Independent Banker - January 2019 - 73

Next: What integrity in banking really means
with them. But that was just the start.
In October, we launched the ICBA ThinkTECH
Accelerator in partnership with The Venture
Center. This first-of-its-kind fintech accelerator,
which is currently ramping up its " bootcamp "
phase, is a way for community banks to directly
engage and partner with early-stage fintech companies
that are focused exclusively on community
bank product development.
It's so exciting to be at the ground floor on this
project. We can watch the entrepreneurs as they
work with community banks to find solutions
that will help them grow revenue and efficiencies,
which benefits what matters most: their
customers and communities.
But we haven't stopped there.
How the ICBA ThinkTECH
Network will work
Here's what you'll find when you use
the ICBA ThinkTECH Network:
Q A guided search function to allow
community banks to easily find
solutions
Q In-depth written profiles on every
fintech company working with
U.S. banks
Q Access to key technology leaders and
contact information
Q Product features, pricing models and
core processor capabilities
Early this year, ICBA will launch the
ThinkTECH Network for all ICBA members.
Powered by FinXTech Connect, the ThinkTECH
Network will be a curated, first-of-its-kind
directory of emerging financial technology
companies that are strategically partnering
with community banks to provide innovative
solutions. The robust platform will allow
community bankers to find relevant fintech
companies and solutions through a database of
comprehensive company profiles that include
reviews, rankings and testimonials.
Think of it this way: The ICBA ThinkTECH
Network will be a one-stop shop for community
bankers looking for vetted, community
bank-friendly fintech companies. And by providing
community banks with a straightforward
tool for uncovering new innovation partners,
ICBA's goal is to encourage more opportunities
for community bank and fintech partnerships in
2019 and beyond.
Easy-to-use innovation
This product truly is the next step in the
ICBA-community bank innovation story as we
continue to provide the best solutions for community
banks to thrive in an evolving financial
technology ecosystem. It's a calling I'm incredibly
passionate about, and after nearly two years
with ICBA, I can tell you I certainly am not alone
in evangelizing the community bank innovation
message. Our team here has been incredibly
supportive in finding new ways to help community
banks continue to innovate-with the goal
Q A sample client list and testimonials
from financial institutions
Q A function to save company profiles for
future reference
of making it as easy as possible on you, the community
bankers.
Get started
soon
To see
ICBA's
community
bank
innovation
solutions
and for
updates on
the ICBA
ThinkTECH
Network,
visit icba.
org/fintech
Peace of mind is a big part of that ease. Companies
included in the ThinkTECH Network, powered
by FinXTech Connect, will be identified as
" bank-friendly, " with a proven history of financial
performance and an existing roster of bank
clients. This means community bankers can feel
confident when identifying potential partners.
Choice is another plus point. The companies
offer solutions including lending platforms, payment
processing applications, security, data analytics
and more.
I'm really looking forward to getting this product
out to community bankers, so you can see
firsthand both the scope and quality of companies
that want to partner with our industry to
help community banks flourish.
The first step is for you to try it out. If you have
any feedback once the ICBA ThinkTECH Network
is launched, I encourage you to reach out to
me. I'm thrilled that this exciting product will be
included in your ICBA membership. It's just one
more way that ICBA is there for you-supporting
you and your community bank as you write your
innovation story.
independentbanker.org Q 73
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - January 2019

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