Among the first things that come to mind when we talk about fintechs are online payment systems such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Transferwise and Payoneer. But financial technology goes beyond these applications.
That's why, in this article, we explain in depth what fintechs are and how they work for you and your business.
What is a fintech?
Financial technology (Fintech) is technology that seeks to improve and automate the delivery and use of technologically advanced financial services for consumers and businesses, from buying and selling cryptocurrencies to authenticating electronic payments.
Essentially, it is used to help businesses, business owners and consumers better manage their operations and processes by using specialized software and algorithms used on computers and, increasingly, smartphones.
There are many ways to use fintech, but broadly speaking, it works by transferring money digitally. How this money is transferred, and which parties are transferring the money and why, are the circumstances that dictate the different types of fintech.
One popular method is through mobile payments. According to Statista , this trend is on a steady incline. The number of mobile payments has doubled over the past five years. Mobile payment is exactly what it sounds like: money that is transferred through a mobile app to a third party. Who received the money varies: businesses, hired contractors, or consumers.
Cloud applications and downloaded electronic software include budgeting and tax applications. These financial tools are commonly integrated in real-time by linking the user's bank and credit accounts to the software to track expenses and display statements.
Crowdfunding is a popular fintech platform where individuals or entrepreneurs set up a fundraising account for their peers to donate money. There is usually a project involved and an intention.
Different apps have different uses and terms; for example, on Kickstarter funds will only be released to the fundraiser if their financial goal is met. This attracts higher contributions from donors. The money is transferred via payment cards or platforms such as PayPal to the fundraiser's linked account.
Other fintech solutions lean heavily on asset management and philippine whatsapp number investment. For example, robo-advising is on the rise, where robots use AI technology to assist with investments.
Still, many established financial firms use this technology to help with their portfolio management and investment strategy. Stock trading apps allow independent investors to manage their own portfolio without having to work with the stock exchange.
How do Fintechs make money?
Most fintechs make money through subscriptions, third-party financial services, and advertising.
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1. Subscription fee
Whether monthly, quarterly, or annually, users are billed a regular amount as a subscription fee.
Another strategy is “Freemium,” where they give users limited access to their features for an unlimited period. However, for features that provide a higher amount of value, users must pay a subscription fee.
Some FinTechs have the option to charge a flat fee, also known as a transactional approach. With this approach, the company earns every time the user makes a transaction. Fees vary between 1% and 4% per transaction.
2. Robo-Advisors
The platforms use advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to build algorithms that can effectively manage portfolios. Companies that provide these capabilities to their customers include Robinhood, Betterment, and Moneyfarm.
While users do not have to pay large amounts for the Robo-Advisor, they do pay a certain percentage of their financial assets as a fee, but the charge is significantly lower. For example, investment managers charge 1% or more for advice, while Betterment charges only 0.25%.
3. Through third parties
This is one of the most lucrative and effective revenue strategies for FinTech companies. They partner with other third-party institutions to offer value through other means. For example, you can provide health insurance, credit scoring, accounting services, and many more.
The concept is simple, direct customers to third-party services and in return, the third-party service provider gives a certain percentage to the company.
According to a report by Oliver Wyman , 26% of FinTechs rely on third-party services.
4. Advertising
Advertising products and services is one of the simplest forms of app monetization. This model works well since users do not have to pay subscription fees to access products or services. Fintechs can sell user attention or data to advertisers to earn revenue.
An example of this revenue model is NerdWallet. NerdWallet is a website that helps people make financial decisions. The website makes money from advertisements and has also partnered with third-party service providers to promote its products.
5. Data
One of the popular reasons why FinTechs are so successful is that they can collect customer data and offer more personalized services. Companies can easily find out where their customers are spending their money, how they receive their salaries, and who their favorite merchants are.
6. API (application programming interfaces)