Conference

Oxford University launches Fintech lectures

Over the last year, we have seen Fintech courses and lectures started at different universities around the world. For example, MIT launched a graduate course on Fintech, Wharton launched a series of Fintech lectures, Hong Kong University launched a Fintech course, Vlerick Business School launched a 3-week Fintech bootcamp, and many other ones*… Oxford Said Business(…)

VIP Code for Lendit USA + One free ticket

Lendit very kindly offered a VIP Code for readers of Disruptive Finance to attend their conference. It will take place in San Francisco on 11/12 April at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis If you had to choose one event about p2p lending, marketplace lending, online, digital lending (I am a bit lost with all these new developments…), then Lendit is(…)

VIP Code for Lendit Europe

Lendit Europe very kindly offered a VIP Code for readers of Disruptive Finance to attend their conference. It will take place in London on 20/21 October at the Hilton Metropole. If you had to choose one event about p2p lending, marketplace lending, online lending (I am a bit lost with all these new developments…), then Lendit is definitely the(…)

We both caught the Coronavirus

My wife and I were both ill with the symptoms of COVID-19. While we were ill, we were looking for information about other people’s experience of COVID to understand how our symptoms could evolve. This is our experience, and this blog is written both by Tram Anh and me. The context We live in London, and are co-founders of(…)
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?

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?

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

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

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(…)
What are the skills for Finance 2.0? At the Singapore Fintech Festival

Skills for finance are changing. And this is happening today already: “NAB will make 6,000 job cuts over then next 3 years with its digital banking revamp… NAB is hiring 2,000 people with different capabilities” says Banking Technology. After a very fast paced trip in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Vietnam (more on this later, but(…)