In this episode of Accrued, Tedd Huff and Colton Pond sit down with Brian Barnes, the CEO and founder of M1. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your money work smarter for you, this episode is packed with insights. Brian shares how they combine investment tools with personal banking features to help clients manage their money better. The trio covers everything from building trust in the financial world to the decision to acquire a bank. M1 is not your typical financial company. It’s designed for modern investors who want to control their long-term wealth. Brian explains that M1 is about giving their clients the tools to invest, borrow, and spend wisely, all in one place. With over $8 billion in assets managed, it’s clear that many people trust M1 to help them grow their money. One of the cool things they discuss is how M1 enables clients use their investments as collateral for loans. This means you can borrow money at lower costs without selling your investments. This approach is usually reserved for the wealthy, but M1 makes it available to everyone, which is pretty amazing. Brian talks about the importance of building trust with customers. In the financial industry, trust is everything. M1 Finance focuses on delivering high-quality customer experiences and keeping their promises. This dedication to trust is part of why they decided to acquire a bank. Owning a bank allows them to offer even more value to their customers and integrate services seamlessly. They also dive into the challenges faced by FinTech companies. Starting and growing a company like M1 isn't easy. Brian shares some of the pain points they’ve encountered and how they’ve overcome them. It’s all about disciplined execution and creating value for customers over time.  Brian explains how M1 plans and prioritizes its product development and how they are always looking for ways to improve and add new features that benefit their users. This includes everything from high-yield savings accounts to credit card rewards that can be automatically re-invested.  The conversation also touches on the importance of modern infrastructure in financial services. Having up-to-date systems is crucial for providing real-time, efficient operations. Brian emphasizes that integrating new digital systems with old ones can be challenging, but it's necessary to maintain trust and reliability. Brian shares his vision for AI in personal finance. He believes that AI can help people make better financial decisions by providing personalized guidance and advice. Imagine having a digital assistant that helps you manage your money and plan for the future – that’s what M1 Finance aims to achieve. Throughout the episode, the guys highlight the fundamental elements of FinTech and financial services that remain constant. No matter how much technology changes, basic financial principles are key to long-term financial success. Brian's story with M1 is a testament to the power of a well-thought-out strategy and a customer-focused approach. By blending investment tools with personal banking features, M1 is making it easier for people to manage their money and grow their wealth.  This episode of Accrued offers a great look at how M1 is changing the financial landscape. Whether you're interested in FinTech, personal finance, or just looking for ways to make your money work harder for you, there’s something here for everyone. Don’t miss this engaging and informative conversation with Brian Barnes.  Remember to subscribe to Accrued for more episodes that dive into the world of finance and beyond. Keep exploring new ways to improve your financial health and stay ahead of the curve with Accrued. Key HighlightsWhy Trust is Key in FinTech: Insights from M1 Building trust is crucial in the financial industry. Brian Barnes shares how M1 focuses on delivering consistent,...