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Hey, fintech fam! 💜

Greetings from the stunning city of Madison, Wisconsin! I just finished hosting TruStage’s Fintech Summit, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast!

The past 48 hours have been a whirlwind of excitement, and tomorrow, I’m jetting back to NYC, just in time to kick off the audio recording for my book! Oh, and guess what? 

The Fintech Feminists “movie” poster has arrived (make sure to scroll down to check it out)! 🎬

Not only does it unveil all the brilliant women featured and profiled in the book, but it’s also a sneak peek into a project that’s been a lifelong dream of mine. 🙌

I need your help to take this dream to the next level and hit those bestseller lists. 📚✨ 

Pre-sales are everything—and by supporting them, you’re helping amplify women's voices, break barriers, and make our industry more profitable and sustainable.

Head over to the Fintech Feminists hub to place bulk orders, host a book party, or explore sponsorships: 🌐 Fintech Feminists Hub

Let’s turn this book into a movement. 💜

Now, let's dive into some fintech news.

UPGRADE TO BECOME A FINTECH FEMINIST

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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.

#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.

#1 The Fed’s Brakes Are Still On—Here’s Why Fintech Should Care

TruStage Chief Economist Steve Rick broke down the Fed’s latest moves during TruStage’s Fintech Summit today, explaining how they’re still “jamming on the brakes” to cool down an overheated economy. 

Despite recent shifts, inflation remains hot, and the Fed isn’t ready to fully let up…yet.

On September 18, 2024, the Federal Reserve made headlines by slashing interest rates by 0.5 percentage points—its first major move since 2020. The new benchmark rate now sits between 4.75% and 5%, a clear attempt to jumpstart the slowing U.S. economy.

But even with the cut, rates are still well above the 2.8% “neutral” zone Rick points to as the ideal target.

Why fintech should care: The Fed’s rate cut is a start, but the reality is that borrowing costs are still high. This means consumers and businesses are pulling back, and for fintechs, that translates to fewer transactions and slower growth. Rick highlighted that the credit environment remains tight while inflation is being tackled.

High rates = cautious consumers: With the Fed funds rate still hovering near 5%, borrowing costs remain elevated. Consumers and businesses are thinking twice before swiping those credit cards or taking out loans. If your fintech is built around lending, buy now pay later options, or mortgages, expect slower demand.

Lending slowdown: Rick pointed out that traditional banks and credit unions have already cut loan growth from a healthy 6% down to just 2%. For fintechs, this means less borrowing and fewer transactions—something to prepare for if you’re in the lending space.

The bigger picture: The Fed’s recent 0.5% rate cut is a signal that they’re trying to ease up, but inflation remains a concern. As Rick explains, the Fed is balancing two things: keeping inflation in check without pushing the economy into recession. Fintechs should keep an eye on this slow and cautious approach, as the next few years will likely continue to be volatile for credit markets.

Bottom line: The Fed may have made its first major move with the September rate cut, but fintech startups need to stay nimble. Higher rates mean tougher competition for consumer dollars, but the opportunities are there for those who can innovate in this environment. The brakes are still on, and it’s not business as usual just yet.

#2 From Making Men Richer to Closing the Gender Wealth Gap

Ayesha Ofori, a former Goldman Sachs Wealth Advisor, left her high-paying role where she managed over £500 million for high-net-worth clients, mostly entrepreneurs, to take on a new mission—empowering women to achieve financial independence and close Britain’s staggering gender wealth gap.

After six years of helping the rich get richer, Ofori said the work left her unfulfilled. Despite breaking the glass ceiling as a Black woman in finance, she realized she was only deepening wealth disparities. Now, she’s on a mission to help more women build wealth.

Why it matters: The gender wealth gap in Britain is massive. According to Boring Money, men have £1.01 trillion invested compared to just £450 billion for women, leaving a gap of £567 billion. Meanwhile, the gender pension gap—a 37.9% difference between men and women’s retirement income—looms over women, who tend to live longer but retire with far less.

Enter Propelle: Ofori’s new venture, Propelle, is designed to flip the script by making investing more accessible and relatable to women. The platform has raised over £1.2 million (~$1.6 million) in pre-seed funding, including a $100,000 investment from Google.

The problem: Many of the women Ofori spoke to found traditional investing platforms too male-centric, filled with opaque jargon, and lacking relevance to their personal financial goals.

The solution: Propelle aims to change that with user-friendly features like a risk assessment tool that breaks down different investment risks and tailors advice based on personal risk tolerance. Plus, its smart goal-setting feature aligns investment options with women’s long-term or short-term goals while also offering investments based on values like sustainability.

