Share

cover art for Neo Financial with Andrew Chau | E179

Fintech Impact

Neo Financial with Andrew Chau | E179

Ep. 179
•

Host Jason Pereira talks to Andrew Chau, CEO, and Co-founder of Neo Financial. It is a technology company that is building a better financial experience for all Canadians.

 

Episode Highlights: 

  • 0.42: Andrew explains that Neo Financial is a Fintech company, reimagining the everyday banking experience for Canadians. The company provides a seamless consumer experience.     
  • 1.25: Andrew talks about his history. His entrepreneurship journey started when he was quite young. 
  • 04.20: Andrew shares that Neo is a credit card and bank account as well. 
  • 04.28: The bank account and the credit card connect with a network of local businesses and large national brands where Neo powers the rewards and loyalty programs.
  • 04.37: Once a user gets the Neo credit card, they get access to 1000 multiple different cashback programs. 
  • 05.10: People often ask Andrew about Neo’s chain between food delivery and banking. He says that it is a consumer-focused business.
  • 07.13: Andrew talks about the 3-minute on-boarding process that one has to go through when signing-up in Neo.
  • 07.20: The sign-up starts with downloading the app, filling out few basic information, take a selfie and picture of your ID and hit submit.
  • 09.16: With one Neo card, consumers can access all different merchants’ and partners and get cashback on them.
  • 09.22: Andres points out that typically with credit card one gets points, a person never really uses them or redeem them at the end of the year. But it is not the same with Neo.
  • 10.38: Jason inquiries about the level of engagement and how Andrew reached out to the companies. 
  • 14.01: The short-term goal of Neo is building the merchant network, helping retailers, and adding value. 
  • 17.00: Andrew and Jason discuss the competition surrounding the banking and financial sector in Canada. 
  • 18.27: Andrew talks about competing with Big 5 companies. Their business focus is “How do we create our own category and not be in the same category?”
  • 19.50: Jason is really impressed by the genius of Neo’s partnership model.
  • 21.00: Jason gives insights on small business banking in Canada.
  • 23.09: Andrew shares how with Neo they are putting the power back to consumer’s hands and freeing them from the shackles of one institution.
  • 24.31: Andrew talks about the biggest challenge he has faced to bring his company today.
  • 27.50: Andrew gives credit to his team members and says that everybody has joined Neo to make a difference.

  

3 Key Points:

  1. When launching Neo Financial, Andrew brainstormed, “How can we bring tech experience around banking with a bit of innovation?” 
  2. Andrew shares his insights on customer experience and on-boarding at Neo.
  3. Andrew talks about Hudson’s Bay Mastercard®—powered by Neo.

 

Tweetable Quotes:

  •  “In most cases, the top 5 apps on a person’s phone are not a banking app.” - Andrew Chau
  • “Through Neo, we are trying to add value to Canadian’s life.” - Andrew Chau
  • “Nobody wants to carry a bunch of cards normally for the place they eat or drink, so Neo is a good solution.” - Jason Pereira
  • “We are looking to build the largest financial institution in Canada.” - Andrew Chau
  • “If your business owners love the bank, they will get along.” - Jason Pereira

 

Resources Mentioned:


More episodes

View all episodes

  • 425. Ezra Group with Craig Iskowitz | E425

    40:19||Ep. 425
    Craig Iskowitz, CEO of Ezra Group, returns to speak with Jason about navigating the overwhelming pace of technology change in wealth management. Iskowitz explains how Ezra Group provides objective tech stack evaluations for firms without the bias of referral fees or software sales. The discussion highlights the shift from crypto to AI hype, the dangers of overbuilding in-house tools, and why "integration quality" is often the weakest link in an advisor's workflow.This episode is a must-listen for RIA owners and operations leaders who need a reality check on AI implementation and a framework for building a scalable, well-integrated tech stack.Episode Highlights:00:00 Milestone Guest Intro01:23 Craig’s Origin Story02:51 Tech Change Goes Exponential04:31 AI Hype Versus Reality08:03 Regulated Industry Limits09:28 Buy Versus Build Returns10:01 Hidden Costs of Building15:43 When Building Makes Sense18:22 Super Apps and All-in-One20:01 Integration Friction Problem20:43 Integration Reality Check22:48 AI And Vendor Shifts26:51 Note Takers Threaten CRMs29:19 Build Versus Buy Limits30:49 Tech Spend And Stack Strategy32:13 Optimize Before Replacing34:53 Wishes Hiring And Motivation39:35 Wrap Up And CreditsResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorEzra GroupLinkedIn - Craig Iskowitz’s LinkedIn

