Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation

The CSFI is an independent think tank based in London. It was formed in early 1993 to stimulate research into the future of the Financial Services industry, and to provide a neutral meeting ground for financial practitioners to share ideas and explore the road ahead.

Our current work programme is built around the following topics:

* Europe - notably the single market in financial services and economic and monetary union


* The impact of the internet (and other technologies) on financial markets


* Financial regulation


* Governance issues


* Financial deprivation


* Financial architecture


* Microfinance


* Risk management.

The Centre is unique: there is no comparable forum in the financial sector which is able to inquire and judge, free from political and commercial pressures. The CSFI has no ideological brief. As such, it provides a valuable facility for the City of London and the wider field of international finance which it serves. The Centre's contacts in finance, government, technology, academia, professional services and the press ensure wide input into and dissemination of its work.

Much of the CSFI's work centres on round tables where topical issues are thrashed out by practitioners. These frequently evolve into working groups, which meet regularly to monitor developments in selected areas, such as EMU or technology. The CSFI regularly publishes papers designed to provoke further discussion. From time to time, the Centre organises set-piece conferences on the big issues of the day. It also publishes occasional books.

The CSFI has a director and a small administrative staff based in its own offices in London's West End. It is sponsored and supported by many of the world's leading banks, professional firms and technology companies, as well as official organisations such as the Bank of England, the UK Treasury, the Financial Services Authority and the Department of Trade & Industry. In 2002 a new office in New York opened and we expect to hold a number of round-tables there this year.