Hey, fintech fam! 💜

We made it to the day after Christmas—feeling stuffed with holiday cheer and maybe too many cookies. (It’s fine, I’m not judging).

Whether you’re lounging in your cozy winter gear or figuring out what to do with that second slice of pie, I’ve got just the thing to keep the momentum going.

In today’s newsletter: one historic fintech news story and two podcasts that will make you think, laugh, and probably say, “Why didn’t I know this sooner?”

And here’s a fun bonus: all the powerhouses featured in these stories and podcasts are also in my book, Fintech Feminists. Yep, just a little extra shine for your day.

So, let’s shake off the Christmas sugar rush and dive into the good stuff, shall we?

Cheers to finishing the year strong.

#TRENDING

What’s Up In Fintech

Every Thursday, I bring you the latest fintech news and trends, delivering the key insights that matter most to the industry—and you.

#1 CreditRich Makes History with $100M Round at $1B Valuation

CreditRich, the first Black woman-owned neo-bank, announced on Tuesday a historic $100M Series B round—valuing the fintech company at a whopping $1 billion.

It’s a significant milestone for the fintech world, but more than that, it’s a sign that the game is changing, especially when it comes to who gets to play—and win.

Founded by Angel Rich and Courtney Keen, CreditRich is designed for users to round up spare change, pay bills, and improve credit scores. It’s a smart model—one that aligns financial health with everyday behavior.

But behind the tech and the numbers, there’s a larger story about disruption, power, and the intersection of race, gender, and finance.

A $100M Milestone, But What’s at Stake?

For CreditRich, this investment round isn’t just about the capital—it’s about positioning.

At its core, the platform isn’t just a financial tool; it’s an instrument of access. It’s about bringing banking and credit to the underserved, helping people optimize their credit scores in real-time, and breaking down barriers that have historically excluded large groups from full financial participation.

The funds raised will go toward expanding its user base, enhancing its financial products, and strengthening the AI that underpins its platform.

The idea is to offer more than just a bank account—CreditRich wants to optimize the way people approach their finances, from budgeting to borrowing.

By allowing customers to set automatic payments and track their credit, CreditRich is doing something critical: making credit optimization not just an aspiration but a tangible goal.

But let’s take a step back: What does it mean that CreditRich is the first Black woman-owned neo-bank? For one, it shifts the narrative around who gets to be an innovator in the financial services sector. Black women, especially in fintech, are often seen as outsiders.

But Angel Rich—the company’s founder—has been methodical in proving that she’s here to stay.

Her vision is clear: Change the system from the inside.

This $1B valuation is more than just validation; it’s a signal that the traditional banking sector—and fintech, by extension—will have to contend with a new set of players who refuse to accept the status quo.

The Power of Being Undervalued

For those paying attention, Angel Rich’s rise isn’t just a story of a successful entrepreneur—it’s a blueprint for taking on a deeply entrenched system.

When she launched CreditStacker, an app designed to teach financial literacy through gamification, many didn’t take her seriously. But within two weeks, the app racked up 200K downloads across 60 countries.

Angel didn’t have a lot of resources—but what she had was sharp strategic acumen.

While her competitors were raising millions, she raised a modest $200K. The lesson? Sometimes being underestimated is an advantage. Angel turned skepticism into fuel, using it to build lean, smart, and, ultimately, impactful products.

It’s hard to ignore the strategic brilliance behind her rise. CreditRich is now partnering with the big names—like Experian and Visa—to provide customers with tools that were once out of reach for many in underserved communities.

These partnerships weren’t just born out of luck—they were part of a larger, calculated strategy to open doors when traditional banking didn’t want to let them in.

What’s Next?

This $100M round isn’t just about growth. It’s about shaping the future of financial services.

As CreditRich scales, the company isn’t just looking to build a bigger platform—it’s looking to build a smarter one. It’s about making credit accessible and comprehensible to people historically excluded from financial empowerment.

For CreditRich, this is just the beginning. As the fintech space continues to evolve, it’s clear that Angel Rich and her team are writing the playbook for a new era—one where inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the foundation of the business model.

And with fewer than 100 Black women founders securing $1M or more in funding, CreditRich’s success feels particularly monumental. It’s a reminder that breaking barriers isn’t just about disrupting an industry—it’s about reshaping it entirely.

Angel Rich’s journey—underscored by strategy, resilience, and an unshakable belief in her vision—should serve as a reminder to all of us: Innovation doesn’t always come from the top. Sometimes it comes from the edges. 

And that’s where real change happens.

#2 Rewriting Money Narratives With Tori Dunlap

Tori Dunlap grew up with a strong financial education, thanks to her parents’ teachings on saving and avoiding credit card debt.

However, she realized how rare and valuable this knowledge was when she entered adulthood. In a 2024 interview, Dunlap shared that many of her female friends often asked for financial advice, revealing a broader issue: the widespread lack of financial literacy, especially among women.

Financial illiteracy costs Americans billions each year.

Dunlap’s journey into entrepreneurship began when she realized that corporate America, especially for women, was toxic. Disillusioned by her corporate experience and motivated by the 2016 election, she used her financial knowledge to empower others.

She saw financial education as a key tool for women to break free from unfulfilling jobs and start their own businesses.

At 22, Dunlap launched a financial education blog and set a goal to save $100,000 by 25. Soon after, she hit that milestone and quit her corporate job to launch Her First $100K, helping women navigate personal finance.

By 2021, her podcast, Financial Feminist, skyrocketed to the top of the charts, and her book became a New York Times bestseller.

Her mission is to help women embrace money as a tool for independence, not a source of shame.

Dunlap believes that when women control their finances, they gain the power to choose careers, support causes, and, ultimately, challenge the patriarchal systems that limit them.

