

Payments Pros – The Payments Law Podcast
Keith J. Barnett, Carlin A. McCrory, Troutman Pepper Locke, Jason M. Cover
Payment processors, money transmitters, financial institutions, lenders, and other financial technology businesses face increasing scrutiny from regulators, as well as heightened consumer expectations. Troutman Pepper Locke's Payments Pros podcast features insights from our attorneys and business leaders, regulatory experts, and stakeholders on the most challenging legal and regulatory concerns confronted by companies and others in the payments industry. From the BSA to EFTs, fintech to regtech, licensure to lending, Nacha to the CFPB, and payment processing to debt collecting, we have you covered.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 2, 2026 • 33min
Before You Front the Funds: Benefits and Pitfalls of Earned Wage Access Tools
In this episode of Payments Pros, host Carlin McCrory teams up with Hiring to Firing hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter to explore the emerging world of earned wage access (EWA), or on-demand pay, through the lens of the reality TV show Shark Tank. They examine the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's evolving approach, rapidly developing (and sometimes conflicting) state laws, and the wage-and-hour and payroll challenges that can arise when employees access their pay early. The discussion also covers how EWA can serve as a powerful recruitment and retention tool, the risk that a well-intentioned benefit can be viewed as a "loan in sheep's clothing," and practical steps HR and in-house counsel can take when vetting vendors or considering in-house EWA programs. Tune in to decide whether EWA is the kind of pitch your HR "sharks" should back — or one that should prompt, "And for that reason, I'm out." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 18, 2026 • 20min
Beyond the Buzzwords: Building Bank-Fintech Partnerships That Survive Exams
In this episode of Payments Pros, host Carlin McCrory is joined by Marissa Tartarini of Elliott Davis to explore how banks can build sustainable, scalable fintech partnerships in a shifting regulatory environment. They begin with the foundational risk questions banks should ask before choosing a partner — speed to market, in-house expertise and gaps, strategic fit, and risk appetite — then turn to practical legal and compliance considerations, including staffing, board oversight, and the need for tailored partnership agreements. Marissa and Carlin discuss the challenges of managing multiple fintech programs at once, maintaining up-to-date policies and marketing, and ensuring that growth does not outpace governance and BSA/AML controls. They highlight what separates successful programs from those that fail, lessons from terminated partnerships, and how to prepare for increasingly technical regulatory exams. Carlin and Marissa close the episode with a look at how regulators' and banks' views of fintech partnerships have evolved and what that means for the future of bank-fintech collaboration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 25, 2026 • 21min
Trading, Gambling, or Something Else? Prediction Markets and the Payments Puzzle
In this crossover episode, Payments Pros host Keith Barnett teams up with Regulatory Oversight host Stephen Piepgrass to unpack how prediction markets, gaming, and payments intersect in a rapidly evolving and legally uncertain landscape. Drawing on Keith's extensive regulatory experience, they explain what prediction markets are, why these contracts are treated as swaps rather than securities, and how that distinction affects insider trading issues. Keith and Stephen then address the growing tension between federal regulators and state attorneys general over whether these products are trading or unlicensed sports betting, the CFTC chair's recent criticism of "regulation by enforcement," and the NCAA's push to pause college sports contracts. They close by examining what this means for banks, payment processors, and other service providers navigating know-your-customer and "lawful transaction" obligations while the law remains in flux. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 11, 2026 • 30min
Payments Year in Review 2025: Federal and State Developments – Part 2
A rundown of how states reacted after the CFPB pulled back on BNPL rules, with New York’s sweeping approach highlighted. A look at diverging state treatment of earned wage access fees and licensing. Coverage of the messy patchwork of convenience fee and surcharge laws and related litigation. Updates on merchant cash advance rules, Colorado's DIDMCA opt-out fight, and adoption gaps for money transmission modernizations.

