The Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation is a forum for debate and research about the future of the international finance services sector.

FinTech for Breakfast

"What has happened in the FinTech world during the summer break? A few developments come to mind, but I am sure that our usual guide, Izabella Kaminska of FT Alphaville, will add plenty more to the list (and, I hope, you will too). Backing up her, I am delighted to say, will be Simon Taylor, co-founder and director of Blockchain at 11:FS, which he joined after serving as VP for blockchain R&D at Barclays."

Financial Inclusions Banana Skins

"Financial inclusion has become a big cause across the globe. But this is a risky business. Many of the markets where financial exclusion reigns are untested, the consumers lack financial sophistication, regulation may be unfriendly, and the technology may not always deliver what it says on the tin. The CSFI has just conducted - with the support of Citi and the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion - a survey of these risks. This round table will consider the survey's findings."

Much has been said about business opportunity in the market for financial inclusion services: the millions of people who have little or no access to banking or savings or insurance, the possibilities that new technology offers to reach these markets and - not least - the good that access to finance can do to enable these markets to grow.

But there is another side.   This is a risky business: many of the markets are untested, the consumers lack financial sophistication, regulation may be unfriendly and the technology may not always deliver what it says on the tin.

The CSFI has just conducted - with the help of Citi and the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion - a survey of these risks using its tried and tested Banana Skins methodology.   In Financial services for all we rank 20 of the top risks, as identified by respondents in 60 countries.   The results show very clearly that this is not a market to be approached lightly: it needs a clear strategy, strong management, sound risk controls and mastery of the complexities of technology and product design. 

Read the report here.

Jane Fuller, CSFI co-director, sat down with Francesco Guerrera (Politico) and Sam Tymms (Promontory) to discuss whether there is a regulatory pendulum in banking - and in whose favour it is swinging.

Jane Fuller, CSFI co-director, discusses the Office of Tax Simplification's agenda for 2016 and beyond.

Christine Allison, CSFI Financial Inclusion Fellow, talks to Malcolm Brown, director of the Church's Mission & Public Affairs Department, about the role of the Church of England in providing socially responsible financial services.

Jane Fuller, co-director of the CSFI, talks to Brian Bartaby (CEO of Proplend) following the Centre's April 26 round-table on innovations in property finance.

Jane Fuller, co-director of the CSFI, talks to Tim Jones (former CEO of NEST) following the Centre's March 7 round-table on the Chancellor's priorities for pensions reform.

The CSFI aims to bridge the gap between emerging financial innovators and established institutions through a programme of round-tables, presentations, product demos and workshops. Contact Harry Atkinson to find out more. 

The Academic Expert Directory is an online platform where academics and other specialists can connect with financial services practitioners seeking expert advice. The service is simple to use - and free.

Contact

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