PayThink

The cryptocurrency and blockchain related failure rate is comparable to other technology startup categories and manageable with the right due diligence, writes Cahill Puil, founder of the consultancy Byte Media Group.

A broad network of financial data, such as utility payments and direct deposits, could help those without established credit histories better obtain loans. It might also help lenders make more accurate underwriting predictions.

The timing is right, both for the technology and for Amazon, which has already demonstrated excellence on required customer journey points like a widely adopted Amazon app, writes Chris Ventry, a director for BRG Corporate Finance.

The concept of privacy is evolving in the digital age in ways that demand new attention from policymakers. As stewards of considerable personal information, banks should prepare to take part in this debate.

Until the technologies provide significant savings, cryptotokens threaten financial stability, and the risks of open access to central bank balance sheets are worked out, retail CBDCs are a long way off, writes Collin Canright, a fintech consultant.

Momentum to overhaul the mortgage finance system had been slipping, and with Democrats divided over the Senate's banking relief bill there's virtually no chance more bipartisan deals can be worked out.

Talk about a #MaleFail: how shining a light on harassment could have unintended consequences for women in financial services. The New York Fed is dealing with a backlash of its own. Chief marketing officers like Citi’s Jennifer Breithaupt are playing an important role in product development. Also, new initiatives target bias on Slack and in Shakespeare.

The technology behind how payments are being delivered is advancing quickly. Unfortunately, standards and systems aren’t evolving fast enough to keep up, writes Greg Cohen, president of Paya.

Banks should ensure that their employees are nimble enough to react when unexpected situations arise, just as many had to do during the 2008 crisis.

Venmo is for consumer payments, but that same simplicity can benefit corporate payments, writes Jay Dearborn, president of corporate payments at Wex.