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Hey, fintech fam. 💜

This week feels heavy, and we’re all processing it in our own way. I’m a bit worn out myself—between my book tour for Fintech Feminists, prepping for the Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit in San Francisco, and reflecting on how to move forward, it’s been a lot.

I became a journalist to rewrite narratives that hold back progress. Covering fintech and women’s overlooked contributions isn’t just my beat; it’s my passion. It’s how I fight.

Because I believe that women’s financial independence is essential to the future.

I’ll always be here to keep you informed so you can make the best choices for yourself and your business.

While I’d hoped to retire “President Trump” from my vocabulary, here we are.

Politics and fintech intersect, and I’ll cover what matters—no glossing over. As Madame Vice President Kamala Harris reminded us, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

We’re doing this together for the next four years. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be hard work. But I know us—and we’re not afraid of hard work.

Let’s get into it.

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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 What a Second Trump Term Could Mean for Fintech

A second Trump term could bring familiar deregulation, impacting everything from Open Banking to consumer protections.

But here’s the silver lining: today’s fintech companies—especially those led by women—are stepping up to tackle economic challenges that are likely to become even more pressing under Trump.

Just look at leaders like Laurel Taylor of Candidly, Sallie Krawcheck of Ellevest, Shivani Siroya of Tala, and Stephany Kirkpatrick of Orum.

These women are reimagining finance to solve real-world problems that traditional institutions often ignore. Their work highlights how fintech can step in where outdated policies and reduced consumer protections fall short.

What Could Happen (Based on Past Performance):

• Return to Deregulation: Trump’s first term saw rollbacks in financial regulation, including parts of Dodd-Frank, which let big banks lower compliance costs and expand. A similar approach could create space for fintechs to innovate and fill gaps in transparency, ethical finance, and women’s financial independence. Ellevest, for instance, is already meeting the $31 trillion female consumer market with tools women want and need.

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on the Sidelines: The last Trump administration weakened the CFPB’s power, and a second term could sideline it further. This puts fintech, especially female-led companies, in the spotlight to tackle social issues. Laurel Taylor’s Candidly is a prime example, addressing the $1.6 trillion student debt crisis and filling gaps left by traditional finance for financially burdened Americans.

• Women-Led Innovation in Fintech: With consumer protections possibly reduced, female founders—often motivated by personal insights and an understanding of underserved markets—are well-positioned to address pressing financial needs. Shivani Siroya’s Tala, which provides microloans in emerging markets, and Stephany Kirkpatrick’s Orum, focused on faster money transfers, show how women-led fintechs are innovating locally and globally.

What We’re Watching:

• Data Portability Challenges: Trump’s corporate leanings could delay Open Banking, complicating cross-platform solutions. Yet this also creates room for fintechs to innovate in data-sharing and transparency.

• Consumer-Centered Fintech as a Competitive Edge: Companies committed to ethical, user-friendly services may find a competitive advantage with fewer regulations. From Ellevest’s tailored investment tools to Candidly’s student debt relief, women-led fintechs are stepping up to address financial literacy, debt management, and economic equity gaps.

• Social Impact as a Differentiator: As big banks may prioritize profit, fintechs focused on social impact can stand out by championing financial education, transparency, and equitable access. This resonates with consumers looking for ethical finance, putting companies like Ellevest, Tala, Candidly, and Orum at the forefront of purpose-driven innovation.

How Fintech Leaders Can Prepare:

• Build Trust through Transparency: Fintechs that lead with consumer-first policies—addressing debt, small business capital, and financial literacy—will secure loyalty and trust.

• Innovate in Data Sharing and Protection: In a deregulated landscape, fintechs should prioritize consumer control and security, positioning themselves as leaders in responsible tech.

• Double Down on Social Responsibility: Female-led fintechs are showing that tech can address real economic issues. Aligning business strategies with broader social impact can resonate deeply with consumers who value ethical, inclusive finance.

Bottom Line: A second Trump term might bring deregulation, but it also pushes fintech to address critical issues—and female founders are ready to lead the way. After all, necessity breeds innovation.

#2 Voting with Your Dollars: Creating Impact Through Values-Based Investing

Whether we realize it or not, every dollar we invest shapes the future. When you buy traditional ETFs or mutual funds, you automatically invest in a set of companies without a say in which ones align with your values.

But what if you could have more control over where your money goes—and what it stands for?

Emily Luk’s Take on Values-Based Investing:

I caught up with Emily Luk, Co-Founder and CEO of fintech startup Plenty, who is continuing to educate women on values-based portfolios that let you decide exactly what you support.

Luk said that with Plenty’s premium portfolios, you can filter out industries that don’t align with your values, like weapons, tobacco, predatory lending, for-profit prisons, and gambling.

Conversely, you can amplify investments in companies focused on environmental protection, climate change, and other causes close to your heart.

Plenty offers this fine-grain control over your investments without additional fees (annual investment fee of 0.20%).

Why This Matters for Investors:

Research shows that women already see money as a tool for purpose. A UBS study found that nearly 9 in 10 women believe money can be used to drive positive change, with 94% actively engaged in charitable giving and volunteering.

