News
FT Partners’ Steve McLaughlin Named to The Information’s Inaugural “New Financial Power Brokers” List
Meet The Information’s New Financial Power Brokers: The people who will run finance– either by standing in the spotlight or pulling the strings behind the scenes – over the next couple of decades. We asked our sources on Wall Street and across the finance industry to identify the movers and shakers who will make the biggest deals happen, finance them, innovate around banking and pluck the winners out of a deep pool of startups.
FT Partners’ Steve McLaughlin featured on Bloomberg TV to Discuss Silicon Valley Bank Fallout
On March 13, 2023, Steve McLaughlin, Founder and CEO of FT Partners, was featured live on Bloomberg TV to discuss the state of FinTech after the Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) collapse.
FT Partners’ Managing Director Greg Smith featured on CNBC Africa
Greg Smith, Managing Director at FT Partners, discusses the FinTech ecosystem in Africa on CNBC in conjunction with the publication of an in-depth research report FinTech in Africa: Momentum is Building and the World is Taking Notice.
FT Partners’ Steve McLaughlin featured on FinTech Beat Podcast - “After the Asteroid: What’s next for FinTech in 2023”
Steve McLaughlin, Founder and CEO of FT Partners, talks about what to look out for in FinTech in 2023 and beyond.
FT Partners’ Steve McLaughlin featured on FinTech Leaders Podcast
Steve McLaughlin, Founder and CEO of FT Partners, discusses 2023 predictions, how to make sense of the global FinTech market, as well as giving valuable founder advice.
FT Partners Hosts VIP Video Conferences with Leading FinTech Founders, Executives & Investors
Replays of FT Partners’ recent video conferences can be found at the links below:
- FinTech in Africa 2023
- Demystifying Fundraising for Women in FinTech
- Women in FinTech 2022
- The State of FinTech Investing in 2022
- Women in FinTech — Redefining the Future of FinTech
- Challenger Banks – The State of Play
- Stablecoins - The Fabric of a New Global Payments Infrastructure
- Healthcare Payments - Consumerization and Digitization Create a Massive FinTech Opportunity
- The FinTech Arms Dealers – Thriving by Providing Digital Solutions to Financial Institutions
- The Forge / SharesPost Merger and What it Means for the Alternatives Sector and Private Capital Markets
- Creating an Unprecedented Digital Financial Services Giant: Before, During and After COVID‑19
- Understanding The Impact of COVID‑19 on FinTech
- Geopolitical Impacts and Imperatives of COVID‑19
- EMEA Perspective on Venture Capital Amidst COVID‑19
- Venture Capital in the Middle of COVID‑19
FT Partners’ Steve McLaughlin featured on Wharton FinTech podcast
In the podcast, Miguel Armaza interviews Steve McLaughlin, Founder, CEO and Managing Partner of FT Partners. Steve shares how he launched FT Partners in 2002, challenges he encountered early on and how the firm has grown to over 160 employees in 2020. Additionally, Steve discusses FT Partners’ data and analytical driven coverage model, led by a dedicated 30 person internal research team, FT Partners’ close relationship with the FinTech ecosystem, as well as the road ahead for FT Partners and FinTech ecosystem.
FT Partners’ Steve McLaughlin Featured on Bloomberg
FT Partners’ Steve McLaughlin was featured in Bloomberg in an article titled “He Left Goldman to Hunt FinTechs and Now Catches Unicorns”. He was also interviewed in a segment on Bloomberg TV. See both the article and interview through the link below.
Featured news coverage on FT Partners’ client Assurance
On September 5, 2019, Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU) announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Assurance for up to $3.5 billion. Founded in 2016, Assurance is a fast growing direct-to-consumer insurance platform. The transaction represents the largest InsurTech strategic exit ever as well as the largest acquisition ever of a non-VC backed technology company (Assurance was funded entirely by its founders). Selected press coverage of the deal can be found below.
