Finance Trends

A sum of money given by a buyer to a seller to demonstrate serious intent to purchase a property. This payment is held in escrow and applied to the down payment or closing costs if the sale is completed, but may be forfeited if the buyer withdraws from the deal. Earnest payments are primarily used in real estate transactions to show commitment and secure the property during the negotiation process.

Decentralized cryptocurrency exchange that facilitates peer-to-peer trading of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It operates without a central authority, ensuring security, privacy, and censorship resistance by not requiring personal information from users. Bisq is particularly favored by individuals who prioritize privacy and security in their cryptocurrency transactions.

Founded in 2021, this company provides real-time access to user financial data and facilitates seamless liability repayment. It aims to make personal finance more autonomous by offering services that connect to various financial obligations such as student loans, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and utility bills. The primary beneficiaries of these services are individuals seeking to streamline their financial management and repayment processes.

An electronic device, online service, or software program that facilitates electronic transactions. It securely stores payment information and passwords for various payment methods and websites, enabling users to complete purchases quickly and easily. eWallets are particularly beneficial for individuals seeking convenience and efficiency in managing their financial transactions through smartphones or other connected devices.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory withdrawals that individuals must take annually from their IRA and retirement plan accounts starting at age 72 (or age 73 if they reach age 72 after December 31, 2022). These distributions are designed to ensure that retirement accounts are eventually depleted and taxed, preventing indefinite tax deferral. RMDs primarily affect retirees who have accumulated savings in tax-deferred retirement accounts.

Financial platform and app that enables users to trade stocks and ETFs, as well as save and invest their money passively. It differentiates itself by offering a comprehensive suite of financial services in one place, making it convenient for users to manage their investments and savings. Sarwa primarily targets individuals looking for an easy-to-use platform to handle their financial investments and savings efficiently.

Platform designed to connect small business owners with tools and funding opportunities, providing resources to help them secure the necessary funding for their businesses. Fundid differentiates itself by offering a comprehensive suite of financial tools and educational resources tailored specifically for small businesses, aiming to simplify the funding process and enhance financial literacy. The platform primarily targets small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking accessible funding solutions and financial guidance.

Canadian dollar store retail chain headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It offers a wide range of products including household items, food, health and beauty products, and seasonal merchandise, with most items priced at $4 or less, distinguishing itself by providing affordable options for everyday needs. The store primarily targets budget-conscious shoppers looking for cost-effective solutions.

On-demand digital tax service that connects users with certified public accountants (CPAs) or enrolled agents (EAs) for tax filing purposes. Taxfyle differentiates itself by offering a convenient mobile app that allows real-time interaction with tax professionals, streamlining the tax filing process. This service is particularly beneficial for individuals and small businesses seeking an efficient and accessible way to manage their tax obligations.

Healthcare tool used by thousands of people daily to document, track, and analyze hundreds of healthcare processes. The Nobl Rounding Platform is designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare operations by providing a structured way to manage and review healthcare activities, differentiating itself with its comprehensive tracking and analytical capabilities. It primarily benefits healthcare professionals and administrators seeking to enhance operational efficiency and patient care quality.

Company that provides insurance services specifically designed for landlords, aiming to offer fast, affordable, and excellent service. Steadily leverages modern technology and design to combine extensive insurance experience with innovative tech solutions, differentiating itself from traditional insurance providers. The primary target demographic for Steadily is landlords seeking efficient and cost-effective insurance solutions.

Financial service platform that enables users to create accounts, make payments, send and receive money, manage budgets, obtain electronic pins, make split payments, create social accounts, and chat. It offers a range of financial management tools and social features, aiming to simplify and enhance the user experience in handling personal finances. The platform is targeted at individuals seeking a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for managing their financial activities and social interactions in one place.

Insurtech company specializing in embedded protection, aiming to protect customers of the world's largest digital companies. Cover Genius differentiates itself by integrating insurance solutions seamlessly into the platforms of its partners, providing a streamlined and accessible insurance experience for end-users. The company's services are primarily targeted at digital companies and their customers who seek convenient and integrated insurance solutions.

Financial advisory company that provides digital investment, retirement, and cash management services. It offers a high-yield cash account with no fees, up to $2 million in FDIC insurance through its program banks, and unlimited withdrawals, differentiating itself by offering a comprehensive suite of financial tools and services. Betterment primarily targets individuals seeking efficient and automated financial management solutions for their savings and investments.

Company that offers technology and tools designed to help financial advisors achieve better outcomes. Altruist provides advisory services and aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of financial advising by integrating various financial tools into a single platform. The primary target demographic for Altruist includes financial advisors and wealth management professionals seeking to streamline their operations and enhance client service.

