Ep. 166 - From Kount to Fi911: Brad Wiskirchen’s Next Chapter, live from Money 20/20 USA 2026

In the latest episode of The Payments Shed Podcast, filmed live from Money20/20 USA 2026 in Las Vegas, Svante Westerberg is joined by Brad Wiskirchen, Chief Commercial Officer at Chargebacks911 and CEO of Fi911, for a special Walk & Talk exploring the future of fraud prevention, the growing role of artificial intelligence in dispute management and why the payments industry's approach to risk and compliance is entering a new chapter. Having previously served as the founding CEO of Kount, building the business through to its acquisition by Equifax, Brad is no stranger to scaling technology businesses in the payments and fraud prevention industry. Now taking on leadership roles across Chargebacks911 and Fi911, he shares what attracted him to this next chapter, how the two businesses complement one another and where he sees the biggest opportunities for growth. The conversation then turns to the increasing pressure on banks, issuers and acquirers to manage risk, compliance and operational complexity. As financial institutions face growing expectations around fraud prevention, regulatory oversight and customer protection, Svante and Brad explore why demand for more sophisticated risk and control infrastructure continues to accelerate, and how Fi911 is positioning itself to support the evolving needs of the financial services ecosystem. A major focus is the role of AI in transforming dispute management. With Fi911 preparing to expand its AI-native capabilities, Brad discusses the opportunities to automate complex operational processes, improve efficiency and help financial institutions make faster, more informed decisions. Svante and Brad also unpack Chargebacks911's ambitions to grow beyond traditional chargeback management. With more than 15 years of experience in disputes, the business is looking towards acquisitions and a broader approach to digital dispute resolution. They discuss what makes an acquisition strategically attractive, how the definition of a digital dispute is evolving and why solving problems beyond the traditional chargeback process could create new opportunities for merchants and financial institutions. Plus, Brad takes on The Payments Shed's legendary Shelf of Shame, tackling one of the outdated practices or persistent frustrations within the chargeback and dispute process that the industry should have addressed long ago. Recorded live on the exhibition floor at Money20/20 USA 2026, this special Walk & Talk explores Brad Wiskirchen's next chapter after Kount, the evolution of Chargebacks911 and Fi911, and why AI, smarter dispute management and a broader approach to risk could reshape how the payments industry protects businesses and supports growth. The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops. Cyclops helps payments companies offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts through one unified infrastructure platform. Find out more: https://cyclops.finance/ The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Salesloft. Salesloft uses agentic AI to turn buyer, conversation, deal and forecast data into clear actions that help revenue teams sell smarter. Find out more: https://www.salesloft.com The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Mastercard Open Finance. Mastercard Open Finance enables businesses to use consumer-permissioned financial data to create more connected and personalised financial experiences. Find out more: https://www.mastercard.com/global/en/business/open-finance.html The Payments Shed Podcast is partnered with PCN. PCN is a global boutique recruitment agency connecting leading talent and businesses across fintech, cybersecurity, SaaS, e-commerce and Salesforce. Find out more: https://teampcn.com/ Disclaimer: Views expressed are those of The Payments Shed Podcast hosts and guests, not their respective employers. Nothing discussed constitutes investment, legal, tax or financial advice.