The technological threat to the banks

The banks are facing a technological threat in many parts of their businesses. Ozforex, for example, is a new entrant in the FX area, offering consumers the ability to make foreign exchange transfers for half the fees that the banks charge. In the mortgage space, mortgage brokers are taking market share and increasingly providing their own mortgage products. Peer-to-peer lenders like Society One are emerging as credible alternatives to banks’ personal loans. At some point online-only banks will become viable competitors. This will shine the light on the banks’ cost structures, particularly those expensive branch networks.