Streaming Management"

24:00 "Key Message to Prospects"

25:47 "Focus on Outcomes, Not AI"

Leonid Flek is a finance and data operations leader and the Head of Commercial at streamOS, where he helps companies use agentic AI to automate complex finance workflows. He is best known for his leadership at SEI Novus, where he helped pivot the firm from analytics to a data-first model - unlocking greater value for investment teams and contributing to the company’s successful acquisition.

With deep experience across finance, data, and operations, Leonid brings a practical, operator’s perspective on where AI truly delivers impact.

How to connect Leonid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonid-flek-54b62123

About the host :

Stan Altshuller is a leading figure at the intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence. As an investor, founder, and advisor, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top hedge funds, asset managers, and data companies, helping them leverage technology for smarter decision-making and growth. Stan hosts the Momentum podcast, where each week he shares practical AI strategies designed to help financial professionals cut through the noise, beat data overload, and build intelligent, data-driven workflows. With a passion for exploring what’s next in finance, Stan empowers his audience to stay ahead of the curve by turning ideas into actionable results.

Connect Stan :

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanalt/

Website www.acadia.im

In this episode of Momentum: Where FinTech Meets AI, Stan Altshuller sits down with Shea Malcolmson, Director of Sales at Apaylo, to unpack how technology is reshaping access to banking and payments across Canada. From newcomers and high-risk businesses to emerging markets, Shea shares how FinTech innovation and AI are breaking long-standing barriers in one of the world’s most conservative financial systems.

They dive into the realities of modernizing Canadian payments - tackling compliance, fraud detection, and customer experience through automation and AI-driven workflows. You’ll also hear how Halo’s mission-driven approach is redefining what “financial inclusion” means in a digital-first world.
If you’re curious about where FinTech, AI, and social impact intersect, this conversation delivers the insight and inspiration to rethink what’s possible in finance.

Key Moments:

01:08 Artist to Payments Innovator

06:08 Canada's Banking Challenges and Solutions

07:43 "Fintech vs. Bank Risk Metrics"

12:56 Empowering Employees with AI Tools

16:26 "Immigrant Success and Growth"

19:03 "Regulation, Blockchain, and Innovation"

20:29 Financial Partnership Insights Shared

About the guest :

Shea Malcolmson is a driving force behind innovative solutions in Canada's traditionally slow-moving, tightly held banking sector. Recognizing that the country's secure but oligopolistic banks can make financial innovation difficult, Shea became committed to helping those who struggle to access mainstream banking. Through initiatives like Halo, Shea empowers individuals with limited bank relationships by leveraging cutting-edge bank and payment services, striving to make Canada’s financial landscape more inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Connect Shea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheamalcolmson/

About the host :

Stan Altshuller is a leading figure at the intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence. As an investor, founder, and advisor, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top hedge funds, asset managers, and data companies, helping them leverage technology for smarter decision-making and growth. Stan hosts the Momentum podcast, where each week he shares practical AI strategies designed to help financial professionals cut through the noise, beat data overload, and build intelligent, data-driven workflows. With a passion for exploring what’s next in finance, Stan empowers his audience to stay ahead of the curve by turning ideas into actionable results.

Connect Stan :

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanalt/

Website www.acadia.im