Episode 231: The Bankers’ Bookshelf: Financial Intermediation and Technology: What’s Old, What’s New?

In the latest episode of The Bankers' BookShelf, host Paolo Sironi engages in an insightful discussion with renowned economist Arnoud Boot. Boot, a professor of Corporate Finance and Financial Markets at the University of Amsterdam and a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, delves into the European Central Bank's Working Paper, “Financial intermediation and technology: What’s old, what’s new?” The paper examines the impact of technological change on financial intermediation, highlighting the evolution from traditional in-person banking to digital interactions driven by data collection, AI, and digital platforms. Boot and Sironi explore how these technological advancements are reshaping the banking industry, leading to the disintegration of traditional business models as specialized providers and platforms challenge banks' roles. They also discuss the limitations and policy implications of these transformative trends.