In partnership with

Hi, fintech fam! 💜

As you read this, I’m winging my way back to NYC from the vibrant streets of Mexico City. I couldn’t resist one last summer adventure before September’s whirlwind pace kicks in—though, ironically, September will have me jet-setting almost every week!

Can you believe how fast summer flew by? The good news is that fall is shaping up to be just as exciting, with a packed schedule of events I’m hosting and speaking at. That means plenty of chances for us to connect in person!

I’ll kick things off with a bang at the Fintech Is Femme Creator Summit, and I’m sharing the full September lineup below. But before we dive into that, let’s take a moment to recap some of my favorite fintech stories from this summer, where women in fintech continued to defy expectations.

Let’s dive in!

UPGRADE TO BECOME A FINTECH FEMINIST

Discover the difference between mainstream media and Fintech Is Femme. Every week, I deliver the latest fintech news without the fluff, profiles of trailblazing women in the industry, and insightful analysis to keep you ahead of the curve.

For just $50, becoming a premium member means you’re not just supporting female-led journalism—you’re fueling a movement. Your support transforms Fintech Is Femme from a newsletter into a thriving media empire and community where women connect, learn, and uplift one another.

We are also working on special perks for premium members, including exclusive access to invite-only events, input on content direction, public speaking, and personal branding coaching!

Join us in making a powerful impact. Thank you for championing women in fintech!

#TRENDING

What’s Up In Fintech

Every Thursday, I deliver the hottest fintech news and trends, keeping you updated with the most essential insights impacting the industry.

As we head into the long Labor Day weekend this week, I wanted to revisit three of my favorite stories we've covered this summer.

#1 Tech Is Revolutionizing Financial Planning—And Making it More Human

Technology, often perceived as an impersonal efficiency tool, is actually fostering more empathy and human connection in financial planning—while also expanding business reach.

I covered this very topic in a deep dive sponsored by my friends at the Financial Planning Association (FPA), which you can read in full here.

Why it matters: Financial planning, once exclusive to the wealthy, is becoming accessible to a broader audience thanks to technology. As a massive wealth transfer looms and a new generation of diverse investors emerges, the need for inclusive financial planning is urgent.

The big picture: Historically, financial planning was limited to the top 1%, excluding those without significant assets. The industry has also been predominantly white and male, which limited its reach and resonance with a diverse population. However, demographic shifts and technological advancements are rapidly changing this landscape.

• Wealth Transfer: By 2030, women are expected to control a significant portion of the $30 trillion held by baby boomers. Meanwhile, Gen Y and Gen Z, who already make up 47% of the U.S. population, are inheriting $541 billion annually. These younger generations are progressive, value-driven, and demand that financial planners reflect their commitment to social equality and diversity.

• Tech as a Game-Changer: Technology is democratizing financial planning, making personalized advice accessible to those who were previously underserved. Despite the rise of wealth tech platforms, significant disparities remain, particularly among low- and moderate-income working women. Today’s tech tools are enabling financial planners to offer scalable, tailored advice to clients regardless of their income level.

Driving the news: The rise of AI and other tech tools is allowing financial planners to build deeper, more meaningful relationships with their clients.

• Generative AI: AI-driven platforms can analyze vast amounts of data to provide personalized financial advice tailored to each client’s unique situation. This tech not only enhances efficiency but also taps into the emotional drivers behind financial decisions, creating a more humanized experience.

• Case in Point: Leaders like Dani Fava of Carson Group, Kate Ring of Stash, and Margaret Hartigan of Marstone are pioneering ways to integrate AI into financial planning, making the process more personalized and emotionally resonant.

5 Strategies for Financial Planners:

1. Leverage AI for Personalized Advice: Use AI to create tailored financial recommendations, helping clients feel understood and valued.

2. Incorporate Behavioral Economics: Embed principles that encourage healthier financial habits aligned with clients’ values.

3. Automate Routine Tasks: Free up time for deeper human interaction by letting tech handle mundane tasks.

4. Expand Access: Develop user-friendly platforms that cater to clients with varying financial literacy levels.

5. Incorporate Emotional Intelligence: Design tools that address the emotional aspects of financial decision-making.

What to watch: As tech continues to evolve, financial planners who harness these tools will be better positioned to connect with Millennials and Gen Z's diverse and rapidly growing client base.

#2 17 Fintech Apps Created By Women, For Women

In my latest Forbes article, I explored why catering fintech products to women is a savvy business strategy that can propel your company ahead of the competition. You can read the full story here.

Why it matters: The female market represents a massive $31 trillion opportunity, and understanding gender differences can give fintech companies a crucial edge. Yet, many companies are still missing out on this potential by failing to tailor their products for women.

