Fintech Explained

We live in times of change. Banks continue to be all about money. But money is less and less about banks. Nowadays people pay, send money, borrow, lend, invest and secure financing for projects increasingly without the involvement of banks. Understanding the fintech phenomenon is an imperative for us all. 'Fintech Explained' covers some of the main themes related to fintech: P2P lending, alternative payments, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and wealthtech. This book is addressed to a broad audience and consequently is aiming to cover potential concerns from all of them: students, finance and banking professionals and in general all readers who are passionate about innovation, technology and finance, and who are keen to stay up-to-date with the fast-paced developments that are occurring around us. The book is hopefully answering many questions, but it aims to set the ground where additional further questions will be asked. By you, the readers.

Ana-Maria Minescu (Olteanu) is a banking professional with a very diverse background, that includes a wide-ranging exposure to commercial banking, private banking and investment banking topics. Ana-Maria has worked in banks based in the UK, Austria, Italy and Romania in various roles in derivatives trading, equity structuring, management consultancy, private banking and investor relations. Ana-Maria has an MSc degree in Accounting & Finance from London School of Economics and Political Science and a phD in Finance from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, Romania, with the thesis 'The influence of sovereign credit ratings on capital markets'. She is also a graduate of the Oxford Fintech Programme developed by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.