Financial technology

Financial technology (abbreviated fintech or FinTech) is the technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services.[1] It is an emerging industry that uses technology to improve activities in finance.[2] The use of smartphones for mobile banking, investing, borrowing services[3], and cryptocurrency are examples of technologies aiming to make financial services more accessible to the general public. Financial technology companies consist of both startups and established financial institutions and technology companies trying to replace or enhance the usage of financial services provided by existing financial companies.

Fintech meetup in Sri Lanka

Definition

After reviewing more than 200 scientific papers citing the term "fintech," a study on the definition of fintech concluded that "fintech is a new financial industry that applies technology to improve financial activities."[4] Fintech is the new applications, processes, products, or business models in the financial services industry, composed of one or more complementary financial services and provided as an end-to-end process via the Internet.[3] Fintech can also be considered as “any innovative ideas that improve financial service processes by proposing technology solutions according to different business situations, while the ideas could also lead to new business models or even new businesses." [5]

Key areas

Financial technology has been used to automate investments, insurance, trading, banking services and risk management.[6][7]

The services may originate from various independent service providers including at least one licensed bank or insurer. The interconnection is enabled through open APIs and open banking and supported by regulations such as the European Payment Services Directive.

In trading on capital markets, innovative electronic trading platforms facilitate trades online and in real time. Social trading networks allow investors to observe the trading behavior of their peers and expert traders and to follow their investment strategies on currency exchange and capital markets. The platforms require little or no knowledge about financial markets, and have been described as disruptors which provide "a low-cost, sophisticated alternative to traditional wealth managers" by the World Economic Forum.[8]

Robo-advisers are a class of automated financial adviser that provide financial advice or investment management online with moderate to minimal human intervention.[9] They provide digital financial advice based on mathematical rules or algorithms, and thus can provide a low-cost alternative to a human advisers.

Global investment in financial technology increased more than 2,200% from $930 million in 2008 to more than $22 billion in 2015.[10] The nascent financial technology industry in London has seen rapid growth over the last few years, according to the office of the Mayor of London. Forty percent of the City of London's workforce is employed in financial and technology services.[11]

In Europe, $1.5 billion was invested in financial technology companies in 2014, with London-based companies receiving $539 million, Amsterdam-based companies $306 million, and Stockholm-based companies receiving $266 million in investment. After London, Stockholm is the second highest funded city in Europe in the past 10 years. Europe's fintech deals reached a five-quarter high, rising from 37 in Q4 2015 to 47 in Q1 2016.[12][13] Lithuania is starting to become a northern European hub for financial technology companies since the news in 2016 about the possible exit of Britain from the European Union. Lithuania has issued 51 fintech licenses since 2016, 32 of those in 2017. [14]

Fintech companies in the United States raised $12.4 billion in 2018, a 43% increase over 2017 figures. [15]

In the Asia Pacific region, the growth will see a new financial technology hub to be opened in Sydney, in April 2015.[16] According to KPMG, Sydney's financial services sector in 2017 creates 9 per cent of national GDP and is bigger than the financial services sector in either Hong Kong or Singapore.[17] A financial technology innovation lab was launched in Hong Kong in 2015.[18] In 2015, the Monetary Authority of Singapore launched an initiative named Fintech and Information Group to draw in start-ups from around the world. It pledged to spend $225 million in the fintech sector over the next five years.[19]

While Singapore has been one of the central Fintech hubs in Asia, start ups in the sector from Vietnam and Indonesia have been attracting more venture capital investments in recent years. Since 2014, Southeast Asian Fintech companies have increased VC funding from $35 million to $679 million in 2018 and $1.14 billion in 2019.[7]

Fintech start-ups around the world have been noted for their innovation, creativity, and cutting-edge work styles, and as a result these aspects have worked their way into each workplaces’ culture. This emphasis on collaboration and alliance has resulted in workplaces where afternoon office happy hours occur every Friday, in-office yoga classes are offered to help relieve employees’ stress, and other engaging activities are hosted. These environments are not only fun for employees, but build a more productive and friendly workplace that enhance company performance. [20] What makes fintech’s workplace culture especially unique is the methods used to preserve this special environment, which is through the hiring process. There are three key ways fintech start-ups maintain this state-of-the-art culture through their hiring process: involving the whole crew, being consistent, and clarifying their mission. By allowing multiple departments to have a say in who is hired and making their mission clear to all prospective employees, start-ups are able to attract prospects who hold the same values and goals as the company itself. [21] The unique workplace culture fintech startups operate around gives fintech an edge over traditional banking and explains why fintech is the future of the financial industry.

Technologies

Within the financial services industry, some of the used technologies include artificial intelligence (AI), big data, robotic process automation (RPA), and blockchain.

Artificial Intelligence is a blanket term for many different technologies. In terms of the "fintech" industry, AI is used in various forms. AI algorithms can be used to predict changes in the stock market and give insight into the economy. AI is used to provide insight on customer spending habits and allows financial institutions to better understand their clients. Chatbots are another AI-driven tool that banks are starting to use to help with customer service.

