Opinions

The physical branch network is not dead, but to ensure its viability banks need to get serious about trimming it down and combining branches with digital channels.

Bitcoin’s history is a fascinating story unparalleled in the worlds of tech and finance for its colorful characters, mystery and intrigue.

As fintech pitches itself as the future of consumer financial services to bankers, regulators, legislative staffers and journalists, it's not enough to claim that innovations are better. We nontechies want an explanation why, in layman's terms.

The banking and fintech industry is experiencing fundamental change driven by not only new and evolving regulatory guidelines, but also by the changing needs and expectations of consumers – largely attributed to organizations like Netflix and Amazon.

Many emerging innovators want to incorporate digital advances into the incumbent financial services sphere, not necessarily leapfrog banks.

The explosion of mobile over the last few years has been staggering. By next year, the twenty billionth mobile phone will be sold. And not only are there many more mobile devices, we’re all becoming more reliant on them. In fact, 9 out of 10 consumers in the U.S. keep their phones within reach 24/7.

Implementing discrete changes to a core system to compete with disruptors is merely dressing up an arsenal that really should be replaced or overhauled.

As far as digital currency has come, the passing of bitcoin for purchases is still a relatively primitive transaction.

For all the attention nonbank fintech firms get, they still have a long way to go before winning over key customer segments, such as business banking customers.

A concept that predated bitcoin itself is becoming more than a thought exercise as blockchains explore ways to harness smart contracts for greater uses.