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Perspectives on Generative AI in Financial Services

Article written by James Bowden, Mark Cummins, Godsway Tetteh from the University of Strathclyde.

Note: Aligning with the Generative AI focus, segments of this blog were generated by ChatGPT using notes taken on the day capturing the presentations and discussions. The authors edited this generated content accordingly.

 

Presentation Highlights

We are delighted to share some highlights and discussion points from the “Generative AI for Financial Services” event held at the University of Strathclyde in Q4 2023. This event provided an important platform for in-depth discussions and explorations surrounding Generative AI and potential applications in the financial services industry.

The session commenced with Martin Robertson (Chief Commercial Officer) of Level E Research, who offered useful insights into the innovative utilisation of Discriminative AI within Level E’s automated investment strategy offerings. The core emphasis here was on the critical role of explainability in building transparency and trust with investment clients. Martin expertly differentiated between Generative AI and Discriminative AI, sparking thought-provoking discussions regarding the creative potential of Generative AI, especially in the context of content generation.

Following this, our co-organiser, James Bowden (Lecturer in Financial Technology, University of Strathclyde), delved into an extensive exploration of Generative AI applications in the financial services sector. He thoughtfully delineated the associated risks, which included concerns related to data privacy, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, embedded bias, explainability limitations, and implications for financial stability.

Annalisa Riccardi (Senior Lecturer in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Strathclyde) then took to the stage to demonstrate a clever use case of Generative AI applied to automate satellite scheduling, with a particular focus on enhancing explainability. Drawing on this discussion, Annalisa then unveiled ongoing research at the University of Strathclyde, conducted in collaboration with Mark Cummins (Professor Financial Technology, University of Strathclyde), James Bowden and Hao Zhang (Research Associate, Financial Regulation Innovation Lab, University of Strathclyde), which is leveraging Generative AI for earnings call analysis.

The engaging presentation session was brought to a close with Blair Brown’s (Senior Knowledge Exchange Fellow in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde) insightful overview of AI regulation, standards, and trustworthiness. Drawing from an engineering perspective and its relevance to the financial services sector, Blair emphasised the crucial role of human-AI oversight and interactions, spanning human-before-the-loop, human-in-the-loop, and human-over-the-loop scenarios.

 

Discussion Insights

These thoughtful presentations provided a solid foundation for the rich participant discussions that followed. These exchanges were marked by their liveliness and content-rich discussions, offering valuable insights from both practical and academic perspectives. The key themes covered in these discussions included:

  • Firm-Level Regulatory Responsibility and Compliance:
    • The group emphasised the importance of regulatory compliance in the financial services sector, particularly concerning the use of Generative AI as a nascent technology. As the responsibility for regulatory compliance lies with the financial firm, this may incentivise in-house Generative AI development. The emerging approaches to AI regulation within the UK and the EU in particular provide frameworks within which to consider the responsible and regulatory compliant use of Generative AI within organisations.
  • Data Protection and Zero Tolerance for Breaches:
    • Due to the potential for significant fines, there is zero tolerance for data breaches in financial services. Data protection and consumer protection were key concerns around Generative AI, with different standards and datasets complicating matters. Options around private and localised installations of Generative AI systems need to be considered.
  • Ethics and Accountability:
    • Participants discussed the ethical dimension of AI in finance and the need for accountability. They suggested that CEOs and wider Boards of Directors should be held responsible if ethical breaches occur from the use of Generative AI, and governments might need to force companies to self-regulate with severe penalties for non-compliance.
  • Regulatory Framework and International Challenges:
    • The group highlighted the challenges of creating AI regulation in the EU when a significant portion of the AI market is based in the US, which is particularly the case in respect of Generative AI innovation. The discussion touched on principles-based regulation and the potential shift toward hard regulation, citing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as an example.
  • Traceability and Auditability:
    • The need for traceability and auditability in AI decision-making was discussed. The presence of an accountable human in the process was emphasised, and there was a concern about the lack of understanding of material risks in Generative AI.

