Exploration of how financial technology and innovation can create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive banking system is the target for a virtual conference set for next week by the federal insurer of deposits at banks.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) said it would host the “Fintech: A Bridge of Economic Inclusion” conference June 29. FDIC Board Chairman Jelena McWilliams and the agency’s new Chief Innovation Officer Sultan Meghji are among the speakers. In particular, Meghji will address how the role of the agency’s tech lab (known as Fditech) will drive the adoption of new technologies across the financial sector, the FDIC said.
Other speakers include Colin Walsh, CEO and co-founder of Varo Bank; Jennifer Tescher, president and CEO of the Financial Health Network; and Jo Ann Barefoot, founder and CEO of the Alliance for Innovative Regulation, the agency said.
The FDIC said the conference agenda also includes panel sessions on enhancing inclusive consumer banking through fintech; deploying technology to improve small businesses’ access to credit; and exploring future opportunities for technology to drive economic inclusion.
There is no charge for the event, although registration is required. The FDIC said the conference is open to bankers, fintechs, community-based organizations and policymakers “with a deep interest in expanding financial inclusion.”