Ian Benton
Senior Analyst, Digital Banking
Ian Benton focuses on how financial institutions can build digital experiences that are integral to the success of their small business clients. Ian takes a data-driven approach to addressing key challenges facing the industry, including the threat and opportunity from fintechs, embedded finance, the development of faster payments, building services for freelancers and entrepreneurs, and the role of digital tools such as invoicing, cash-flow analysis, and bill pay in building daily engagement among business owners. Leading banks, credit unions, and financial technology providers have tapped Ian’s strategic insights through advisory services, custom reports, and webinar presentations.
Ian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Arts degree in International Policy from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California.
Latest Insights
Zelle for Business and the Race to Own Real-Time Payments
Nearly one-third of U.S. small businesses use Zelle in some capacity, yet many still do not view it as a true business payments platform on par with PayPal or Square. This report e...
Small Business Neobanks: 8 Ways They’re Beating Banks at Their Own Game
Neobanks may be easy to dismiss, serving a small share of newer, digitally native businesses, but that framing misses their real impact. They are repositioning digital banking arou...
Winning the Upgrade to the Business Credit Card
Business credit cards are marketed as rewards-driven products in a crowded, rate-focused category. But owners often adopt them for operational reasons—separating personal and busin...
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