Why the Smartest People in Finance Are Reading FSI Blog
By Ana Milojevik
July 21, 2025
The FSI Blog—short for Financial Services & Innovation—has emerged as a key resource for finance professionals who think beyond the headlines. In a world of fast takes and flash forecasts, it’s rare to find a blog that slows things down in the right way.
To understand why, I sat down with Edward Hawthorne, a UK-based fintech strategist who has spent two decades working across investment banking, regulatory consulting, and innovation labs in the City of London. Hawthorne isn’t easily impressed—but the FSI Blog, he says, “has a long view, and that’s what gives it weight.”
“They don’t chase the algorithm—the FSI Blog follows the signal.”
Q: Edward, you consult on digital finance strategy. What stood out about the FSI Blog when you first encountered it?
Edward Hawthorne:
It was the tone, really. Calm. Clean. No jargon for the sake of it. They’re not trying to go viral. They’re writing for people who already know the pressures of operating in regulated environments. You read a post, and instead of feeling like you’ve skimmed the surface, you feel like you’ve been briefed.
“It’s written for architects of change—not spectators.”
Q: Who do you think is the core audience for FSI?
Hawthorne:
Senior strategy leaders. Risk professionals. Regulators, even. It’s not entry-level material. You don’t see clickbait. You see a CFO at a mid-sized lender trying to navigate embedded finance. Or a compliance head dealing with PSD3. It’s for people who can’t afford to be wrong.
“There’s no spoon-feeding, and that’s intentional.”
Q: What sets FSI apart from other fintech blogs?
Hawthorne:
Many blogs oversimplify, trying to bring everyone up to speed. FSI assumes you’re already in the conversation. When they talk about Basel IV capital buffers or the unintended consequences of AI in underwriting, they’re not explaining from scratch. That’s valuable. It’s more in line with the intellectual rigour you’d get from places like the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI), which does a similar job in the UK policy sphere.
“Less content on the FSI Blog, more substance—that’s their model.”
Q: FSI doesn’t publish daily. Is that a weakness?
Hawthorne:
No. Quite the opposite. The fact they don’t publish on a schedule makes each article feel deliberate. They don’t speak unless they have something to say. That’s how you build trust in this space. Quality, not quantity. It’s the antithesis of content marketing fluff.
“The FSI Blog connects market shifts with operational reality.”
Q: Which topics do they cover best?
Hawthorne:
Where technology meets policy, and where innovation bumps into risk. Case studies of banks using generative AI to enhance fraud detection. A sharp breakdown of MiCA’s impact on tokenised funds. Not theory—execution. That’s the sweet spot.
“It’s used in real boardrooms—quietly.”
Q: Is the FSI Blog having an impact beyond its online readership?
Hawthorne:
Without a doubt. I’ve seen its content referenced in internal risk reviews, corporate strategy workshops, even regulatory readiness reports. It’s not just for thought leadership—it’s used. That’s the difference.
“This is a curated brain trust—not just a blog.”
Q: How would you summarise the blog’s relevance in 2025?
Hawthorne:
If you’re in financial services and you’re looking five years ahead, FSI is essential reading. It won’t give you the noise of the day, but it will sharpen your understanding of where things are headed. And that’s worth far more.
Final Thought
In a sea of content chasing attention, the FSI Blog earns something rarer—authority. With its analytical precision, selective publishing, and focus on decision-level strategy, it serves not as background noise, but as a quiet compass for where finance is moving next.
FAQ – Understanding the FSI Blog
Q1: What is the FSI Blog?
A: The FSI Blog, short for Financial Services & Innovation, is a digital publication focused on providing in-depth analysis at the intersection of finance, regulation, and technology. It’s designed for senior professionals in the financial sector who require strategic insights, not surface-level news.
Q2: Who writes for the FSI Blog?
A: Content is created by experienced professionals from banking, fintech, regulatory, and risk management backgrounds. Many contributors have held leadership roles or have consulted across the global financial ecosystem.
Q3: How is the FSI Blog different from other finance blogs?
A: Unlike content-heavy blogs that chase daily headlines, FSI publishes less frequently but with higher editorial standards. It delivers curated, well-researched insights intended for decision-makers, not casual readers.
Q4: Who reads the FSI Blog?
A: The audience includes C-suite executives, innovation leads, risk officers, regulatory experts, and fintech founders—anyone responsible for shaping the future of financial services.
Q5: Does the FSI Blog focus on specific regions?
A: While global in scope, many articles touch on developments in Europe, the UK, and North America, reflecting the regulatory and technological shifts in those markets.
Q6: Is the FSI Blog affiliated with any financial institutions?
A: No. The blog operates independently, allowing it to provide unbiased perspectives free from institutional agenda.
Q7: How often is new content published?
A: The FSI Blog follows a quality-over-quantity approach. Articles are published only when they offer meaningful, timely analysis.
About the Expert – Edward Hawthorne
Edward Hawthorne is a London-based fintech strategist and regulatory advisor with over 20 years of experience in financial services. Having held senior roles at global investment banks and led digital transformation initiatives across Europe, Edward brings a rare blend of traditional finance expertise and forward-thinking innovation.
His career spans advising challenger banks, consulting on post-Brexit regulatory compliance, and working with policy think tanks on the future of digital finance in the UK. He first began following the FSI Blog as part of his strategic research and quickly recognized its value as a trusted source for high-level insight.
Edward frequently references the FSI Blog in client briefings, strategy documents, and fintech workshops, citing its ability to synthesize complex issues at the intersection of regulation, innovation, and risk. His endorsement of the blog stems from both professional application and personal conviction—it’s one of the few resources he considers essential reading for financial decision-makers.
About the Author – Ana Milojevik
Ana Milojevik is a business and finance writer with a sharp eye for emerging trends at the intersection of technology and regulation. With a background in economics and a decade of experience covering fintech and institutional banking, Ana brings clarity and depth to complex financial topics.
She has interviewed top strategists, fintech founders, and policy thinkers across Europe and North America. Ana frequently covers platforms that drive real industry impact—including the FSI Blog, a trusted source she has explored in-depth for its role in shaping executive-level financial insight.
When not writing, Ana advises startups on content strategy and occasionally lectures on digital communication in finance.