Blog

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.

This year’s Money20/20 reminded us why it’s arguably the most important event in the world of financial technology. The energy in Las Vegas was electric as thousands of innovators, bankers, investors, and storytellers gathered to discuss not just what’s new in fintech, but what’s next.

LinkedIn has become the go-to platform for professionals to connect, share insights, and build credibility. In fact, more than half of PR professionals (56%) consider LinkedIn their most valuable social platform in 2025, underscoring its importance for brand visibility.

As a long-time attendee, judge, and trusted voice at Finovate conferences, William Mills conducts on-site interviews with fintech’s most influential leaders. At this year’s FinovateFall in New York, he sat down with Mary Joseph, Senior Vice President of Strategic Investments at Citi, for an insightful conversation on the future of fintech.

In today’s competitive fintech landscape, having cutting-edge technology is only part of the equation. Without strong visibility, even the most innovative companies can struggle to gain traction. That’s where a strategic public relations program becomes essential, not just for awareness, but for driving real business outcomes.