Media.com Joins Australian Banking Association Conference

Media.com will sponsor the Australian Banking Association’s Annual Banking Conference this week, promoting a social networking model focused on user verification and digital safety.

The company, which brands itself as the first platform made entirely of verified users and trusted content, will have a visible presence at the two-day event in Sydney’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 23 and 24.

The event brings together key stakeholders from across the financial services sector, including banks, regulators, policymakers and technology providers. Media.com plans to use the platform to highlight the risks unverified social platforms pose to financial institutions and consumers, and to present itself as an alternative.

Media.com Founder and Chief Executive, James Mawhinney, said the sponsorship aligned with the company’s strategic priorities.

“Becoming a sponsor of the ABA’s flagship event was a strategic priority for us given the challenges the banking industry is facing from the misuse of social networks to target consumers,” Mawhinney said.

“The ABA and its members have shown great leadership by prioritising consumer protection, a mission that closely mirrors that of Media.com’s which aims to restore public trust in online information and support the banking sector’s immediate need for solutions that protect consumers from harm.”

Mawhinney said the company had built its network on technology used by financial institutions to verify customers.

“We’ve integrated the same best in class user verification technology on our network that banks use worldwide to verify customers, as we know the solution begins with accountability and transparency – two of the principles embedded in Media.com’s DNA,” he said.

Focus On Scams And Identity Fraud

Media.com’s approach stands in contrast to traditional platforms, where anonymity, bots and fake profiles continue to facilitate scams and misinformation.

The company is referencing findings from the federal government’s 2024 National Anti-Scam Centre Report, which stated that social media was the most reported contact method leading to financial loss last year. It found Australians lost more money through social media scams in 2024 than the year prior.

Mawhinney said the financial sector had a role to play in directing consumers away from platforms where identity can be easily falsified.

“Banks can help shield consumers from the social media-driven scams eroding trust and impacting financial stability,” he said.

He suggested that financial institutions take steps such as creating verified profiles on Media.com, promoting the platform to customers, and supporting broader efforts toward digital accountability.

“We’ve built the infrastructure for safer online engagement – one that not only protects consumers, but also helps reduce fraud, improve trust, and ultimately protect their bottom line,” he said.

“This isn’t about competing with social media – it’s about replacing what’s broken with something better.”

Banking Sector Under Pressure

This year’s ABA event includes a range of themes tied to digital transformation and risk, including consumer protection, regulatory changes, sustainability and financial crime.

With executive and regulator attendance expected, Media.com is using the event to position its platform as part of the solution for restoring trust in digital environments.

The company launched in beta in late 2024 with a strict user verification model. All content posted on the platform is linked to real identities.

The company argues this approach creates a safer space for both individuals and organisations, minimising exposure to scams, impersonation and misleading content.

Conference attendees will be able to see live demonstrations of the platform at Media.com’s booth, where the company will also host the event’s coffee stand.

Last Updated on July 22, 2025 by Nick Ross