Banking-focused CCG Catalyst adds fintech specialist Philip Ryan

Phoenix-based management consultancy CCG Catalyst Consulting Group has added fintech expert Philip Ryan as it seeks to expand its footprint in the financial services sector. Ryan was previously senior editor of Bank Innovation in New York, as well as a senior director of start-up accelerator INV Fintech.

CCG Catalyst delivers consulting services in strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and IT to banking industry clients across the US and North America. Within its strategy business line, the firm offers business cases, product planning, and retail assessment, and more. Its IT services include IT performance improvement, vendor evaluation and management, and program review. CCG’s M&A offerings comprise due diligence, planning, and integration.

The consulting firm has been looking to grow into the fintech startup area in 2019, recognizing the increasing importance of the segment in the financial services sector. A report from Accenture found that around 19% of financial companies in the US in 2017 were new entrants – making up about 3.5% of the more than $1 trillion in banking and payments revenue.

Ryan’s recruitment is a key part of driving that initiative. His expertise and years of experience working with fintech startups will help CCG Catalyst capitalize on the rapidly transforming market.

Ryan's position as senior director at INV, – a fintech accelerator that helps banks innovate and start-ups build momentum – placed him near at the top of the the accelerator, which launched in 2016 and grew out of the Bank Innovation blog.

Ryan served as senior editor of BankInnovation.net concurrently with his role at INV Fintech. He spent six-and-a-half years at the Royal Media-owned company, initially as associate editor.

Ryan also spent six years at non-sectarian Buddhist quarterly magazine Tricycle, first as web editor, and then as executive editor. Contributors to the publication, which launched in 1991, have included beat poets Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, and composers John Cage and Philip Glass.

Ryan also spent a decade as a consultant at Fund for the City of New York, where he worked with NYC non-profit organizations to develop digital solutions and branding. 

“Mr. Ryan’s experience will be of great importance to the firm as we expand our work with fintech startups building new solutions in artificial intelligence, mobile onboarding, and digital banking overall,” Paul Schaus, CCG Catalyst CEO, said. “His years of reporting on the latest changes in the industry have given him insights that will serve CCG Catalysts and its clients well.”

Ryan added, “My work with fintech startups has taught me that banks and startups need to work together to creatively confront the challenges that lie ahead, and we at CCG Catalyst can help." 

CCG Catalyst was recognized by Consulting Magazine has one of the US’ "Fastest Growing Firms" in 2018.