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11:FS is pleased to announce that today we are launching the beginner’s guide to Open Banking! It’s a hot topic in the fintech space at the moment and users need to know what they’re getting themselves into.

Simon Taylor interviewed Mike Kelly, CEO and founder of Curl for Fintech Insider, a new payments network. They discuss Curl’s origin story, their payments network and how Open Banking is going to make a huge difference. Listen to the interview in full on the podcast here or stream it below or catch the highlights on YouTube.

When the World Bank launched a focus on financial inclusion in 2011, about 2.5-3 billion people lacked access to even the most basic financial services. Since then, dramatic progress has been made. Between 2011 and 2014 an astonishing 700 million people gained bank accounts (twice the population of the US). In the latest World Bank Findex report, it was stated that a further 8% of the world opened an account.

It’s been a wild week for fintech news as conference season kicks off with Philip Hammond’s speech at the IFTC including robots taking over regulations and bridges to other continents. Picking apart the week on the Fintech Insider News show alongside hosts Ross Gallagher and Simon Taylor are Helene Panzarino, Managing Director at Rainmaking Colab, Monty Munford, journalist and found of agency Mob76, and Ryan Garner. Listen here for the episode in full, stream it below or read on for extra insights.

Every fintech marketing org, large and small, is surrounded by fires. But successful teams don’t try to fight each one. They let the nonessentials burn and focus on what matters. It sounds simple on the surface, but it’s a challenging principle to put into practice day in and day out.

Taking us back to the bay of San Francisco, I’m recapping the hippest edition of After Dark we’ve ever done. Listen back here or stream below as Sam and Doug are joined by a panel of special guests for insights into some of the most surprising and interesting stories of the week and a look into the Bay area. Sat in surprisingly comfy seats, with good drinks, amazing guests, and an even better audience we’re ready to start the show.

Fintech is constantly evolving and creating new ways to deliver a positive customer experience. But if they can do it, surely everyone else can too?

I’m recapping the best, brightest, and boldest live show Fintech Insider: After Dark has ever done. Listen back here or stream below as Simon, Ross, and Sarah, are joined by a panel of special guests to tackle the biggest and silliest stories of the week. Equipped with drinks, guests, party hats, and an enthusiastic audience we’re ready to start the show.

Moving into a new field, from study or another sector, is always a daunting task. Especially when it’s something as new and undefined as fintech can be. Luckily, we did a show at the Cass Finance Conference dedicated to breaking into fintech. Examining the dos and don’ts of entering the field are: Jeff Tijssen, 11:FS Head of Consulting, Sophie Winwood, Head of Partnerships at Innovate Finance, and Valentina Kristensen Head of PR and Marketing at Oak North. Our three veterans of the field speak with Fintech Insider host Ross Gallagher. Covering the skills you need to make it in the fintech world. You can download the podcast here or click play below. Alternatively, read on for a summary and highlights. Read on anyway, it’s interesting stuff.

🚨 Breaking news: what happens when two (crowdfunders) become one 🚨 The UK’s two largest crowdfunding platforms, Seedrs and Crowdcube, have announced their intention to merge. While it’s still subject to competition authority approval, this marks a significant shift in the crowdfunding landscape. But does crowdfunding have a future? Is it just a glorified form of marketing? Or is it a new asset class and the key to financial inclusion for the masses to get involved in early-stage investing?

There was a moment during the pandemic where we collectively dreamt of a better world.

Imagine you’re a grocer in Tanzania. The sun sets, and you’re forced to close shop because you—like the majority of those in your country—have no electricity. Then a mobile money loan gives you access to a solar battery, which allows you to charge your phone while keeping the lights on in the evening. You pay for the power you need on a daily basis. You expand your hours. Earn more money. Your child returns to school.

11:FS turns two this week! As we hit the terrible twos but before we dig into our birthday cake, we’re feeling all reflective and so we thought it was a good time to look back over our last year and see how far we’ve come from year 1 to 2.

'Composability is the ability to combine digital assets and their corresponding behaviours in the world of web3.' - How web3 is shaping the future of finance, 11:FS

We went to the IFGS to meet some of the biggest and newest names in Fintech. We’re bringing you some fantastic insights from our first five interviewees on the fintech landscape for 2018. Ross Gallagher and Simon Taylor spoke to: Marieke Flament, Managing Director for Europe, Circle Sophie Winwood, Head of Partnerships, Innovate Finance Stephen Ingledew, CEO, Fintech Scotland Husayn Kassai, CEO and Co-founder, Onfido Listen to all the interviews in full on Fintech Insider here or stream them below.