Raising Capital and M&A Lessons from Two Decades in FinTech – Keynote at LendIt FinTech USA 2019
Steve McLaughlin, Founder and CEO of FT Partners, interviewed by Ron Suber in keynote discussion at LendIt FinTech USA 2019
Steve McLaughlin Ranked #1 for Second Year in a Row on Institutional Investors' Annual Ranking
No. 1. Steve McLaughlin (also No. 1 last year), founder and chief executive of boutique investment bank Financial Technology Partners, says the firm is “on pace for another record year” — which means approximately 40 transactions at various stages of financing, up to IPOs.
FT Partners Wins Top FinTech Investment Bank at LendIt Industry Awards
The second annual LendIt Industry Awards celebrated FinTech market leaders, emerging innovators and top talent. The 21 winners were announced during the LendIt Industry Awards Show & Dinner on April 10, 2018 at One Market in San Francisco. The night brought together over 400 FinTech influencers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders. FT Partners was awarded Top Investment Bank in FinTech. LendIt FinTech is a recognized global internet finance industry leader, founded in New York in 2013. Its aim is to gather industry elites to discuss and explore latest trends in the development of international financial technology. LendIt FinTech has become one of the largest events in financial services innovation.
Exclusive Executive Interviews
FT Partners regularly conducts interviews with investors and executives of innovative and disruptive FinTech companies. Our interviews provide insights into different business models and future company developments, opportunities and challenges that FinTech executives face, as well as broader trends across the industry.
Steve McLaughlin Ranked #1 Most Influential in FinTech on “The FinTech Finance 40” by Institutional Investor
Steven McLaughlin, managing partner and chief executive officer of investment banking boutique Financial Technology Partners, is in the No. 1 spot. He has delivered on his boasts of being most active as far as the sheer number of deals across the global FinTech landscape.
Auto FinTech – The Emerging FinTech Ecosystem Surrounding the Auto Industry
As the automotive industry continues to innovate, consumers and businesses will expect the financial services and processes surrounding this massive industry to modernize and adapt as well. Similarly, as new advances change the way consumers and businesses use cars, both traditional financial services and FinTech companies can distinguish themselves by offering new, innovative solutions.
[email protected] Podcast: Why the FinTech Game has Just Begun
Steve McLaughlin is the founder, CEO and managing partner of FT Partners, one of the leaders in raising capital and advising CEOs on critical M&A transactions in the financial technology (fintech) space. He was earlier a senior banker at Goldman Sachs covering FinTech and financial services for more than 20 years. McLaughlin was recently named Investment Banker of the Year by The Information, a digital media publication. “Fintech does not feel like it’s played out,” he says in this conversation with [email protected], which was conducted at the FT Partners’ office in San Francisco. “I still think we’re in the first or second innings.”
FT Partners’ Client GreenSky Featured in Forbes Magazine
David Zalik, FT Partners’ client and CEO of GreenSky, is featured on the cover of the September 2017 issue of Forbes. The cover story describes his path to building a billion-dollar company, GreenSky, a point-of-sale online financing platform. GreenSky recently raised $50 million in financing from Fifth Third Bank at a valuation of $3.6 billion, making it the third largest FinTech Company in the U.S.
FT Partners Publishes Comprehensive WealthTech Report
This report is an in-depth examination of the dramatic changes sweeping across the wealth management industry. The traditional investment management and registered investment advisor (“RIA”) industries are facing numerous threats, and while firms in the industry recognize the need to respond, technology-driven innovation is not a core expertise of most RIAs and investment managers. Consequently, there has been a groundswell of FinTech companies bringing digital capabilities to the traditional wealth management industries. Collectively, we label this segment of FinTech as WealthTech.
The Top with Nathan Latka: Predicting the Future of FinTech
In Episode #671, Nathan interviews Steve McLaughlin. He’s the founder and CEO of Financial Technology Partners. He is a former senior banker at Goldman Sachs, covering FinTech for over 20 years. He was recently named Investment Banker of the Year, ranked number 2 banker in Silicon Valley by The Information, and he’s top ranked on Institutional Investors. Online Finance 35 listed him as one of the most influential people in FinTech.
FinTech Company Raises $300 Million to Help Businesses Stop Using Checks
AvidXchange Inc., a firm that automates bill-payment processes for businesses, said Thursday that it raised $300 million in equity from a group of new investors to bring its service to new industries, potentially acquire smaller competitors and to expand internationally.
