Mpower Financing led the list of American Banker's Best Places to Work in Fintech 2025 for its mission-first atmosphere and focus on employees. This focus, Sasha Ramani, senior director of corporate strategy and Canada, said, is "woven into our DNA."
"From the very beginning, we've believed that the work we do to empower students globally must be mirrored internally," Ramani said. "That means creating a workplace where people feel seen, supported and inspired."
The fintech connects international students looking to study in the United States and Canada with the financing they need. The company finances college loans for international students from over 180 countries, including refugees, asylum seekers, U.S. citizens and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients living in the United States.
Eligible students can receive loans of up to $50,000 annually for two years and can access the funds without requiring a co-signer, collateral or credit history from the borrower. Their model instead "evaluates a student's potential for success after graduation," according to Ramani.
Mpower has been a longtime staple on American Banker's top fintechs to work for list, making the list for the past seven years, and that's largely thanks to its commitment to fostering a positive culture for its employees.
"Our mission to democratize access to education only works if we reflect that mission internally," said Manu Smadja, CEO of Mpower. "That's why diversity at Mpower isn't a goal — it's our foundation. We're a team of immigrants, first-gen grads, and global citizens who've walked the same path as the students we serve. That shared experience fuels our empathy, sharpens our decisions and reminds us every day why our work matters."
A Plaid spokesperson said an IPO remains 'a milestone we're tracking toward' but it wouldn't happen this year.
Mpower offers employees flexibility to work from home three days a week. Maintaining its mission on the company level, Mpower offers employees access to a "generous" education reimbursement and professional development budget.
"Given our mission to expand access to education, it's only fitting that we support lifelong learning within our team," Ramani said. "We invest in online courses, certifications and even language learning — ensuring that everyone at Mpower is equipped to grow in their role and beyond."
All Mpower employees receive stock options as part of their sign-on package and they each have access to five paid days off each year to spend volunteering.
Inclusion is a core tenet of the company, with headquarters in both the U.S. and India and a mission to expand access to education. Over 70% of Mpower employees are immigrants or from racial minority backgrounds and more than a third of staffers are women.
"We foster a culture of empowerment, transparency and shared responsibility," Ramani said. "Our team leads by example, ensuring that if a manager asks their team to do something, then they've done it themselves. This creates trust and strengthens retention. Moreover, our work isn't just about building products — it's about making a real impact on global education and providing students with opportunities they otherwise wouldn't have."
Ramani said this commitment is more than talk or diversity numbers, Mpower makes "a real effort to foster belonging" through things like multilingual communications and culturally inclusive holidays.
"Many of our executives and team members come from the same backgrounds as the students we serve," Ramani said. "That creates an environment where lived experience matters and where people aren't just working on a product — they're living its mission. Our hiring practices, promotions and mentorship pathways reflect that equity focus."
