Collaboration aims to support and accelerate responsible innovation, facilitate meaningful partnerships and enhance compliance in fintech and community banking

Sandy, UT (February 6, 2025) – The American Fintech Council (AFC), the premier industry association representing responsible fintech companies and innovative banks, today announced the addition of BankTech Ventures as a strategic partner. BankTech – a leading strategic investment fund backed by over 100 banks – will collaborate with AFC to support the growing demand from community banks for reliable, safe and innovative tools to increase efficiency, manage risk and enhance compliance.

“BankTech Ventures’ deep integration into the community banking ecosystem and expertise in identifying innovative solutions make them an invaluable partner in promoting responsible growth and collaboration,” said Phil Goldfeder, Chief Executive Officer of AFC. “Through this partnership, we aim to ensure that fintech companies are not only innovating but doing so responsibly, creating opportunities for both financial institutions and the customers they serve.”

In addition to providing funding, BankTech Ventures supports fintechs in navigating the regulatory landscape, helping them meet the rigorous standards required to partner with banks. They have established themselves as a transformative force in the industry by investing in technologies that enable community banks to compete in a digital-first world.

“We work closely with our partner banks to validate their needs, identify opportunities, and ensure that fintech solutions are not only impactful, but also aligned with the specific requirements of the banking sector,” said Pam Kaur, Head of Bank Technology at BankTech Ventures. “This collaborative approach helps ensure that our investments deliver real value to community banks and their customers.”

BankTech Ventures’ portfolio features companies delivering impactful solutions across compliance, cybersecurity, data management, and customer engagement. This collaboration with AFC will empower fintechs to deliver these innovative solutions while maintaining a commitment to compliance and security.

“At BankTech Ventures, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities fintechs face in the highly regulated banking space,” said Carey Ransom, Managing Director of BankTech Ventures. “As a strategic partner of the American Fintech Council, we are excited to support fintechs in becoming bank-ready, ensuring they are equipped to meet compliance and policy standards that enable successful partnerships with financial institutions.”

As part of this partnership, AFC and BankTech Ventures will collaborate on industry initiatives that include educational programs, thought leadership, and policy advocacy, aiming to address the evolving needs of the financial ecosystem.

A standards-based organization, AFC is the premier trade association representing the largest financial technology (Fintech) companies and innovative banks offering embedded finance solutions. AFC’s mission is to promote a transparent, inclusive, and customer-centric financial system by supporting responsible innovation in financial services and encouraging sound public policy. AFC members foster competition in consumer finance and pioneer products to better serve underserved consumer segments and geographies.

About BankTech Ventures
BankTech Ventures identifies and invests in leading bank technology companies and is deeply entrenched in community banking to ensure its companies work effectively and efficiently with banks to deliver maximum value and impact. BankTech’s unparalleled ecosystem is designed to deliver compelling innovation with community banks at the center of it all - bringing together bankers, industry organizations, and tech founders to work collaboratively to accelerate innovation in banking. Follow BankTech on LinkedIn and X. For more information, visit https://www.banktechventures.com/.