In this special episode of Fintech Daydreaming recorded live in Nordea headquarters in Helsinki, we sit down with Jyrki Katainen, Head of Public Relations at Nordea Bank and former Prime Minister of Finland, to explore his transition from politics to banking and what it means to lead public affairs for one of Europe’s largest financial institutions. Jyrki shares his reflections on moving from a career in politics to the private sector, detailing how his background shapes his approach to navigating policy and public relations in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

We dive into the dynamic relationship between government policy and the financial sector, examining how banks like Nordea contribute to shaping European financial policies and the critical role they play in society today. Jyrki offers his perspective on timely issues like financial literacy and inclusion—key priorities within the EU—and what banks can do to empower communities with knowledge and access to financial services. We also discuss the balance between regulatory compliance and private-sector innovation as the EU brings forward new regulations for the financial industry.

Tune in as Jyrki shares his leadership insights, lessons from his time as Prime Minister, and thoughts on the future of financial services in Europe. This episode offers a unique perspective on the evolving role of banks and the collaboration needed between the public and private sectors to drive meaningful change.

This week, Pål and Ville dive into the regulatory labyrinth with Eva-Lotta Hokkonen, an attorney and senior associate at Dittmar & Indrenius, and a go-to expert on fintech compliance. If you’ve ever wondered why compliance feels like scaling Mount Everest for fintechs, we’re about to break it all down.

We dig into why compliance presents unique hurdles for fintechs compared to traditional banks, what happens to compliance obligations when fintechs and banks team up, and why it’s not as simple as ticking off checkboxes. Eva-Lotta shares why understanding compliance is more than just staying on the regulator’s good side—it’s about making it a competitive advantage (yes, really).

Finally, we get Eva-Lotta’s insider take on emerging trends in compliance that every fintech should be bracing for. Think of this episode as a fintech survival guide for navigating the shifting landscape of regulation.

We’re back with another Nordic Fintech Highlights episode, where Pål, Ville, and our regular guest co-host Janne Salminen from Helsinki Fintech Farm unpack the latest from the Nordics—and this week, it’s all about tech innovations, top fintech picks, and payment upgrades!

First up, Pål takes us through Lunar’s big news: they’re launching GenAI, Europe’s first AI-native voice assistant for banking. Imagine a future where your bank not only listens but actually “gets” you—no more endless tapping or navigating through menus. But can AI really deliver that seamless experience, or are we still a few updates away from our banking chatbot dreams?

Next, Janne dives into the Helsinki Fintech Farm’s latest “Top 20 Nordic Fintechs” list. Who’s in, who’s out, and which trends are setting the pace this year? Janne also covers the recent news that Mastercard has acquired Minna Technologies, a game-changing move that could bring subscription management to the fingertips of millions globally.

Finally, Ville wraps things up with an update on tap-to-pay, with Adyen, SumUp, myPOS, and Viva rolling out this feature across European markets. From tap-to-pay iPhones to terminal-free transactions, the payment space just keeps getting easier and more digital. But are we inching closer to a cashless society, or will it all be canceled because people will start using their phones to steal contactless card information in crowded places?

Tune in for all the latest insights on how AI, acquisitions, and new payment solutions are shaping the future of Nordic fintech!

This week, Ville and Pål sit down with Elisabeth Prager, co-founder of Aila Money, to tackle a topic that deserves way more airtime—the gender wealth gap. Spoiler alert: it’s still very much a thing, and the numbers aren’t pretty.

But fear not, because Elisabeth and her team at Aila Money are stepping up to be part of the solution. We explore how Aila Money is empowering women financially, with tools and insights designed to help close the gap once and for all.

From practical steps to the challenge of addressing a systemic issue that could take up to seven generations to fix, we break down what it’ll take to make financial equality more than just a dream—and why it’s a win for everyone (yes, even the men). Whether you're a fintech junkie, equality advocate, or just curious about the future of finance, this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in for a conversation that’s both enlightening and, dare we say, a little inspiring—because the future is all about equal opportunities, driven by financial empowerment!

P.S. The book Elisabeth recommends in this episode is Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men—available at all good bookstores.

We’re back with another Nordic Fintech Highlights episode, kicking things off with a nod to the Mobey Forum member meeting’s epic "Fight Club" debate earlier that week. Two of our former guests, Monika Liikamaa and Anders Olofsson, went head-to-head—and let’s just say, the fintech gloves were off!

As always, Pål and Ville are joined by Janne Salminen from Helsinki Fintech Farm to break down the latest from the Nordic fintech scene:

Ville opens with Sweden's central bank issuing a stark warning to banks about protecting access to cash. Could this ironic twist in the cashless story lead to new legislation? In a world moving away from cash, is it still essential?

Janne follows up with the latest on the DDoS attacks that hit Nordic banks in September. What does this mean for the region’s digital infrastructure, and how vulnerable are we to future cyber threats?

Pål closes by exploring Alisa Bank’s renewed strategic focus on embedded finance and Banking-as-a-Service. With their sights set on SMEs, partners, and deposit customers, are they poised for a fintech glow-up, or is it just another pivot in an already crowded Nordic banking space?

Tune in for a no-holds-barred discussion, covering everything from cash flow dilemmas to cyber chaos and strategic shake-ups. Let us guide you through the twists and turns of the Nordic fintech world!