Top 5 Booming Industries For B2B In 2017
The B2B market in FinTech is quietly one of the more active areas of the market despite the fact that it does not garner a lot of headlines or attention. Still, B2B and enterprise-focused FinTech investments are driving a significant amount of innovation and growth, presenting tremendous opportunities for early adopters.
The Latest M&A Trends in FinTech - Keynote at LendIt 2017
Steve McLaughlin, Founder and CEO of FT Partners, and Dan Ciporin, General Partner at Canaan Partners, lead keynote discussion at LendIt 2017
Prosper Inks $5 Billion Loan-Buying Deal With Investors Including Soros, Jefferies
Prosper Marketplace Inc. struck a deal on Monday to sell up to $5 billion worth of consumer loans to a group of investment firms over the next two years.
FinTech Finance 35, Ranked #5 Overall
FT Partners goes where its rivals do not, scouting out and establishing relationships with entrepreneurs at their early stages — "almost like venture capital," the 47-year-old managing partner and CEO says — and staying with them as they grow. "That's the real FinTech action," adds McLaughlin, and there may be no firm so extensively involved in it.
GreenSky Scores $3.6 Billion Valuation From Fifth Third Bancorp
GreenSky LLC, which provides technology to banks and merchants to make loans, has raised $50 million from Fifth Third Bancorp in a deal that values the Atlanta startup at $3.6 billion. In 2014, GreenSky raised $300 million in equity capital from TPG, Wellington Management, and technology venture funds DST Global and Iconiq Capital.
FT Partners Publishes Comprehensive InsurTech Report
This in-depth report looks at the major waves of innovation and disruption that are beginning to radically alter the insurance industry. The insurance industry, unlike many other areas of financial services, has not yet been substantially disrupted by new technologies and transformative business models. However, the industry now appears to be at a key inflection point as many different constituents in the FinTech ecosystem have their sights squarely set on insurance as the next great opportunity.
Tearsheet Podcast: Top Banker Steve McLaughlin on the Future of Wealth Management
Investment Banker Steve McLaughlin left Goldman Sachs in 2002 to start FT Partners, a boutique investment bank focused on FinTech. 2002 — that was definitely before FinTech was cool and since then, Steve has played a major role in the growth of the industry. Now, 15 years in and with a team of 70 people, Steve and FT Partners have completed hundreds of transactions in the FinTech space. Tearsheet sat down with Steve to talk about how FinTech has changed over his career, how the industry grew to become cool, and how the interactions between incumbent financial institutions and FinTech startups should continue to play out.
Depth, Not Breadth: Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better For Your Business
by: Danielle Sabrina
When you’re working with dozens or hundreds (or even thousands) of clients, people can easily become numbers, and relationship with your clients can feel transactional rather than personal. By staying small, however, business owners can more easily foster the kind of meaningful, personal relationships that clients seek…McLaughlin has seen the positive effect of these kind of deep personal relationships, both on his clients and his colleagues. By really understanding their clients’ needs, employees understand that they can and do make a big difference in their clients’ lives — which creates more meaningful, powerful results for the company and its clients alike.
3 Questions with Steve McLaughlin of FT Partners
by: Cindy Taylor
FintekNews is pleased to offer our weekly feature column "3 Questions". Each week, we feature a thought leader within a unique sector of FinTech and ask them to answer just 3 questions for our audience in their vernacular. This week, we'd like to introduce you to Steve McLaughlin, Founder & CEO of FT Partners, an investment banking firm focused exclusively on the financial technology sector. Steve was formerly a senior investment banker in Goldman Sachs & Co.'s Financial Technology Group and Financial Institutions Group in New York and San Francisco.
FT Partners Founder and CEO to Present on Key FinTech Panel at 2017 SXSW
Banking and the larger financial services ecosystem have undergone major changes in the last few years—and this is just the beginning. New financial technologies and regulations are changing the way we interact with our money. This panel will bring together a few of the most connected leaders within the FinTech space to give the audience an inside look at what is occurring today and what tomorrow might bring. As connectors working with financial institutions and other buys of FinTech, these luminaries see some of the most interesting new financial technologies before they become mainstream, giving them a deep understanding of how emerging FinTech’s can prosper.
