Building Financial Bridges: How Lend For Good is Closing the 'Missing Middle' - Cameron Neil & Holly Smith

Chasing Financial Equality

In this compelling episode of Chasing Financial Equality, host Kane Jackson explores the revolutionary world of impact-driven finance with Cameron Neil, founder and CEO of Lend for Good, and Holly Smith, a Gen Z team member reshaping traditional finance perspectives. Together, they discuss how their crowd lending platform is addressing the $5 trillion "missing middle" gap in global finance - the critical funding void between philanthropic grants and traditional investment.

The conversation delves into the generational dynamics of their partnership, the shift from community-focused banking to profit maximisation, and how Lend for Good is creating alternatives to traditional financial systems. Neil shares his journey from establishing Australia's fair trade movement to building financial infrastructure for impact enterprises, while Smith offers insights on how Gen Z approaches impact investing and values-driven finance in Singapore and beyond.

Key Themes & Timestamps 1. Finding Purpose in Impact (04:30 - 08:01)

Holly Smith's emotional journey finding her place in impact investing in Singapore, and how Lend for Good provided a space where she could bring her full self to work.

2. Servant Leadership Philosophy (10:06 - 15:05)

Cameron Neil describes his "dad, servant, builder" identity and how it guides his approach to creating impact-driven organizations and movements spanning multiple generations.

3. Generational Perspectives on Finance (15:42 - 19:08)

Holly Smith discusses how Gen Z approaches finance differently, prioritizing values in every aspect of life and viewing finance as a tool for change rather than just profit generation.

4. The Missing Middle Problem (22:15 - 30:00)

Cameron Neil explains how small businesses and impact enterprises get trapped in a funding gap between philanthropic support and traditional investment, leading to a $5 trillion annual shortfall that continues to grow.

5. The Evolution of Banking Culture (29:18 - 31:21)

Discussion on how banking has transformed from community-focused institutions with local bank managers to globalised profit centres, and its impact on small businesses and communities.

6. Systemic Change Through Networks (33:42 - 36:23)

Discussion on building distributed, networked solutions (the "mycelium" approach) rather than centralised systems, and reimagining finance to serve society rather than the other way around.

7. Building in Regulatory Gray Areas (41:00 - 50:01)

Exploration of how Lend For Good navigates FinTech regulatory challenges while staying true to their mission, including their decision to prioritise impact over traditional compliance paths.

8. Call to Action & Vision (51:40 - 52:36)

The closing segment where both guests share their vision for global change - improving financial literacy and removing money from politics - as the most impactful changes needed today.