Making Fintech More Accessible | G+D and Project Nemo | Money20/20 Europe

It’s time to make fintech more accessible.

At Money 20/20 Europe we spoke to Gabrielle Bugat, CEO of G+D ePayments, and Joanne Dewar, who heads up Project Nemo, a new initiative aiming to accelerate disability inclusion in fintech. In this fascinating conversation, Dewar talks about their role in connecting inclusion experts with fintech leaders and Bugat discusses how they engage with various stakeholders.

Some of the practical changes they’ve already seen include improving usability for the visually impaired and simplifying product interfaces. It’s an incredibly important issue that has huge commercial potential too, with 23% of the population having some form of disability. Watch the interview or read on to find out more.

There is plenty of work to do on inclusion

The interview has both speakers discuss their progress and initiatives in enhancing accessibility within their industry. Bugat highlighted that their journey towards accessibility began a year ago at the very same event, which involved engaging with associations to identify core issues and goals. It’s often the way that events like Money20/20 can be great catalysts for important conversations.

This initial phase led to workshops and a reassessment of engineering processes and market engagement strategies within their own company, marking an eye-opening and transformative period for G+D.

Dewar reflected on her similar experience, noting that she had not previously considered the accessibility aspects of their industry until preparing for a panel with Bugat. This realization spurred her on to leverage her time and network to initiate Project Nemo, aimed at addressing accessibility comprehensively. She recognized the extensive work needed to make products and services more accessible and saw this as a significant opportunity to drive change.

The work Giesecke+Devrient are doing

In the interview Bugat elaborates on their efforts to involve various stakeholders, including associations, partners, regulators, and customers, in their accessibility initiatives. This global engagement led to new ways of working and workshops which have significantly influenced their approach.

And what about practical changes? They’ve seen a few, including improving the usability of payment cards for visually impaired users and simplifying menu navigation. Bugat emphasized that creating simple, visible solutions and giving consumers choices were key learnings that now drive their product development and engagement strategies.

We also get some insights into how Project Nemo facilitates industry change by connecting disability inclusion experts with FinTech leaders. She noted that many businesses are unaware of their accessibility shortcomings until these issues are brought to light.

Dewar shared examples of small yet impactful steps, such as sourcing products from organizations that employ individuals with disabilities. She highlighted the significant market potential, with 23% of the population having some form of disability, stressing that accessibility is not only a moral imperative but also a substantial commercial opportunity.

For more G+D interviews from Money20/20, head here.