We are the Association for Financial Technology (AFT)

Association for Financial Technology (AFT) is industry’s premier resource for networking and professional development for those companies and executives serving U.S. financial institutions (FI’s), including banks, credit unions, lenders and payment companies. Founded in 1972, the organization members represents virtually every area of technology, data or services needed to help FI’s succeed in today’s dynamic marketplace.

Working within a highly regulated industry and complex vendor landscape, AFT helps members by 1) creating valuable relationships; 2) provides business and industry intelligence; and 3) delivering programs that inform members on issues, trends and forces shaping the industry.

To learn more about membership or upcoming events contact Ali Ramey (404) 789-3154 or aft@aftweb.com.

The businesses and business people brought together in the AFT network as Collective Minds, pooling our individual intelligence to build collective intelligence. AFT facilitates the exchange and flow of information and helps to guide and support the development of new competencies and effective business process for our members and member companies.

Leading Financial Technology companies from around the world coming together twice a year in a casual, open setting to discuss the critical issues of the day. In this environment competitors work together to solve problems they have in common.  That is the Powerful Advantage of AFT.

As leaders in our respective companies we can all agree that our industry continues to evolve and consolidate. Along with that comes ever increasing challenges to exponentially grow our organizations faster while running leaner. So why try to re-create the wheel? One time proven method for accomplishing this goal is through channel partnerships. Membership in AFT provides a venue for open dialog and networking with peers, complementary product line managers and competitors. Today the lines are blurred between who was once a traditional competitor and who tomorrow should be your next ally.

We all have the best intentions each year to better our person and industry knowledge base. Reconnection with old acquaintances sometimes requires a boost. That is why our members chose to invest their valuable time in AFT. As an active member in the association you will participate in meaningful, education and deliberate financial services technology related meetings twice annual. AFT brings together top national speakers and various thought leaders from around the world to provide the latest in best practices specific to our discipline. AFT's world class programs include industry experts from the vendor pool the regulatory and governing bodies as well as the national consulting community each year.

The Association for Financial Technology has been awarding college, university, business and technical school scholarships to deserving employees of member companies and their sons, daughters, stepchildren, spouses, grandchildren and wards since 1985. The awards are named for James E. Stoner, one of the organization's founders, Allan W. Balch, a two-time President of AFT and James Bannister, former AFT Executive Director.  The James E. Stoner, Allan W. Balch, & James Bannister Scholarship Program awards one to four scholarships valued at $2,250 to $3,000 each annually based upon the amount in the Scholarship Fund.

To learn more, please access the following documents: 

• AFT Bylaws (PDF)
• AFT Code of Ethics (PDF)

AFT has forged several partnerships with highly respected organizations within the industry. These partnerships provide: 1) networking opportunities 2) discounts for AFT member companies or 3) our association with access to information, people and resources to help us stay current on issues impacting the U.S. financial industry. Partner organizations cross-promote our association within their networks, thereby providing us with access to companies that could benefit from participating in AFT.

Here are the current organizations we partner with along with a description and some benefits of each.

CBANC
CBANC is the largest online community of verified FI professionals which is comprised of 85% of the banks and 30% of credit unions in the United States. Banks and credit unions rely on the CBANC community for helpful resources such as policy documents and webinars, peer recommendations and information on products and services.

AFT members can join CBANC’s network of over 7,300 financial institutions at no cost and have your company profiled in the vendor directory. Member companies can also take advantage of a 10% discount on CBANC marketing solutions to reach verified FI professionals,

Please contact Haley Jacson at (214) 326-1646 or hjackson@cbancnetwork.com 

FinXTech/Bank Director
In response to the rapid technological changes within the banking industry and feedback from industry leaders, Bank Director created FinXTech – a resource that allows banks in the U.S. to discover potential technology partners and solutions. FinXTech brings together top decision-makers from both traditional financial companies and fintechs through our annual conferences, editorial content, and online resources. 

Through partnership with FinXTech, AFT members can subscribe to receive Bank Director magazine at no charge. In addition, members may receive 15% off of FinXTech partnership packages that may include thought leadership and advertising opportunities.

Please contact Laura Ramsey at (615) 777-8466 or lramsey@bankdirector.com.

EFTA
EFTA is a cross-industry payments association focused on fostering productive government relations (more education than lobbying), educating members on developments in government that could impact their businesses, industry education (such as what is new in fintech) and high-level/high value networking among board companies. This partnership is especially valuable to AFT because it gives insight to government happenings that impact members and/or company businesses. EFTA regularly contributes to AFT programming.

To learn more about EFTA, please contact Kurt Helwig at kurthelwig@efta.org 

CUNA Strategic Services
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 110 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions.

To learn more about CUNA Strategic Services, visit www.cunastrategicservices.com. 

ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA), the nation’s voice for more than 5,700 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services.

For more information about ICBA’s Corporate Membership program, visit www.icba.org/corporate-members. 

Solutions By Text
Solutions by Text is a division of Marketing Response Solutions, a full-service consulting firm which has been serving the business community since 1995. In 2008, Solutions by Text was created to streamline client communication and leverage the power of SMS to create advanced business solutions in the mobile space.