Fintech
Gary Gensler Announces Additions to Executive Staff
Washington D.C.–(Newsfile Corp. – June 8, 2021) – The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the appointments of Amanda Fischer, Lisa Helvin, Tejal D. Shah, Angelica Annino, Liz Bloom, Basmah Nada, and Jahvonta Mason as members of SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s executive staff.
“I had the honor to work closely with Amanda during the Biden-Harris transition, and her counsel during my confirmation process was invaluable. I’m delighted she’s joined the team,” said Chair Gensler.
“I’m excited to work closely with Amanda, Lisa, Tejal, Angelica, Liz, Basmah, and Jahvonta on priorities essential to the mission of the SEC,” added Gensler. “These exceptional individuals provide well-rounded and diverse experience from across multiple sectors, and I will rely on the counsel and support in rulemaking, enforcement, and communicating our work to the public.”
Amanda Fischer
Senior Counselor
Amanda Fischer serves as Senior Counselor to Chair Gensler and advises on SEC rulemakings and interagency work. Immediately before joining the SEC, she was the Policy Director at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, a non-partisan research organization focused on economic policy. Earlier in her career, she worked for more than a decade on Capitol Hill in roles related to financial services policymaking, including as Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Katie Porter, Professional Staff on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, as a Policy Advisor for Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, and as Deputy Staff Director for the House Committee on Financial Services. She graduated with a bachelor’s degrees in business administration and public policy from the University at Buffalo and an M.A. in public policy from Georgetown University.
Lisa Helvin
Legal Counsel
Lisa Helvin serves as Chair Gensler’s principal legal advisor. She re-joined the SEC from the Office of General Counsel at the House of Representatives, where she served as Special Litigation Counsel. She previously served as Counsel to the General Counsel and a Senior Counsel in the Office of General Counsel’s Appellate Group at the SEC. Before joining the SEC, Ms. Helvin was an associate at Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck, & Untereiner LLP. She also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Diana Gribbon Motz of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She received a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.A. from Yale University.
Tejal D. Shah
Enforcement Counsel
Tejal D. Shah serves as Chair Gensler’s principal advisor on matters involving the Division Enforcement. She joined the SEC in 2014 as a staff attorney in the New York Regional Office, where she conducted and led significant enforcement investigations and litigations. Prior to joining the SEC, she was an associate at the law firm of Cooley LLP. Ms. Shah received her J.D. from NYU School of Law and B.S. from Cornell University.
Angelica Annino
Director of Scheduling and Administration
Angelica Annino oversees day-to-day and strategic scheduling for Chair Gensler. Before joining the SEC, Ms. Annino worked in the United States Senate as Director of Scheduling for Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Doug Jones and Michael Bennet. Previously she served in several roles at the United States Department of Education as an appointee in the Obama Administration, working for Secretaries Arne Duncan and John King. Earlier in her career Ms. Annino was an elementary school teacher. She received her B.A. from Loyola Marymount University and M.A. from Pepperdine University.
Liz Bloom
Speechwriter to the Chair
Liz Bloom is responsible for drafting speeches, Congressional testimony, and other written materials on behalf of Chair Gensler. She recently graduated with a joint M.B.A./M.P.P. from Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government, where she studied the intersection of business and public policy. Before that, she worked as a journalist at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where she most recently covered baseball and previously wrote about classical music. She received an undergraduate degree in Social Studies from Harvard College.
Basmah Nada
Digital Director
Basmah Nada directs digital strategy for the SEC and Chair Gensler. Immediately before joining the SEC, she was the Marketing Director at a startup marketing agency where she helped nonprofit human rights organizations develop and execute digital strategies. She previously was the Post Production Manager on Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign. Earlier in her career, she worked for the Senate Democratic Media Center and the House Democratic Caucus, where she helped members of Congress develop and expand their digital presence. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in International Studies and Political Science.
Jahvonta Mason
Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff
Jahvonta Mason will work with the Chair and his senior staff to help coordinate the policy process and assist with special projects. He is a 2021 graduate of New York University School of Law and a Kenneth and Kathy Chenault AnBryce Scholar. At NYU Law, Jahvonta served as Editor-in-Chief of the NYU Law Moot Court Board, an intern to the Hon. Jesse M. Furman in the Southern District of New York, and an intern at the Federal Defenders of New York. For his contributions to NYU Law, Jahvonta was honored with several awards at convocation: the Vanderbilt Medal, the Order of the Barristers, the Mark Brisman Moot Court Prize, and the Law Alumni of Color Association Calisha Myers 15 Memorial Award. Jahvonta received his B.A. in Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.
As we close out 2024, the fintech industry continues to deliver headlines that underscore its dynamism and innovation. From IPO aspirations to groundbreaking regulatory milestones, today’s updates highlight the transformative power of fintech partnerships, regulatory evolution, and disruptive technologies. Here’s what you need to know.
Chime’s Quiet Step Toward Public Markets
Chime, the U.S.-based financial technology startup best known for its digital banking services, has taken a significant step by filing confidential paperwork for an initial public offering (IPO). As one of the most valuable private fintechs in the U.S., Chime’s move could potentially signal a renewed appetite for fintech IPOs in a market that has been cautious following fluctuating valuations across the tech sector.
With a valuation that reportedly exceeded $25 billion in its last funding round, Chime’s IPO could set a new benchmark for the industry. Observers note that its strong customer base and revenue growth may make it an appealing choice for investors seeking to capitalize on the digital banking boom. However, the timing and success of the IPO will depend on broader market conditions and the regulatory landscape.
Source: Bloomberg
ZBD’s Pioneering Achievement: EU MiCA License Approval
ZBD, a fintech company specializing in Bitcoin Lightning network solutions, has made history by becoming the first to secure an EU MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) license. This landmark approval by the Dutch regulator positions ZBD at the forefront of compliant crypto-fintech operations in Europe.
