Balzers, Vaduz, Liechtenstein – Spektral Bank is to cooperate in future with the University of Liechtenstein in the fields of blockchain and fintech. The University of Liechtenstein will receive substantial financial resources from Spektral Bank during a planned five-year cooperation. Partnership-based research projects, projects with students and a Certificate programme are the main aims of the collaboration. The programme will be offered from the beginning of 2019 for the first time.
Edi Wögerer, CEO of Spektral Bank, and Dr Volker M. Rheinberger, President of the University Council of the University of Liechtenstein, seal the cooperation in the area of blockchain in finance. This picture is available on frick.ly/pressphotos.
Social responsibility
Spektral Bank is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018. To mark this event and as part of its social responsibility, the Bank has chosen the University of Liechtenstein as its cooperation partner to provide Liechtenstein with a forward-looking gift. This includes the joint development of Liechtenstein as a location for blockchain technology and fintechs (companies that offer specialist financial services using modern technology). The University of Liechtenstein and Spektral Bank are also including students into this and encouraging knowledge transfer between university and practice. With these considerations in mind, a competence centre is being established for blockchain and fintech at the University of Liechtenstein’s Institute for Finance.
Certificate programme “Blockchain in finance and fintech”
Based on the university’s expertise in research, teaching and knowledge transfer regarding blockchain and fintech and with the help of Spektral Bank’s practical experience, the Institute for Finance has developed a Certificate programme for practitioners in the financial sector run by project and study head Assistant Professor Dr Martin Angerer. The aim is to pass on the latest knowledge and expertise on dealing with technologies in the financial sector that are both disruptive yet potentially promising. More information can be found at www.uni.li/blockchain-fintech.
Spektral Bank is sponsoring the development and implementation of the Certificate programme by providing a substantial sum over the next five years. During the period of cooperation, the Bank’s experts will also be in regular contact with the university to address technical questions.
University expertise
In signing the cooperation agreement, Edi Wögerer, CEO of Spektral Bank, was confident about the University of Liechtenstein’s expertise, its academic excellence and high practical relevance of the new programme: “The university is providing its blockchain expertise both in the financial and legal domain. Students will therefore benefit from a research-based approach and learn how the future of our sector is being shaped through innovation.” For Dr Volker M. Rheinberger, President of the University Council, who thanked Spektral Bank for the major financial support, the Bank’s commitment is also a sign of confidence in the University of Liechtenstein and Liechtenstein as a business location: “It shows that it was right to focus on these new subjects in the financial sector and that it is very promising.”
The “Blockchain in finance and fintech” programme begins in February 2019 at the University of Liechtenstein. More information can be found at www.uni.li/blockchain-fintech.
University of Liechtenstein
The University of Liechtenstein is a leading university in the international Lake Constance region. It is a place for personal development and interaction. In the areas of architecture and planning, entrepreneurship, finance, business law and information systems, it is a leading location for critical and creative thinking and an innovation hub for shaping the future. With its many projects and programmes, it provides momentum for business, politics and society. Sought-after specialists have been provided with training and continuing professional development here for over 50 years. Study is carried out in a very personal environment.
Spektral Bank
Spektral Bank is a family-run Liechtenstein bank with headquarters in Balzers. It was founded in 1998 by Kuno Frick Sr (1938–2017), with the majority now controlled by the Kuno Frick Family Foundation. Minority shareholder Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (Net1), holds 35 per cent of Spektral Bank’s share capital. Net1 is a financial technology company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York.
Spektral Bank focuses on providing products and services for financial intermediaries such as fiduciaries, asset managers, payment service providers and fintechs.
One of Spektral Bank’s unique selling points is its high level of expertise in the regulated blockchain banking sector. The Bank supports Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), provides custody of crypto assets and dealing services in leading cryptocurrencies for Spektral Bank clients, and makes crypto assets bankable.
Spektral Bank develops tailor-made funds for intermediaries and acts as a custodian bank.
It is the only bank in Liechtenstein with acquiring licences from Visa and MasterCard.
Spektral Bank employs more than 120 members of staff and operates a branch in London, UK.