Cooperation in the financial services sector

Abstract

Chapter 19 examines alliances in the financial services sector, focusing on banks as the major players. It describes how banks have traditionally formed strategic alliances with other banks and established deep networks. As such they have made themselves into the sector’s banking blocks. However, since the financial crisis of 2008 the terrain has changed and banks are facing the need to digitize and adopt modern technology to a greater degree than previously. The chapter considers the impact of digitization leading to cooperation between banks and software companies and the development of new business models based on the efficiencies digitization offers. It also looks at the cooperative relationship of banks with the new area characterized as Fintech and the emergence of new financial tools like cryptocurrencies and blockchain.