Latest articles from Chris Skinner

Payments hold the key to the Internet of Things

June 1, 2016

The much-vaunted Internet of Things will be rooted in finance. The process has already begun, somewhere you might not expect.

The madness of blockchain

May 2, 2016

It is worth tuning out the white noise surrounding blockchain because real change is in the works – provided everyone understands what it involves.

The fintech generation game

April 1, 2016

Fintech companies are an odd mix of 'boomers' that tend to have the financial knowledge, and 'millennials' that bring the technological expertise. The success of such a company, however, seems to depend on how the two mix.

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Why banks have to think backwards on fintech

February 29, 2016

Techfin or fintech? Incumbent banks think in terms of the former – applying technology to the financial process – while for start-ups it's the latter, in that they take the financial process and apply technology. It is a subtle difference, but an important one, says Chris Skinner.

The end of bank accounts as the 'digital me' takes over

February 1, 2016

As identities increasingly move online, the 'bank account' will eventually become a place where virtual money is kept in a digital 'bucket' with access allowed to trusted parties. 

The waterfall effect: technology takes time to hit the ground

January 1, 2016

Layers of resistance, from hard-to-update legacy systems to hard-to-break user habits, make the timeline for seeing a new technological innovation hit the mainstream surprisingly long. 

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An end to the analogue age

December 1, 2015

With a global majority preferring digital access to banking, the cost of serving a dwindling number of customers through expensive analogue channels is growing, something that will eventually lead to banks disposing of these channels altogether.

Face the music: banking rules prevent total digital disruption

November 2, 2015

Will banking be disrupted by digitalisation to the extent that music and entertainment have? Not quite, thanks to the tight regulation those operating within financial markets have to adhere to.

Time is on the banks' side – so use it wisely

October 1, 2015

Banks worrying about new market entrants would do well to remember how slowly capital moves.

Does anyone really think banks aren't aware of the fintech challenge?

September 1, 2015

Banks are fully aware of the threats and challenges posed by fintech companies, it's keeping up with them that is the problem.

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