Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics, Singapore Management University (SKBI) in conjunction with the International Monetary Fund, and supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the United Overseas Bank is honoured to host the 6th Annual SKBI conference on "Fintech and Financial Inclusion" on the 18th and 19th August of 2016 at the Singapore Management University.
The global financial landscape is changing with the advent of technologies such as blockchain, big data analytics, social networks and mobile payments. With the innovative use of technology (especially through cost reduction), the previously unbanked are now gaining access to financial services. Inclusivity is the next growth frontier in banking and finance. In this area, financial institutions face increasing competition from non-banks such as internet companies, telcos and start-ups that have moved into financial services through payment platforms; reaching the masses. Notable companies include Alipay (Ant Financial), M-Pesa, Tencent, Google and Apple.
The conference aims to explore the growing use of financial technologies and how they can contribute to financial inclusion. Expert speakers (from various regions such as Sub-saharan Africa, China, Japan and Asia), working in the area of technology and inclusion, will deliver their insights through keynote speeches and in-depth panel discussions.
Other related topics to be explored include: Smart Nation and Inclusive Economy; Macroeconomic issues such as the digitization of money and policy challenges; Blockchain technology and its applications to financial inclusion.
This conference will be an opportunity for industry professionals and regulators to improve their understanding of the area, explore how their institutions can address or engage in this technology and seize new opportunities. We expect professionals from the financial industry, financial innovators, investors, persons working in the area of financial inclusion and development, regulators and academia to attend the conference.
