NEW YORK (July 31, 2014) – American Banker and BAI today announced their strategic alliance and its signature program, FinTech Forward, a new initiative focused on giving bankers the information and perspective on technology they need to plot a course for the future. FinTech Forward brings together the research, media, and event capabilities – and the engaged and influential audience communities – of banking’s top two professional information and education organizations. American Banker is the leading resource for banking and financial services professionals providing information and analysis, events, research, and marketing services. BAI is the financial services industry's resource for breakthrough information and intelligence needed to innovate and stay relevant in an evolving marketplace.
FinTech Forward was inspired by the organizations’ recognition that banking has entered a new era of innovation and investment after an extended period of post-financial crisis retrenchment. At the heart of the initiative is new proprietary research and market analysis conducted by BAI and American Banker. This data and insight will provide the foundation for FinTech Forward’s rankings, event content, commentary and reporting.
A central objective of the FinTech Forward program will be to identify the forces and trends that are motivating banks’ technology investment. The FinTech Forward team will also spotlight new players that are shaking up the establishment. While the Top 100 ranking will provide validation for vendors in a highly competitive and regulated marketplace, the compendium of up-and-coming players will shine a spotlight on the new forces and influences that are shaping the industry from the ground up.
Content will be delivered in digital and print formats and at live events, through SourceMedia’s American Banker and Bank Technology News media brands and via BAI’s annual BAI Retail Delivery Conference. The strengthened alliance between American Banker and BAI represents the largest network of influential banking executives in the industry. FinTech Forward will provide this community with unique perspectives and insight on financial technology trends to enhance and support the decisions they make in building and operating successful banking companies.
FinTech Forward has three primary components:
- Rankings and Research – The FinTech Forward Rankings will comprise: The Top 100 technology providers to banking and financial services companies; the Top 25 enterprise companies in FinTech; and a new compendium of up-and-coming technology companies in FinTech. In addition, BAI and American Banker will together identify the primary drivers of bank technology spending going forward, drawing upon their extensive research initiatives and deep industry engagement.
- Live Event – BAI Retail Delivery, taking place November 12-14 in Chicago, is the world’s premier retail banking event where over 3,000 financial industry leaders will come together to reimagine retail banking and gain actionable insights to drive revenue. FinTech Forward honorees will be announced and highlighted at BAI Retail Delivery, and one of the most highly-anticipated sessions of the conference will be the FinTech Forward President and CEO Panel. For exhibit and sponsorship information, contact BAI Solutions Provider Sales at spsales@bai.org.
- Media – In the weeks leading up to the release of the FinTech Forward Rankings, American Banker will publish a series of analytical articles focusing on key program learnings. Rankings, profiles and related content will be promoted to the online audiences of American Banker and Bank Technology News, and hosted on a special section (FinTechForward.com) of the American Banker website. FinTech Forward content will also be published in a special Bank Technology News print edition, as a supplement to the Nov. 13 American Banker, and at BAI Retail Delivery. For information, contact Jeannie Nguyen at (212) 803-8324, or email jeannie.nguyen@sourcemedia.com.
For more information and to be considered for the 2014 FinTech Forward top 100 ranking, visit www.FinTechForward.com and submit an application by August 15, 2014.
About American Banker
American Banker, founded in 1836, is the banking industry's most powerful information resource providing analysis and news, research, data, and opinion on the business of banking. American Banker’s award-winning content is delivered throughout the day, online and via mobile devices; in print via the daily American Banker newspaper and the monthly American Banker Magazine; and through online and live conferences and seminars. Bank Technology News is the technology resource of American Banker, providing in-depth news and analysis of the people, trends, innovations, and strategies that are reshaping technology at banking companies.
About SourceMedia
SourceMedia, an Investcorp company, is a business to business media and marketing solutions company serving the financial industry and related fields in professional services and technology.
About BAI
BAI is the financial services industry's resource for breakthrough information and intelligence needed to innovate and stay relevant in an evolving marketplace. For more than 85 years, BAI has provided the industry with unbiased and objective education and research. BAI's offerings are as diverse as the industry, and include premier events such as BAI Retail Delivery Conference & Expo, groundbreaking research, professional learning and development programs, and in-depth editorial coverage through BAI Banking Strategies. For more information, visit www.bai.org.
BAI is Bank Administration Institute and BAI Center.