The Fintech CFO Playbook: Reg Compliance, Money Movement Economics, and Diligence
Collated by Aparna Devalla, CPA
Curated by Rubric Financial
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What Makes Fintech CFO Work Different
- You're moving customer money (or extending credit, or facilitating payments). Even a small fintech is operating in a regulated environment from day one.
- Unit economics are layered: interchange fees, ACH costs, fraud loss reserves, interest spread (for lending), float income, payment processor fees. Not a simple gross margin %.
- Regulatory capital requirements may apply (state money transmitter licenses, EMI/PSD2 in EU, banking partnerships). These affect both finance setup AND liquidity planning.
- Customer money is held in trust/custodial accounts that DO NOT belong to your company. Mixing these with operating cash is a regulatory + audit nightmare.
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