This book is a practical guide to the evolving landscape of finance, highlighting how it’s changing our relationship with money and how financial technology, together with macroeconomic and societal change, is rewriting the story of how business is done in developing economies. Financial services companies are trying to become more customer focused, but struggling to help huge customer segments, particularly in developing economies.  Alternative financial models and tools are emerging, which are being embraced by consumers and incumbents.  In large parts of the developing world, alternative services are leapfrogging traditional finance, meaning more and more people have access to finance without ever needing a bank. Meanwhile, the barriers around financial services companies are crumbling, as they become more reliant on integration with new providers and alternative types of service.  Financial products can no longer be viewed in isolation, but as part of a service landscape that supports how people do life.  This means rethinking how our businesses are designed, motivated and organised, and letting go of the old ways of thinking about supply and demand. With practical steps businesses and, in particular, financial services organisations need to take to participate in a global service ecosystem, this book will be of interest to financial professionals who work in banking, financial technology, and development finance.  

Sofie Blakstad is the CEO of transformational financial technology company hiveonline, which levels the competitive environment for small and micro businesses, expands sustainable investment and promotes community engagement, founded after a career building and transforming international banks. Her banking build expertise spans technology and business transformation programmes involving thousands of people in over 60 countries. Her blueprint for service aligned banks is the subject of her first book, Why Change? (2013). Sofie is an advisor to the G7 and G20 groups, the United Nations Environment Programme, and various governments and central banks on fintech, identity, trust and blockchain.

Robert Allen is an engineer and payments specialist, spending much of his career delivering major transformation programmes in international banks. More recently he has co-founded the Digital Asset Services practice for PwC and built the revolutionary Vulcan blockchain platform.  Rob is passionate about financial inclusion and has been targeting use cases for his platform to support financially under-served populations with new models based on digital identity, cryptocurrency and blockchain. Rob advises UNEP on blockchain and cryptocurrencies, is a board member of the Australian Payments Council, and is a mentor and advisor to numerous fintech startups.  A keen advocate of marine conservation issues, Rob is also a director of the Shark Conservation Society.