Business

AI powered Chatbots as personal financial advisors: Interview with Avi Ben Ezra of SnatchBot

Published

6 years ago

May 5, 2019

We live in a time where there are tremendous technological advancements. Although people have come to expect extraordinary things there still is lack of awareness as far as chatbots are concerned.

ChatBots are simply artificial intelligence entities which are running on a software program. They can be integrated into messaging apps where they can effectively perform a variety of tasks. They had been used extremely effectively in many industries where they have accomplished sophisticated tasks very efficiently. There is simply no reason why chatbots cannot be programmed to become personal financial advisors. Such a chatbot can be easily programmed to keep track of all our little daily expenses. They can issue warnings which can prevent us from overspending. There can be no doubt that there are many individuals who can benefit from this technology.

One of the companies which have already been looking at some of these possibilities is Fintech. According to Ben Ezra the CTO of SnatchBot it has been emphatically proven that a chatbot can be programmed to accomplish just about anything you can imagine. This is why it is entirely possible for financial service organizations to create something like a personal financial advisor which will be able to assist people with investments, with budgeting and with more effective spending of available finances.

What exactly could people expect to see in the nearby future?

People have already seen for themselves the tremendous impact which the Internet had on our planet in the last couple of decades. Therefore, there is justification when people think that when it comes to artificial intelligence, there are very few limits. There are very large financial institutions today that have all of the necessary resources to create very sophisticated chatbots who could literally transform the way in which people handle their finances. There will be benefits both for financial institutions and also for individuals. The cost savings for financial institutions could be substantial. Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence will help to eliminate unnecessary human errors. Ben Ezra is particularly excited about the convenience which customers will experience. Chatbots will make it possible to effectively manage several accounts at once. It will also be entirely possible to have frequent feedback regarding the state of certain accounts and many other things.

It will be just as good as having a bank in your home or in your pocket. It is possible to conduct a whole range of automated transactions and to do frequent payments. All of this can be accomplished by making use of your chatbot and you won’t even need additional apps. People today have become spoiled by technology and therefore they have high expectations. New technologies have barely been implemented when consumers have new demands. They want more secure solutions, personalized transactions, greater speed and a higher level of consumer convenience. All of this can become possible when people are provided with a personal virtual assistant. Such an assistant will immediately respond to every message whereafter it will instantly access any customer data as well as information on a whole range of financial products.

What other surprises does artificial intelligence have in store for people?

There is a company by the name of Gartner’s who has done extensive research. The acquired data indicate that within the next year or two almost 90% of consumer interaction with their company will be accomplished without human assistance. Ben Ezra is urgently encouraging all business owners to immediately look at the tremendous benefits which can be derived from the implementation of chatbots. Just imagine having a personal financial advisor on your smartphone or on your PC which can provide you with accurate and current advice which can help you to invest your finances where the best return on investment can be guaranteed. Your personal financial advisor can also provide you with all of the information which you may require when it becomes necessary to obtain a new motor vehicle. Just imagine how much frustration can be avoided when you have a professional in your corner that can help you to organize your life and your finances. Financial experts working at large financial institutions acquire a higher level of language usage which can confuse the layman and to interact with them can be intimidating. However, now it is possible to have your own personal financial advisor who will have the ability to simplify the terminology used in finances and to translate all that complicated it terms into layman’s language.

Will there be any other benefits?

It is entirely possible to develop a chatbot that can help you analyze your finances in order to help you determine where you can cut back on expenses. One such chatbot is already operating very effectively and this AI entity is known as Trim. This is specifically a chatbot for finances that can assist the individual with a whole range of tasks. This financial chatbot can check bank balances, manage other expenses such as subscriptions and can even assist the individual in the setting up of a spending alert so that the user knows when critical levels have been reached. Such a financial chatbot is completely at home on the Facebook messenger, SMS messenger, and many similar applications. According to statistics, the chatbot Trim has been instrumental in helping a large number of users save more than $6 million.

Conclusion

The benefits of having a personal financial advisor are just about immeasurable. So many mistakes are made because people forget. This can result in many financial problems such as additional interest and fines for late paying. However, having a chatbot as a personal financial advisor can help a person to avoid all of these frustrating human shortcomings. Because once a chatbot has been informed about anything it can never forget unless it becomes a victim of a critical system failure. But even then most reputable chatbot companies such as SnatchBot will always have backup systems in place to ensure that the consumer does not suffer any unnecessary harm. There is no reason why you should not benefit from a personal financial advisor. The technology is available and the benefits far outweigh the cost of implementation.