  • 424. Turnqey Labs with Tyrone Ross | E424

    30:31||Ep. 424
    Host Jason Pereira catches up with Tyrone Ross, CEO of Turnqey Labs, a platform providing advisors with "holdings intelligence" for crypto assets. Turnqey delivers high-fidelity, audited on-chain data and tax lot reconciliation directly into tools like Morningstar and Wealthbox, allowing advisors to manage crypto with the same rigour as traditional portfolios. Ross highlights how Turnqey uses AI-ready APIs to modernize wealthtech and shares his vision for a future where traditional accounts are eventually replaced by digital wallet identifiers.This episode is a must-listen for advisors and developers needing to bridge the gap between "wild west" crypto data and professional, compliance-heavy wealth management.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:39 Sprinkles Cupcakes Banter01:47 What Turnqey Labs Does03:38 API First Platform Strategy05:41 AI Rebuild and Cost Savings08:12 Advisor Onboarding Workflow10:30 API Keys Over OAuth12:15 Holdings Intelligence and Education17:12 Founder Frustrations and Origin Story18:37 Integration Value for WealthTech23:13 Future Wallet-Based Accounts25:55 Rapid Fire Closing Questions29:45 Wrap Up and Sponsor MessageResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorTurnqey LabsLinkedIn - Tyrone Ross’ LinkedIn

  • 423. Prometeo with Ximena Alemán | E423

    28:20||Ep. 423
    Host Jason Pereira interviews Ximena Alemán, co-founder and CEO of Prometeo, about bridging the gap between global corporations and fragmented banking systems through a single, standardized API. Born from the frustration of building digital wallets in Uruguay, Prometeo now connects over 7,000+ financial institutions across 50+ countries, specializing in the Latin America and U.S.–LatAm corridors. Alemán details how their infrastructure streamlines account verification and money movement, while preparing for a future of AI-driven "agentic" payments.This episode is a must-listen for fintech developers and global business leaders looking to simplify cross-border operations and scale rapidly across the complex Americas regulatory landscape.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:31 What Prometeo Does01:40 Spaghetti Connectivity Problem02:54 Origin Story and LatAm Focus06:01 Coverage and Standardization07:31 Who Uses Prometeo08:27 Regulation and Expansion10:22 Efficiency and Time to Market12:19 Agentic Payments and AI17:11 Emerging Markets and RTP Rails21:16 Rapid Fire Closing Questions27:21 Wrap Up and Sponsor MessageResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPrometeoLinkedIn - Ximena Alemán’s LinkedIn

  • 422. Money Risk Inventory with Dr. Charles Chaffin | E422

    33:45||Ep. 422
    Host Jason Pereira interviews Dr. Charles Chaffin about Money Risk Inventory (MRI), a platform that transforms financial psychology from an "art" into a measurable science. Built on years of academic research, MRI moves beyond simple risk scores to objectively assess client biases, financial anxiety, and readiness for change. Chaffin explains how MRI’s suite of tools—including specialized modules for prospect conversion and client check-ins—uses colour-coded insights to help advisors understand a client's "money scripts" and communication style before they even step into a meeting.The conversation explores how this psychological data creates stickier client relationships and more effective coaching, while teasing future plans for deeper AI integration to further personalize the planning process.This episode is a must-listen for advisors who want to move past guesswork and use data-driven psychology to improve client retention and close more prospects.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:29 What Is Money Risk Inventory01:00 Origins and Research Roots02:31 What MRI Measures03:24 Advisor Workflow and Colour Coding04:17 Product Line and Packaging05:20 Prospecting With Genesis07:37 Client Action and Stages of Change11:55 Communication and Learning Styles12:56 Scripts, Advisor Bias, and AI15:37 Coaching Over Knowledge18:03 Feeling Heard and Trust26:01 Future Roadmap for MRI27:46 Rapid Fire Three Questions32:55 Closing and Sponsor MessageResources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorMoney and Risk Inventory (MRI)LinkedIn -  Dr. Charles Chaffin’s LinkedIn

