Content Library

Building the Future of Work in Kansas City

Moving money with agents

The promise of agentic finance is simple: software can do more than recommend what should happen with money. It can act. An agent can pay an invoice when it comes due, fund a supplier, settle a purchase, or move money to complete a task without waiting for a human to click “approve.”

A Field Guide to Payment Networks

This is the next post in Lead Bank's stablecoin series. Last time, in Settlement Sleeps: How Stablecoins Fix the Weekend Problem, we saw how card settlement stalls over the weekend because the rails underneath it keep banker's hours, and how stablecoins, running 24/7/365, let money settle any day of the week. The result was capital efficiency: when funds can move any day, less cash has to sit locked up as idle collateral.

Forbes Iconoclast: The New Architecture of Finance

Settlement Sleeps: How Stablecoins Fix the Weekend Problem

This is the second post in our stablecoin series. In the first article, we explored how money moves through today's financial system and why stablecoins represent a fundamentally different settlement rail. In this post, we'll look at a specific example: how card network settlement works today, and why stablecoins can help eliminate one of its longest-standing constraints — the weekend.

Lead Joins the American Fintech Council (AFC)

Lead Partners with Mastercard to Expand Settlement Capabilities

24/7 settlement is the future. Lead is thrilled to partner with Mastercard to support their new settlement capabilities to include stablecoin, intraday, holiday, and weekend options.

Banks, Blockchains, and the New Rail on the Block

Late last year, Lead acquired Loop, a stablecoin payments company. I'm Eleni, Loop's founder, and I now lead stablecoins at Lead. The acquisition raised a fair question: why would a bank — an industry that has historically kept crypto at arm's length — buy a stablecoin company?

She Bought a Bank for $56 million: The Story of Jackie Reses and Lead

How Bank-Fintech Collaborations Enhance Financial Infrastructure

Lead Named #34 on CNBC’s 2026 Disruptor 50

We’re proud to announce that Lead has been named to CNBC’s 2026 Disruptor 50 list, ranking #34 among the most innovative private companies transforming industries and shaping the future of business. This is Lead’s third-consecutive year to be recognized by CNBC.

Solana Accelerate: The Future of Banking Will Be Built, Not Inherited

The Bank Stablecoin Companies Actually Trust

Lead, Visa, and Bridge Expand Stablecoin Settlement

Lead's Rise in FinTech is Just Beginning

Lead Partners with Visa for USDC Settlement

Loop Crypto joins Lead

The future of payments is evolving rapidly, and stablecoins are becoming a foundational component of how money will move in the years ahead. As businesses seek faster settlement, greater efficiency, and enhanced security, the infrastructure powering payments must evolve alongside them.

Lead Bank Collaborates with Chainalysis to Enhance Compliance Practices

Lead Bank, a state-chartered bank and leading Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) partner for fintechs and crypto companies, has announced a collaboration with Chainalysis, the blockchain data platform, to enhance its compliance capabilities and streamline client onboarding.

Lead Named to Forbes’ “Next Billion Dollar Startups” List For 2025

We’re pleased to have been named to the Forbes 2025 “Next Billion Dollar Startups” and proud to stand out as one of the few fintechs on a list dominated by AI companies. In fact, 20 of the 25 companies on the list are focused on artificial intelligence.

Innovating How Banks and Fintechs Work Together With BINs

Our partner Mastercard recently published an article, discussing BINs (Bank Identification Numbers) and their role in powering modern payments.

How Lead Bank is Revolutionizing Crypto Compliance with Chainalysis Solutions

In the rapidly evolving world of digital assets and embedded finance, compliance isn't just a necessity; it's a strategic advantage.

Lead Bank closes Series B

Genius Act & Stablecoins

Erica Khalili on Stablecoin Interoperability at Stripe Sessions

Erica on Fintech Layer Cake

Top Leaders in Financial Services

Recapping Ripple Swell 2024

CNBC Squawk Box: The Future of Fintech, Banking, AI, and Crypto

Newsweek Most Loved Workplace and more

The Frustration that Started it all, Featured in Fortune

Lead Named to CNBC’s Disruptor 50

Abruptly Losing Your Bank Partner? Here’s What to Do

Whether driven by you or driven by the bank, the unexpected end of a bank partnership affects everything from client relations to your infrastructure. It's a scenario that demands swift, strategic action to ensure continuity and stability. Here's a guide on how to manage this challenging situation.

Jackie Reses has been named to the inaugural CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business list

Lead Bank lands on the Forbes Fintech 50 list for second year in a row

Lead Bank named one of Fintech’s rising stars with GGV’s Fintech Innovation Awards

Lead Bank Appoints Three New Board Members

Most Loved Workplace Certified

Lead Bank CEO, Jackie Reses, Featured on Forbes

How Do I Find a Good Bank Partner?

2023 Best Places to Work: KCBJ reveals this year's 45 honoree companies

Luna Acquires Kansas City’s Lead Bank

Luna Parent, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Lead Bank, an independent community bank headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

Forbes Fintech 50

American Banker Innovators of the Year Award

Kris Dickson - People on the Move

Lead Bank welcomes Kris Dickson as their new Chief Financial Officer. Dickson has held various senior finance & strategic leadership roles. Most recently, she was CFO and CAO of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.

Reses gathers diverse, world-class team to built cutting-edge fintech

Lead Bank Offers Employees a Personalized Benefits Experience

Lead Bank has been recognized for offering a scalable and personalized benefits experience. Lead Bank, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is a tech-enabled financial services company redefining the standards of banking for fintech and embedded finance.

Fintech star Jackie Reses has big plans for Lead Bank

Fintech powerhouse Jackie Reses leads the company that recently acquired Kansas City-based Lead Bank, and many people probably expected her to direct from afar.

Named a Best Bank to Work For by the American Banker