Decentralized finance, in tandem with financial institutions, could create a more efficient, convenient, wider-reaching and more secure experience than traditional finance alone, says FISPAN's Clayton Weir.

With former Mastercard executive Dave Glaser becoming the fintech's first president and COO, Dwolla has the leadership necessary to move upmarket.

In-person branch use will continue, but retail banks should nonetheless double down on building intuitive, easy-to-use mobile experiences that drive customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

The fintech, which has applied for a California banking license and federal deposit insurance, aims to become a full-service online bank for 1 million Americans by year-end, says Ron Oliveira, its U.S. chief executive.

The deal can potentially boost payments on both sides, but also open new avenues such as merchandising and related content, says Kunai's Tarun Bhasin.

TomoCredit relies strictly on cash-flow data to gauge the creditworthiness of immigrants and young consumers, who often have too little financial history for traditional scoring models.

Both corporations and nimble outfits have been forced to search for new ways to innovate, says Hangar 75's Ian Wilding.

As the fintech industry matures and takes stock of how it has disrupted the banking industry for good, it’s critical we continue placing value on specialization to create a better, customer centric experience for all, says Moorwand's Luc Gueriane.

The American Fintech Council and the Financial Technology Association say they’ll promote responsible innovation, fair access to financial services and more. Their dozens of members include some of the biggest names in fintech.

Early wage access and automated savings tools are just two areas where banks can gaiBanks have a chance to fill the payment tech gap.