Money20/20 USA 2024 once again brought together industry leaders, innovators and visionaries to explore the future of the global money ecosystem. Themed as “Human X Machine,” this year’s conference highlighted the evolving relationship between technology and human ingenuity.

The Caliber team was on site in Las Vegas, joining over 11,500 attendees, to gain insights into how AI, compliance, embedded finance, real-time payments and an evolving regulatory environment are shaping the industry.

Here’s are our top five Money20/20 USA 2024 takeaways.

1. Everything AI: From Hype to Reality

As with every conference we attended in 2024, AI was everywhere at Money20/20. A major highlight came from the All In On AI: Financial Services Adoption Index 2024 report, released by Acrew Capital in partnership with Money20/20. Among their findings, they noted that 76% of financial services companies have already implemented AI initiatives, with nearly half investing in generative AI. This is particularly notable for the finance industry, which has historically been slow to integrate new technologies.

Panelists discussed AI’s potential to streamline operations, personalize customer experiences, and bolster fraud detection and prevention as just a few of the ways artificial intelligence is altering the financial services landscape. 

However, it’s not just about deploying AI — industry leaders emphasized the importance of responsible, ethical AI applications that foster customer trust and avoid unintended biases. As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated, organizations must balance human expertise with AI to deliver seamless, impactful customer experiences.

2. Building Trust in a Digital World

Companies have long struggled to find the right balance between personalization and privacy, and now AI-driven solutions are playing an outsized role in redefining how institutions build trust with customers. 

Money20/20 showcased many of the advancements in artificial intelligence that are enabling financial services to deliver tailored experiences while upholding privacy standards — such as biometric authentication, blockchain-based verification and real-time fraud detection. 

As Dan Latimore, chief research officer for The Financial Revolutionist, noted: “While AI was the talk of the conference, fraud wasn’t too far behind. The intersection of the two, where banks have to play defense against AI-assisted fraud, is a very active space.” (For more of Dan’s takes, check out The FR’s data-driven breakdown of Money20/20 sessions.)

A highlight of these discussions was Navigating the New Era of Hyper-Personalization, where Prove CEO Rodger Desai joined industry leaders to explore new strategies for verifying identity. Panelists emphasized that while customers value personalization, they also expect responsible data handling. By integrating privacy-enhancing technologies, financial institutions can build the trust essential for lasting relationships, positioning AI as a cornerstone of a secure, customer-centric ecosystem.

3. Real-Time Payments: The Future of Transactions

Instant payments and the ability to move money seamlessly across borders were also top of mind at Money20/20, with sessions shining a light on innovations such as faster payments networks and enhanced compliance frameworks. As global demand for 24/7 access to financial services grows, fintechs and legacy financial institutions alike are investing heavily in real-time, cross-border payment solutions. 

For example, Real-Life Scenarios & Uses for Real-Time Payments highlighted practical use cases for instant payments. Margaret Weichert, chief product officer at The Clearing House, emphasized that corporate treasurers benefit from the control instant payments provide — particularly with account-to-account transfers and disbursements. 

For companies, managing payment timing directly is invaluable, making instant payments a critical tool in treasury and client service. The NYSE’s recent announcement that it would be extending trading hours to 22 hours a day only reinforces the need for round-the-clock financial capabilities.

Speakers emphasized that AI compliance tools are essential for securing these transactions, enabling financial institutions to support instant payments while navigating regulatory demands in real time.

4. Embedded Finance and the Customer Experience

Embedded finance was another topic we heard a lot about at Money20/20 USA 2024 — no surprise with so many platforms now embedding payments, lending and insurance directly into their apps. This trend is transforming sectors from retail to logistics, enabling customers to complete purchases or access services entirely in-app, delivering a smoother user experience.

However, speakers cautioned that for successful implementation, fintechs and traditional financial institutions must work closely together, combining resources to ensure efficient and secure integration. Through partnerships that leverage APIs and open banking, companies are finding new ways to embed financial services while maintaining security and compliance.

As embedded finance becomes ever more present in our lives, it’s blurring industry lines and improving the customer experience in the process.

5. Compliance Is More Critical Than Ever

As regulations ramp up, compliance is becoming as essential as innovation itself. Money20/20 highlighted the critical need for smarter compliance frameworks, especially with new regulations like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Rule 1033. Designed to give consumers more control over their financial data and allow information-sharing with authorized third parties, this shift sparked significant conversations around data privacy and security.

As regulatory demands evolve, the companies that succeed will be those that see compliance as an opportunity for innovation, not a bottleneck. To keep pace, financial institutions are increasingly leveraging AI to automate compliance tasks, reduce manual workloads and improve transparency. 

For fintechs and banks, effective compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties — it’s a strategic way to build customer trust and create a foundation for sustainable growth.

Honorable Mention: Networking Opportunities Were Everywhere

Of course the sessions were full of insights, but a lot of the Money20/20 magic happens offstage. From exclusive gatherings like the Fin & Juice happy hour — of which Caliber was a partner — to spontaneous discussions around the exhibit hall, Money20/20 was as much about building relationships as it was about exploring innovations. 

These settings allowed attendees to dive deeper into trends, talk strategy and connect with potential collaborations. Further proof that partnerships will always play a crucial role in finance.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Financial Landscape Today

Money20/20 USA 2024 illuminated a core theme: The future of finance requires a thoughtful balance between cutting-edge tech and human insight.

For more insights like these from the most important events in finance and beyond, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and X using #CaliberConnect.

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