Banking Transformed Go to Banking Transformed

Embrace change, take risks, and disrupt yourself

Hosted by top 5 banking and fintech influencer, Jim Marous, Banking Transformed highlights the challenges facing the banking industry. Featuring some of the top minds in business, this podcast explores how financial institutions can prepare for the future of banking.

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify

Varo: The First Nationally Chartered Fintech Bank

Until recently, fintech firms have usually partnered with traditional banks to provide banking services as opposed to going through the lengthy and costly process of getting their own bank charters.

Breaking away from that model, Varo Money became the first challenger bank to receive a national bank charter. The national charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) was the first ever granted to a fintech company, allowing Varo to offer credit cards, make loans and generate insured deposits nationally.

We caught up with Colin Walsh, founder and CEO of Varo Money, Inc., Varo, which began offering mobile-only banking services in 2015. Walsh discusses why Varo pursued a national charter, the benefits of being a mobile-only bank, and how to gain scale in an industry that already has too many players.

Where to Listen

Find us in your favorite podcast app.

Recent Episodes

View All

Unlocking Growth Mode Series #1 Unlocking Banking's Growth Mode

Banking Transformed
Tim Rutten, Chief Marketing Officer at Backbase, joins us from the Netherlands to explore how banks can drive growth by unifying data, breaking do...
Listen to Unlocking Growth Mode Series #1 Unlocking Banking's Growth Mode

How Jenius Bank is Revolutionizing Banking with Personalized Insights

Banking Transformed
John Rosenfeld, President of Jenius Bank, returns to discuss how the digital division of SMBC MANUBANK is redefining banking through personalized ...
Listen to How Jenius Bank is Revolutionizing Banking with Personalized Insights

From Data Overload to Strategic Insights

Banking Transformed
Lee Wetherington, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at Jack Henry ™ & Associates, joins us to explore how banks can break down data silos and ...
Listen to From Data Overload to Strategic Insights

How Top Banks Are Turning Customer Experience into Sustainable Growth

Banking Transformed
Kartik Ramakrishnan, CEO of Financial Services at Capgemini, discusses the eye-opening findings from their just-released 2025 World Retail Banking...
Listen to How Top Banks Are Turning Customer Experience into Sustainable Growth