Big Data is another "fintech" technology that financial institutions utilize. In the finance sector, big data can be used to predict client investments and market changes and create new strategies and portfolios. Big Data can be used to analyze customer spending habits and therefore improve fraud detection. Big Data helps banks create segmented marketing strategies and can be used to optimize the operations of a company.

Robotic Process Automation is an artificial intelligence technology that focuses on automating specific repetitive tasks. In terms of "fintech", RPA is used to perform manual tasks that often are repetitive and completed daily. These tasks just involve the input of information into a system and do not require much skill thus companies are replacing them with RPA which can complete the task quicker and more efficiently. RPA helps to process financial information such as accounts payable and receivable more efficiently than the manual process and often more accurately. RPA can be used to increase the productivity of the financial company.[22]

Blockchain is another financial technology that is beginning to be used in the industry. Out of all the "fintech" technologies, blockchain was developed for the purposes of finance and thus has direct ties to financial institutions. Though blockchain is still an emerging technology, many companies recognize the impact that it will have and are investing accordingly.[23]

Awards and recognition

Financial magazine Forbes created a list of the leading disruptors in financial technology for its Forbes 2019 global Fintech 50.[24] In Europe there is a list called the FinTech 50,[25] which aims to recognise the most innovative companies in fintech.[26]

A report published in February 2016 by EY commissioned by the UK Treasury compared seven leading fintech hubs: the United Kingdom, California, New York City, Singapore, Germany, Australia and Hong Kong. It ranked California first for 'talent' and 'capital', the United Kingdom first for 'government policy' and New York City first for 'demand'.[27]

For the past few years, PwC has posted a report called the "Global Fintech Report". In the 2019, the report covers many topics revolving around the financial technology sector. The report discusses the landscape of the "Fintech" industry and some of the emerging technologies in the sector. It provides strategies for financial institutions on how to incorporate more "fintech" technologies into their business. [28]

Outlook

Finance is seen as one of the industries most vulnerable to disruption by software because financial services, much like publishing, are made of information rather than concrete goods. In particular blockchains have the potential to reduce the cost of transacting in a financial system.[29] While finance has been shielded by regulation until now, and weathered the dot-com boom without major upheaval, a new wave of startups is increasingly "disaggregating" global banks.[30] However, aggressive enforcement of the Bank Secrecy Act and money transmission regulations represents an ongoing threat to fintech companies.[31] In response, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank jointly presented Bali Fintech Agenda on October 11, 2018[32] which consists of 12 policy elements acting as a guidelines for various governments and central banking institutions to adopt and deploy "rapid advances in financial technology".[33]

The New York Venture Capital Association (NYVCA) hosts annual summits to educate those interested in learning more about fintech.[34] In 2018 alone, fintech was responsible for over 1,700 deals worth over 40 billion dollars.[35]

Challenges and solutions

In addition to established competitors, fintech companies often face doubts from financial regulators like issuing banks and the Federal Government.[36][37] In July 2018, the Trump Administration issued a policy statement that allowed FinTech companies to apply for special purpose national bank charters from the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.[38] Federal preemption applies to state law regarding federally chartered banks.[39]

Data security is another issue regulators are concerned about because of the threat of hacking as well as the need to protect sensitive consumer and corporate financial data.[40][41] Leading global fintech companies are proactively turning to cloud technology to meet increasingly stringent compliance regulations.[42]

The Federal Trade Commission provides free resources for corporations of all sizes to meet their legal obligations of protecting sensitive data.[43] Several private initiatives suggest that multiple layers of defense can help isolate and secure financial data.[44]

In the European Union, fintech companies must adhere to data protection laws, such as GDPR. Companies need to proactively protect users and companies data or face fines of 20 million euros, or in the case of an undertaking, up to 4% of their total global turnover.[45] In addition to GDPR, European financial institutions including fintech firms have to update their regulatory affairs departments with the Payment Services Directive (PSD2), meaning they must organise their revenue structure around a central goal of privacy.[46]

Any data breach, no matter how small, can result in direct liability to a company (see the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act)[47] and ruin a fintech company's reputation.[48]

The online financial sector is also an increasing target of distributed denial of service extortion attacks.[49][50] This security challenge is also faced by historical bank companies since they do offer Internet-connected customer services.[51]