Graphical representation of information and data using visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps. Data visualization tools make complex data more understandable, accessible, and usable by highlighting trends, outliers, and patterns. It is particularly beneficial for analysts, business professionals, and researchers who need to interpret large datasets and make data-driven decisions.

Digital-only banks that operate without traditional physical branch networks. They offer a range of financial services through mobile apps and online platforms, often focusing on user-friendly interfaces, lower fees, and innovative features compared to traditional banks. Neobanks typically target tech-savvy customers and those looking for more convenient and cost-effective banking solutions.

Economic theory that focuses on the role of government spending and taxation in managing the economy. Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) suggests that governments can use fiscal policy, including taxation and spending, to achieve full employment and control inflation, arguing that a sovereign government with its own currency can never run out of money in the same way a household or business can. MMT primarily appeals to policymakers, economists, and academics interested in alternative approaches to traditional economic theories and fiscal policy management.

A chargeback is a return of funds to a consumer, initiated by the issuing bank of the payment card used by the consumer. It serves as a form of consumer protection, allowing consumers to dispute transactions and get their money back in cases of fraud, unauthorized transactions, non-receipt of goods or services, goods or services not as described, or processing errors. The chargeback process benefits consumers who need a mechanism to recover funds in cases of disputed transactions.

A fully open-source public distributed ledger that utilizes the hashgraph consensus algorithm, known for its speed, fairness, and security. The network supports Solidity-based smart contracts, native tokenization, and consensus services, enabling the development of decentralized applications. Hedera primarily targets developers and businesses looking to build secure and efficient decentralized applications.

A type of savings account that typically offers higher interest rates compared to regular savings accounts. Money Market Accounts often come with check-writing privileges and debit card access, providing more flexibility. They are particularly beneficial for individuals seeking higher returns on their savings while maintaining some liquidity.

A type of bank account designed for individuals to deposit money, keep it secure, and earn interest on the balance. Savings accounts offer interest earnings, liquidity, and safety, often insured by government agencies, with some accounts requiring a minimum balance to avoid fees. They are ideal for individuals looking to set aside money for future needs or emergencies rather than for daily transactions.

A Gold IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is a type of self-directed IRA that allows investors to hold physical gold and other precious metals as part of their retirement portfolio. This differs from traditional IRAs, which typically hold paper assets like stocks and bonds, and offers tax advantages such as tax-deferred growth. Gold IRAs are primarily targeted at investors seeking to diversify their retirement savings with tangible assets and hedge against economic uncertainties.

Financial services term that refers to the use of open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) enabling third-party developers to build applications and services around financial institutions. It provides greater financial transparency options for account holders, ranging from open data to private data, and encourages innovation by allowing new entrants to offer competitive products and services. Open Banking primarily benefits consumers and businesses seeking enhanced financial services and greater control over their financial data.

A financial intermediary committee typically composed of 12 to 25 local women between the ages of 18 and 50. These groups are designed to help members cope with life problems and improve their financial stability through mutual support and collective savings, often facilitating access to credit and other financial services. SHGs primarily benefit women in South Asia and Southeast Asia, aiming to enhance their financial and social empowerment.

Consumer-facing financial services app that enables users to access their earned wages, savings tools, and rewards quickly. It differentiates itself by offering these services with no interest, no credit checks, and no hidden fees, providing a transparent and user-friendly financial solution. Klover primarily targets individuals seeking immediate access to their earnings and financial tools without the burden of traditional banking fees and credit requirements.

Unethical or illegal practice where a broker or trader executes orders on a security for their own account while taking advantage of advance knowledge of pending orders from their customers. This practice can occur in various contexts, including the stock market, cryptocurrency, and high-frequency trading, and is considered harmful to market integrity and client interests. Front running primarily affects retail investors and clients who rely on brokers and traders to act in their best interest.

An app-based platform that offers a range of financial services including money management, fund transfers, online payments, and fee payments. YPAY differentiates itself by providing a user-friendly interface that simplifies financial transactions, making it easier for users to handle their finances efficiently. The platform primarily targets individuals seeking a convenient and efficient way to manage their financial transactions through a mobile application.

Auto Approve is a car finance and loan company that specializes in simplifying the auto refinance process to help customers save money. The company offers a quick quote process and manages all refinancing steps, including finding the best lender, delivering the complete loan package, paying off the previous loan, and handling all DMV paperwork. Auto Approve primarily targets individuals looking to refinance their auto loans for better rates and terms.

A document provided by an employer to an employee each pay period, detailing the employee's earnings and deductions. It includes information such as employee and employer details, pay period dates, earnings breakdown, deductions, net pay, and year-to-date totals. Paystubs are essential for employees to understand their compensation and are often required for financial transactions like loan applications and income verification.