Fintech melds tech and financial services

Article Excerpt

“Fintech” refers to the crossover of technology into financial services. Firms in this area offer innovative software, mobile devices, data and analytics, and networks to compete with traditional financial services providers. Many are also partnered with banks, insurance companies or investment managers to complement their existing services and products. This is a fast-growing industry, and rapid expansion should continue over the next decade. E-commerce and digital payment methods also continue to gain traction globally, which should further spur fintech. Many of the most promising fintech firms offer upstart financial technologies—with the same kind of industry-disruption potential of Uber or AirBnb. Here are the key areas of financial services that fintech firms continue to target: Payments: Digital payments are expanding rapidly as customers continue to move from cash and cheques to electronic payments using web or mobile platforms. These can include one-time payments, payment scheduling or money transfers. Digital payments save businesses money (no cash handling costs) and are catching on quickly in China, Indonesia…