Fintech sector expands educational division
Ann Arbor, Michigan – The American Fintech Council (AFC) has announced the launch of AFC Learning, a new educational program aimed at improving the fintech ecosystem and fostering bank-fintech partnerships.
At the helm of AFC Learning is Colin Darke, who currently runs the fintech practice at GwC, a tech and business law firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Darke previously served as the Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel at Rocket Loans and will now oversee AFC Learning's programming.
AFC Learning will be led by professional services firm FORVIS, and Phil Goldfeder, a former executive at Cross River Bank, a fintech-heavy bank in Fort Lee, New Jersey, is also involved in the initiative. Goldfeder and Darke have previously collaborated on successful programming in DC, New York, and San Francisco.
The focus of AFC Learning is on cultivating bank-fintech partnerships, a current hot topic but one that many banks find challenging to navigate. AFC Learning will offer education tailored to fintechs, banks, and other companies, providing compliance and training opportunities.
AFC Learning's first webinar will explore third-party risk management, delegation, and best practices in BSA/AML obligations and SAR filings. Additional classes are planned for later in August and in September.
Cross River Bank, Rocket Loans' banking partner, will be one of the industries AFC Learning targets. Fintechs serve tens of millions of consumers daily, and the council aims to help banks understand and work with this rapidly growing sector.
AFC Learning's goal is to improve the fintech ecosystem by facilitating a transformative learning experience for all involved. The offerings of AFC Learning will be dictated by feedback from industry players, aiming to stay ahead of emerging fintech hot topics and fostering an engaging dialogue amongst regulators and industry experts.
AFC Learning aims to be fully operational by the end of the year. The council's Executive Director, Colin Darke, runs a professional consulting service in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and serves as the Executive Director at AFC Learning.
By providing education and fostering partnerships, AFC Learning hopes to dispel misconceptions, promote best practices, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the fintech industry.
