Startups

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(…)

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

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(…)

Why Fintech is an opportunity we might not see again…

Why Fintech is an opportunity we might not see again…

These are not my words, but those of Rob Frohwein, CEO of Kabbage. Read on to understand more about the context of the discussion that led to the topic of Fintech opportunities with Rob… But before, let’s start with a thought experiment: – It’s the year 2005. – You live in New York. – You’re(…)

The single most important quality to be an entrepreneur?

The single most important quality to be an entrepreneur?

Are entrepreneurs born or made? Are there any common traits shared by entrepreneurs? I was talking to a friend, and was wondering if there was any clear answer to these questions (at least the second one, I’m quite convinced entrepreneurs can be made…). After a quick search on the Internet, I wasn’t too convinced with the(…)

What are the 10 books to read to learn Fintech?

What are the 10 books to read to learn Fintech?

A few weeks ago, The Disruptive Group organised a Fintech bootcamp for finance professionals. One of the very experienced speakers advised the audience to start their education in Fintech by reading 10 very important books, but he didn’t mention which ones! So I thought I’d get the views from the readers of Disruptive Finance, and list the(…)

Who controls technology, controls the future…

Who controls technology, controls the future…

“Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,” (1984, George Orwell) The article below was published in Info, the monthly magazine of the French Chamber of Great Britain. The November issue was “Disrupt or be Disrupted” and coincided with the Disrupt or be Disrupted Conference held in London.  _________________________________(…)

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(…)

Can France be big in Fintech?

Can France be big in Fintech?

For the last few years, there has been a huge competition for the title of “Fintech capital of the world”. My view was that London had an ideal combination of 1) ecosystem, 2) talents, 3) Fintech-friendly regulator and 4) political willingness to support entrepreneurship. Which made it the most active Fintech place in the world, well(…)

Why “different” is better than “better” in Fintech

Why “different” is better than “better” in Fintech

I had the pleasure to speak at Imperial College a few weeks ago, as part of their programme called “Suits in the Garage” (It was a very appropriate name indeed since I usually wear a suit, and started as an entrepreneur working on top of a garage – although most young entrepreneurs based at WeWork or Level39(…)

My journey from entrepreneur to banker. My views on Fintech.

My journey from entrepreneur to banker. My views on Fintech.

I had the pleasure to be be interviewed on the Meet A Mogul series of The Market Mogul, a financial site. The Meet a Mogul series has been designed as a platform for people to learn from the experience of others, and in my case they were interested in my experience as an entrepreneur, how and(…)