The collective knowledge shared at this event provides important perspectives on the future of Generative AI in the financial services sector. The discussion provides an impetus to the research and innovation ambitions of University of Strathclyde in respect of cutting-edge Generative AI research and industry engagement, while the importance that emerged around regulatory considerations motivates an important direction of travel for the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab in terms of its AI and Compliance priority theme, which focuses on Utilising emerging technologies to simplify compliance process and monitoring.

About the Authors

Professor Mark Cummins is Professor of Financial Technology at the Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, where he leads the FinTech Cluster as part of the university’s Technology and Innovation Zone leadership and connection into the Glasgow City Innovation District. As part of this role, he is driving collaboration between the FinTech Cluster and the other strategic clusters identified by the University of Strathclyde, in particular the Space, Quantum and Industrial Informatics Clusters. Professor Cummins is the lead investigator at the University of Strathclyde on the newly funded (via UK Government and Glasgow City Council) Financial Regulation Innovation Lab initiative, a novel industry project under the leadership of FinTech Scotland and in collaboration with the University of Glasgow. He previously held the posts of Professor of Finance at the Dublin City University (DCU) Business School and Director of the Irish Institute of Digital Business. Professor Cummins has research interests in the following areas: financial technology (FinTech), with particular interest in Explainable AI and Generative AI; quantitative finance; energy and commodity finance; sustainable finance; model risk management. Professor Cummins has over 50 publication outputs. He has published in leading international discipline journals such as: European Journal of Operational Research; Journal of Money, Credit and Banking; Journal of Banking and Finance; Journal of Financial Markets; Journal of Empirical Finance; and International Review of Financial Analysis. Professor Cummins is co-editor of the open access Palgrave title Disrupting Finance: Fintech and Strategy in the 21st Century. He is also co-author of the Wiley Finance title Handbook of Multi-Commodity Markets and Products: Structuring, Trading and Risk Management. 

Email: mark.cummins@strath.ac.uk

Web: University Profile for Professor Mark Cummins

LinkedIn: Mark Cummins – Professor of Financial Technology – University of Strathclyde | LinkedIn

 

Dr. James Bowden is Lecturer in Financial Technology at the Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, where he is the programme director of the MSc Financial Technology. Prior to this, he gained experience as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate at Bangor Business School, and he has previous industry experience within the global financial index team at FTSE Russell. Dr Bowden’s research focusses on different areas of financial technology (FinTech), and his published work involves the application of text analysis algorithms to financial disclosures, news reporting, and social media. More recently he has been working on projects incorporating audio analysis into existing financial text analysis models, and investigating the use cases of satellite imagery for the purpose of corporate environmental monitoring. Dr Bowden has published in respected international journals, such as the European Journal of Finance, the Journal of Comparative Economics, and the Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money. He has also contributed chapters to books including “Disruptive Technology in Banking and Finance”, published by Palgrave Macmillan. His commentary on financial events has previously been published in The Conversation UK, the World Economic Forum, MarketWatch and Business Insider, and he has appeared on international TV stations to discuss financial innovations such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Email: james.bowden@strath.ac.uk

Web: University Profile for Dr. James Bowden

LinkedIn: James Bowden – Lecturer in Financial Technology – Strathclyde Business School | LinkedIn

Dr. Godsway Korku Tetteh is a Research Associate at the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab, University of Strathclyde (UK). He has several years of experience in financial inclusion research including digital financial inclusion. His research focuses on the impacts of digital technologies and financial innovations (FinTech) on financial inclusion, welfare, and entrepreneurship in developing countries. His current project focuses on the application of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to drive efficiency in regulatory compliance. Previously, he worked as a Knowledge Exchange Associate with the Financial Technology (FinTech) Cluster at the University of Strathclyde. He also worked with the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance at the University of Cambridge to build the capacity of FinTech entrepreneurs, regulators, and policymakers from across the globe on FinTech and Regulatory Innovation. Godsway has a Ph.D. in Economics from Maastricht University (Netherlands) and has published in reputable journals such as Small Business Economics.