However, many women still defer long-term investment decisions to their spouses—a trend that’s slowly shifting as women take charge of financial decisions that align with their values.

Plenty’s approach to investing is designed to help women leverage their financial power consciously. “It’s about voting for the future you want,” says Luk.

By aligning your money with your values, you can support businesses and industries aligning with your purpose, creating a tangible impact beyond your portfolio.

How to Move Forward with Values-Based Investing:

• Evaluate Your Current Investments: Look at where your money is currently invested and consider whether those companies align with the world you want to see.

• Choose What You Want to Support (and Avoid): With a platform like Plenty, you can actively select causes you want to support and industries you prefer to avoid without sacrificing financial performance.

• Invest in Your Values with Confidence: Knowing that your investments reflect your beliefs can offer more than just returns. It can be a way to create a lasting impact in areas that matter to you, from environmental protection to social justice.

The Bottom Line: By taking control of your investments, you’re not just growing your wealth but shaping a future that aligns with your values.

As Emily Luk puts it, “We all have the power to vote with our dollars.” 

So why not ensure your money supports the world you want to live in?

#3  Fintech’s New Game Plan: Sustainable Growth Over Flashy Scale

Gone are the days of “growth at any cost.”

Investors want fintechs that can sustain profitability—not just rapid expansion. And for women in fintech, this shift presents a new, purpose-driven way to lead the industry.

What’s Changing:

The World Economic Forum’s latest report, Fuelling Innovation: Closing Fintech Funding Gaps, outlines four ways fintech companies can grow smartly while staying true to their mission:

1. Lean into Cost Discipline: Profitable fintechs know how to manage costs. A recent study showed that companies focused on long-term success actually reduced costs by 3% even while boosting revenue. Knowing when to scale back can be as valuable as scaling up.

2. Pursue Steady, Purposeful Growth: Building a strong foundation that meets real needs—and then expanding strategically—can earn customer trust and deepen market reach. For women-led fintechs, this is a chance to create impact while proving that steady wins the race.

3. Innovate with Intention: Innovation doesn’t just mean adding new features; it’s about enhancing what truly benefits customers. Fintechs that streamline and solve genuine needs will hold long-term value—and this approach resonates with women-driven teams who know how to prioritize.

4. Lead with Social Impact: Today’s consumers watch where their money goes. Fintechs that champion financial literacy, transparent practices, and equitable access stand out. Social responsibility isn’t just an add-on for women in fintech—it’s a game-changer.

Bottom Line: This balanced approach will matter more than ever as fintech matures. Women leaders are already embracing this shift, proving that purpose and profitability can go hand in hand.

_{MARK YOUR CALENDARS}

Join us every Thursday to keep up with 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!

_{TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12}

[SAN FRANCISCO] Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit: San Francisco

Time is running out to grab your ticket (and a free plus-one!) for the Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit.

Early Bird tickets are SOLD OUT, but we still have General Admission available — so don’t miss this chance to join us in San Francisco—and bring along a friend, colleague, or mentee who’s just as passionate about fintech and female founders as you are.

Imagine the inspiration, connections, and opportunities waiting for you both!

This summit is all about fueling the next wave of female-led fintech innovation—and we want you in the room to help make it happen.

P.S. If ticket prices are a barrier, reply to this email with “TICKET,” and I’ll send you a link to a free ticket.

Let’s get every Fintech Feminists in this room. We need community now more than ever.

_{THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14}

[CAMBRIDGE] Fintech Feminists Book Tour: Harvard University 

​ What to expect:

​✨ Live Podcast Recording – Join a close-up conversation with Katrin Kaurov and Aleksandra Medina, founders of Frich, a startup that’s creating a social financial community for Gen Z. They’ll be sharing their journey, the highs and lows, and strategies for building something meaningful from the ground up.

​✨ Book Signing – The first 50 attendees will receive their own FREE, signed copy of Fintech Feminists! It’s not just a book—it’s a guide filled with stories and insights from women at the forefront of finance and leadership.

​Q&A + Networking – This is your time to ask questions, connect with like-minded women, and get real, actionable advice from industry leaders committed to gender equity and innovation.

​⏰ Time: 6-7 pm

​📍 Location: Harvard University

​🎟 Open to: Students and professionals interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, and fintech

​🍣 Sushi will be provided

​Don’t miss this chance to learn from those leading the charge for gender equity in fintech!

BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER - THE ACADEMY OF FINTECH

It’s time to close the gaps holding women in fintech back—from funding to authority to visibility. The Academy of Fintech is where women unite to rewrite the rules and build a future where we lead and thrive.

Inside, you’ll get:

• Powerful daily networking with game-changing women in fintech

• Mentorship from industry leaders

• Career coaching and media amplification to boost your profile

• Exclusive courses to level up your expertise

We’re not here for temporary connections—we’re building a movement. Ready to lead fintech’s future with a community dedicated to your success?

_FINTUNES

🎵 Great American Bitch — Suffs The Musical

This musical about the women’s suffrage movement comforts me this week. Highly recommend.

Let the fire rage on.

_{LET’S CONNECT}

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

Love,

Nicole 💜