The challenger bank will apply some of the $40 million it raised from Truist, BofA and others to a microloan program aimed at Black and Hispanic groups. It also plans to offer a debit card through community development financial institutions and minority depository banks.

Fresh off the heels of a $180 million fundraiser in January, Citi Ventures-backed PPRO raised an additional $90 million in new investments in its latest equity round.

As accounts payable departments add robotics and other innovation, workflows and skill sets will adjust--but people won't disappear, says Nvoicepay's Lauren Ruef.

The country's banks and fintechs are still new to working together, giving Railsbank a chance to become a key player in open banking.

In a continuation of its Series D round to fuel its global expansion for cross-border payment solutions, Airwallex has raised $100 million in capital, valuing the fintech at $2.6 billion.

Brim Financial contends there's an innovation gap for installment lending that favors larger lenders.

The New York company is seeding savings accounts offered by the challenger bank Goalsetter as a way to help minority communities as well as use technology to start building long-term relationships with young consumers.

Decentralized finance, in tandem with financial institutions, could create a more efficient, convenient, wider-reaching and more secure experience than traditional finance alone, says FISPAN's Clayton Weir.

With former Mastercard executive Dave Glaser becoming the fintech's first president and COO, Dwolla has the leadership necessary to move upmarket.

In-person branch use will continue, but retail banks should nonetheless double down on building intuitive, easy-to-use mobile experiences that drive customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.