Email: godsway.tetteh@strath.ac.uk

Web: University Profile for Dr. Godsway Tetteh

LinkedIn: Godsway K Tetteh, Ph.D – Research Associate (Financial Regulation Innovation Lab) – University of Strathclyde | LinkedIn

Encompass Corporation Welcomes Neil Acworth as New CISO to Fortify Global Banking Trust

Encompass Corporation, a fintech based in Scotland and a leading global provider of real-time digital Know Your Customer (KYC) solutions, just announced the appointment of Neil Acworth as its Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Acworth’s entry is a significant milestone for Encompass in its mission to provide gold-standard information security processes to global banking institutions.

Acworth brings to the table an impressive array of experiences, having navigated through the tech space with roles such as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO), particularly within the Regulatory Technology (RegTech) sphere. His appointment is reinforcing Encompass’ capabilities in delivering seamless, data-focused processes crucial for the safety, compliance, and operational efficiency of financial institutions. This move is especially pertinent given the ever-evolving business and regulatory landscape where security remains a key concern across the financial services industry.

In his new role, Acworth will spearhead the information security team at Encompass, driving the company’s ongoing endeavors to embody and promote the highest standards in combating financial crime and fostering business growth. His leadership is expected to further solidify Encompass’ stature on the global stage as a beacon of trust and excellence in information security.

Neil Acworth, Chief Information Security Officer at”¯Encompass Corporation,”¯commented:

“I’m delighted to join an industry-leading business that is growing and strengthening its value every day. Information security is of the utmost importance to banks and financial institutions, and they need to see that we take it as seriously as they do. It’s clear that Encompass recognises this and is actively working to cement its place as a best-in-class partner.

“I’m excited to bring my leadership skills, perspective and technical expertise, gained from decades of experience, to this role and play my part in the business enhancing its reputation and success.”

 

Stuart Barnard, Vice President of Finance and Business Operations at”¯Encompass Corporation,”¯added:

“Compliance is at the heart of what we do, and hiring Neil as our new CISO brings this to life, in terms of how we operate internally and externally. For banks, we know security isn’t just about ticking a box, it’s business critical, and we are focused on being the proactive and trusted partner that our customers need.

“Neil has outstanding technical and business authority, gained from his vast industry experience. Neil‘s customer-focused approach also means that he is the ideal leader to help our customers operate most effectively within what is a fast-moving and pressured industry landscape, ensuring they feel safe with Encompass.”

Techscaler partners with FinTech Scotland to accel-erate sector growth

Techscaler, the Scottish Government’s tech startup support programme, and FinTech Scotland, the cluster body driving Scotland’s fintech innovation, announce a strategic partnership poised to drive forward Scotland’s fintech sector development. FinTech SMEs now employ more than 10,500 people across 226 enterprises in Scotland, with around 38% of fintechs having reached scale-up stage.

Nicola Anderson, CEO of FinTech Scotland, said:

“This collaboration is about getting behind Scotland scaling for tech, together. It underscores our joint dedication to cultivating innovation and showcasing the vibrant fintech community in Scotland. We look forward to bringing tangible benefits to our scaling fintech SMEs, and sharing our sector expertise with Techscaler founders, to build a robust and forward-thinking fintech cluster.”

FinTech Scotland’s affiliated scaling firms will now be able to access the comprehensive benefits offered by Techscaler membership, opening the door to an extensive network and support system of mentorship, educational courses, community events, and more, enhancing collaboration opportunities and fostering growth for fintech innovators.

Techscaler runs three main programmes – Startup First Steps, Startup Next Steps, and Reforge.  Techscaler’s partnership with Reforge, the world’s leading career development platform for top-tier professionals in tech, brings access to Silicon Valley playbooks and best practices to founders in Scotland who are scaling their teams.

Yasmin Sulaiman, VP of Partnerships for CodeBase, said,

“Connecting the diverse parts of the tech ecosystem is a huge part of our job running Techscaler for the Scottish Government. When organisations like ours and FinTech Scotland come together to understand founders’ needs, we’re able to offer a much stronger suite of support and join up founders with the opportunities they’re looking for to grow. We’re looking forward to growing our partnership, and helping connect our community to FinTech Scotland’s expertise.”

Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead said:

“Our £42 million Techscaler network is already showcasing some of Scotland’s most promising start-ups. This partnership with FinTech Scotland is another example of how the Techscaler network is helping to galvanise our innovative, collaborative and inclusive tech community by sharing knowledge and supporting growth.”

