Financial Intermediation and Technology: What’s Old, What’s New?
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Summary:
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 historic trends towards an increased use of hard information and less in-person interaction, which are accelerating rapidly. We point to more recent innovations, such as the combination of data abundance and artificial intelligence, and the rise of digital platforms. We argue that in particular 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, and the resulting policy implications.
Series:
Working Paper No. 2020/161
Subject:
Banking Communications in revenue administration Credit Financial services Financial statements Money Public financial management (PFM) Revenue administration Technological innovation Technology
Frequency:
regular
English
Publication Date:
August 7, 2020
ISBN/ISSN:
9781513552491/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA2020161
Pages:
32
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