As a former Minister of Economic Affairs, he helped the Swiss fintech scene to a public relations coup. Also for this Johann Schneider-Ammann now comes to late honors.
A fintech influencer?
It is quite possible that Johann Schneider-Ammann would not easily dismiss the word “fintech influencer” – in May 2016, however, the then Minister of Economic Affairs repeatedly stumbled upon the intricate anglicisms of that business.
At that time, the city council accepted an invitation from the Association of Swiss Financial Startups and the Swiss Bankers Association and, among other things, paid a visit to the Fintech Knip.
Thus, Schneider-Ammann helped the young scene to a first-rate PR coup and ensured that fintechs were perceived far beyond their real economic importance in the location policy. “I am very enthusiastic about these developments, it is important that Switzerland here is top,” praised the politician at that time.
Fintech Influencer of the Year
The Swiss scene knew how to thank politicians who had resigned as Federal Councilor in late 2018. Schneider-Ammann was named “Fintech Influencer of the Year” at this year’s “Fintech Influencer of the Year” for his involvement as Federal Councilor in the Swiss Fintech Awards 2019 organized by “Finanz und Wirtschaft Forum”, according to a statement.
Indeed, Swiss financial technology has actually been the “top” in the individual sector since May three years ago. This applies in particular to the blockchain and cryptosector, which has created a world-famous conurbation in the canton of Zug.
Hurdles dismantled
Politics and authorities have no small share in this. At the beginning of the year, the Federal Council, in coordination with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (Finma), lowered the hurdles for the market entry of fintech startups. In the coming months, various adjustments will also be made in the law in order to pave the way especially for blockchain business models.
This should help many fintech startups in the future. For some, however, the measures are too late: The Knip visited by Schneider-Ammann in 2016 had to merge a year later with the Dutch technology company Komparu.
Also published on Medium.