Banks

How can bankers think like entrepreneurs?

How can bankers think like entrepreneurs?

2 weeks ago, I was chairing the stream about “How can banks innovate” at Money 20/20 Singapore. The audience was mainly professionals in banks and Fintech entrepreneurs, and I asked them the following question : “What is the biggest challenge for bank innovation?” What would be your answer ? Have a think then see below how(…)

What will be the most successful bank in a Fintech world?

What will be the most successful bank in a Fintech world?

A few years ago, many banks were not convinced that Fintech* would impact them. Or rather, many banks were convinced that Fintech would NOT impact the industry, because of regulations, customer behaviour, etc. Fast forward to today, and this sentiment has totally shifted. From new challenger banks acquiring 8,000 new customers per day to Alibaba having(…)

How has Fintech transformed finance?

How has Fintech transformed finance?

The “Fintech” trend started 5 years ago.* Since then, we’ve heard about new startups, the emergence of tech competitors in finance, and also banks investing in technology. But what has been exactly the impact of technology in finance? Is there a real impact, is it too early to say, or is it just hype? My(…)

Alibaba becomes Top 10 Global Bank

Alibaba becomes Top 10 Global Bank

A few years ago, I wrote about the inexorable rise of Google and Amazon in finance. The conclusion from the piece was “if you prefer fast action and major Fintech disruption from tech powerhouses, then forget Amazon, Google or Apple, and watch Alibaba or Tencent…. Ant Financial, the finance arm of Alibaba, is valued $50bn.” This was 2.5 years ago, and(…)

Why SME Banking is a huge untapped market

Why SME Banking is a huge untapped market

When I started The Disruptive Group last year, one of my first tasks – like any entrepreneur – was to open a bank account. Being a fervent proponent of Fintech, I looked at the different options available in the UK, including the different Fintech startups. My requirements for the ideal bank? – Easy onboarding. We(…)

Why Finance is becoming Hyperscalable

Why Finance is becoming Hyperscalable

My thesis has long been that technology would have a huge impact in finance, but that it wouldn’t be a linear process. Let’s summarise where we are in this transformation of finance: 2013 onwards: huge enthusiasm in Fintech and the vision that tech would transform finance with disruptors challenging traditional companies. My view at the time:(…)

What’s the main challenge for Fintechs and banks to work together?

What’s the main challenge for Fintechs and banks to work together?

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure to co-chair the BBA Fintech Conference with the immensely knowledgeable Imran Gulanmhuseinwala. It’s the second time in a week that I attend a conference with two regulators (loosely speaking…) presenting their views. This time, it was the Bank of England and the FCA, the previous week, it was the French(…)

Guess what is the top finance app?

Guess what is the top finance app?

Let’s see if you know the answer… Between two companies from traditional finance (Chase and Amex), 2 pure Fintech (Credit Karma and Venmo), and an old Fintech (Paypal), which app is the most downloaded in the US? Click, then scroll down for the answer… You’ll see what everybody else thinks once you’ve clicked. S C R O L L(…)

The most interesting challenger bank you’ve never heard of

The most interesting challenger bank you’ve never heard of

Most people who have an interest in Fintech have heard of Atom, Starling, Fidor, Mondo or Number 26. Some might have heard of Loot, or Holvi. But there is a fascinating bank that most people have never heard of, and that’s certainly because this French challenger bank doesn’t seem to seek any international visibility. Let’s take a step back(…)

Why Amazon and Google are bound to enter finance

Why Amazon and Google are bound to enter finance

“Do you think that Google and Facebook will enter financial services ?” This is a question that is in many people’s minds, whether they work in Fintech or in traditional finance.  And indeed, the arrival of the GAFA (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple) in finance has been predicted and expected for years – with great excitement by some,(…)