Really, we weren't looking for ways to plug our Finovate conference. Usually we just come right out and tell you to register now since it's only 10 days away. But imagine our delight when we opened up the latest issue of Fast Company (Oct 2009) and Dan Macsai's article included six Finovate companies in his list of eight startups "brimming with hope for the financial industry" (see screenshot below; note 1).

In Dan's words, these companies are noteworthy as:

Web-based financial startups creating services that embrace transparency (even in their largely fee-based pricing) and improve the customer experience.

Congratulations to the eight winners (in order of their appearance in the article): 

• Tempo Payments: Decoupled debit (FinovateStartup 2009 alum, video)
• BancVue: Community bank rewards checking and Kasasa national brand (upcoming Finovate 2009 presenter; FinovateStartup 2008 alum and Best of Show winner, video)
• MarketRiders: Impartial mutual fund advice for $9.95/mo
• Mpower Ventures: Providing financial services to the world's unbanked.
• SecondMarket: Helps companies auction securities and other illiquid assets (FinovateStartup 2009 alum, video)
• BrightScope: Independent advice for 401k plan participants (upcoming Finovate 2009 presenter)
• Jwaala: Personal financial management and online banking tools for small and mid-size financial institutions (Finovate 2007 charter presenter, video; FinovateStartup 2008 alum and Best of Show winner video; 2009 Finovate Startup alum, video)
• The Receivables Exchange: Real-time auctions for accounts receivables (FinovateStartup 2009 alum, video)

Fast Company's NextFinance column (Oct 2009, pp. 76-78, ad page omitted)

Note:
1. We'll take a .750 batting average any time. But, we'll also try to recruit MarketRiders and Mpower to future Finovate events.