Blog

Some news cycles are easier than others. When the market is strong and funding is flowing, fintech stories tend to land with less friction. But that’s not the environment most of us are operating in today.

ICBA Live is an event with history that runs deep. It blends multi-generational bankers and banks as storied as Millbury National Bank (established in 1825) with de novos and then mingles them with established fintechs and start-ups alike. The atmosphere sparks candid conversations about community bankers’ real needs. Instead of big-picture rhetoric and predictable product pitches, it presents practical insights with clear takeaways.

As William Mills prepares for FinovateSpring in San Diego this May, we’re excited to share three insightful video interviews from last year that showcase the cutting edge of fintech innovation. William, who is also serving as a judge for the Finovate Awards for the 8th consecutive year, brought his expert perspective to conversations with industry leaders transforming financial services through technology.

Fintechs are navigating one of the most crowded and fast‑moving markets today. With new entrants launching weekly and regulatory shifts reshaping the competitive landscape, visibility is no longer a marketing nice‑to‑have – it’s a business necessity.

In today’s fast-paced world motivated by instant gratification, long-term benefits are often overlooked in pursuit of short-term rewards. Marketing departments are under constant pressure to generate leads and immediately convert them into buyers, while PR teams are saddled with staying atop the latest market fads in hopes of creating the next trend to “go viral.”

In my career, I’ve gone to hundreds of financial industry events, from association annual conventions, media sponsored events, privately-owned events, user meetings, and more. Depending on who is hosting the event, it tells you a lot about who’s going to be at these events and the content attendees will enjoy. There’s no better banking event of the year than Bank Director’s Acquire or be Acquired (AOBA) conference held earlier this month to meet the greatest number of high-level banking executives.

In our annual predictions blog, WMA associates share their perspectives on fintech PR and marketing trends they expect will shape 2026, from emerging technologies to shifting media dynamics and changing audience expectations.

As the year winds down, the real momentum is just beginning: trade show season. These industry gatherings are prime territory for forging new relationships, uncovering fresh business opportunities and gaining firsthand insight into the trends and technologies redefining financial services. Last year offered a packed calendar of can’t-miss events – and this year is shaping up to be even bigger.

One of the must-attend events of the year for me is the Ole Miss Banking Symposium, held every November on a Friday, adjacent to a home football game. By the numbers, this year’s event drew nearly 400 attendees, 47 of whom were bank CEOS and raised more than $300,000 in sponsorships, which benefits the banking school.

We have a passion for facilitating connections here at William Mills Agency, and that’s part of what makes Venture Tech an appealing event. Now in its 8^th year, co-founders CUNA Strategic Services and Curql have fostered open, honest and deeply engaging conversations about progress in credit union technology. It’s marketed as an intimate event, and I agree; Venture Tech felt like a family reunion, especially after coming from Money20/20. The credit union and fintech representatives attending were relationship driven above all else. This is how you facilitate change.