Richard Lochhead added:

“Progress like this demonstrates Scotland’s ambition to become one of Europe’s leading start-up communities. We are setting an example and helping drive a fair and growing economy.”

Techscaler’s fintech-focused members will be introduced to the resources and opportunities provided by FinTech Scotland, bringing sector specific support to fintech founding teams. This collaboration ensures that Techscaler members operating in the fintech sector receive the most relevant support to their sector, enabling them to tap into a broader ecosystem and lean into finance-specific challenges.

To mark the initiation of the partnership, Techscaler and FinTech Scotland will host a Founder Roundtable next month to gather insights from fintechs, providing founders with the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and peers.  The insights gathered from the roundtable will be instrumental in curating activities and support mechanisms that meet the fintech community’s needs.  The roundtable event will take place at CodeBase in Edinburgh on Wednesday 3rd April at 10.30am after Unfiltered, CodeBase’s monthly open networking event.

Colin Hewitt, CEO and Co-founder of Float Cash Flow Forecasting, said:

“Being part of the CodeBase community through our journey with Float has provided us with a dynamic workspace and access to the right people which has played a pivotal role in shaping Float’s success. I’m excited about the partnership between Techscaler and Fintech Scotland, it signals an exciting era for Scotland’s fintech ecosystem, and a positive sign of the continued evolution of this vibrant community.”

Scotland’s commitment to fintech innovation is evident in its ten-year sector roadmap, targeting the creation of 30,000 jobs and an ambitious economic value increase of over 330%, surpassing £2bn by the end of the decade. This strategic vision aligns with the country’s focus on four key segments: open finance data, climate finance, payments and transactions, and financial regulation.

Through the partnership, Techscaler will lend its expertise to initiatives such as the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab (FRIL), launched by FinTech Scotland in December in partnership with mutual partners the University of Strathclyde and University of Glasgow. This initiative seeks to advance understanding and adoption of new and emerging technologies in fintech through industry-led innovation challenges, skills and education programmes, workshops, roundtables, conferences, and trade missions.

Techscaler has forged multiple partnerships across and beyond the Scottish tech ecosystem since it  has been operational, including with the Chief Scientist Office’s NHS Innovation Hubs, govtech funding challenge programme CivTech, and STAC, the Internet of Things accelerator.

Fintech – a force for good

Season 4, episode 1

Listen to the full episode here.

Episode recording with Fintech Australia.

Fintech has emerged as a transformative force in the financial sector, offering innovative solutions that not only enhance financial services but also address broader societal issues, including environmental sustainability, customer vulnerability, and overall financial well-being.

Those objectives are heavily featured in the Research & Innovation Roadmap that we published 2 years ago.

In Scotland, we have an important number of fintechs addressing those challenges. In fact, the majority of Scottish fintechs are fintech for good.

Today we’ll take some time to consider how those organisations are driving positive changes. 

Guests: 

Ren Hooi, Founder and CEO at Lightning Reach

Robin Peters, Co-founder and CEO at Snugg

Sheila Hogan, Founder and CEO at Biscuit Tin

Lloyds Banking Group’s “Launch 2024” Innovation Call Is Live

We’re thrilled to announce the fourth edition of Lloyds Banking Group’s innovation programme, “Launch 2024.” This initiative is opened for application for fintech innovators across the globe.

 

What Makes Launch 2024 Unique?

“Launch 2024” is not just another innovation call; it’s a 5-month collaborative journey designed to accelerate fintech solutions. This programme offers access to subject matter experts and business masterclasses, enabling rapid experimentation and development.

Participants will gain the opportunity to work closely with Lloyds Banking Group’s subject matter experts, refining and testing their propositions. At the end of this programme, fintechs will pitch their solutions to challenge sponsors and senior leaders, potentially leading to a proof of concept partnership.

 

Who Can Apply?

Lloyds Banking Group are calling on ambitious companies and individuals looking to tackle one of their five strategic challenges. Startups or more established companies are welcomed if their vision aligns with this year’s challenges.

In line with Lloyds Banking Group’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, they especially encourage applications from women-led teams and businesses founded by individuals of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic heritage.

