SXSW 2012

This panel will offer an in-depth look into the rise of financial tools available in the cloud and on mobile. It will discuss the idea of how these services have changed the way consumers deal with money and how it is affecting small businesses and merchants. With the social web, ecommerce and mobile offerings infiltrating our financial lives on a daily basis, consumers are more empowered than ever. With the click of a mouse or a swipe of a Smartphone, we can buy or sell items, make or lose money in an instant. Mobile tools make it easy to process purchases in real time, and on-the-go payments will soon be the default for shoppers around the world. Small businesses can flourish within minutes on the Web, and consumers can thoroughly analyze their personal flow of money with effortless online tools. So what do all of these developments mean for businesses, consumers and everyone in between? This panel will explore the future of payments, purchases and financial tools that will empower consumers and fuel small businesses throughout the digital age.