Archive - The Free Toaster

MoneyLion’s 40% Growth Outpaces Gen Digital’s Core Business

Plus, Mr. Beast's Purchase of Fintech App Step

7 hrs ago

News Pod #5 - Fiserv & Affirm Join Forces To Bring BNPL To Debit Cards

The Free Toaster hosts Carlos Caro and Nick Madrid add context to the story covered in the Newsletter earlier this week.

Feb 6 • Carlos Caro

8:30

WTF 2026 - Since When is Debit NOW Credit!?

Affirm and Fiserv brings BNPL to millions of debit card users and thousands of retailers.

Feb 4

E038 - 7 Must-Have Traits for Your VP of Partnerships

Today we cover the 7 traits of successful VPs of Partnerships, why they matter, and how to assess them during interviews.

Feb 3 • Carlos Caro

24:09

January 2026

News Pod #4 - Affirm's FDIC application and Credit Card Growth

Listen now (12 mins) | Affirm is officially making a play to become its own bank by submitting applications to establish Affirm Bank through a…

Jan 30 • Carlos Caro

11:35

Affirm Submits FDIC Application Through ILC

Affirm’s quest for a bank charter, OnePay’s post-purchase swipe.

Jan 28

The 7 Traits Your Next VP of Partnerships MUST Have

And the exact interview questions to ask to vet candidates.

Jan 27 • Carlos Caro

News Pod #3 - Cash App's "Invisible" Consumer Lending Business

Listen now (11 mins) | Cash App Borrow is quietly building a monster (and seemingly highly profitable) consumer lending business under the radar.

Jan 23 • Carlos Caro

10:32

Cash App’s “Invisible” $200 Billion Loan Machine

Block’s data-driven lending wins, the $160B battle over rate caps, and OpenAI enters the ad game.

Jan 22

News Pod #2 - Jenius Bank's Exit From Affiliate Marketplaces

Listen now (5 mins) | This week Carlos Caro unpacks what Jenius Bank's exit from affiliate marketplaces could mean for other prime personal loan…

Jan 16 • Carlos Caro

4:52

SMBC Ends Jenius Bank’s U.S. Operations

Jenius Bank shuts down as SMBC exits U.S. consumer banking, Fanatics moves into cards, OnePay’s valuation climbs, credit unions adopt AI lending, and…

Jan 14

News Pod #1 - Apple & Chase Cobrand Deal

Listen now (11 mins) | In the News Pod, The Free Toaster founders - Carlos Caro and Nick Madrid - unpack select stories from the Wednesday news edition…

Jan 8 • Carlos Caro

10:52

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