Fintech News Issue #212 April 11th, 2019

In this episode — which originally aired as a video on YouTube — a16z general partner Alex Rampell (and former fintech entrepreneur as the CEO and co-founder of TrialPay) talks with a16z operating partner Frank Chen about the quickly changing fintech landscape and, even more importantly, why the landscape is changing now. Should the incumbents be nervous? And nervous about what, exactly? But most importantly, what should the incumbents do about all of this change?

2019 will not be a continuation of the past with banking technology. But which technology trends will matter most in the months and years ahead? Big data and AI? The cloud? Digital-only banks? The answer is critical because ignoring these trends now will make it more difficult than ever for complacent banks and credit unions to catch up.

A bank CEO with heart looks at how fintech companies can tackle difficult consumer financial problems. In his new book, "Fintech For Good," Dave Reiling from Sunrise Banks looks at five innovative fintechs addressing everything from student loan debt to the need for emergency funds.

London is on track to become home to the same number of fintech unicorns as San Francisco, the world's current leader.

New technologies are disrupting the financial services industry, like they have in many other markets, whether Wall Street is ready for them or not. From peer-to-peer lending and robo-advisors to bitcoin and crowdfunding, financial technology or fintech is smashing old business models on its way to crowning new rulers in the world of money. And there is no turning back.

Canada is home to the second-largest financial centre in North America, which quite often surprises our neighbour to the south, not to mention the international business community. In terms of its status as a global financial centre, Toronto currently ranks seventh, after New York, London and four Asian financial centres.

I find it interesting when I read perspectives on FinTech, money and banking. Going digital, getting rid of branches, becoming cashless seem to be the main themes, and yet this ignores that every part of the world is different.

Anthony Jenkins, ex-CEO, Barclays, warns that banks will be dealt a “Kodak moment” by FinTech companies if they are not careful. His is a minority opinion amidst a growing belief that FinTech is more friend than foe of banking institutions, a source of complementary strengths that incumbent banks would do well to leverage.

The world will never be the same again - regardless of when and under what conditions Brexit will actually happen (and whether it will happen at all): certain things, including the financial world, will never go back to the way they were.

China Construction Bank and China Merchant Bank use fintech to deliver cross-border services in the Greater Bay Area. Chinese banks that have set up fintech units are also forming partnerships with internet giants to tap their technology.

Bradesco joins Itaú in signing up to a blockchain-based system for international money transfers, as technology intensifies competition in currency conversion and international payments

Until about a year ago, I thought FinTech was just another breathy buzzword – lots of hype, but not a lot of substance. Three recent “ah-ha” moments have changed my mind. It is not hyperbole to say that the impact of technology on finance will be revolutionary, which is why I am all-in on Wharton’s new Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance that launched last week.

Digital banking starlet N26 is under scrutiny from German banking regulator Bafin, after reports emerged of fraudulent transactions and problems with the bank’s communications structure.