Fintech in Spain Has Grown Over 400% in the Past 3 Years

​Fintech has not been on the radar in Spain long, it was long not known by most of the people and with just 50 financial technology companies, and with few successes. But things have improved quite rapidly and accordingly to Fintech Radar Spain 2016, prepared by Finnovista, the sector can now count 208 startups, with a 400% increase in just three years, and few players that are making waves.

The fintech industry has growth at an impressive rate, not just in Spain but also in other parts of the world, presenting an opportunity for the country to modernize the financial sector and the banking system. What’s interesting about Spain in particular is that it has seen a growth in the whole technology sector, despite the economic crisis that has gripped harder than in most of other countries, and the confused political situation.

But it’s not only the recent successes and the abundance of talent that makes Spain well positioned with Fintech, it’s also about the role that it can play with the LATAM countries, on which its connections are always strong. With 208 startups, Spain is now the largest fintech market in Ibero-America,  followed by Brazil with 130,  Mexico 128, Colombia 77 and Chile with 56 financial technology ventures.

With 80% of fintech startups offering products and services for consumers (B2C), this presents a clear threat or opportunity for those ready to take it, for Spanish banks. Some banks are leading the way, for example BBVA that has created a $250 million fintech fund, and bought two financial technology companies in the last year - Simple, an American online-only bank, for $117 million, and Holvi, another digital bank this time from Finland, for an undisclosed amount - it seems clear that most traditional financial players still have to realize the big opportunity they now have with this new wave of innovation.  

More cooperation, partnerships, and acquisitions are in sight, not only in Spain but also elsewhere, as banks, insurance companies and more in general all the traditional financial players, are on a steep learning curve. Think for example about the 600 bank branches that have been closed down in Spain in 2015 alone, that the sector has no alternative but to embrace technology and innovation for more growth.

Read the whole article on Crowd Valley News.