Mariia Menahem, CEO, Clarity Global Inc

Today we're meeting Mariia Menahem, CEO at Clarity Global Inc. They specialize in cross-border money transfers and provide tailored payment solutions that bridge the gap between traditional banking and modern fintech services.

Over to you Mariia - my questions are in bold:

Who are you and what's your background?

I am Mariia Menahem and I'm the CEO of Clarity Global. I spent more than 15 years working in the financial services sector, predominantly focused on payments, fintech, and insurance. This has taken me across the world and made me well-versed in cross-border regulatory practices. About two years ago I joined Clarity Global and after a year was promoted to CEO. It was a new chapter for me, and my first time working directly in payment facilitation.

What is your job title and what are your general responsibilities?

As CEO, I'm steering the ship. This means I'm in charge of making critical decisions concerning company operations, compliance management, and overarching growth strategy. Lately I've been particularly focused on managing our strategic partnerships. International transfers are the heart of our business, which means this company only works if we have solid ongoing relationships with banks and regulators around the world. And with customers around the world, I need to be continually developing business in new markets. You could say I have a lot of plates in the air, but doesn't every CEO? Luckily we've got a fantastic team here and I think we have built a supportive and accelerated culture where we can thrive together.

Can you give us an overview of your business?

We're a B2B financial services provider that facilitates rapid, secure, and transparent cross-border payments. We focus on SMEs, for whom tailored payment solutions and complete regulatory compliance is essential. Broadly speaking, we offer multi-currency payment solutions, competitive foreign exchange rates, and strong compliance frameworks. Our robust banking rails enable total efficiency, and the positive market reception we've enjoyed so far highlights our ability to bridge traditional and digital finance.

Tell us how you are funded.

On our own terms! We are a self-funded fintech company with a roster of private investors who support our mission to transform border-crossing B2B payments. We strategically reinvest our profits directly toward growth and innovation efforts, and this makes it possible for us to scale rapidly without ceding control over our larger company direction.

What's the origin story? Why did you start the company? To solve what problems?

Clarity Global was founded because there was a need for real innovation around B2B cross-border payments. It's that simple. This mission has been underscored by international developments over the last few years, such as the recent wave of Ukrainian entrepreneurs working both in-country and abroad. They're driving change, creating jobs, generating traffic, and attracting investment, and yet they often struggle to get proper funding through local banks that don't want to service them or provide tailored solutions. That's where we come in. We're willing to work with them, and our money transfers work for them because they're tailored to them.

Who are your target customers? What's your revenue model?

Our target audience are SMEs, primarily in IT, advertising, and e-commerce. We also serve a number of businesses in high-risk industries like gaming, which traditional banks tend to avoid. Our two-pronged revenue model is based on transaction fees and recurring service fees. We keep those transaction fees as low as we reasonably can and offer premium service. That's why our customers are willing to pay.

If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change in the banking and/or FinTech sector?

Oh, that's easy. I would standardize regulatory requirements globally. This would eliminate the friction in cross-border payments and save fintech companies an untold number of headaches around navigating complex and fragmented regulations across the world. This would benefit everyone. Money would move faster and businesses could work internationally far more easily. The risk of accidentally running afoul of a regulation and paying associated fines would vanish. Additionally, it would make payments and transfers faster, more convenient, and smoother, without imposing restrictions or requiring significant time and effort from businesses dealing with the same challenges

What is your message for the larger players in the Financial Services marketplace?

It's a cliché to say the world of finance is changing rapidly and traditional banks must evolve to meet the needs of digital-first businesses. It's also true. Collaboration, openness to innovation, and a customer-centric approach are no longer good for getting ahead but necessary for survival. Do it or perish.

Where do you get your Financial Services/FinTech industry news from?

Like everyone else, I make my daily rounds on LinkedIn. I read FINEXTRA, The Fintech Times, Finovate, Crowdfund Insider, PYMNTS, and CoinTelegraph. I also do a bit of causal monitoring of major companies that specialise in financial technologies to see how they're innovating. I attend probably five or six fintech conferences a year to learn from industry leaders and be a part of the conversation.

Can you list 2 people you rate from the FinTech and/or Financial Services sector that we should be following on LinkedIn, and why?

• Simon Taylor: He's a leading voice on fintech, blockchain, and digital assets.
• Anne Boden: She's the founder of Starling Bank and, I think, something of a visionary when it comes to digital finance.

What FinTech services (and/or apps) do you personally use?

I like Interac, which operates here in Canada, for instant payments.

What's the best new FinTech product or service you've seen recently?

Some fintech companies are really integrating AI correctly. I'm impressed with enabling smarter decision-making, real-time fraud prevention, and more personalized customer experiences.

Finally, let's talk predictions. What trends do you think are going to define the next few years in the FinTech sector?

More AI integration, no question, particularly in the fields of compliance and fraud prevention. More embedded finance that enables businesses to integrate financial services into their products. Blockchain and tokenized assets aren't going anywhere, given their usefulness for secure and transparent transactions.

Thank you very much, Mariia!

Read more about Mariia on LinkedIn and find out more about Clarity Global Inc. at www.clarityglobalinc.com.