 

Launch 2024 Challenges

  • Helping customers through their life moments
  • Helping Customers with their everyday lives
  • Optimising customer experience across channels
  • Leveraging technology to enhance internal risks and controls
  • Increase customer understanding of their finances through gamification

 

How to apply?

This is a great opportunity for fintechs looking to make an impact, be recognised as a leader in fintech innovation, and potentially collaborate with one of the UK’s leading banking groups.

More information and application

17 fintechs selected for the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab’s first innovation call

The Financial Regulation Innovation Lab, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde and The University of Glasgow, has selected the firms that will take part in its first innovation call centred around “Simplifying Compliance through AI and Emerging Technologies,”. This call aims to showcase how technology can meet UK and global regulatory requirements, potentially setting a new benchmark for future advancements in the industry.

The mission

This initiative will not only look at advancing innovation but also at highlighting the significant role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in simplifying and enhancing compliance processes within the financial sector. By bringing together academia and some of the UK’s leading financial institutions, such as Morgan Stanley, Tesco Bank, Virgin Money, abrdn, and Deloitte, the programme will offer unparalleled mentorship, insights, and real-world case studies to the participants.

The selected fintechs

17 companies have been meticulously selected to participate in this programme. These companies, established in the UK, Canada, and Singapore, represent the cutting edge of fintech innovation:

Aifluent

Amiqus

Argus Pro LLP

AsiaVerify

Auquan

Change Gap Ltd

Datawhisper

DX Compliance

Fairly AI

Financial Crime Intelligence

First Derivative

HAELO

International Data Flows

Legal-Pythia

Level E Research

Talan UK

Pytilia

 

Next steps

These selected fintech companies will gather in Glasgow on the 12th of March, where they will delve into use cases presented by the supporting financial institutions. This gathering will not only provide them with a unique opportunity to learn directly from leading experts in the field but also to hear about the latest developments in AI from university scholars. The discussion will span best practices for maximising the benefits of innovation calls and strategies for scaling businesses for success

The collaboration between these fintech innovators, academia, and some of the largest financial institutions in the UK will not only demonstrate the potential of AI and emerging technologies to revolutionise regulatory compliance but also help inform the future of financial innovation.

The FRIL project is funded by the Glasgow City Region Innovation Accelerator programme. Led by Innovate UK on behalf of UK Research and Innovation, the pilot Innovation Accelerator programme is investing £100m in 26 transformative R&D projects to accelerate the growth of three high-potential innovation clusters ”“ Glasgow City Region, Greater Manchester and West Midlands. Supporting the UK Government’s levelling-up agenda, this is a new model of R&D decision making that empowers local leaders to harness innovation in support of regional economic growth and help attract private R&D investment and develop future technologies.

Announcing a new Digital Transformation micro-credential

The Financial Regulation Innovation Lab (FRIL) introduces a new opportunity for professionals to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving finance sector. Powered by the University of Strathclyde, this first micro-credential, “Digital Transformation, focuses on risk and compliance. FRIL aims to pioneer a path for industry practitioners towards mastering digital transformation strategies that cater specifically to the nuances of risk and compliance in finance.

 

Empowering Through Education

The digital transformation course is designed to arm participants with theoretical knowledge and practical insights into how technological advancements, especially artificial intelligence (AI), are revolutionising risk management and compliance practices. Over six weeks, this course offers a unique blend of self-directed online learning and an immersive one-day on-campus session, providing a comprehensive understanding of digital strategies that can significantly enhance regulatory and compliance processes.

 

Course Objectives

Participants will explore digital transformation, exploring its implications for the finance industry with a keen focus on risk and compliance. The curriculum is tailored to:

  • Highlight the current and potential impacts of digital technologies on the finance sector.
  • Equip professionals with the knowledge to harness these technologies for improving compliance efficiency and risk mitigation.
  • Foster a strategic mindset, enabling participants to devise and implement digital transformation initiatives within their organisations.

 

A Unique Learning Experience

The course is structured to cater to the busy schedules of finance professionals, combining the flexibility of online learning with the depth of in-person engagement. Through this dual approach, learners can explore digital transformation concepts at their own pace, followed by a day of intensive, hands-on learning on campus. This format is designed to reinforce online learning outcomes, encourage networking among peers, and facilitate direct interaction with leading experts in digital finance transformation.

