Magazine : Archives : 2nd Quarter 2022

Community Banks Enter the Venture Jungle

Can a bank invest its way to innovation? A change in regulation has made it possible for banks to invest as limited partners (LPs) in venture capital funds focused on the financial technology space. Those fintech funds are part concierge, part safari guide and part investment manager. And banks are flocking to them. A dozen or so funds give banks a way to gain exposure to and learn about emerging technologies, connect with new potential partners and capture some of the financial upside of the investment, all while banks are under pressure to innovate to compete. The year 2022 will...