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Competition or cooperation? Disentangling the Bank-FinTech interaction through a hybrid literature review

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  • Costa, Davide
  • Querci, Francesca
  • Santulli, Rosalia

Abstract

The advent of FinTech companies (FTCs) in the banking sector has sparked a transformative shift, encouraging banks to navigate responses ranging from competition to collaboration. Through a comprehensive hybrid literature review and structured exploration of Bank-FinTech interaction models, we provide an actionable framework for understanding cooperative and competitive dynamics in Bank-FinTech relationships. Our analysis highlights a prevailing consensus within the literature favouring a cooperative strategy over competition between banks and FTCs. We examine the prevalent types of collaboration, their underlying rationales, and their effects on banks’ performance and activity. Through the identification of emerging themes and specific strategic gaps, we also suggest a targeted pathway for further inquiry, pointing at potential directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Costa, Davide & Querci, Francesca & Santulli, Rosalia, 2025. "Competition or cooperation? Disentangling the Bank-FinTech interaction through a hybrid literature review," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:riibaf:v:78:y:2025:i:c:s0275531925002491
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102993
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    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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