FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 1 April 2022
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
Consumer/Personal Finance
Video: Morgan Stanley at Finovate Europe 2022 – driving financial inclusion
FinTech Futures chats with Morgan Stanley’s Sanghamitra Karra about the importance of financial inclusion.
New US banking app Swell set to launch in summer
Launching in June, the app combines checking, credit and more into one integrated account.
The systemic risks and vast opportunities in fintech
We speak with Megan Long, senior consultant at Deloitte, about the vulnerabilities, risks and innovations in the fintech ecosystem.
How Welcome Tech is working to drive financial inclusion for immigrants in the US
FinTech Futures speaks to Amir Hemmat, co-founder and CEO of Welcome Tech.
Fintech start-up Stilt secures $114m in debt and equity funding
The firm raised $14m in a Series A funding round and secured a new $100m debt facility.
BNPL platform ChargeAfter raises $44m Series B
The Series B brings the company’s total amount raised to date to $60 million.
Employment data platform Argyle lands $55m Series B to “reinvent credit decisioning”
SignalFire founding partner Ilya Kirnos will also join Argyle’s board of directors.
FinTech Futures Jobs: Three brilliant jobs you can apply for right now
Exciting open vacancies at Monzo, Klarna and Railsbank. Apply today!
Demystifying the Indian BNPL market
India is primed to be the largest BNPL market in the world with a massive addressable population.
Marlette secures $225m Series E to grow Best Egg financial platform
The round was led by the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
US fintech Acorns lands $300m investment to boost growth
The funding comes after the fintech abandoned its planned IPO in January.
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: in3, Noh, PictureWealth, Touché, and Yep!
Our weekly fintech round-up for you to get the latest funding news from around the world.
Banking for the good times and the bad
Banks should be proactive in helping us manage our money better in the good times and the bad.
A new world: Mission Lane on helping the underbanked build credit
FinTech Futures discusses financial inclusion in the US with Mission Lane CEO Shane Holdaway.
Aussie BNPL firm Zip confirms Sezzle acquisition
The deal values Sezzle at approximately $360 million (AUD 491 million).
Payroll API fintech Atomic secures $40m Series B funding
Atomic wants customers to be able to invest, save and accrue wealth by “unlocking the power of their paychecks”.
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: Anfin, Hubuc, Intix, Pluto, Upswing, & WALO
Our weekly fintech round-up for you to get the latest funding news.
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: Blend, Canza, IMAN, NayaPay, NymCard, Plinqit, & Tiiik
Our weekly fintech round-up for you to get the latest funding news.
Banking on spreadsheets
Banks and fintechs need to step up their game to serve customers better when it comes to money management.
Mos secures $40m Series B funding to drive product expansion
The cash will go towards hiring new staff as Mos looks to maintain its recent growth spurt.
Lowering the ladder: how NY fintech Xrent plans to help millennials become homeowners
“We have seen a widening wealth gap trend without much sign of slowing down,” says Xrent.
Canadian fintech Koho lands $165m Series D funding
The firm says the investment is one of Canada’s largest fintech funding rounds.
New US debit card fintech Xrent aims to help renters get on the property ladder
The fintech’s ‘rent-to-mortgage’ programme is designed to direct rent payments toward homeownership.
Black-owned wealthtech start-up Esusu hits $1bn valuation following $130m Series B
Esusu is now one of just a handful of Black-owned unicorn start-ups in the world.
Garden of Eden: how Africa’s digital transformation promises to boost the continent
Demographics, technology and opportunity have set the stage for Africa to become a global fintech powerhouse.
Video: fintech news pick of the week – UBS, Katana Labs and Walmart
Our top pick of news from the world of finance and tech in bitesize video format, every week.
ICYMI funding round-up: ApexEdge, DirectID, Everything, NALA, Tuum, & OZÉ
Our weekly round-up for you to get the latest fintech funding news.
Walmart-backed Hazel snaps up fintech platforms Even and One in super app push
Walmart CEO says the app will allow users to “manage their money in one place”.
UBS agrees $1.4bn deal to acquire wealth management platform Wealthfront
Millennial and Gen Z-focused Wealthfront caters to “the next generation of investors”.
BNPL provider Splitit appoints new CEO, Nandan Sheth
Nandan Sheth moves from Fiserv, where he was head of global digital commerce and the firm’s Carat business.
Fifth Third snaps up green energy lendtech Dividend Finance
Dividend Finance offers financing solutions for renewable energy focused home improvement projects.
Iroquois Federal and Nymbus launch banking brand for newlyweds, Hitched
“Niche banking is the most significant innovation opportunity for financial institutions today,” Nymbus says.
SoFi realises ambition to become national bank with US regulatory approval
The firm filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in July 2020.
Fintech funding deals globally 10 January – 16 January 2022
Featuring Checkout, Qonto, CAIS, Qraft Technologies and SEBA Bank.
FinTech Futures Jobs: Three exciting companies that are hiring in 2022
Exciting open vacancies at Klarna, Seedrs and Starling Bank. Apply today!
Accrue Savings raises $25m to offer consumers “a responsible purchasing option”
The Series A funding round was led by Tiger Global.
Fintech funding deals globally 3 January – 9 January 2022
Featuring OpenSea, PayFit, Petal, Sygnum and Starling Bank.
Why the key to effective engagement banking lies in behavioural science
Banks should look to utilise behavioural science to design digital experiences that promote better decision-making.
Credit building start-up Petal raises $140m in Series D, faces lawsuit
Petal CEO says firm is hiring across the board for more than 100 positions this year.