Suggested reading: Follow weekly news by Avi Ben Ezra or access his personal site here.

Youtube video – A vision of the future, by SnatchBot:

Business

Derik Fay and the Quiet Rise of a Fintech Dynasty: How a Relentless Visionary is Redefining the Future of Payments

Published

4 days ago

October 17, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Long before the headlines, before the Forbes features, and well before he became a respected fixture in boardrooms across the country, Derik Fay was a kid from Westerly, Rhode Island with little more than grit and audacity. Now, with a strategic footprint spanning more than 40 companies—including holdings in media, construction, real estate, pharma, fitness, and fintech—Fay’s influence is as diversified as it is deliberate. And his most recent move may be his boldest yet: the acquisition and co-ownership of Tycoon Payments, a fintech venture poised to disrupt an industry built on middlemen and outdated rules.

Where many entrepreneurs chase headlines, Fay chases legacy.

Rebuilding the Foundation of Fintech

In the saturated space of payment processors, Fay didn’t just want another transactional brand. He saw a broken system—one that labeled too many businesses as “high-risk,” denied them access, and overcharged them into silence. Tycoon Payments, under his stewardship, is rewriting that narrative from the ground up.

Instead of the all-too-common “fake processor” model, where companies act as brokers rather than actual underwriters, Tycoon Payments is being engineered to own the rails—integrating direct banking partnerships, custom risk modeling, and flexible support for underserved industries.

“Disruption isn’t about being loud,” Fay said in a private strategy session with advisors. “It’s about fixing what’s been ignored for too long. I don’t chase waves—I build the coastline.”

Quiet Power, Strategic Depth

Now 46 years old, Fay has evolved from scrappy gym owner to an empire builder, founding 3F Management as a private equity and venture vehicle to scale fast-growth businesses with staying power. His portfolio includes names like Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships, BIGG Pharma, Results Roofing, FayMs Films, and SalonPlex—but also dozens of companies that never make headlines. That’s by design.

Where others seek followers, Fay builds founders. Where most celebrate their exits, Fay reinvests in people.

While he often deflects conversations around his personal wealth, analysts estimate his net worth to exceed $100 million, with some placing it comfortably over $250 million, based on exits, real estate holdings, and the trajectory of his current ventures.

Yet unlike others in his tax bracket, Fay still answers cold DMs. He mentors rising entrepreneurs without cameras rolling. And he shows up—not just with capital, but with conviction.

A Mogul Grounded in Real Life

Outside of business, Fay remains committed to his role as a father and partner. He shares two daughters, Sophia Elena Fay and Isabella Roslyn Fay, and has been in a relationship with Shandra Phillips since 2021. He’s known for keeping his personal life private, but those close to him speak of a man who brings the same intention to parenting as he does to scaling multimillion-dollar ventures—focused, present, and consistent.

His physical stature—standing at 6′1″—matches his professional gravitas, but what’s more striking is his ability to operate with both discipline and empathy. Fay’s reputation among founders and CEOs is not just one of capital deployment, but emotional intelligence. As one partner noted, “He’s the kind of guy who will break down your pitch—and rebuild your belief in yourself in the same breath.”

The Tycoon Blueprint

The playbook Fay is writing at Tycoon Payments doesn’t just threaten incumbents—it reinvents the infrastructure. This isn’t another “fintech startup” with a flashy brand and no backend. It’s a strategically positioned venture with real underwriting power, cross-border ambitions, and a founder who understands how to scale quietly until the entire industry has to take notice.

In an age where so many entrepreneurs rely on noise and virality to build influence, Fay remains a master of what can only be called elite stealth. He doesn’t need the spotlight. But his impact casts a long shadow.

Conclusion: The Empire Expands

From Rhode Island beginnings to venture boardrooms, from gym owner to fintech force, Derik Fay continues to build not just businesses—but a blueprint. One rooted in resilience, innovation, and long-term infrastructure.

Tycoon Payments may be the latest chess piece. But the game he’s playing is bigger than one move. It’s a long game of strategic leverage, intentional legacy, and generational wealth.

And Fay is not just playing it. He’s redefining the rules.