Seneca RED Fall 2021 Alumni Magazine - 30

Staying curious
in fintech
Simon Lau is helping people reach their financial goals
further expand his knowledge and skill set. For this reason,
when he was introduced to Seneca's Financial Technology
program (FNT) at the York Region FinTech
Summit in 2018, he decided right away to enrol.
Completing a fast-paced program like FNT while
FOR SIMON LAU, a financial planner with nearly 15 years of
experience, the idea of helping people achieve their
financial goals through various strategies was appealing.
For a biochemistry graduate, it was an unexpected
career path. But, when the opportunity to get his foot in
the door to the world of finance surfaced, he took it
without hesitation. Not having any formal education in
finance was not concerning as Mr. Lau had passion, curiosity
and an insatiable appetite for learning.
" The key is to continue to learn more and to stay
The key is
to continue to
learn more and
to stay curious.
curious, " he said.
Shortly after he got into the industry in 2010, rapid
technological advancements began to emerge, spurring
change within the landscape. Smartphones, mobile
apps, cryptocurrency, and financial technology transformed
the industry's approach to customer service and
product delivery, prompting those within the field to
adjust accordingly. Such changes could have been overwhelming,
but Mr. Lau saw it as an opportunity to
30 RED 2021
working a full-time job was not an easy task. For Mr.
Lau, however, it was yet another opportunity to set a
goal, devise a roadmap and execute a strategy, just as he
helps his clients do daily. He credits his curiosity and
desire to leverage his newfound knowledge to help people
create, capture and enjoy value as his main drive for
his relentless pursuit of learning.
Now, equipped with a keen understanding of financial
technology as well as a broader network of fintech
experts thanks to Seneca's FNT program, he is leveraging
digital platforms and tools to optimize his clients'
approach to planning for the future.
" The program provided me with a direction on what
to learn next. Without the program, I wouldn't have
known what to do next to move forward; I want to
explore how I can use fintech for financial planning as it
is still analogous right now, " he said.
It is evident in all that Mr. Lau shares that he has yet
to stop learning, especially because he believes that
through growing his knowledge, he can support not only
his clients but his network of friends, colleagues and
people he will encounter down the road.
PHOTO: IAN PATTERSON
Seneca RED Fall 2021 Alumni Magazine

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