Technology Association of Georgia Launches FinTech Society to Promote Georgia's Financial Technology Industry

ATLANTA, GA, August 13, 2010 (Press-News.org) Recognizing that Georgia generates more than $34 billion annually from the financial technology (FinTech) sector; the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) has formed a society to promote and further the interests of Georgia's FinTech companies, employees, and investors. TAG FinTech's mission includes building recognition of Georgia as the business center of choice for the world's leading financial technology providers and fostering a business environment to help grow the industry and attract investment.

"Financial technology is one of Georgia's leading industry sectors," stated Tino Mantella, president of TAG. "Georgia FinTech companies are growing, and the strength of the existing cluster and Georgia's pro-business environment has made Georgia a natural choice for companies looking to expand or relocate. The creation of the TAG FinTech Society is intended to further this great momentum and add yet another benefit for TAG members."

The TAG FinTech Society's steering committee, which includes FinTech executives, investment bankers, technology pioneers, venture capital firms, and leading service providers, is chaired by C. David Chambless of Abraxas Business Services.

"With the launch of TAG FinTech, we have generated a tremendous amount of attention from people who make their livelihood in this industry and from companies that choose Georgia as their corporate home or have large operations here," said Chambless. "As Silicon Valley is to technology or Hartford is to insurance, we are looking to make Georgia famous for innovation and commerce in financial technology."

John B. Hayes, a founder of such success stories as Peachtree Software and FTRANS, and one of the founders of TAG FinTech, said, "It is a little known, great story of our region's rich history in banking and payment technology. In fact, Georgia's FinTech economy is third in the U.S. behind only California and New York. TAG FinTech is a great forum for entrepreneurs, investors, and creative people to share information and forge meaningful partnerships."

For the inaugural TAG FinTech event, a premier group of FinTech executives met to network and participate in an informal discussion with Jack Guynn, former CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. In this fireside chat led by John C. Yates, head of the technology practice of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, Guynn recounted key events in the evolution of Georgia's FinTech community.

TAG FinTech will host several events in the coming months, including a one-day symposium on November 8, 2010 at 103 West in Atlanta. Industry executives from companies such as Elavon, First Data, Global Payments, SunTrust Banks, Wells Fargo and TSYS will provide insight into the use of innovative technology to address issues affecting the payments industry. Richard Oliver, senior vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will be the keynote speaker for the event.
In addition to bi-monthly educational sessions sponsored by the organization, industry executives and thought leaders have volunteered to lead discussions at informal community gatherings throughout the year. Information about all TAG FinTech events can be found at http://www.tagonline.org/TAG-FinTech.php .

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
TAG is a leading technology industry association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of the state's technology industry. TAG provides leadership in driving initiatives in the areas of policy, capital, education and giving, and also brings the technology community together through events, initiative programs and networking opportunities. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 27 special interest groups, or Societies, including Women in Technology (WIT). Additionally, TAG's charitable arm, the TAG Education Collaborative, is focused on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.TAGthink.com.

About TAG FinTech
TAG FinTech was founded in early 2010 to address the specific needs of companies, individuals and investors serving the financial industry both domestically and abroad. Financial technology or FinTech, encompasses products, solutions, services and information providers which drive decisions, process payments and facilitate transactions for financial institutions. Georgia FinTech company revenues are more than $34 billion annually, which places it third in the nation behind New York and California. Together, the banking, insurance and capital markets consistently spend more on technology than any other industry. For more information about TAG FinTech, go to http://www.tagonline.org/TAG-FinTech.php or the society's blog at http://tagthink.com/society-blogs/ .

Media Contact:
Scott Mills, APR
William Mills Agency
678-781-7201
scott@williammills.com

The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support its members by generating opportunities for personal, professional and business growth. By forging strategic alliances, TAG serves as a primary catalyst to foster a rich environment for economic development in Georgia's technology community. TAG is made up of over 10,500 members representing technology leaders from over 1,400 Georgia-based companies, affiliated technology and business organizations. TAGthink is the TAG's community website.