Predictions for changes in the Finextra50

The constituent companies of the Finextra50 index at its launch this week comprise a momentary snapshot of an industry in a rapid state of flux. If we had conducted the same index compiling exercise just two or three months ago, at least three companies would have appeared that now don't -- Bisys, Corillian and J Harland.

And I anticipate that in three months' time, we'll see several new entrants. Listed fintech companies are looking to M&A strategy to feed their shareholders' needs for rapid growth, and private equity firms continue to seek out companies to roll-up with others away from shareholder demands and exchanges' transparency requirements.

The headlines this week have been dominated by the Reuters / Thomson story, and should they pull off the deal, the resulting company will undoubtedly have the largest market capitalisation of all our constituent companies. Separately, eFunds has said it is looking at potential M&A strategies. Insurance software vendor SSP has said it will acquire competitor Sirius. And S1 - a perpetual subject of M&A speculation - has gone back into the black with its quarterly results, which will perhaps renew interest in the company.

Does anyone want to place bets on other companies likely to feature in our index changes or M&A wrap-ups this year?