Here’s a sad story: I arrived home to find Fast Company in my mailbox with the cover story being the world’s 50 most innovative companies and not a single one is a U.S. bank. Not one. An entire industry that underpins our whole economy, indeed the world economy, and none are innovating to a high enough level. Of course this isn’t surprising – what is surprising is that this sorry fact is not lighting a fire under the banking industry’s behind. And it should.
This can’t continue. Innovation, rapid, responsive, tech-savvy innovation, has got to take the banking industry by storm in short-order. And I’m not talking about the shenanigans of creative accounting that almost brought our entire economy to a complete halt in recent history. I’m talking about enhanced servicing, products that people crave, and new lines of business that enable ordinary people to live extraordinary lives. I’m talking about innovation that invigorates the best, brightest, and most creative minds we’ve got to do the most good in the world that can be done.
Bankers have got to stop watching out for their bonuses more than their customers. They’ve got to be more concerned with being great than being rich. And this isn’t a naive wish – this is reality. If they are going to survive, let alone thrive, banks need to get with the program, stop thinking like stodgy old has-beens, and start thinking like passionate entrepreneurs who have a great sense of urgency. The top 50 most innovative companies list needs to be littered with financial services companies, not devoid of them. And it’s up to us in financial services to see that this gets done.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
Here’s a sad story: I arrived home to find Fast Company in my mailbox with the cover story being the world’s 50 most innovative companies and not a single one is a U.S. bank. Not one. An entire industry that underpins our whole economy, indeed the world economy, and none are innovating to a high enough level. Of course this isn’t surprising – what is surprising is that this sorry fact is not lighting a fire under the banking industry’s behind. And it should. 
Indeed, Christa, money makes the world go round.
What’s sad is that many of these companies have “mission statements.” How about walking that talk?
Unfortunately, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Concern about the bottom-line (productivity and profits) is one thing, but when that becomes your gospel…
“Houston, Houston, we gotta problem…”
It would be helpful if companies actually started to pay attention to customer feedback. And designed products/services according to our tastes, preferences.
If customers leave for greener pastures, you don’t have a business. Hence the need for innovation and creativity.
As always, thank you for your contribution. Cheerio.
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Agreed, Archan!! We need innovation in this industry. That’s what I’ll be working on for the foreseeable future!
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Financial institutions seem to fall into two camps, the stodgy conservatives who tow grandad’s line and the ones who glom onto the latest get-rich-quick scheme (think sub-prime mortgages). I agree. We need a third option.
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Hi Kristin! Excellent point – a third option is absolutely necessary. I hope I can find it.
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