Androscoggin Bank launched a new online lending platform for small businesses in January to better compete with the market's options for online small business loans; the firm's Fast Response Business Loans Platform was built in partnership with an undisclosed fintech firm and has processed half a dozen loan applications since its launch; its lending criteria is based on credit score, number of years in business and being based in Maine; its interest rates start at 6% and it currently offers credit lines of up to $10,000 and term loans of up to $100,000. Source
While speaking at an event by the office of Financial Research Federal Reserve Vice Chairman for Supervision Randal Quarles talk about the issues digital currencies could pose to the markets; the current level of use doesn’t pose a risk but as the scale of usage increases so does the potential potential problem; Quarles said, “if the central asset in a payment system cannot be predictably redeemed for the U.S. dollar at a stable exchange rate in times of adversity, the resulting price risk and potential liquidity and credit risk pose a large challenge for the system.”; he also talked about the the benefits of blockchain technology and if the central bank would issue their own digital currency. Source.
Cross River is well funded and last year raised $28 million; the bank has historically worked with the big players in online lending with back end infrastructure; now the bank is developing a mobile banking app; Tearsheet spoke with CEO Gilles Gade at Money2020 to learn more about how they have been using funds from their round last year and what they are working on for the future. Source
Around the world cash usage is on the decline as governments from India to Kenya to Sweden promote cashless payments...
The lawsuit by the New York Department of Financial Services aimed at blocking the OCC Fintech Charter has been thrown out; Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald stated, "Since the OCC has not reached a final ‘fintech charter decision,’ defendants’ … motion is granted as plaintiff has suffered no injury in fact … and because plaintiff’s claims are not ripe."; it is possible that they could attempt to re-sue once the fintech charter is created. Source
Lend Academy profiles a real borrower who recently went through Credit Karma to apply for a debt consolidation loan; the...
Greenhouse, the new Wells Fargo banking app, will offer customers a new mobile banking experience to help manage finances; users will be able to manage their money and have the ability to send and receive payments; Crowdfund Insider reports Avid Modjtabai, Head of Payments, Virtual Solutions and Innovation at Wells Fargo said at an industry event, “We believe the Greenhouse experience will appeal to a broad base of consumers, many of whom have several income sources or are paid infrequently, which can make budgeting a challenge.” Source.
Digital only banking startups are finding it hard to scale as their offerings are similar to incumbent banks but with some better tech; with the amount of companies starting to increase these banks should think of focusing on a particular niche to get greater traction says Satya Patel, a partner at VC firm Homebrew; customer acquisition costs and a viable revenue model are two of the biggest barriers for companies; online lenders like SoFi have started to offer banking services on top of lending as a means to offer customers more products after providing an initial service. Source.
In this week’s PeerIQ Industry Update they cover the concerns former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke raised about the neutral rate...