MiCA, which aims to harmonize the regulatory framework for crypto-assets across the EU, has been a focal point for industry players aiming to establish legitimacy and expand their offerings. ZBD’s achievement not only validates its operational rigor but also sets a precedent for other fintech firms navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Industry insiders view this as a strategic advantage for ZBD as it broadens its footprint in Europe. By leveraging its regulatory approval, the company can accelerate its product deployment and establish trust with institutional and retail users alike.
Source: Coindesk, PR Newswire
The Fintech-Credit Union Synergy: A Blueprint for Innovation
The convergence of fintechs and credit unions continues to reshape the financial services ecosystem. Collaborative initiatives, such as the one highlighted in the recent partnership between fintech innovators and credit unions, are proving to be a potent force in delivering tailored financial solutions.
This “dream team” approach allows credit unions to leverage fintech’s technological expertise while maintaining their community-focused ethos. Key areas of collaboration include digital payments, personalized financial management tools, and enhanced loan processing capabilities. These partnerships not only enhance member engagement but also enable credit unions to remain competitive in an increasingly digital-first financial environment.
Industry analysts emphasize that such collaborations underscore a broader trend of traditional financial institutions embracing fintech-driven solutions to bridge service gaps and foster innovation.
Source: PYMNTS
Tackling Student Loan Debt: A Fintech’s Mission
Student loan debt remains a pressing issue for millions of Americans, and a Rochester-based fintech aims to offer relief through its cloud-based platform. This innovative solution is designed to simplify loan management and provide borrowers with actionable insights to reduce their debt burden.
The platform’s features include repayment optimization tools, personalized financial education, and seamless integration with loan servicers. By addressing the complexities of student loan management, this fintech is empowering borrowers to make informed decisions and achieve financial stability.
As the student loan crisis continues to evolve, solutions like this highlight the critical role fintech can play in addressing systemic financial challenges while fostering financial literacy and inclusion.
Source: RBJ
Industry Implications and Takeaways
Today’s updates underscore several key themes shaping the fintech landscape:
- Regulatory Milestones: ZBD’s MiCA license approval exemplifies the importance of regulatory compliance in unlocking growth opportunities.
- Strategic Partnerships: The collaboration between fintechs and credit unions demonstrates the value of combining technological innovation with traditional financial models to drive customer-centric solutions.
- Market Opportunities: Chime’s IPO move reflects a potential revival in fintech public offerings, signaling confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects.
- Social Impact: Fintech’s ability to tackle systemic issues, such as student loan debt, showcases its role as a force for positive change.
The post Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA) appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Leading global payments platform SPAYZ.io has confirmed it will be attending iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 on 14 to 16 January. Exhibiting at Stand 64 at Trade Centre Dubai, SPAYZ.io’s team of professionals will be on hand providing live demonstrations of its renowned payment services for payment providers. Attendees will also receive exclusive insight into SPAYZ.io’s plans for 2025 alongside early early access to its upcoming plans for the new year.
SPAYZ.io delivers a host of payment solutions that leverage the latest technological innovations and open access to the fastest growing emerging markets across Africa, Europe and Asia. Over the past year, there has been huge demand for its Open Banking and local payment method services, alongside bank transfers, mass payouts, online banking and e-wallets.
Yana Thakurta, Head of Business Development at SPAYZ.io commented: “We look forward to once again participating at iFX Dubai to expand our network of partners and clients. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the year, connecting with thousands of industry leaders from FOREX platforms to trading companies, and everything in between.
“Our key goal for iFX Dubai EXPO 2025 is to expand our portfolio of solutions and geographies. We’re using this as an opportunity to partner with like-minded entities who share our ambition to provide payment solutions that are truly global.”
Come meet SPAYZ.io’s team at the Trade Centre Dubai at Stand 64. You can also book a meeting slot with a member of a team.
The post SPAYZ.io prepares for iFX EXPO Dubai 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Airtm, the most connected digital dollar account in the world, is proud to announce the addition of two distinguished industry leaders to its Board of Directors: Rafael de la Vega, Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane, and Shivani Siroya, CEO & Founder of Tala. These appointments reflect Airtm’s commitment to innovation and financial inclusion as the company enters its next phase of growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Rafael and Shivani to Airtm’s Board of Directors,” said Ruben Galindo Steckel, Co-founder and CEO of Airtm. “Their unique perspectives and proven track records will be invaluable as we continue scaling our platform to empower individuals and businesses in emerging markets. Together, we’ll push the boundaries of financial inclusion and innovation to create a more connected and equitable global economy. Rafael and Shivani bring a wealth of experience and strategic insight that will strengthen Airtm’s mission to connect emerging economies with the global market.”
Rafael de la Vega, a seasoned leader in fintech global partnerships and technology innovation, is currently the Global SVP of Partnerships at Auctane. With a proven track record of delivering scalable, impactful solutions at the intersection of fintech, innovation, and commerce, Rafael’s expertise will be pivotal as Airtm continues to grow. “Airtm has built a platform that breaks down barriers and opens up opportunities for people in emerging economies to connect to global markets. I am excited to contribute to its growth and help further its mission of fostering financial inclusion on a global scale,” said Rafael.
Shivani Siroya, CEO and Founder of Tala, is a pioneer in financial technology, renowned for empowering underserved communities through access to credit and essential financial tools. Her leadership in leveraging data-driven innovation aligns seamlessly with Airtm’s vision of creating more equitable financial opportunities. “Empowering underserved communities has always been at the core of my work, and Airtm’s mission resonates deeply with me. I’m thrilled to join the Board and work alongside such a dynamic team to expand access to financial tools that truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Shivani.
The post Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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