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(…)

How will Artificial Intelligence impact finance?

How will Artificial Intelligence impact finance?

“AI and machine learning will undoubtedly alter both the headcount and the nature of skills required in the industry. A significant minority of survey respondents fear the effects on the workforce will be negative within the next few years. But wholesale displacement of humans is for the longer term – nearly seven in ten believe AI will bring complete or substantial change to their own jobs over the next 15 years. Even in trading, where automation is already widespread, human roles will remain critical in areas such as algorithm validation and monitoring, as well as compliance. At this point, few believe machine learning models can or should drive financial-market operations completely independently of human control….”

Oxford University launches Fintech lectures

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(…)

How Fintech is forcing banking to a tipping point [Citi report]

How Fintech is forcing banking to a tipping point [Citi report]

With advances in technology, the relationship that customers have with their bank and with their finances has changed. Customers rely less and less on walking into a branch for their banking needs, and instead have digital options to help them —ATMs, on-line chat, mobile phones, and Internet banking. So far these have been seen more as additive to a customer’s banking experience but when do we go over the digital disruption tipping point and see a change in the fundamental banking business?

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(…)

Who said: “Our competition could be Google or Facebook” ?

Who said: “Our competition could be Google or Facebook” ?

“The incoming chief executive of French insurer Axa has said in his first interview that he wants the company to focus on the group’s digital transformation rather than making more big acquisitions.

Axa announced on Monday that Thomas Buberl, the 42-year-old head of the group’s German operations, would take over as CEO of the insurer in September, replacing Henri de Castries, who has held the job for 16 years.”

Why the payments market is – still – huge

Why the payments market is – still – huge

“In the VC world, there seems to be a fairly strong bias against pitching your company by saying, “We’re like X, but for Y. Most commonly, the “X” in the aforementioned sentence refers to Uber or Warby Parker…”

Fintech in 2016: why you need a different strategy

Fintech in 2016: why you need a different strategy

With the current volatility in the markets, some people are starting to question the viability of investments in Fintech – or technology in general. Although it’s not the majority, I suspect that we will hear more skepticism about the Fintech investment thesis over the next few months. However, I think it would be a mistake(…)

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(…)