By Meirav Harel

The financial industry is in the midst of catching up with the digital era. This sector had been quite stagnant technologically, till about 8 years ago, when after the subprime crisis, laid off workers from the financial industry decided that they can create better banking services from outside the banking industry, and created financial-technology startups (aka fintech). Since then, there are 12,000 estimated fintech startups, and the vast advancement in this sector has eve

For years Banks have been the center of financial activity. With the rise of FinTech, we are now seeing a process where the power is being shifted in different directions, which at first glance seems as a definite move in the right direction. BUT - What if the power is shifting to another centralized entity? Banks and Financial organizations have been, for quite a while, one of the stronger systems, playing the part of "Middle-Man" for many financial transactions. Some would

1. "Data is the new oil"- The information companies have on their customers is invaluable, at least as much as oil used to be. Companies that use it smartly can create a new revenue stream by selling it, and have an edge. (What about our privacy? Well, that's a different issue). 2. FinTech is relevant to organizations in other sectors as well, because they can learn how to deal with digital disruption from an eco-system that is dealing with it in real time. 3. South Africans

To those of you who have already met with me, as I promised, I will definitely be talking about your great product & achievements! If anyone else would like to be introduced to South-African banks, or mentioned at the GEC conference, feel free to PM me. #fintech #innovation #israelifintech #johannesburg #GEC #GEN #Southafrica

Next week invited to speak at Global entrepreneurship congress in Johannesburg about Israeli FinTechs. Would love to hear from Israeli FinTechs that have not yet been in touch with me, that would like to be introduced to banks in South-Africa, and at the GEC congress. #fintech #beer #entrepreneursontap #telaviv #banking #financialecosystem

Excited to be speaking at "Entrepreneurship on Tap" about the interesting relationship between Banking, Technology and a few other (Major) players, and where it's all headed. See you Wednesday March 8th in tel aviv. "מוזמנים להרצאה שלי על תחום הבנקאות במסגרת "יזמות על הבר . על מה נדבר? על ההזדמנויות העסקיות האדירות שיש היום, על הרומן הסוער בין טכנולוגיה, בנקאות ועוד כמה מחזרים מרתקים, וכמובן על הכיוון המסקרן שאליו כל זה מוביל. מחכה לכם. מיטאפ - https://www.meetup.com/yazamalh

The Fintech eco-system is constantly changing. Some of these changes are happening due to the digital growth banks need to achieve, in order to reach the technology level existing in other eco-systems. More changes are occurring because of the growing and changing number of startups creating products and services in this field. But there are other forces affecting this eco-system, including the regulator, and of course GAFA (Google, Amazon, Facebook & Apple), who are offering

Robo-advisors, Algo-trading and AI, VS. Social Trading and Crowd Wisdom: Seemingly opposing developments in the WealthTECH and investment sector. Who will gain the upper hand? When looking at the changes taking place in the WealthTECH and investment sector of the FinTech disruption, it seems as though the developments are apparently occurring in opposing directions simultaneously: The Rise of The Robots On the one hand there is an increase in automated investment capabilities

The financial eco system is in the midst of being disrupted, across several financial services, including: banking, transfers, payments, lending, insurance, investment management and more. Some say these changes are revolutionizing an eco-system that had been stagnant, and hadn't moved ahead at the same pace the rest of the technological world has been evolving. Want to be inspired and better understand how startups can have a central role in revolutionizing a strong and well

Honored to be included in the Women in Fintech 2016 Powerlist, Innovative Finance, UK. Even happier to contribute from my experience and knowledge about creating better Digital Financial services, both to the Financial institutions who want to improve their Financial Products, and to Fintech Startups that are paving the way to a better future in the Financial Industry. The Digital transformation that is taking place is both a challenge and an opportunity. Financial institutio