All articles by Douglas Blakey
Douglas Blakey
The Great Refactor – rebuilding banking systems for the age of AI agents
Kruttik Aggarwal explains how legacy infrastructure is already slowing firms down in live environments and sets out what changes when AI agents — not humans — become the primary users of financial systems
CASS 15 – The new safeguarding rules explained
In August 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced CASS 15, reshaping the safeguarding regime for payments and E-money firms. Oliver Hawes sets out the key priorities for in scope firms
The cashless myth is distracting fintech from a bigger infrastructure challenge
Neil Martin explains why the “cashless UK” narrative is focusing fintech and banks on the wrong problem
401(k) expansion into private markets – why brand will determine the winners
The push into 401(k)s is shifting alternative asset managers into an increasingly competitive, advisor-led market where brand becomes a decisive differentiator, writes Kriston Rucker
Digital wallets are emerging as the leading infrastructure for trust in banking
Mick Fennell explores how digital wallets are becoming a new layer of digital trust and explains what banks must do to modernise their infrastructure to support this shift
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From adapting to adoption: How SaaS is transforming core banking
Rohit Chauhan explores why the traditional “adapt” model for customised core banking is no longer fit for purpose, and why banks must shift to an “adopt” strategy built upon integrated, cloud-based software
Open Banking in the US: Why now is not the time to sit back
Kranti Talluri explains why a lack of clarity and legislation supresses innovation and endangers the fintech industry’s overall growth and progress in the US, all to the ultimate detriment of consumers and banks
Monzo refocuses international strategy with US exit and Ireland launch
Monzo’s strategy highlights a growing trend among digital banks to prioritise depth over breadth in their international growth ambitions, explains Harry Swain
TikTok expands financial ambitions through Brazil banking push and UK payments play
Harry Swain discusses TikTok’s strategy as it ramps up its financial services sector ambitions
When fraud stops looking like fraud, smarter detection is needed
Stephanie Mitchell explains why a multi-layered defence is crucial in the fight against fraud and how behavioural analysis and AI – alongside traditional fraud controls like device identification and MFA – strengthen defences