Welcome to this our third Fintech 40, Financial News’ list of the 40 most influential people in European fintech. It’s a list that reflects how far fintech has come over the past few years – but also indicates that it has much further to go.

First, it's a reflection of success. None of the entrepreneurs we highlighted when Anna Irrera compiled our first Fintech 40 in 2014 has gone bust. All have at least prospered. Although some are not in this year's list, that's a reflection of the heightened competition and smart new businesses being founded every week, rather than weak ideas foundering.