Fintech: What’s Old, What’s New?

37 Pages Posted: 8 Jan 2021

See all articles by Arnoud W. A. Boot

Arnoud W. A. Boot

University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam Business School; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Tinbergen Institute

Peter Hoffmann

European Central Bank (ECB)

Luc Laeven

European Central Bank (ECB); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Lev Ratnovski

International Monetary Fund; European Central Bank, Financial Research Division

Date Written: December 29, 2020

Abstract

We study the effects of technological change on financial intermediation, distinguishing between innovations in information (data collection and processing) and communication (relationships and distribution). Both follow historical trends towards an increased use of hard information and less in-person interaction, which are accelerating rapidly. We evaluate more recent innovations, such as the combination of data abundance and artificial intelligence, and the rise of digital platforms. We argue that the rise of new communication channels can lead to the vertical and horizontal disintegration of the traditional bank business model. Specialized providers of financial services can chip away activities that do not rely on access to balance sheets, while platforms can interject themselves between banks and customers. We discuss limitations to these challenges to the traditional bank business model, and the resulting policy implications.

Keywords: Financial Intermediation, Financial Innovation, Fintech, Information, Communication

JEL Classification: G20, G21, E58, O33

Suggested Citation

Boot, Arnoud W. A. and Hoffmann, Peter and Laeven, Luc A. and Ratnovski, Lev and Ratnovski, Lev, Fintech: What’s Old, What’s New? (December 29, 2020). Journal of Financial Stability, 2021, ADB-IGF Special Working Paper Series “Fintech to Enable Development, Investment, Financial Inclusion, and Sustainability”, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3756798 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3756798

Arnoud W. A. Boot

University of Amsterdam - Amsterdam Business School ( email )

Roetersstraat 11
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands
+31 20 525 4162 (Phone)
+31 20 525 5318 (Fax)

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

London
United Kingdom

Tinbergen Institute ( email )

Burg. Oudlaan 50
Rotterdam, 3062 PA
Netherlands

Peter Hoffmann

European Central Bank (ECB) ( email )

Sonnemannstrasse 22
Frankfurt am Main, 60314
Germany

Luc A. Laeven

European Central Bank (ECB) ( email )

Sonnemannstrasse 22
Frankfurt am Main, 60314
Germany

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Lev Ratnovski (Contact Author)

European Central Bank, Financial Research Division

Germany

International Monetary Fund ( email )

700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20431
United States

HOME PAGE: http://ratnovski.googlepages.com

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