Latest opinions that Rob Straathof has shared on Finextra

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Rob Straathof

CEO

Liberis

Member since

26 May 2022

Location

London

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Rob's opinions

The Bundling Era of Embedded Finance: Fragmentation to Frictionless

The fintech space is transitioning from a decade of unbundling, where every function needed a separate service, to a new era of bundling, where embedded finance is revolutionising how small businesses access banking services. Tech platforms like Shopify, Uber Eats, and eBay are becoming the new distribution points for personalised, frictionless ba...

23 June 2025 /payments Embedded Finance

From Embedded Finance to Financial Co-Pilots: The New Era of Small Business Lending

The financial needs of small businesses have evolved dramatically over the past decade and so has the technology supporting them. Traditional lending models are broke, but how are they being fixed? From co-pilot models to fully autonomous financial agents, we’re entering a new era of AI-driven finance that will empower small businesses to thrive —...

23 May 2025 /inclusion Embedded Finance

The Loyalty Loop: How Embedded Finance is Reshaping Customer Engagement

Business funding is in high demand amongst SMBs. As a result, many are turning to multiple financial providers at once – a significant 33% rely on more than four. This reflects a clear need for accessible capital but also a desire for choice and flexibility. Dissatisfied with the traditional lending experience, these businesses are also demanding ...

26 March 2025 Embedded Finance

Climbing the value chain: How ISVs can thrive with embedded finance

In an age of digitalisation and enhanced expectations, business owners are actively seeking out integrated ecosystems in which they can easily access all financial services in one place. This has given rise to a thriving embedded finance sector, which is predicted to grow at a compounded rate of 29% through to 2032, leading to a projected value of ...

09 July 2024 /retail /wholesale Embedded Finance

Are legacy financial institutions at a loss against fintechs?

The world’s financial companies, including banks and the larger credit and debit card players, have been in a position of market power for a long time. However, the disruption and digitalisation that’s being supercharged by enhanced customer expectations is changing this dynamic, and fintech is now flourishing. It’s clear from the rise of digital...

19 June 2024 /retail /wholesale Embedded Finance

Pulling back the curtain and unveiling the future of fintech in 2024

The Christmas trees have come down, and the industry is getting its feet back under the table and thinking about what 2024 will bring. I’m very excited about this year because I think the future of finance will be fully unveiled. I’ve been lucky enough to work at the forefront of the fintech revolution; a sector where innovation isn’t just a buzzw...

17 January 2024 /retail /inclusion Embedded Finance

How embedded finance can boost financial inclusion for the smallest businesses

According to figures from the World Trade Organization (WTO), SMEs make up over 90% of businesses globally as well as 60-70% of employment. That isn’t just the backbone of most economies, it’s nearly the full skeleton! Despite the crucial role they play, many small businesses still struggle to access the funding they need to survive and thrive. Loo...

06 December 2023 /retail /inclusion Embedded Finance

Why PSPs Should Partner with Embedded Finance Platforms for Tailored Financing Solutions

Payments lie at the intersection of commerce and the ever-expanding digital economy. For the Payment Service Providers (PSPs) that ply their trade in this dynamic space, there’s a unique opportunity to create new revenue streams and increase merchant retention: diversification. By partnering with an embedded finance platform, PSPs can go beyond ...

21 June 2023 /inclusion Embedded Finance

How Acquirers Are Offering Instant Funding Without Putting Their Balance Sheet at Risk

There’s an all-too-common scenario that pervades the payments landscape: acquirers blindly falling into a commodity trap. This unwanted outcome occurs when a financial institution that processes credit and debit card transactions on behalf of merchants sees its competitive edge blunted by competition. Over time, their service becomes indistinguish...

22 May 2023 /payments /inclusion Embedded Finance

Neobanks' 4-Click Instant Funding with Embedded Lending

There’s a portmanteau that perfectly describes the challenger banks that emerged from the ashes of the 2008 financial crisis: the fusion of neo and banks to create neobanks. The use of neo – another word for new – underscores their determination to disrupt the traditional banking model using the latest technology. These innovative providers of fin...

25 April 2023 /inclusion Embedded Finance

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