  • 421. CapIntel with James Rockwood | E421

    32:11||Ep. 421
    Host Jason Pereira welcomes back CapIntel CEO James Rockwood to discuss the firm’s massive growth, now supporting over 20,000 advisors across North America. Rockwood explains how CapIntel moves beyond static PDFs by using interactive, cloud-based presentations to make complex investment products feel tangible for clients. The conversation dives into how the platform embeds compliance controls to prevent proposal errors, the impact of regulatory shifts like Reg BI, and how CapIntel is navigating its expansion into the competitive U.S. and Mexican markets.This episode is a must-listen for wealth management executives and advisors interested in how "hyper-personalization" and integrated compliance are redefining the modern investment proposal.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorCapIntelLinkedIn - James Rockwood’s LinkedIn

  • 420. Knomee with Marla Sofer | E420

    35:25||Ep. 420
    Host Jason Pereira interviews Marla Sofer, Founder and CEO of Knomee, about her mission to bridge the "understanding gap" between wealth managers and their clients. Drawing on her leadership experience at JPMorgan, BlackRock, and Microsoft, Sofer explains how Knomee uses consumer-friendly "adventures" to capture a client’s true financial identity—defining what concepts like "security" actually mean to them. By turning this unique behavioural data into AI-synthesized insights, Knomee provides advisors with actionable conversation starters and next-best actions to deepen trust and accelerate conversions.This episode is a must-listen for advisors who want to move beyond generic financial planning and use behavioural intelligence to create more personalized, high-trust client relationships.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorKnomeeLinkedIn - Marla Sofer’s LinkedIn

  • 419. AdvisorCRM with Ryan Borer | E419

    23:54||Ep. 419
    On this episode of FinTech Impact host Jason Pereira interviews Ryan Borer, CEO of Advisor CRM, about his mission to transform the CRM from a static database into an "action engine" for financial and insurance professionals. Inspired by his experience building proprietary tech for a TAMP, Borer explains how his platform avoids the rigid, breakable workflows of traditional systems by focusing on flexibility and data-driven signals. The conversation explores the shift toward a more open tech ecosystem—supported by Advisor CRM’s APIs—and introduces Trove, a new AI-driven opportunity intelligence tool designed to surface growth leads automatically.This episode is a must-listen for advisors frustrated by "clunky" CRM workflows and firm owners looking to stay ahead of the curve with AI-integrated client management.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorAdvisorCRMLinkedIn - Ryan Borer’s LinkedIn

  • 418. Nexhelm AI with Brian Abatemarco | E418

    23:51||Ep. 418
    Host Jason Pereira interviews Brian Abatemarco, Head of Sales at Nexhelm AI, a platform launched in late 2025 to automate end-to-end financial workflows. Drawing on his 12 years as a CFP, Brian explains how Nexhelm connects existing tools—like CRMs, Outlook, and DocuSign—to execute complex tasks via simple prompts, ensuring advisors never "drop the ball" on client requests. The discussion covers the platform's ability to automate everything from onboarding to email filing, while touching on the broader challenges of scaling fintech and the vital role of CFP education in the AI era.This episode is a must-listen for forward-thinking advisors and operations leaders who are tired of manual data entry and want to see how "agentic AI" can finally bridge the gap between their disconnected software tools.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorNexhelm AILinkedIn - Brian Abatemarco’s LinkedIn

  • 417. Nitrogen with Dan Zitting | E417

    22:12||Ep. 417
    Host Jason Pereira joins Nitrogen Wealth CEO Dan Zitting to discuss the company’s evolution from a niche risk-scoring tool into a comprehensive AI platform. Dan outlines how Nitrogen is leveraging a new agentic AI engine to automate the advisor meeting lifecycle, effectively shrinking hours of manual preparation into minutes. Beyond technical updates, the conversation dives into Nitrogen’s expanded suite—covering everything from portfolio research to tax education—and Dan’s vision for overcoming the data and compliance hurdles that currently slow down AI adoption in wealth management.This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors and RIA owners looking to reclaim their schedules through automation, as well as fintech enthusiasts interested in how legacy brands successfully navigate a total AI-centric pivot.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorNitrogen WealthLinkedIn - Dan Zitting’s LinkedIn