Last week our community came together for FTT Lending 3.0 – a one-day show on the 30th March, where we explored the innovations, trends and technologies that are powering the future of lending. Established financial institutions, building societies, community, challenger and neo banks, alternative lenders, capital and credit allocators, fintech’s and technology providers, joined us for our first live event of 2022 – and what a great first event it was!
We opened the day with welcome addresses from our two brilliant Chairs – Liz Lumley, Deputy Editor at The Banker, who brought her energy and expertise to the Future of Lending stage, and Brendan Gilmore, Managing Director of BPG Strategy who shared fantastic insights and perspectives throughout the day on the Power of Lending stage.
In this recap, we reflect on 10 things we learnt at FTT Lending 3.0. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our Rockstar speakers for your insights, and our event partners for your support.
Lenders have a significant role to play in incentivising customers in the drive to net zero
Our first panel of the day on the Future of Lending Stage, A new future for lending – transitioning to net zero, set the scene by exploring the key ideas for revamping lending strategies to increase sustainability. We focused on the role that digital can play in building a more sustainable financial services industry.
The panel provided valuable insights into the role of the lender as we strive to hit ESG goals. The panel emphasised the significance of retail banks in influencing consumers, the importance of supporting consumers in their journey towards sustainability, and how green lending propositions across different markets are being developed.
Greater demand for personalised products and how data can help
Alternative and specialist lenders have developed modern lending propositions for those who have traditionally been excluded from financial services. Personalised lending products and services have become even more important as a result of the pandemic and its effect on individual circumstances.
Open banking and real-time data have improved lending services for certain demographics. Our panel, Which tribe are you in? Communities demand personalised products, questioned whether open data is always useful for people in near-to-prime demographics
Just because data is now more frequent, does not necessarily mean that the data is more accurate. In order to further improve the inclusivity of financial services, lenders will need to utilise relevant data effectively for their customers.
API platforms are enabling lenders to transform their credit cards
Our panel, Modern card programmes for the modern borrower, explored how API platforms can empower lenders to help their borrowers have more control over their finances, receive personalised rewards and get access to credit at 0% interest. Lenders are transforming the credit card, taking it beyond transactions and providing services that support customers in their day-to-day lives.
Lenders that offer additional services, such as expense management and invoice monitoring for SMEs, will be favoured by borrowers.
Partnerships provide opportunity
Some of the best modern lending propositions are being brought to life by a network of niche operators working in partnership to deliver better outcomes for borrowers. This theme ran throughout the day but was explored in detail during our panel on the Power of Lending Stage – Anatomy of Lending: understanding the vital organs that make modern propositions thrive.
We explored how partnerships between lenders, banks and fintech’s are enabling players within the lending landscape to expand into new markets and stay ahead of competition.
BNPL propositions are being developed to disrupt B2B transactions
The use of BNPL by Gen-Z suggests huge success in the consumer space – but what about B2B? We heard from lenders such as Billie, who are providing BNPL solutions to online businesses in the B2B space. Although a few years behind consumer BNPL propositions, many fintech’s see the opportunity within B2B and innovation is likely to accelerate.
Improved education will lead to mainstream adoption of crypto lending
A key challenge within crypto and decentralised finance is around education and awareness. Our panel, Navigating the labyrinth: crypto loans, emphasised the need to remove complexity in order for crypto to appeal to mainstream audiences.
This education piece is fundamental and can be achieved by showing consumers real-life examples of how crypto can be beneficial for individuals and society.
How embedded card payments are transforming the Buy Now, Pay Later proposition
In such an intensely competitive and fast-paced market as BNPL, how do lenders continue to deliver innovation? We addressed Buy Now, Pay Later across a number of our panels during the day but kicked off the morning with a fireside chat between Vidya Peters, COO at Marqeta, and Philip Belamant, CEO & Founder at Zilch.
In true FTT Lending 3.0 fashion, the chat focused on BNPL 2.0 and how it addresses the weaknesses of BNPL 1.0. BNPL 2.0 products encourage further innovation within the space by offering products that are regulated and versatile. With Zilch’s embedded card programme, consumers are able to offset loans and do not receive any (zilch) late fees. Open banking technology has also been crucial in accurately assessing customers’ affordability.
Mortgage innovation starts with the customer
Mortgage lenders have previously expressed their frustrations with limitations on innovation within the space. Our panel – The digital building blocks for home-buying innovation, provided an honest outlook on the current state of innovation within mortgage lending.
The panel highlighted that digital transformation is critical, but that transformation should always have the customer at heart and focus on what pain points lenders can address. Innovation should always mean better products for the customer, and it is the collective duty of lenders to be open about what can be digitally disrupted and what can’t. This points to the need for a balance between digital and human touch in mortgage services.
Diversify or focus: should lenders move into other financial services?
Lending has arrived at a crossroads. As challenger banks move into the space and expand their portfolios to offer loans alongside current accounts and insurance products, our panel explored whether lenders should re-bundle or stay focused on what they know best.
Diversification will increase competition and allow lenders to support customers on end-end banking services. It is interesting to see some of the routes that lenders are taking, either through acquiring companies or expanding their offerings.
Innovation is continuing to accelerate
As new technologies and solutions are developed, and innovation accelerates, lenders are empowered to provide more suitable and accessible products for their borrowers. This could not be achieved without partnerships with fintechs and technology providers. As highlighted by our lively exhibition area, lenders are working closely with third parties to continue to drive innovation across lending sectors and create better products for customers.
Thank you to our headline sponsor, Marqeta and our event partners – OpenPayd, nCino, Yobota, Validis, Zumo, FintechOS and IDnow for your support and participation in FTT Lending 3.0.
The third addition of FTT Lending 3.0 will take place on 29th March 2023 – save the date and in the meantime, you can catch up with regular lending content on our website. You can now view the highlights from FTT Lending 3.0 2022 in our video below.
