Strategy

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(…)

Why I moved to Fintech in 2016. And happy new year 2017!

Why I moved to Fintech in 2016. And happy new year 2017!

2016 has clearly been a year of changes in the world – and for me too, the year ended very differently than it started. For readers of Disruptive Finance, you might not have seen much difference, because the blog and my Fintech activities have always been my “night job”. But I also had a “day(…)

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.  _________________________________(…)

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(…)

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(…)

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,(…)

Five Legal Threats for Fintech Startups

Five Legal Threats for Fintech Startups

“Nearly 20 years ago, the launch of online payments giant PayPal shook the financial services industry. Now, a new generation of financial technology or “fintech” companies is once again breaking down the oversized doors of the conservative banking business…”

What lessons can we learn from Bondcube? [CEO Interview]

What lessons can we learn from Bondcube? [CEO Interview]

The growth in Fintech has been phenomenal during the last few years: 10 times more startups in London in 3 years, dozens of Fintech companies valued at more than $1bn, record breaking VC investments year after year. On the one hand, it is totally justifiable. Finance will be drastically different in 10 years, and the(…)