FinTech Finance 35, Ranked #4 Overall
"Steve personifies the combination of talent, vision, energy and experience that add up to an unprecedented level of leadership and influence in FinTech."
"Fintech Is Ending Money Management as We Know It"
by: Barry Ritholtz
FT Partners latest report, "Are the Robots Taking Over? The Emergence of Automated Digital Wealth Management Solutions," is covered extensively in a feature story on Bloomberg View by world-renowned economist Barry Ritholtz
"...For those of you who may not have thought much about how technology might affect Wall Street, the work you do each day, and how you do it — not to mention what it means for your careers — FT Partners latest report is invaluable."
"How to Find the Right Advisor for Your Capital Raise"
by Kari Lukovics, Axial
"Raising capital is an absolutely critical step for fast growing businesses. Finding the right advisor to help with this process can be challenging and time consuming. Investment banks specialize in advising companies through the capital raise or sale process — and since they do so much more than just find buyers and investors, it’s important to find the right one for your business."
"'We were able to leverage our deep knowledge of financial technology and Axial’s unique marketplace offerings, along with our broad industry relationships to help the company achieve a favorable outcome,' said McLaughlin."
2016 Investment Banking Firm
of the Year
Cross Border M&A Deal of the Year
FT Partners is pleased to announce that it has again been recognized as the "Investment Banking Firm of the Year for the fourth time along with winning "Cross Border M&A Deal of the Year" for the Sale of Currencies Direct to Corsair Capital and Palamon Capital Partners.
FT Partners is pleased to announce that it has again been recognized as the "Investment Banking Firm of the Year for the fourth time along with winning "Cross Border M&A Deal of the Year" for the Sale of Currencies Direct to Corsair Capital and Palamon Capital Partners.
Dealmaker of the Year & Technology Deal of the Year
FT Partners Founder Steve McLaughlin wins "Investment Banking Dealmaker of the Year" for 2015 and is awarded Technology Deal of the Year for advising TransFirst on its $1.5B acquisition.
Institution Investor Interviews FT Partners Founder, "The Rest is History"
"...having the sector expertise but also the deep history of investment banking are important, but what we’ve found is having this boutique approach, understanding our client’s business and the personal side of our clients is what drives great outcomes..."
FinTech gears up for the latest wave of M&A action
FT Partners founder quoted, ...the dramatic uptick in venture capitalist and private equity funding into FinTech is "a huge leading indicator for future M&A and IPO activity in the space."
FinTech Incubators Bring Back Innovation
FinTech startups face diverse and often-times daunting barriers to entry in the heavily-regulated financial services industry, making the FinTech space different from other areas currently undergoing a process of rapid technological change.
An insightful Q&A Steve McLaughlin, Founder and Managing Partner, FT Partners
Financial technology is helping firms deal with everything from cost control to regulatory change. Steve McLaughlin, CEO of technology focused investment bank FT Partners, expects 2014 to be a landmark year for this industry.
Investment Banking Firm of the Year & Deal of the Decade Awards
FT Partners wins "Investment Banking Firm of the Year" award for 2011 and is recognized for "Deal of the Decade" with our 2010 representation of Mercury Payment Systems in its 60% investment from Silver Lake Partners.
"The Architect of Financial Technology"
Steve McLaughlin, founder and managing partner of Financial Technology Partners LP, has some advice for companies thinking about being sold: Run the business as though you are never going to sell.
"Booming Boutiques"
by Pierre Paulden
FT Partners is "shaking up the corporate advisory business" and "wrestling away deals from bigger competitors."
"Life After Goldman"
by Denise Lugo
FT Partners is featured in Investment Dealers' Digest cover story.
Steve McLaughlin is hailed as a top alumnus who applied what he learned at Goldman to create success at FT Partners.
"Boutique Investment Banking Firm of the Year"
FT Partners wins three prestigious awards, including "Investment Bank of the Year" for the second time in three years.
"Investment Bank of the Year"
FT Partners wins "Investment Banking Firm of the Year" award for its accomplishments and deal prominence.