The big picture: Research by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) shows that fintech firms focusing on women can boost financial inclusion while expanding their market share. Leaders who recognize the importance of serving women are driving 58% of fintech firms to focus on women intentionally. Even though acquiring female clients can be more costly, 63% of companies that do so report higher customer retention and value over time.

• Lost Opportunity: The failure to connect with the female market results in a $700 billion revenue loss annually, according to Oliver Wyman. Despite the potential, less than a third of fintech firms are tailoring their products for women, although many collect gender data.

• Women Entrepreneurs Filling the Gap: Women entrepreneurs in fintech are stepping up to address these gaps by creating innovative products that meet women's specific financial needs.

Spotlight on Innovation:

1. Ellevest: Founded by Sallie Krawcheck, Ellevest is a robo-advisor designed specifically for women, addressing salary gaps and career breaks with personalized investment strategies. With a leadership team comprising 84% women, Ellevest manages over $2 billion in assets and serves over 3 million women.

2. CreditRich: Angel Rich’s CreditRich helps women and people of color improve their financial literacy and credit scores. It offers tools like round-up savings, credit report checks, and the first Black woman-owned neobank debit card, targeting those with high student debt.

3. Tala: Founded by Shivani Siroya, Tala offers microloans via a mobile app to underserved populations in countries like Kenya, Mexico, and the Philippines. By the end of 2023, Tala had provided $4.5 billion in credit to 9 million customers, empowering women entrepreneurs globally.

What to watch: As the fintech landscape evolves, companies focusing on women’s financial needs will foster greater inclusion and gain a competitive edge. Women entrepreneurs are creating products that address women's unique financial needs, paving the way for a more inclusive financial future.

Check out the full article here for a full list of the 17 female-founded fintech companies.

#3 Connecting the Dots: Women, Fintech, and the Power of Inclusion

As the world of fintech evolves, three recent headlines highlight a crucial intersection of technology, finance, and gender inclusion. These developments collectively point to a future where women’s financial inclusion is critical to broader economic growth. You can read the full stories here.

First: VC’s Rally Behind Kamala Harris

The story: Over 500 venture capitalists, including Silicon Valley heavyweights, have pledged their support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. This backing is not just political—it’s a financial and moral endorsement of Harris’s commitment to economic opportunity, particularly for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Why it matters: Harris’s focus on empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially women and minorities, resonates with the values of many in the tech and venture capital community. Her track record of supporting diverse founders through initiatives like the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative highlights her potential to reshape the future of fintech and entrepreneurship.

Second: Female Invest Raises $11.2M Series A

The story: Female Invest, a fintech startup dedicated to empowering women through financial education and investment resources, has raised $11.2 million in Series A funding. The company plans to use this investment to expand into the U.S., targeting the untapped $31 trillion female market.

Why it matters: Female Invest’s success underscores the significant opportunity within the fintech landscape to cater specifically to women. With women being a loyal and valuable customer base, fintech companies that focus on this demographic can achieve higher retention and long-term value. Yet, only a minority of firms are currently doing so, which highlights a missed opportunity for the broader industry.

Third: Women’s World Banking Drops Impact Report

The story: Women’s World Banking (WWB) released its 2023 Impact Report, showcasing its achievements in financial inclusion for women globally. WWB exceeded its goal by reaching over 38 million women with financial services, highlighting the critical need for products that cater specifically to women.

Why it matters: WWB’s impact demonstrates the power of targeted financial solutions for women, particularly in underserved markets. By designing products that meet women’s unique needs, WWB is not only driving financial inclusion but also setting a standard for the fintech industry to follow. Their work with fintech innovators shows how technology can bridge the gender gap in financial services.

The Bigger Picture

Connecting the dots: These three stories converge on a central theme: the future of fintech is female. Kamala Harris’s support from Silicon Valley VCs reflects a growing recognition of the importance of diverse and inclusive economic leadership. Female Invest’s success in securing significant funding highlights the untapped potential of the female market in fintech. Meanwhile, Women’s World Banking’s impact report reveals the tangible benefits of designing financial products that address the specific needs of women.

What to watch: As the fintech industry evolves, companies that prioritize gender inclusion will likely see greater success, both socially and commercially. The alignment of political, financial, and technological forces suggests that empowering women financially could be a driving force for the next wave of economic growth and innovation. The question now is whether more fintech firms will recognize this potential and step up to meet the challenge.

These developments together indicate a seismic shift in how the financial industry views and serves women. The growing focus on inclusion, driven by both political figures like Kamala Harris and innovative companies like Female Invest and Women’s World Banking, could reshape the fintech landscape for years to come.

