Traditional finance is under pressure from startups and creative minds leading the charge in the financial technology industry, more commonly referred to as fintech. Plenty of claims from sources like Forbes, The Economist, and others suggest that the future of finance is finally here.
Eric Blue, founder and CEO of Nevly, is one of many innovators helping shape the industry. He’s hoping to build on the benefits of fintech while addressing some of the perceived negatives about the industry.
What Is Fintech?
Fintech is a shortened term referring to anything involving financial technology. A lot falls under the fintech label, making it hard to define accurately. However, simply, fintech, a shortened name for “financial technology,” refers to the technology utilized to streamline, augment, disrupt, or digitize the traditional financial sector.
One common misconception is that only startups and new companies use fintech. hey did lead the revolution, but large, established banks are immersed in fintech programs, too. Coupling that with their traditional financial services allows them to cater to many different types of customers.
What Fintech Gets Right
There are reasons to be excited about the fintech industry as a whole. Eric Blue sees a lot of potential, and he’s bringing it to life with Nevly Money and his upcoming Nevly app. Some significant selling points have convinced consumers to embrace the future of fintech.
Improved Accessibility
A significant benefit of fintech comes down to improved accessibility of financial services. Fintech companies have developed solutions that enable people to access financial services from anywhere at any time. All that’s necessary is a mobile phone or a computer.
That makes it easier for people, especially those in traditionally underserved communities, to access financial services like banking, investing, and insurance.
Cost-Effectiveness
Fintech solutions are generally more cost-effective than traditional financial services. This is because they operate on a digital platform, which reduces the overhead costs associated with traditional financial institutions.
Eliminating costs such as physical branches and in-person staff adds up quickly. This cost-effectiveness makes financial services more affordable, especially for people with limited funds.
Eric Blue knew from the beginning that he wanted to keep Nevly affordable for people to use. While Nevly has some charges as a business like interchange fees on card transactions, transfer fees when sending money to friends and family, and transaction fees on some investment activities, they remain transparent with customers.
Innovation
Fintech companies have developed innovative products and services that cater to the changing needs of consumers. For example, peer-to-peer lending platforms offer loans at lower interest rates than traditional banks. Similarly, AI advisors offer low-cost investment solutions that use algorithms to manage portfolios.
Nevly provides a blend of innovation and simplicity. While some steps Eric Blue took leaned into innovation, he also wanted consumers to feel confident using the website and the app. That meant an intuitive, easy-to-use interface.
Improved Speed and Efficiency
Fintech companies have significantly improved the speed and efficiency of financial services. For example, mobile banking apps enable customers to check their account balances, transfer funds, and pay bills in real-time without visiting a bank branch. Similarly, blockchain technology has enabled faster and more secure cross-border payments.
Tightened Security
Fintech solutions have enhanced security measures that protect customers’ financial information. For example, biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, works to verify identities, while encryption technology secures transactions.
The safer people feel about providing sensitive information, the more likely they will buy into the technology. Nevly launched with standout security features like 24/7 account security and two-factor authentication, exceeding industry standards.
What Fintech Needs to Improve
Fintech’s future largely depends on how well companies can deal with some of the most common complaints from consumers up to this point. The opportunities to improve are there, but making these changes takes time.
Cybersecurity
Fintech companies must ensure that financial data is protected from cyberattacks and breaches. This happens by investing in robust security measures, such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular vulnerability testing.
Eric Blue embraces the need to stress cybersecurity with any new app or tool. Nevly keeps all information provided by consumers safeguarded through several leading security measures. A consolidated financial account provides more protection than hoping every company takes the chance of a data breach seriously like Nevly.
Customer Service
While fintech has made banking more convenient, it has created a disconnect between customers and their financial institutions. Fintech companies need to invest in improving their customer service by providing live chat support, easy-to-use interfaces, and quick response times.
Eric Blue is striving to get this right from the beginning. While the Nevly app features many automated services designed to allow people to be as self-sufficient as possible, customer service will also exist. Anyone with questions or concerns, especially early on in their journey, can contact a representative for more information.
Financial Literacy
Many fintech customers need to be made aware of the financial products they’re using and their long-term implications. Fintech companies can improve on this by providing financial education resources like blog posts, webinars, and tutorials to help customers make informed decisions.
Nevly does a great job with this; the app will provide even better financial literacy tools. These tools don’t just tell people what to do with their money; they help users on a learning process to create a more financially secure future.
Regulatory Compliance
As fintech companies continue to disrupt traditional financial institutions, they must tackle local and national regulations. Compliance will help them avoid legal issues and build trust with customers. Because the field is so new, though, the regulations are constantly changing. Once standards become more uniform, it will be easier for companies to comply.
Is Fintech the Future of Finance?
It’s still very early to understand exactly what role fintech will play in our lives. Companies are working hard to make it more mainstream and commercialized while dealing with regulatory scrutiny.
Still, fintech has disrupted the traditional financial industry and grown significantly in recent years. While it may not completely replace traditional solutions, fintech is a significant part of the future. The hotshot whiz-kid, Eric Blue, believes he has Nevly positioned to be a substantial part of that future for consumers.
