AI may be reshaping financial services, but turning new technology into real progress takes more than speed.

Sam Kilmer and co-host Kelli Schultz are joined by Melissa Cullen of FIS, Andres Klaric of Fuse Finance, and Tom Davis of Canapi Ventures for an unscripted conversation about what it really takes to move AI from experimentation into everyday banking.

From agentic customer service and faster product development to regulatory responsibility, customer adoption, data protection, and the growing importance of fintech partnerships, the group explores where AI is already creating real value and where financial institutions still need to move carefully.

The conversation also digs into why distribution alone is not enough, how poor implementation can quickly erode trust, and why the strongest fintech companies will be the ones willing to stand behind outcomes, support their customers, and build experiences people actually want to use.

Guests Include:

• Melissa Cullen - President of Regional & Community Banking and PayTech Women Board Member, FIS
• Andres Klaric - Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Fuse Finance
• Tom Davis - General Partner, Canapi Ventures
• Kelli Schultz (Co-Host) - Managing Director, Cornerstone Advisors

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here:
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g

Chapters:
[00:00] – Meet the Fintech Leaders
[02:01] – Melissa Cullen’s Day in the Life at FIS
[06:43] – Building and Scaling Fuse Finance
[10:19] – Why Listening Matters More Than Ever
[12:06] – Inside the Fintech Investor’s Day
[15:12] – Separating AI Signal from the Hype
[18:03] – Faster Sales Cycles and Outcome-Based AI
[20:48] – Moving AI Beyond Experimentation
[23:09] – Trust, Distribution, and Responsibility
[26:25] – Why AI Adoption Requires Customer Support
[27:41] – The Growing Fintech Partnership Ecosystem
[29:01] – When Agentic AI Creates a Bad Experience
[35:12] – Why Banks and Fintechs Need Each Other

Subscribe to the Fintech Hustle podcast here: 
https://qrco.de/bgfV6g