See also

• Smart contract

References and notes

1. Infinite Financial Intermediation, 50 Wake Forest Law Review 643 (2015)
2. Schüffel, Patrick (2016). Taming the Beast: A Scientific Definition of Fintech. Journal of Innovation Management. p. 32–54.
3. Sanicola, Lenny (February 13, 2017). "What is FinTech?". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
4. Schueffel, Patrick (March 9, 2017). "Taming the Beast: A Scientific Definition of Fintech". Journal of Innovation Management. 4 (4): 32–54. doi:10.24840/2183-0606_004.004_0004. ISSN 2183-0606.
5. Leong, Kelvin.; Sung, Anna (2018). "FinTech (Financial Technology): What is It and How to Use Technologies to Create Business Value in Fintech Way?" (PDF). International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology. 9 (2): 74–78. doi:10.18178/ijimt.2018.9.2.791. S2CID 67842383.
6. Aldridge, I., Krawciw S., 2017. Real-Time Risk: What Investors Should Know About Fintech, High-Frequency Trading and Flash Crashes. Hoboken: Wiley. ISBN 978-1119318965
7. "Vietnam closes in on Singapore as fintech funding booms". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
8. R. Jesse McWaters (June 2015). "How will the empowerment of individuals through automated systems and social networks transform the business of investment management?" (PDF). The Future of Financial Services: How disruptive innovations are reshaping the way financial services are structured, provisioned and consumed (Report). World Economic Forum. p. 125. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
9. Lieber, Ron (April 11, 2014). "Financial Advice for People Who Aren't Rich". The New York Times.(subscription required)
10. "Global Fintech Investment Growth Continues in 2016" (PDF). Accenture. 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
11. "What is FinTech and why does it matter to all entrepreneurs?". Hot Topics. July 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
12. "Stockholm FinTech: An overview of the FinTech sector in the greater Stockholm Region". Stockholm Business Region. June 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
13. "Fintech Investments Skyrocket in 2016– Report". redherring.com. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
14. "Brexit a boon for Lithuania's 'fintech' drive". The Business Times. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
15. Kauflin, Jeff. "The 11 Biggest Fintech Companies In America 2019". Forbes. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
16. "Sydney FinTech hub based on London's Level39 coming next April". BRW. November 2014. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
17. "Subscribe | theaustralian". www.theaustralian.com.au. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
18. "FinTech Innovation Lab in Hong Kong Launches With Eight Firms". Forbes. February 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
19. "Fintech – the next frontier for Hong Kong's battle with Singapore?". Retrieved September 26, 2016.
20. "How Fintech Firms Get Peak Performance From Employees". American Banker.
21. "How Fintech Firms Get Peak Performance From Employees". American Banker.
22. "Intelligent process automation: The engine at the core of the next-generation operating model | McKinsey". www.mckinsey.com. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
23. "Deloitte's 2019 Global Blockchain Survey | Deloitte Insights". www2.deloitte.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
24. "The Most Innovative Fintech Companies In 2019". Forbes. February 4, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
25. "THE FINTECH50 2017". The FinTech 50. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
26. "About The FinTech50 I the 50 hottest FinTechs". The FinTech 50. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
27. "An evaluation of the international FinTech sector" (PDF). EY. February 24, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
28. PricewaterhouseCoopers. "Global FinTech Report 2019". PwC. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
29. Tasca, Paolo; Tomaso Aste; Loriana Pelizzon; Nicolas Perony (2016). Banking Beyond Banks and Money: A Guide to Banking Services in the Twenty-First Century. Springer. p. 215. ISBN 9783319424484. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
30. "How FutureAdvisor plans to shake up wealth management". Fortune. May 2014.
31. "Criminalizing Free Enterprise: The Bank Secrecy Act and the Cryptocurrency Revolution". Westlaw's Computer & Internet Journal. July 2, 2015.
32. "The Bali Fintech Agenda". IMF. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
33. Global, IndraStra. "Decoding the Bali Fintech Agenda". IndraStra. ISSN 2381-3652.
34. "NYVCA". The New York Venture Capital Association. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
35. Davis, Lindsay. "2019 Fintech Trends To Watch". CBInsights.
36. "Old Laws, New Models". Taylor Wessing. October 2014.
37. "Groundbreaking FinTech Innovations: Threat for banks, or opportunity of a lifetime?". Business Insider. January 3, 2018.
38. "OCC Begins Accepting National Bank Charter Applications From Financial Technology Companies" (2018–74). Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. July 31, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
39. Note, Recent Policy Statement: OCC Allows Fintech Companies to Apply for National Bank Charters, 132 Harv. L. Rev. 1361 (2019).
40. "Ensuring Cybersecurity In Fintech: Key Trends And Solutions". Forbes (magazine). March 2015.
41. "Protect Your Assets: Cybersecurity + FinTech". Wharton Fintech. March 2015. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
42. "How FinTech Leaders Are Using The Cloud To Meet Compliance". Solgari.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
43. "Data Security". Federal Trade Commission.
44. "Top 10 ways to secure your stored data". Computerworld. August 3, 2006.
45. "Rules for business and organisations". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
46. "Payment services (PSD 2) - Directive (EU) 2015/2366". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
47. "Data Security Considerations for FinTech Companies". Bloomberg. April 23, 2013. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017.
48. "Financial Startups Reimagine Banking, but Security Still Paramount". Cloudbric. July 10, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
49. "Banks Lose Up to $100K/Hour to Shorter, More Intense DDoS Attacks". American Banker. April 23, 2015.
50. "How Hackers Make Money from DDoS Attacks". Fortune. April 23, 2016.
51. "Who lies behind the latest cyber attacks on JPMorgan Chase?". The Economist. August 28, 2014.

Further reading

• Teigland, R., Siri, S., Larsson, A., Puertas, A. M., & Bogusz, C. I. (Eds.) (2018). The Rise and Development of FinTech (Open Access): Accounts of Disruption from Sweden and Beyond. Routledge. ISBN 9780815378501.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)

• Media related to Financial technology at Wikimedia Commons