More than $7.5 billion in private investments has poured into a maturing U.S. fintech ecosystem in 2018. Fintech companies are increasingly expanding out of prior niches and shedding the "disruptor" tag by partnering with incumbent financial institutions. Meanwhile, the incumbents are investing in their own technological capabilities.
S&P Global Market Intelligence's 2018 US Fintech Market Report
Click here to read the full 2018 US Fintech Market Report.
Insurtech
The insurtech space has seen a remarkably high degree of collaboration between startups and incumbents. Insurtech startups, many of which are relatively young, have tended to partner early rather than try to compete directly with insurance underwriters. However, some insurtech companies have opted for a different route, vertically integrating into full-stack insurance companies and vying for business independently.
Insurtech report shows startups trying to change the distribution channel
2018 US Insurtech Market Report
Digital investment management
The future is uncertain for many robo-advisers as larger asset managers and banks dominate the market. However, consumer appetite for these services is growing — S&P Global Market Intelligence estimates that robo-adviser assets under management are on track to top $600 billion by year-end 2022.
For more startups, retail robo is a no-go
Digital lending
Digital lenders are getting more involved on the partnership front. Startups that previously focused on independent originations are increasingly providing their technology to banks. S&P Global Market Intelligence expects this trend to continue in the face of a compelling strategic case for combining cutting edge technology with bank funding advantages. However, digital lenders are by no means simply abdicating to banks. Several prominent digital lenders are actively expanding into new services for both lending and non-lending customers.
US digital lenders set for low double-digit origination CAGR through 2022
2018 US Digital Lending Market Report
Payments
Mobile payment providers have integrated with bank-based payment infrastructure to facilitate person-to-person transfers and digital commerce. Payment-focused fintech companies have also been integrating with each other and expanding into other business lines. The growth of the P2P market has been especially rapid, and banks responded by launching their own digital payment network, Zelle. S&P Global Market Intelligence's mobile banking and payments surveys offer further insight into consumer demand for such services.
US mobile payments survey shows banks still trying to catch PayPal
US mobile banking survey participants increasingly hooked on payments
US mobile payments survey shows cryptos are a 'token' activity
Digital banking
A great mobile banking experience can improve customer satisfaction and give banks a necessary edge in the battle for core deposits. But now that having a feature-rich, user-friendly mobile experience is no longer optional, the landscape is shifting again. Banks are experimenting with integrating their services into a device-agnostic, seamless digital ecosystem.
2018 US mobile banking report shows appetite for AI, continued app feature push
2018 US Mobile Banking Market Report
Blockchain
The media frenzy around crypto seems to have subsided as major cryptocurrency valuations suffered in 2018. Meanwhile, technical issues, legal ambiguity and use case concerns remain a headwind for adoption of the underlying blockchain technology. However, corporations, financial institutions and investors continue to show interest in blockchain's potential.
Look outside the US for insurance blockchain projects
2018 US Financial Services Blockchain Market Report