The Inaugural Underbanked Financial Services Forum Highlights

The paper discusses the key themes that emerged from the forum as well as additional information from a post-conference survey of the attendees. With four times the number of participants originally expected, from a broad spectrum of companies and financial services providers, the Underbanked Financial Services Forum demonstrated both the growing interest in this sector and the diversity of approaches currently in use.

"What I liked about the Forum was the wide variety of companies represented," said Danny Ayala, senior vice president and business unit manager for Wells Fargo's Global Remittance Services group.

"Even those not traditionally viewed as part of the financial services industry are providing innovative means to serve underbanked consumers, which the Forum reflected. As the paper points out, this is a real business opportunity, but it is still in its earliest stage. It will require hard work, fresh thinking and new relationships to deliver on its potential. If you're interested in this market and you missed the conference, read the paper."