Jan 28, 2026 • 29min
Payments Year in Review 2025: Federal and State Developments – Part 1
In the first installment of a two-part Payments Year in Review series, hosts Keith Barnett, Carlin McCrory, and Jason Cover highlight the key federal developments that shaped the payments industry in 2025 and preview what's ahead for 2026.They cover the evolving status of the CFPB's payday lending rule, shifting BSA/AML enforcement from federal agencies to increasingly active state regulators, and the CFPB's changing approach to earned wage access, including new guidance for certain employer-integrated models. The episode also examines the fallout from the voided FTC "Click to Cancel" rule and the agency's continued reliance on ROSCA and Section 5 to police auto-renewal and cancellation practices.The discussion wraps up with buy now, pay later (BNPL), focusing on the CFPB's rescinded advisory and New York's move to regulate BNPL more like traditional credit, setting the stage for Part 2's focus on state-level trends. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 15, 2026 • 19min
Point-of-Sale Finance Series: Health Care Financing Compliance, Regulatory, and Privacy Pitfalls
In this crossover episode of Payments Pros and The Consumer Finance Podcast, guest host Taylor Gess dives into the rapidly evolving world of point-of-sale financing for medical and dental procedures with Troutman Pepper Locke Partners Jason Cover, Brent Hoard, and Erin Whaley. They unpack how HIPAA, business associate relationships, and information-sharing structures can impact financing programs in clinical settings. They explore state-level trends in California, Illinois, and New York, including new restrictions on provider involvement in financing, promotional offers, and payments. The discussion also highlights emerging risks around website tracking technologies, payment portals, and wiretapping-style lawsuits targeting digital health and payment ecosystems. Listeners will come away with a practical framework for structuring medical and dental financing arrangements, managing disputes, and anticipating the next wave of state-level regulation and enforcement. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 4, 2025 • 25min
Point-of-Sale Finance Series: Solar Finance Under the Microscope
In this crossover episode of Payments Pros and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Jason Cover, Mark Furletti, and Andrew Thurmond return to unpack the complex landscape of residential solar finance. They highlight practical complications lenders face with home improvement projects involving power purchase agreements, leases, tax credit, retail installment contracts, renewable energy certificates, and more. The discussion also provides insight on trends in the solar industry, bankruptcy, the rise of solar disclosure requirements and state-level oversight, and compliance measures to mitigate risk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 14, 2025 • 21min
Point-of-Sale Finance Series: Understanding the Development and Regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later Products
In this crossover episode of Payments Pros and The Consumer Finance Podcast, guest host Taylor Gess is joined by Jason Cover and Jeremy Sairsingh to discuss buy now, pay later (BNPL) products as they continue to dive into the Point-of-Sale Finance Series. They highlight the complexities of BNPL offerings and the transformation of these payment models with varying fee structures and repayment terms. As these BNPL products mature, they challenge traditional definitions and regulatory frameworks, prompting a closer look at how consumers and providers are adapting to this financing option and its effects. With continuous industry innovations, regulators are working to keep pace, raising questions about the future direction of BNPL regulation and its impact. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 29, 2025 • 19min
Point-of-Sale Finance Series: Banking on Lending Models
In this crossover episode of Payments Pros and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis, Jason Cover, and Taylor Gess discuss licensed lending and bank model lending programs. This conversation dives into the benefits, challenges, and regulatory landscapes that shape these popular lending models for financial institutions and fintechs. Consumer finance providers will gain valuable insights on structuring successful lending partnerships in today's complex environment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 15, 2025 • 18min
The Future of Bank-Fintech Collaborations in Digital Finance
James Stevens, co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke's Financial Services Industry Group, discusses the evolving partnerships between banks and digital asset firms. He highlights how banks facilitate fiat transactions and the potential of the GENIUS Act, which affects stablecoin reserves. The conversation also dives into how credit unions engage with fintechs, the regulatory responsibilities surrounding bank-fintech collaborations, and crucial due diligence processes. With insights on liquidity management and treasury operations, this talk unveils the future of digital finance.


