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

  • 414. Troutwood with Gene Natali | E414

    29:09||Ep. 414
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Gene Natali, CEO and founder of Troutwood, an online financial planning and engagement platform aimed at helping advisors and enterprises empower individuals financially. They discuss the inception of Troutwood, its goals, and the unique features that help bridge the gap between individuals and financial experts. The conversation also delves into the challenges of financial literacy and how Troutwood's platform is designed to address these issues at scale, ultimately aiming to narrow the wealth gap and ensure financial empowerment for all. If you're looking to enhance the way you manage your clients and offer greater value, especially at scale, this episode is a must-watch.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorTroutwoodLinkedIn - Gene Natali’s LinkedIn
  • 413. Latour AI with Khe Hy | E413

    38:50||Ep. 413
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Khe Hy, founder of Latour AI. Khe shares his journey of starting Latour AI, a company that helps businesses integrate artificial intelligence into their workflows. They discuss how AI, particularly through vibe coding, can transform daily operations and strategize within companies, especially hedge funds and buy-side firms. Khe provides insights into the various stages of AI implementation, and the challenges and potentials of AI-driven solutions. They also explore practical tips for getting started with vibe coding and how leveraging AI can lead to innovative outcomes. Tune in to learn how to embrace AI to enhance efficiency and solve complex problems in your business.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorLatour AILinkedIn - Khe Hy’s LinkedIn
  • 412. Quin with Gabe Caldwell | E412

    24:20||Ep. 412
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Gabe Caldwell, co-founder of Quin, an AI-driven advisor support tool designed to automate administrative tasks for financial advisors. Quin integrates with CRMs, emails, and calendars, leveraging AI to perform tasks like note-taking, scheduling, and data entry at a fraction of the cost of a human assistant. Gabe discusses the origins of Quin, its current capabilities, and potential future integrations. He emphasizes the importance of solving real, significant problems with AI, and how Quin's tailored automation offers substantial time savings for advisors. Tune in to learn how Quin can streamline your financial advisory workflow and enhance productivity.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorQuinLinkedIn -  Gabe Caldwell’s LinkedIn
  • 411. Vast Advisor with Ian Karnell | E411

    39:56||Ep. 411
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Ian Karnell, co-founder and CEO of Vast Advisor. Vast Advisor is a revolutionary AI-native client acquisition system built to drive organic growth for financial advisors. Ian shares the origins, development, and functionality of Vast Advisor, highlighting how it addresses the $8 billion spent annually by advisors on outdated growth tactics. The conversation dives into the complexities of merging AI with effective marketing strategies, emphasizing the role of compliance and real-time campaign optimization. Gain insights into the intersection of technology and wealth management, and discover how Vast Advisor is poised to reshape the industry.Resources:Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorVast AdvisorLinkedIn - Ian Karnell’s LinkedIn
  • 410. Policy Stream with Philip Setter | E410

    25:53||Ep. 410
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, Jason Pereira interviews Philip Sutter, CEO of Policy Stream, an innovative platform aimed at revolutionizing the life insurance application process for Canadian advisors. Philip discusses his journey in the insurance industry since 2014 and how the challenges faced during COVID-19 led to the creation of Policy Stream. They dive into the current inefficiencies in the insurance sales process and how Policy Stream aims to streamline needs analysis, quoting, application, and compliance for term life insurance. Key topics also include the development hurdles, the cautious engagement with insurance carriers, and the long-term vision for expanding the platform. Tune in to hear Philip's insights on improving productivity for advisors and enhancing the client experience in the insurance sector.Facebook – Jason Pereira's FacebookLinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedInWoodgate.com – SponsorPolicy StreamLinkedIn - Philip Setter’s LinkedIn
  • 409. Finny with Eden Ovadia | E409

    23:38||Ep. 409
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira talks with Eden Ovadia, CEO of Finny, a platform designed to help financial advisors grow their businesses organically. Eden shares the origin story of Finny, highlighting how his background in tech and private equity led to the creation of a data-driven solution for prospecting growth. The discussion explores how Finny leverages big data and machine learning to identify potential prospects and detect client intent signals, enabling advisors to effectively match with their ideal clients. Eden also discusses the company's roadmap and the importance of helping advisors articulate their value propositions. This episode is a must-listen for financial advisors seeking to enhance client acquisition, share of wallet, and retention through advanced, data-driven strategies.
  • 407. Solutions by Text with Nick Babinsky | E407

    35:03||Ep. 407
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Nick Babinsky, Chief Product Officer at Solutions by Text (SBT). They discuss how SBT empowers financial services companies to engage with consumers through SMS and other messaging protocols. The conversation covers SBT's history, the benefits of text-based communications, regulatory challenges, and the future of text messaging in the financial industry. Nick shares insights on high engagement metrics, compliance complexities, and the evolving technology landscape. Tune in to learn how text messaging is transforming consumer interactions in the financial sector.
  • 406. Hakkoda with Anand Pandya | E406

    32:30||Ep. 406
    Join host Jason Pereira on 'FinTech Impact' as he discusses the foundational elements of AI, specifically data, with Anand Pandya, head of Financial Services for Hakkoda, an IBM company. In this episode, they dive deep into the evolution of data management, the challenges organizations face in maintaining high-quality data, and the importance of clean data for successful AI implementation. Learn about the history of data waves, the pivotal role of cloud platforms like Snowflake, and how big companies can avoid common pitfalls in the AI landscape. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with expert insights and practical advice for the future of data in financial services.
  • 405. Knapsack with Mark Heynen | E405

    39:27||Ep. 405
    In this episode of FinTech Impact, host Jason Pereira interviews Mark Heynen, co-founder of Knapsack, an AI-powered platform designed to enhance financial advisory workflows. Mark shares insights on how Knapsack automates administrative tasks by integrating with various data sources and employing natural language agents. He discusses the platform's evolution from a private note-taking tool to a comprehensive agent-based system, capable of handling everything from simple email scheduling to complex tax planning. Mark also touches on the challenges faced in data compliance and the future of AI in financial services. Don't miss this deep dive into how AI is transforming the financial advisory landscape.