Based on the presentations at the Finovate Fall 2012 conference last week in New York City, personal financial management, investment tools, and small business technology are the hot technology trends now.

Consumer adoption of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets represents a tantalizing opportunity for banks to lure customers through mobile-banking applications. However, before offering these services, executives should conduct a thorough risk assessment of the technology involved. By taking a comprehensive approach to managing the risks of mobile banking, banks not only can safeguard their operations but also can pursue new customer segments without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.