Most Influential Deal Maker in Financial Technology
Institutional Investor again recognized FT Partners founder Steve McLaughlin among the most influential people in e-finance and a top dealmaker in Financial Technology.
"Undermining the Underwriters"
by Justin Schack
FT Partners breaks new ground as IPO adviser to VeriFone and could "forever change the way companies go public."
"Selling on the Sly"
by Avital Louria Hahn
In Lynk's sale to RBS for $525 million, more than double the price of earlier bids, "the lion's share of the deal's success is due to FT Partners."
"The Online Finance 40"
Steve McLaughlin ranks #34 on II's 2006 list of the "most influential people on wired Wall Street." FT Partners' client Seth Merrin, CEO of Liquidnet Holdings is also on the list.
"For 35 Years, The Leading Publication Covering Consumer Payment Systems Worldwide"
"FT Partners Investment Bank"
"One of the most sought after investment banks working the acquiring side of the payment card industry is Financial Technology Partners... It spends months on-site learning the client's business so it can promote the client's assets better than the principals of the company would. At top large investment banking firms, middle-market transactions valued at between $100 million and $2 billion are sometimes managed by the company's B or C teams."
"Goldman's Mini Me"
by Heidi Moore
When Charles Schwab Corp. agreed to buy SoundView Technology Group, the Old Greenwich, Connecticut-based research and trading firm turned to Financial Technology Partners.
"40 Under 40"
Steve McLaughlin featured in IDD's 40 Under 40 feature article highlighting top talent on Wall Street.
"Meet the Co-Opetition"
"The financial services and technology business are rife with conflicts. FT Partners' Steve McLaughlin says a little competitive cooperation can help."
"Financing Professional of the Year"
FT Partners Founder and Managing Partner Steve McLaughlin wins "Financing Professional of the Year."
FT Partners Featured in Cover Story on FinTech Private Equity
FT Partners founder is quoted in the feature article on the surge in financial technology deals in private equity.
"There are still plenty of deals out there. There are plenty of firms being created now that in five or six years will be looking for capital."
"Get Ready for Financial Technology Deal-making to Go"
FT Partners and Steve McLaughlin quoted on key article highlighting recent uptick in financial technology M&A activity.
"We are seeing significantly more activity this year than last year, with many seller-driven deals at this early stage in the M&A cycle."
FT Partners Advises TradingScreen on Significant Capital Raise
FT Partners role in advising TradingScreen is highlighted along with key deal points and quotes from FT Partners Founder and TradingScreen's CEO.
"FT Partners helped us decide what would be the ideal shareholder structure for the future" — Philippe Buhannic, TradingScreen CEO
Bankers eye M&A between financial-technology firms
As Wall Street's largest firms open their wallets for technology spending, investment bankers in increasing numbers are staking out ground for potential deal-making in a resurgent industry.
"Sage Group Picks U.S. Target"
by Danny Fortson
"The price was driven up in the auction run by San Francisco investment bank Financial Technology Partners, which attracted 10 private equity and trade bidders."
"TH Lee Scores Big in Liquidnet Sale"
by Mairin Burns
FT Partners arranged Liquidnet's $250 million "record-setting transaction" and achieved the "highest price that venture firms have ever paid for a minority stake in a technology company."
"Schwab, SoundView Give and Take Independent Advice"
by Jeffrey Goldfarb
"Because we're small, we can't work on 10 transactions at a time, so we dedicate ourselves to the few transactions that we're working on and we make sure they get done flawlessly."
"Deal of the Year"
FT Partners wins "Deal of the Year" award as IPO advisor to VeriFone.
"Schwab Pays Big Bucks for SoundView"
by Denise Lugo
"Bankers Must Have Done an Incredible Sales Pitch"
"Observers said that SoundView's bankers may have been able to pull off such a strong closing price because they used the oldest trick in the book — playing hard to get."
"CheckFree Buys Corillian: $245M"
Financial Technology Partners pegged the price at a 60 percent premium to market value and a 76 percent premium to enterprise value.
"People have to have the guts to hire the right advisor, which may not have the global brand name," said Steve McLaughlin, managing partner at FT Partners.