Pay
Report
Apply
Date: 16 May 2024
Category: Supporting businesses
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Ryan Murphy, The Fintech Corridor and the American Transaction Processors Coalition (ATPC) welcomed around 60 delegates from across the globe to the first ever Transatlantic Fintech Exchange to Belfast City Hall today, Thursday May 16.
It was the final stop in a conference programme which included the Guinness Storehouse and Killeavy Castle, bringing together senior leaders from the finance and technology sector with government development agencies to drive collaboration across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the US, share best practice and increase investment in the island of Ireland’s fintech industry.
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Ryan Murphy said: “It was a pleasure to host the Transatlantic Fintech Exchange event at City Hall today, and to help promote co-operation in the Fintech sector on both sides of the Atlantic and across the island of Ireland.
“Today’s event gave us a valuable opportunity to showcase our growing Fintech industry in Belfast and along the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor and to build partnerships with like-minded networks in the US. Belfast has a developing cluster of fintech businesses, and we have an excellent track record of inward investment. As a council, we’re building on that and raising the profile of Belfast internationally through co-operative events like the Transatlantic Fintech Exchange.”
“Belfast was the final part of this week-long visit to Ireland and it’s fantastic to collaborate with The Fintech Corridor and our Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor partners, with meetings hosted in both Dublin and Newry. Together, we’re presenting a very attractive investment proposition.”
Hilary Moran, CEO of The Fintech Corridor, commented: “The island of Ireland is fast becoming a global centre for fintech. The distinctive blend of skilled individuals with experience in both technology and finance, coupled with proactive government support, has enabled a wave of startups to thrive and harness their potential in an exceedingly business-friendly atmosphere. The Transatlantic Fintech Exchange is designed to provide a forum to build connectivity across the UK, Europe and US and bolster investment in fintech across the island.”
ATPC Executive Director H. West Richards commented: “This unique cross-border proposition connects US, EU, and UK fintech ecosystems and will help drive deeper understanding of opportunities in each governance. Brexit profoundly changed how EU and UK fintech companies interact with each other, and access to companies in both jurisdictions will enable us to work closely to develop common solutions and increase cooperation and opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic, especially as US regulators work on cybersecurity, data privacy and other critical issues.”
Co–Chair of the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor (DBEC) partnership, Councillor Pete Byrne, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said: “This visit by representatives from the American Transaction Processors Coalition provides a platform to proudly showcase the entire Dublin to Belfast Economic Corridor including our strengths in tech, innovation, talent, education, cultural and excellent quality of life for those who live and work along the Corridor.”
Co–Chair of DBEC Councillor Adrian Henchy of Fingal County Council, commented: “This visit presents a welcome opportunity to celebrate the many very special connections we have with the US from diplomatic relations to investment, knowledge sharing, tourism, education, and cultural exchange.”
Designed to be an intimate event, capable of building real relationships and understanding, the conference explored the future of payments, workforce development and the regulatory and legislative intersections between the EU, UK, and US, headline speakers during the week included:
- Karen O’Leary, Head of Payments and Securities at Central Bank of Ireland
- Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance
- Conor Murphy MLA, Economy Minister
- Paul O'Hare, Tech & Finance Lead, Google
- Karl Hanlon, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), FinTrU
- Margaret Hearty, CEO, InterTradeIreland
- Kieran Donoghue, CEO, Invest NI
- Maeve Monaghan, CEO, NOW Group
- Alison Donnelly, Director, Fscom
- Richard Swales, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Paysafe
- Stephen Groarke, Chief Financial Officer, Elavon/US Bank EMEA
- Hartwig Gerhartinger, Global Head of Regulatory and Government Affairs, Paysafe