Rob Copeland

A New Breed: FinTech's Fusion with Alternative Investing

Rob Copeland, Jeff Assaf, Peter Early, Brendan Ross, Richard Sandor

This panel featured industry leaders Brendan, Peter, Richard, and investors Jeff and Eric Schmidt debating FinTech business models that range from regulatory premium lending to tech-enabled consumer banking. While proponents highlighted proprietary deal flow and superior credit metrics in segments like student loans, skeptics warned that traditional banks would eventually reclaim market share, compressing yields during economic downturns. The discussion concluded that long-term viability depends on proving underwriting resilience across full credit cycles and navigating the transition from niche platforms to cleared, standardized capital markets.