MoneyLion and Opportunity Financial are following in the footsteps of financial technology businesses that have raised billions of dollars from special purpose acquisition companies. The quick injection of funds is expected to accelerate their growth as well as make them more competitive with banks and other mainstream financial services firms.

Brex currently relies on bank partners to offer credit cards and cash management accounts to small and midsize businesses. It is looking to charter its own FDIC-insured institution to be a direct provider.

Community development financial institutions would reach even more underserved households and business if they had strong relationships with tech firms and national banks. Here's how the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency can foster such partnerships.

The shift to digital is permanent, creating an opportunity to reassess long-term strategy, says Greynier Fuentes.

Rapid changes in payments and regulations have blown open the door to new ideas, creating frontiers for fintech investors. Javier Perez hopes three decades of experience will help him have an early read on startups.

I2c and Unifimoney change incentives to fit market conditions, rather than focusing primarily on boosting consumer spending.

Despite a culture of innovation, cash is still king in Japan. That paradox gives Japan a chance to leap ahead of other countries in payment innovation, says Fime's Takahide Kadoyama.

Mobile pay is embedded in social media platforms and large retailers, proving an e-commerce spending boom, says Azoya USA's Franklin Chu.

Like so many other businesses, Credit Karma was not spared by the pandemic and its rippling effects on the economy. Their business was prone to the same macro conditions, particularly the tightening of lending standards and credit limits. Join Paul Centopani, National Mortgage News' reporter and Andy Taylor, Credit Karma's General Manager of Home & Mortgage as they discuss how FinTechs can pivot to adapt to the new normal.

Mike Cagney’s blockchain lending startup Figure Technologies plans to raise $250 million through a new blank-check company, according to an SEC filing.

A company’s approach to regulation and compliance, including issues concerning diversity and inclusion, can and likely will have a huge impact on growth, profitability, and longevity, say lawyers from Seyfarth.

Opportunity Financial, which offers consumer installment loans in partnership with banks, is merging with FG New America Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition corporation. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.

The Swedish installment lender's diversification makes it a direct competitor to mainstream banks.

The Swedish installment lender's diversification makes it a direct competitor to mainstream banks.

Financial inclusion is a key enabler to reducing poverty and Fintech is leading the way forward. New businesses and creative banking services are emerging with new means of providing financial services to the financially underserved. But technology is just part of the equation, not the whole solution. Join Daniel Wolfe, Editor-in-Chief of PaymentSource as he explores the issues surrounding financial services as infrastructure and how it can address the wealth gap in various communities with our special guests Wole Coaxum, Founder & CEO of MoCaFi and Marc Weill, Partner & Senior Advisor at Two Sigma Ventures.

Discovery Bank in South Africa and other overseas financial companies say healthier customers are more profitable. They are giving reward points, gym subsidies and even free Apple Watches to those who meet fitness goals.

The next administration must halt the practice of allowing new entrants into the banking system to forgo a full Community Reinvestment Act exam.

There's already an appetite for digital and consumers should quickly embrace Apple's range of services, says CellPoint Digital's Howard Blankenship.

Fintechs and challenger banks are small, nimble and tech-centric. However, incumbents have strong reputations, customer trust and loyalty built over many decades, says Twilio's Bijon Mehta.

A showdown between megabanks such as JPMorgan Chase and the likes of Apple and PayPal could be the prelude to a broader fight.