_{MARK YOUR CALENDARS}

Join us every Thursday to stay updated on the top fintech events each week! These events are a great way to network, learn, and connect with our fintech community. Let's fill our calendars with these awesome events - I would love to see you there!

_{WEDNESDAY 9/4}

[VIRTUAL] ​Fintech Feminists: Women Redefining Global Economic Equity

In collaboration with the New York Public Library, I’m hosting a FREE virtual workshop exploring how women in fintech drive global economic equity. Learn to navigate and transform digital finance as leaders and entrepreneurs.

Drawing from interviews featured in my upcoming book, Fintech Feminists, I’ll offers insights, including:

• How fintech is bridging gender wealth gaps with insights from Sallie Krawcheck

• Shivani Siroya’s strategies for tackling global financial inclusion challenges

• Angel Rich’s methods for boosting financial literacy in communities of color

• A comprehensive roadmap to success designed for women and entrepreneurs in fintech

• Actionable insights to thrive in an evolving and inclusive financial landscape

_{MONDAY 9/9}

[NYC] ​The FINTECH IS FEMME CREATOR SUMMIT

Imagine this: It’s been just three months since you attended a game-changing event. That day, you decided to dive into creating content.

Fast forward, and you’re holding an offer for your dream job.

That’s the kind of impact the Fintech Is Femme Creator Summit can have on your career.

Why? Because you’ll be learning from the best:

💸 Anam Lakhani and Eve Halimi: Their platform, Alinea Invest, skyrocketed to 550K downloads, all powered by bold storytelling.

💸 Morgan Young: A LinkedIn Top Voice at just 21, showing us how consistent, micro-viral content can open doors you never thought possible.

💸 Ume Habiba & Supreet Kaur: These women are shattering glass ceilings in tech, leveraging their personal brands to create unprecedented opportunities.

And that’s just the beginning.

Can’t make it? Why not pass the torch? Gift a ticket to a friend, colleague, or even your marketing leader—they won’t want to miss this.

This is more than just an event—it’s a movement. It’s time for every woman in our industry to own her narrative and shape her future.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot today.

Let’s make history together.

_{TUESDAY 9/17}

[NYC] Women Who Network NYC: Creating Connections & Building Community

​Join Miss EmpowHer on Tuesday, September 17, from 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM for an exclusive mix and mingle at CitizenM New York Bowery Hotel!

My friend and founder of Miss EmpowHer, Caitlyn Kumi, is offering our community ten general admission tickets. Use the 10% discount code NICOLE10 to secure your spot! 

_{THURSDAY 9/19}

​[COLUMBUS] FPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024

I’ll be attending the FPA Annual Conference this September in Columbus for an industry-leading discussion on how technology is making financial planning more human and behaviorally-focused.

I’ll be moderating a stellar panel featuring:

🎤 Dani Fava, Chief Strategy Officer, Carson Group

🎤 Margaret J. Hartigan, Founder & CEO, Marstone

🎤 Kate Ring, Chief Compliance Officer, Stash

We’ll dive into how fintech enables financial advisors to reach more people, making financial planning accessible to everyone.

And yes, we’ll probably touch on the role of AI too. 🤖

_{FRIDAY 9/20}

​[NEW YORK] EMERALD SUMMIT: Funding Climate Startups

Join a community of executive women, climate tech innovators, and impact investors at the Emerald Summit 2024 on September 20th.

This year, we're focused on boosting venture capital and project finance for women-led climate startups in sustainability, inclusion, education, and tech.

Can’t wait to see you there! RSVP for the free event here.

_{SPONSORED BY}

Quality Talent, Rooted in Your Community

Business decisions come down to time and money, and Express Employment Professionals can save you both. With access to international resources and a commitment to local service, their teams provide workforce solutions unmatched by others. Each of their locally owned offices ensure personalized attention to your business needs while delivering screened and qualified workers across various industries.

With nearly 80,000 businesses served annually, Express offers tailored staffing solutions to meet your goals. With over 40 years of experience, we understand the importance of finding the right person for the job.

Trust Express to provide quality talent and a seamless experience, from start to finish. Find out how your local team can help you build a stronger workforce and grow your business today.

Find your local office

_FINTUNES

🎵 Ariana Grande - ordinary things

Here are a few more ways I can help you:

📰 Share this newsletter with a friend and start growing your network.

🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn for daily insights on female leadership.

🤝 Grow your business through content & community by partnering with me.

📣 Promote yourself to 50,000 subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter.

🎤 Host an epic event by booking me as a speaker, moderator, or emcee.

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

That’s all for now! See you Tuesday!

Love,

Nicole 💜