Insights from the Acquire or Be Acquired Conference // Margaret Hartigan, Nikhil Lakhanpal & Todd Schell

The Acquire or Be Acquired conference was buzzing with optimism, big ideas, and strategic conversations about the future of banking. In this episode of Fintech Hustle, host Sam Kilmer and co-host Al Dominick sit down for an unscripted discussion with Margaret Hartigan (Founder & CEO, Marstone), Nikhil Lakhanpal (Co-founder, Narmi), and Todd Schell (Managing Director, Warburg Pincus) to break down what’s ahead for the financial services industry in 2025.

This candid conversation covers:

• The push for growth and scalability in an evolving market
• Why fraud concerns are rising across the industry
• The challenge of integration pain and how banks can overcome it
• The shift toward open APIs and stronger fintech partnerships
• How banks can move beyond pricing strategies to drive real innovation
• The importance of understanding customer needs and forecasting effectively

Like every episode of Fintech Hustle, this one is completely unscripted—just real insights from leaders who are shaping the future of financial services. Whether you're running a bank, credit union, or fintech firm, this is a conversation worth tuning into.