30 Financial Services IT Influencers to Follow in 2020
Financial institutions have been grappling with digital transformation for years, but the global health crisis has made it a necessary step for survival. Customers are demanding more access to services than ever before, having grown accustomed to checking up on various aspects of life with a few taps of their phone. The way organizations have delivered these services has continued to morph to meet this growing need.
Technology has proved to be a critical tool in delivering that experience. From mobile banking to AI, tech has been at the forefront of enhancing the customer experience. That’s been especially true as economic effects from the pandemic have flipped personal finances upside down, and banks have had to adjust to remote work as well as remote service. To help keep track of these new solutions and trends, BizTech has assembled a list of 30 top influencers in the financial services industry to keep you informed, inspired and prepared to bring your financial organization to the next level. If you’re on the list, spread the news and grab our IT influencer cover image for your social media pages or websites.
First published in 1908, the ABA Banking Journal has an impressive pedigree but is firmly rooted in the here and now. The American Bankers Association's flagship magazine has now expanded into a podcast, offering extensive insights to banking, covering everything from cybersecurity issues and artificial intelligence to mobile banking and digital lending.
Alex Jimenez is the chief strategy officer at Extractable, a strategic consulting, design and data analytics agency focused on the future of financial services. The tech veteran shares his takes on digital transformation, innovation and digital banking for the financial services sector.
American Banker's technology coverage runs the gamut, from mobile payments to data privacy and partnerships between banks and financial technology companies (aka fintechs). Dating back to 1836, the publication has pivoted to the future with its extensive coverage of digital banking and even a podcast for its audience of industry executives.
For more than 20 years, ATM Marketplace has been the go-to destination for those who want to stay abreast of what’s happening in the ATM industry. Now, the site has taken a strong turn toward tech, bringing insights to the latest in digital banking, fintech and e-commerce. Its written coverage has expanded to include helpful videos and podcasts as well.
Those in the know in the financial services industry turn to U.K.-based Bobsguide for a wide range of news, insights and information on what’s going on in the world of fintech. The site covers everything from open banking to retail banking technology, risk management and insurance tech.
A speaker and bestselling author, Brett King is the host of the top-ranking podcast Breaking Banks. When he's not traveling the globe for speaking engagements, King serves as the executive chairman of neobank Moven, which he founded. The futurist's reach has also stretched into the public sector, when he served as an adviser to the Obama administration on the future of banking.
If it's related to fintech, Chris Gledhill is talking about it. Whether it's a keynote address, a blog post or a tweet, Gledhill is constantly sharing the latest in how AI, Big Data and emerging tech are affecting banking.
Author and speaker Chris Skinner is the mind behind The Finanser website. In addition to the blog, Skinner has written multiple bestselling books on digital banking and transformation. He's also a global ambassador for Innovate Finance, a not-for-profit membership association representing the U.K.'s fintech community.
The Credit Union 2.0 blog focuses on key tech trends for credit unions, including data analytics, the digital talent gap and digital transformation. Its founder, Kirk Drake, a lifelong entrepreneur, created eight successful businesses and has been involved with credit unions since 2000.
Credit Union Journal bills itself as the nation’s leading credit union newsweekly, providing objective credit union community news. A sister publication of American Banker, the site's technology coverage spans everything from credit unions’ partnerships with fintechs to mobile banking security and blockchain, with an eye toward organizations looking for growth.
Credit Union Times provides both daily news coverage and deep dives into the issues affecting credit unions. Its Tech Center is a wealth of resources for IT departments, from tech news and trends to stalwarts like cybersecurity.
The independent blockchain and fintech adviser is among the top voices in the field as she helps organizations navigate through digital transformation. Pylarinou is also an international speaker who brings extensive Wall Street experience to the fintech conversation.
If you want to stay on top of the pulse of financial technology news, Finextra is your go-to destination. The site is continuously updated with news from around the globe on everything from mobile banking to regulation and artificial intelligence.