Key Lessons:

• Financial knowledge = Freedom: Dunlap encourages women to see financial literacy as a tool for independence, not just a skill for managing money. It’s essential for creating opportunities, whether leaving a toxic job or starting a business.

• Done is better than perfect: Dunlap’s entrepreneurship approach prioritizes action over perfection. Many women fear failure or feel overwhelmed by needing everything to be perfect before starting. The key? Start small, adapt, and grow along the way.

• Networking is about reciprocity: True networking goes beyond business suits and handshakes. It’s about offering and receiving support, building connections, and understanding that change often starts with individuals or small groups.

Want to hear more from Tori? Listen to my podcast interview with her, where we dive deeper into her mission, the importance of financial education, and how women can empower themselves through money.

#3 Creating New Systems and Patterns: Amy Nauiokas’ Vision for Fintech

Amy Nauiokas was ahead of the curve regarding the intersection of finance and technology. In 2007, while the iPhone revolutionized consumer behavior, the 2008 financial crisis set the stage for a wave of innovation in financial services.

Nauiokas saw that a shift was coming — one that would challenge traditional systems and create new opportunities. This foresight led her to launch Anthemis Group in 2010, an investment firm now at the forefront of fintech’s evolution.

Nauiokas’ journey began on Wall Street, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become CEO at Barclays.

Despite her success, she noticed the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the industry. As a woman in leadership, she felt a responsibility to create change.

This drive led her to leave corporate America and focus on building a platform that championed diverse founders and new financial technologies.

In the early 2010s, when fintech was still a buzzword, Nauiokas and her partner, Sean Park, built Anthemis Group with a mission: to innovate financial services through technology and inclusion.

They focused on embedding finance into everyday products and services, what we now call embedded finance. Their early investments in companies like Betterment and eToro helped shape today’s fintech landscape.

Nauiokas faced skepticism early on — many doubted her vision of a diverse, tech-driven financial system.

But with perseverance, she built an industry-leading portfolio. Today, Anthemis is worth over $1.1 billion and is known for investing in startups that support women and minority founders. The company’s focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing has set a high bar for impact in fintech.

Key to Anthemis’ success is Nauiokas’ belief in collaboration over competition.

Instead of following the traditional venture model, she built a platform that nurtures collaboration across financial institutions, investors, and tech innovators. This approach allowed Anthemis to invest early in transformative companies that have reshaped the financial services industry.

A New Era for Fintech

The fintech industry is at a pivotal moment. The pandemic accelerated trends in digital finance, but the influx of new players has made the landscape more competitive.

Nauiokas reflects that, though challenges remain, the opportunities for systemic change are greater than ever.

Her belief in impact investing—using capital to create positive social change while generating returns—is now a mainstream strategy, with major banks launching funds to support diverse entrepreneurs.

Anthemis Group continues to lead the charge, investing in early-stage startups that tackle everything from sustainable finance to improving access to capital for small businesses. Their work in embedded finance is reshaping how financial services are integrated into non-financial products.

Today, more than 50% of Anthemis’ portfolio companies are led by women or people of color, and over 70% of its investment team is female. Nauiokas’ journey has transformed her from an industry outsider to a leader driving change in an evolving financial system.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovation is about systems, not just products: Nauiokas saw opportunities where others didn’t, building a platform that supported diverse, tech-enabled financial services.

• Diversity drives innovation: Inclusive investment strategies aren’t just ethical — they lead to stronger, more creative solutions.

• Collaboration is crucial: Building networks across industries helps amplify progress.

Discover Amy Nauiokas' bold vision for the future of fintech by tuning into our latest podcast episode. Recorded during the Fintech Feminists book launch party, this episode features a unique twist as Amy takes the reins and interviews me.

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Join us every Thursday to keep up with fintech events!

_{THURSDAY, JANUARY 16}

[NEW YORK] Style, Sip & Shop: A Networking Night with DALYA (open to the public)

Fintech Is Femme is hosting a one-of-a-kind networking event at DALYA, where women in fintech come together to celebrate leadership, innovation, and personal style. 🌟

We’ll be diving into the intersection of leadership and style, exploring why it’s essential for us as women to feel confident and authentic in what we wear—because the way we dress is a reflection of the leaders we are. 💪👗

Whether you’re a fintech pro or passionate about empowering women in business, this is a great space to connect, network, and share insights with like-minded professionals.

You’ll also get the chance to explore custom-suiting options with DALYA founder Farida Raadat, sip refreshing drinks, and engage in meaningful conversations with women who are making waves in the fintech industry. RSVP here.

_{FRIDAY, JANUARY 24}

[NEW YORK] Community Soirée: The Academy of Fintech (Members only)

We’re excited to invite you to the Academy of Fintech’s first-ever members event on January 24, 2025—an evening inspired by Gloria Steinem’s legendary living room discussions: warm, intimate, and full of meaningful connections.

The event will be hosted at the home of Lule Demmissie, creating the perfect setting for great conversations and shared insights.

With 50 incredible members already part of our community, we’re opening up applications to bring in even more passionate voices to help shape the future of fintech.

We’d love for you to join us—apply now to get on the waitlist and be a part of this exciting new chapter in fintech leadership.

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The only thing that would get me to tune into a football game on Christmas Day is a halftime show by Beyoncé. Kudos to her for including the artists from her album and turning it into a festive celebration where everyone gets their moment to shine. She’s a masterclass in abundance.

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📚 Increase your expertise by ordering your copy of my book, Fintech Feminists: Increasing Inclusion, Redefining Innovation, and Changing the Future for Women Around the World.

That wraps up today’s edition—thanks for reading! Until next week, keep innovating and challenging the status quo. See you Tuesday!

Love,

Nicole 💜