Banks: Innovate or Die

by bradywalen on March 12, 2011

Today’s South by Southwest agenda features a panel discussion that addresses one of the most critical issues faced by today’s financial institutions: innovation, or the lack thereof.  Unfortunately, our team is not able to attend the session.  But if you’re there, you should check it out.  Here’s a preview from Lending Club, one of the panel participants.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Jeff Stephens March 13, 2011 at 5:23 am

Looking forward to seeing a recap of this session. Although I have to wonder when they say “banks have lost their innovative edge”…was there one there in the first place?

bradywalen March 14, 2011 at 12:21 pm

Good point, Jeff. It’s a pretty generous statement. In any case, it does seem that many bankers are unwilling to innovate, or perhaps more appropriately, adapt to changing markets and consumer behaviors. I think many bankers will dismiss the discussion about this session because it’s extreme. However, there is such a thing as incremental innovation; innovation doesn’t have to be radical. And at the very least, incremental innovation, improvements, and adaptations will be required to sustain a successful business as consumer behaviors and expectations continue to evolve.

Brett King March 14, 2011 at 12:27 pm

Jeff,

Point taken. If there has never been a culture of innovation, then you can’t exactly have lost your innovative edge :)

Although the valid point made during the panel session was that banks, like other large entities, will often acquire innovation if it produces a positive outcome from a cost or margin perspective. Mobile RDC is an example. Banks didn’t come up with the innovation, but saw the use in it.

Brett King
Moderator – SXSW Panel: Banks, Innovate or Die!

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