​As fintech companies increasingly focus on profitability, lending has become a top priority.

​However, to paraphrase Boromir, one does not simply launch a lending product.

​Lending is risky business. Literally. And unless you have extensive experience evaluating and pricing that risk, making the jump into lending can create more problems than it solves.

​However, lending done right can enable fintech companies to significantly increase lifetime customer value and competitive differentiation.

​It’s worth doing right.

​And that’s exactly what we’re going to be talking about during our virtual event on February 19 at 12 PM ET.

​How are fintech companies getting into lending? What lessons are they learning? Which partners are they working with? And how are their customers responding?

​We will answer these questions and more during this event, so be sure to register for it! 

​BTW —  we’re delighted to be hosting this event with TruStage, a leader in insurance and credit union partnerships for 80+ years. If you are not already familiar with them, check them out here.

​​​Alex Johnson

​​​Alex Johnson is the founder and author of Fintech Takes, a media brand focused on the collision of banking and technology. In his 2x weekly newsletter and weekly podcast, Alex explores the ideas and companies changing the way that money works, with plenty of analogies and pop culture references along the way!

​​​Prior to joining Workweek, Alex spent 15+ years in various marketing, strategy, and market research roles at companies including Cornerstone Advisors, FICO, and Mercator Advisory Group.

​​​He is a recognized financial industry expert and his analysis has been featured in American Banker, The Wall Street Journal, and NBC Nightly News. Alex lives in Montana and spends his spare time hiking and chasing his young children around.

​

​Danielle Sesko

​As Director of Product Management at TruStageTM, Danielle Sesko leads our portfolio of lending product solutions. In this role, Danielle oversees the management of solutions such as Debt Protection, Credit Insurance, Mechanical Repair Coverage and Guaranteed Asset Protection. As well as spearheads the creation of innovative, digitally native products tailored for new markets – providing relevant solutions that foster economic inclusion to help make a brighter financial future accessible to everyone. Under her leadership, Danielle’s teams are at the forefront of industry innovation, delivering products that challenge the status quo and make a real difference in people’s lives. Danielle's strategic vision and commitment to fostering a culture of innovation are pivotal in positioning TruStage as a leader in financial services, dedicated to the well-being and financial stability of its customers.

Danielle's career has been marked by a series of accomplishments across various segments of the financial services industry. She was previously the Chief Operating Officer at Bivvy Insurance, where she helped to reinvent pet insurance by making it more accessible and affordable. Additionally, she has held a variety of financial leadership roles including Chief Financial and Marketing Officer at SafetyNet, an innovation lab focused on improving the financial well-being of millions of Americans. Over the course of her career, Danielle has led the the creation of new products and business lines spanning the categories of insurance, savings and credit.

Danielle is a certified public accountant (CPA), a licensed P&C agent, and holds an IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma certification.

​

​Matt Potere

​Matt Potere is the Chief Executive Officer at Happy Money, a leading consumer finance platform that helps people achieve their goals through lending—partnering with credit unions, banks and asset managers to originate attractive assets, diversify their balance sheets and scale their impact. As CEO, Matt is driving the organization forward in creating value for the company, its stakeholders, partners, and consumers. Prior to joining Happy Money, Matt served as the CEO of Sunlight Financial, a residential solar finance lender with $10B+ in originations, and took the company public in 2021. In his 25 years of consumer finance experience, he has held leadership roles in strategy, operations, marketing analytics, and risk including leading Bank of America’s Home Equity and Auto Products division. Matt earned his degree from the University of Delaware. He and his wife Sina have two children and now reside in North Carolina where he is an active member of his local community, serving on the board of Youth Development Initiatives, a nonprofit dedicated to providing life skills to at-risk youth.