VersaBank Conference: VBNK Details Deposit Tokens, Stablecoin Custody and U.S. Receivables Growth

Core Insights - VersaBank is positioning itself at the forefront of the digital asset revolution, particularly in the areas of tokenized deposits and payments, as it faces deposit pressures from generational wealth transfers to non-bank alternatives like crypto and stablecoins [1][6] Group 1: Digital Assets and Tokenized Banking - VersaBank distinguishes tokenized deposits as "one-to-one" representations of actual bank deposits, which are recorded on the bank's ledger and mirrored onto blockchains [1] - The bank has been working in the digital asset space for nearly a decade and has tested working deposit tokens since 2021, with plans for an integrated cross-border pilot [7][12] - The bank aims to serve as a custodian for third-party stablecoins, projecting that stablecoins in circulation could grow to $4 trillion by 2030, which would create a low-cost revenue stream [13] Group 2: U.S. Market Expansion - VersaBank's U.S. rollout of its receivable purchase program gained traction quickly, achieving a year-end target of $290 million in program value [3] - The bank has experienced asset growth at an average compounded rate of 27% over the past three years, reaching nearly CAD 6 billion [4] - The bank is piloting tokenized deposits in both Canada and the U.S., with expected announcements on regulatory discussions in the near future [9] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships and Technology - VersaBank is signing additional partners to enhance its product offerings, including an AI-driven capability for instant purchase of receivables [2] - The bank plans to license deposit-token technology to community banks, allowing them to issue their own tokens while VersaBank provides the necessary infrastructure [11] - Taylor emphasized that the bank's deposit tokens would be supported by the same liquidity and regulatory framework as traditional bank deposits, with potential eligibility for deposit insurance [8][15] Group 4: Market Opportunities - Cross-border payments are highlighted as a significant use case, with U.S.-Canada trade activity valued at $1.3 trillion, presenting opportunities for billions in low-cost deposits [10] - The bank's cloud-based, branchless model allows for significant operating leverage as it grows, particularly following its entry into the U.S. market [4][16]