Successful digital transformations these days are done not as make-or-break moon-shots but as a continuing series of smaller projects, says Tata Consultancy Services' David Jordan.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Doug Jones, D-Ala., cited research that found algorithmic lending can lead to higher interest rates for minority borrowers.

The investment firm is launching a company called Akoya that it says will help ease the technical aspects of data sharing, as well as disputes and liability issues, for banks, fintechs and data aggregators.

The ride-sharing heavyweights Uber and Grab built their markets by making payments seamless, and their expansion plans are similarly hooked into improving payments and other financial services.

The number of mergers approved in the first quarter was down significantly but experts are unsure of how long that will last.

Alkami Technology said it would use its latest round of funding to expand its white-label services for small banks and credit unions.

The digital bank is a whole new line of business for Goldman, meaning there's no risk that it is cannibalizing from the main institution, said Omer Ismail, the head of the bank's U.S. consumer business.

A trio of big deals in the payments and financial tech area and continued bank and venture capital interest in fintech investments are creating expectations for a banner year.

2019 has already seen billions of dollars in fintech M&A. The deals have come at a rapid enough pace that acquirers are often buying companies that are still absorbing deals of their own.

One consultant offers tips on how to better understand – and compete with – new entrants to the financial services marketplace.