‍With an emphasis on compliance and regulatory integrity, First Bank of the Lake to provide secure, scalable, and transparent solutions, reinforcing their commitment to balancing innovation with regulatory rigor

Osage Beach, MO (October 30, 2024) – The American Fintech Council (AFC), the premier industry association representing responsible fintech companies and innovative banks offering embedded finance, has announced the addition of First Bank of the Lake as its newest member.  First Bank of the Lake joins responsible fintech companies and forward-thinking banks dedicated to advancing embedded financial solutions. As the financial industry embraces digital transformation, alliances like these allow the industry to stay at the forefront of developing solutions that strengthen and support the needs of those we serve.

“First Bank of the Lake has a long history of providing modern and innovative banking services catered to the unique needs of its community and the consumers it supports,” said Phil Goldfeder, Chief Executive Officer of AFC. “We are proud to welcome First Bank of the Lake and my great friend Ana Liza Grandner to AFC and look forward to working with them to ensure communities continue to benefit from responsible fintech innovations and have access to important financial tools.”

With over 16 years in digital payments and fintech, Ana Liza Grandner, alongside Phil Bianco, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer with 27 years in technology leadership and over a decade in fintech expertise, are driving First Bank of the Lake’s strategic vision for embedded finance. Together, they lead a digital banking strategy rooted in a "compliance-first" philosophy that not only fosters transformative fintech partnerships but also ensures our solutions align with rigorous regulatory standards. This emphasis on compliance and regulatory integrity enables them to provide secure, scalable, and transparent solutions, reinforcing their commitment to balancing innovation with the regulatory rigor their clients and communities rely on for their financial well-being.

“Joining the American Fintech Council is a meaningful step for First Bank of the Lake as we expand partnerships with innovative fintechs and enhance our digital capabilities,” said Ana Liza Grandner, Senior Vice President and Chief Payments Officer. “Our commitment to responsible, people-centered innovation drives us to leverage advanced financial technology to support communities and businesses alike.”

This announcement comes on the heels of First Bank of the Lake’s new partnership with fellow AFC member, Infinant and represents a commitment to responsible innovation that prioritizes communities and customers. Infinant helps financial institutions – including several other AFC members – scale their embedded finance solutions without compromising regulatory compliance. As the financial services industry continues to modernize, AFC and its members recognize the importance of these partnerships in strengthening the ecosystem to better support and protect consumers.

A standards-based organization, AFC is the premier trade association representing the largest financial technology (Fintech) companies and innovative banks offering embedded finance solutions. AFC’s mission is to promote a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system by supporting responsible innovation in financial services and encouraging sound public policy. AFC members foster competition in consumer finance and pioneer products to better serve underserved consumer segments and geographies.

About First Bank of the Lake

First Bank of the Lake, headquartered in Osage Beach, Missouri, has been serving the financial needs of individuals and businesses for over 39 years. Known for its customer-centric approach, the bank operates with employees across 35 states and offers a comprehensive range of deposit and lending services, including residential mortgages and commercial lending.

For more information, please visit https://www.fblake.bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

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