Lars Rottweiler on Financial Inclusion Through Embedded Technologies
During a virtual fireside chat at the Purpose Driven Climate Leadership Forum – COP30, organized by Davos Worldwide, Lars Rottweiler, Co-Founder and CTO of Mbanq, discussed how digital financial infrastructure, when embedded into community platforms, can support financial inclusion, encourage economic participation and advance sustainability objectives.
Lars explained that trust in financial services is shifting away from traditional institutions. People often connect more deeply with organizations and communities they identify with, such as sports clubs, cultural movements, universities or digital platforms, and they expect financial services to reflect those affiliations. While most such organizations do not aim to become banks, many seek responsible ways to integrate financial capabilities to enhance engagement.
He highlighted bankability, the ability to safely store and move money, as a fundamental step toward inclusion, particularly in regions where access to formal banking is limited. Automated, cloud-based platforms can enable local entities to provide account and payment functionality with minimal operational overhead, to help expand economic participation.
Lars also pointed to the potential of linking everyday financial activity to positive outcomes such as community investment, youth initiatives or sustainability programs, describing this evolution as “financial interaction linked to belonging rather than utility.”
Additionally, he cautioned against innovation for its own sake:
“Technology only matters when it improves access, simplifies processes or supports positive change. Complexity for its own sake adds no value.”
He concluded by emphasising that meaningful financial inclusion and impact require strong regulatory compliance and local expertise as foundational elements.
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