The global fintech community comes together at FinTech Futures, a digital publishing platform that serves everyone from e-industry veterans to those just entering the field. It’s packed with daily news, in-depth analysis and expert commentary spanning a wide range of topics, including fintech, regulation technology and IT for banks and insurers.
Fintech Insider is your one-stop shop for all things fintech. The podcast from 11:FS brings in-depth interviews with the best and brightest of financial services to a global audience.
IMFBlog is a global forum for the views of the International Monetary Fund. Staff and officials use the platform to cover pressing economic issues, including the growing use of technology. The site's tech coverage focuses on mobile technologies, cryptocurrencies and innovation in economies.
One of the minds behind The Financial Brand, Jim Marous is at the forefront of tech in finance. The speaker and publisher is an industry thought leader in fintech, banking and digital transformation. Marous is also the host of the Banking Transformed podcast.
A thought leader in the insurance space, Matteo Carbone is the founder and director of the IoT Insurance Observatory, an organization that promotes innovation in insurance. The keynote speaker and writer is known as a leading voice in the sector, advising a global audience on the top tech trends in the industry.
An experienced systems analyst, Michael Fisher's Twitter feed is full of the latest in IoT, AI and blockchain, just to name a few. His content touches on many industries, including fintech.
Cashierless commerce is more important than ever in the COVID-19 era, and Mobile Payments Today covers it all. As the mobile payment industry evolves and as banks try to keep up, the site remains a vital source of information on the news and trends in the sector.
Produced by Unconventional Ventures, One Vision is one of the top fintech podcasts out there and is a great resource for industry experts and investors alike. Co-hosts Theodora Lau, Arunkumar Krishnakumar and Bradley Leimer bring a wealth of experience to the table to put purposeful innovation under the spotlight. The content skews entrepreneurial, but also includes the latest in everything from payments to banking infrastructure and fraud.
Buffeted by changing economic policies and the pandemic, the global payments market has been turned upside down. How will advances in cryptocurrencies, peer-to-peer payments and mobile payments affect financial institutions? PaymentsSource is a go-to clearinghouse for news, insights and analysis on all of that and more.
A CTO and professor of advanced technology, Sally Eaves lets her diverse experience influence her holistic approach to financial services. Eaves is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and an award-winning international speaker and author.
International speaker Scarlett Sieber, a former CIO, brings a wealth of experience to the fintech conversation. She's the senior editor at Money2020, the industry's leading payments and financial services innovation event. Follow her for the latest on developments and female empowerment in the industry.
For all things cybersecurity, blockchain and AI in the financial industry, look no further than Sebastien Meunier. The speaker and author also maintains a personal fintech blog, FinnoWorld, to tackle innovation in finance.
A 25-year veteran of the investment industry, Spiros Margaris is the founder of Margaris Ventures, an advisory firm that helps companies develop innovative financial solutions. Margaris tweets about all things AI and innovation in the financial industry.
The Banker provides economic and financial intelligence for the industry worldwide, having built a reputation for objective and incisive reporting since 1926. Its tech coverage centers a great deal on cryptocurrencies and blockchain, but its Tech Talk video series also touches on AI’s role in fighting money laundering and how tech can help plug the financing gap for small and medium-sized businesses.
The Fintech Times describes itself as the world’s first and only newspaper dedicated to fintech. The publication combines firsthand insight, opinion and expertise with observational journalism to keep readers in the know amid rapid change in the industry. Tech coverage includes the latest in cybersecurity, AI and the digital economy.
Transaction Trends, the official publication of the Electronic Transactions Association, dives into the future of payments technology. The site regularly covers the latest in mobile wallets and payments, payment security and peer-to-peer payments.
Wharton FinTech, from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, is the first student-led fintech initiative. The blog bills itself as “FinTech thought leaders connecting innovators, academics and investors with the ideas and companies that are reinventing global financial services.” The blog regularly includes podcast interviews with fintech leaders and dives into issues related to modern financial technology.
