Transact Conference 2010

February 22nd 2010, 9.00am – 4.30pm

Hosted by RBS, 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA

In the last year Financial Inclusion in the UK has seen significant change with more local organisations involved despite massive funding challenges and a fast-evolving financial services sector and policy environment. Meanwhile communities face daily new horizons of exclusion and poverty. The 2010 Transact conference provided the opportunity for people from across the Financial Inclusion sector to reflect and share their views, learn about the wider sector and engage in important dialogue about the future of the sector against the back-drop of a prospective new political landscape.

The day included workshops on topics such as funding and online platforms to support financial inclusion and a lively debate on the future of financial service with speakers from nef and the BBA. Presentations are available below.

The afternoon featured a dynamic open space session where delegates discussed topics relating to the question: 'What should the next government do about financial exclusion?'. Key recommendations which came out of the discussions include: making the Post Office Card Account (POCA) into a fully transactional bank account, a clear way forward for joining up financial inclusion work at a local authority level and working towards a National Indicator and introducing phased benefits for people returning to work.

Feedback from the day included:

'Refreshing to hear about different practice'

'A real education, good to be part of creative thinking'

'Excellent conference and good to know what others are doing'

Click here to view a conference programme

Click here to listen to a podcast of conference highlights

Click here to view a report from the day, including all the recommendations generated in the afternoon's open space session