1. ‘ Banking is essential, Banks are not’ Bill Gates The competition comes from outside the industry

3. Post-offices sell financial products

4. Retailers sell financial products

6. Car manufacturers sell financial products

7. Direct sellers sell financial products

8. Virgin is everything and a bank

9. Zopa introduced peer-to-peer lending An online marketplace where people meet to lend and borrow has huge cost advantages which is why Zopa members get a fairer deal when it comes to their money. In Zopa’s wake, copycats such as Prosper in the US, Smava in Germany and Boober in the Netherlands have sprung up across the world. Social Lending is a financial category of genuine and increasing importance.

11. Facebook starts peer-to-peer Lending Club

13. Own your own bank in SL LindeX - the official Second Life Linden Dollar exchange.

14. E-bay en Google offer payments anywhere

15. Internet tears down entrance walls for new competitors