The bigger picture: While Ofori isn’t the first woman to tackle this issue— for example, Ellevest, co-founded by Sallie Krawcheck, also focuses on women investors—her story highlights an important trend: women building fintech apps to bring more women into financial independence. Ofori’s background in high finance gives her unique insight into how wealth is built and the barriers women face in breaking into the investing world.

One stat to remember: Britain’s gender investment gap jumped by £54 billion between January 2023 and January 2024, showing just how far there is to go.

Why female-led fintech matters: Women like Ayesha Ofori and Sallie Krawcheck are uniquely positioned to drive change. Their expertise and lived experiences allow them to design financial platforms that truly understand the needs of women. These platforms do more than just teach investing; they help women break into an industry that has historically sidelined them. And the more women who invest, the more financial freedom they gain.

There are a ton of women building fintech apps for women, here’s a list.

Gender investing gap in the U.S.: The disparity is just as concerning across the Atlantic. In the U.S., just 36% of women say they're investing in general (vs 63% of men), according to Ellevest.

Bottom line: Ayesha Ofori’s transition from making wealthy men richer to empowering women marks a critical shift in finance. Women fintech founders like her are not just changing the game—they’re leveling the playing field. With apps like Propelle, women are given the tools to build financial independence on their own terms.

But the gender investment gap is vast, and it will take every app, every platform, and every effort to make meaningful change.

#3 Kamala Harris Is Officially Talking Crypto

In her first public remarks on crypto, Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris laid out her vision for America’s economic future—and it includes digital assets.

Speaking to donors in New York City, Harris promised to support innovation in emerging tech like AI and crypto, all while safeguarding consumers and investors.

“We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting consumers and investors. We will create a safe business environment with consistent and transparent rules of the road,” Harris said.

Why it matters: Harris’ comments are more than just a nod to Silicon Valley—they signal that digital assets like crypto are set to play a major role in America’s financial future. By supporting fintech innovations, her administration could pave the way for greater financial inclusion, giving more people access to banking, investments, and wealth-building opportunities through decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.

The fintech future: With proper regulation, crypto and digital assets could become the gateway to financial freedom for millions of Americans, especially those traditionally left out of the banking system. Transparent rules? Yes, please. That kind of clarity is exactly what the fintech space needs to go mainstream without the wild, Wild West vibe that’s scared off more cautious investors.

Why it matters for fintech: The government’s recognition of digital assets could bring a new era of legitimacy and investment to the space, making it easier for fintech startups to innovate.

Bottom line: Harris’ focus on digital assets signals a future where fintech and crypto play key roles in America’s economic landscape. With proper oversight, we could be looking at a new chapter in financial inclusion—one where everyone has access to the tools they need to build wealth.

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_{MARK YOUR CALENDARS}

Come join us every Thursday to keep up with the best fintech events! These events are perfect for meeting people, learning new things, and connecting with our fintech community. Let's add these fun events to our schedules - I hope to see you there!

_{MARCH 10-13, 2025}

[LAS VEGAS] FINTECH MEETUP 

Real talk: Fintech Meetup is hands-down one of the most valuable events for fintech leaders. It’s not just a conference—it’s where innovation, community, and collaboration come together. In March (fittingly, during Women’s History Month!), this event becomes the ultimate reunion for fintech pros looking to make real connections that move the needle. 🤝

I’ve been going for two years, and every single time, I walk away with game-changing insights and partnerships that take my business to the next level. Whether you’re looking to build relationships, explore new opportunities, or just get inspired by the best in the industry, this is the place to be in 2025.

Don’t miss out—secure your spot, and I’ll see you there! 🚀

_{OCTOBER 8 & 10}

Exciting News: I’m teaming up with the amazing Lisa Carmen Wang as a Venture Partner for the BAD BITCH EMPIRE Fund (BBE Fund)! 💥

This partnership is a game-changer. Fintech Is Femme started as a platform to amplify women in fintech, and now we’re taking it further by FUNDING them. 💪🏽

Women are building high-ROI businesses, and it’s time to invest in a female-led economy. This is how we close the gap.

Here’s what’s happening:

💸 10/8 Investing Workshop: Join us to learn how we’re investing in the next billion-dollar companies. RSVP.

👊🏽 10/10 Bad Bitch Pitch

Ready to pitch? Apply by 10/1, and show us what you’ve got! Mention Fintech Is Femme. Apply.

_FINTUNES

🎵 What a Girl Wants - Christina Aguilera

Wow, can you believe it’s been 25 years since her debut album dropped? Time flies! She burst onto the scene and totally wowed us with her incredible talent. It’s wild to think that album is a quarter-century old now. We’re definitely feeling the years, aren’t we, friends?

_{LET’S CONNECT}

📰 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 💜