Technology-led innovation has the potential to truly disrupt existing business models and distribution channels in the financial services industry.

In Australia and more broadly, we have seen start-ups build innovative payment systems, peer-to-peer lending platforms, crypto-currencies, robo-advice and automated investment management.

However, the large institutions are well capitalised, have large customer bases and are adapting their innovation strategies to use new technology to strengthen their dominant market positions.

The challenge for the regulators is to facilitate such innovation while at the same time protecting consumers from their own poor purchasing decisions and from market misconduct.

These were some of the central themes canvassed at the annual Financial Institutions Symposium hosted by Norton Rose Fulbright in Sydney.

Blog postings from Australia on the above themes can be found in the links set out below.

View Innovation and disruption, 11 May 2015

View Regulatory disruption, 12 May 2015

View Financial Services Tomorrow, 12 May 2015