 

Secure Your Place

With a limited number of fully funded places available, FRIL encourages interested individuals to express their interest at the earliest convenience.

For further information, visit Digital Transformation or contact The University of Strathclyde’s skills team today at sbs-upskilling@strath.ac.uk.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-view-of-lighting-equipment-on-shelf-257904/

Being a female fintech leader in 2024

As we celebrate International Women’s Day we spoke to 2 female leaders from 2 successful Scottish fintechs. We got their thoughts, opinions and hopes for the future. Recognising progress around inclusion and diversity, their responsibilities in becoming role model, they also offer their thoughts on what the next steps towards a more inclusive sector need to be.

 

Pardeep Cassells – Global Head of Buyside Client Experience at AccessFintech

As a Scottish woman and second-generation immigrant of Indian heritage, I am proud to be an example of intersectionality this International Women’s Day.

Forging a path in the unquestionably male-dominated fintech sector, I am very fortunate to be working for a company where the leadership team advocate for, and support, women in the sector. Knowing that I’m part of a team with higher-than-average female representation – and that the representation covers all role types – is something in which I take great pride.

Having followed a route from investment operations through to financial technology, I’ve had the privilege to be supported by many men and women who ensured my voice was heard and recognised my input whilst giving time and energy without question or condescension.

From the first ”“ mostly male – senior leaders I worked with, who never overlooked the efforts of a vocal and determined young woman, to those who helped me evolve into someone a little more polished and encouraged me as I took what felt like a scary step into the world of fintech, I felt the support of a village around me.

When specifically considering female role models, my mind never hesitates to recall my first Head of Department in Dundee, who came through the ranks in a far less diverse world but carved her own inspiring path, both personally and professionally. However, I now more clearly see that while senior role models and their backing have been key to my progression, the input of my female peers and those less experienced has been just as crucial.

Receiving support not just from those who came ahead of me but from women of my own generation during my time working in fintech has motived me in many ways. Experiencing this support and camaraderie, not just within my own organisation but from colleagues across other fintechs, banks and investment operations firms, has been transformative.

I am, through all of this, keenly aware that I have a platform; that my platform should be used to open the door for others and to put as much energy as I can muster into lifting up the women around me and the next generation to come, whilst encouraging them to do the same for each other.

This is how the world will change.

This ripple effect of reciprocal support, of creating networks where each voice ”“ regardless of gender or ethnicity ”“ is heard and every person encouraged to achieve their potential in their own way is something that I see daily, and I am incredibly excited by this momentum.

 

Julia Salmond – Founder and CEO at CienDos

In the rapidly evolving landscape of fintech, the need for a more diverse workforce is becoming increasingly significant, and Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is now viewed as a critical asset. As a mid-career professional who has worked across a number of sectors, I have witnessed firsthand the unique skills females can bring to fast-paced, innovative, and scaling businesses, and I have also experienced a number of challenges female leaders face.

My journey into fintech has been an interesting one.  Starting out in big corporate’, initially as a consultant before moving into corporate banking, I gained an insight into the intricacies of regulatory compliance and the importance of leveraging technology. More importantly, I was fortunate to be influenced by a number of female role-models, who were pivotal in shaping my early career trajectory.  These women taught me about the importance of balancing logic and critical thinking with emotional awareness, how to develop my personal brand’ and build a voice of authority in an historically male-dominated sector.

I took the leap from big corporate into the start-up world about a decade ago and, suddenly, I was the one in the position of influence. Although certainly not limited to women, high emotional intelligence is a trait I have seen in many of my female mentors, and it is something I have focussed on while developing my leadership style. I am not afraid of sharing my strengths, blind spots, and vulnerabilities ”“ and I encourage my team to do the same. Creating a team culture, where everybody is trusted to take ownership, develops a strong shared vision – a critical component in the success of that first venture ”“ rapidly scaling and exiting to a global media and data business.

As I continue to scale my new venture, CienDos, I am excited about playing a small part in developing the next generation of strong female leaders ”“ a critical ingredient in the recipe for any successful fintech.