Fintech
What Makes Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU) One of the Best Fintech Stocks to Buy Now?
We recently compiled a list of The 10 best Fintech stocks to buy now. In this article, we’ll take a look at where Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) stands compared to other fintech stocks. If interested you can also read our piece on The 12 best financial and fintech ETFs to buy.
Fintech services have become an integral part of our lives in recent years, significantly changing the financial sector. Consumers no longer need to queue at banks to get their bank statements, be involved in money transfers or carry heavy wallets to pay for groceries only in cash. Mobile banking, credit cards and digital wallets have revolutionized the way people manage their finances.
Global fintech industry
A report released in May last year by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) forecasts that the fintech sector will grow more than sixfold to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, from its current level of $245 billion. The financial services sector’s share is also expected to rise from 2% to 7% during this period, with Asia-Pacific set to overtake the United States to become the world’s largest fintech market.
The fintech sector in Asia-Pacific is set to grow 27% between now and then, with China, India and Indonesia leading the pack due to their sizable unbanked populations and the large number of small businesses in these countries . However, North America, particularly the United States, will continue to remain a critical market and drive innovation in the industry. The market is also expected to grow significantly in the emerging economies of Latin America and Africa.
That said, although the market is expected to grow in the coming years, 2023 was a difficult year compared to the boom of previous years. According to KPMG, it was the slowest year in the global fintech sector since 2017, with approx 114 billion dollars of investments worldwide through 4,547 agreements. Financial experts say high inflation and ongoing military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have led investors to become cautious in their spending.
The decline in fintech investment was noted across various regions, with Asia-Pacific seeing the biggest drop, falling from $51 billion in 2022 to just under $11 billion in 2023. Investment also halved in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, from $49.6 billion to $24.5 billion. . In the Americas, investment slowed 22% during the period. For 2024, US ratings agency Fitch Rating forecasts mixed results for fintech companies in North America and Europe, with expected revenue growth, but EBITDA margins likely to remain modest.
The story continues
Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Fintech
Generative artificial intelligence, or Gen AI, has taken much of the global financial services industry by storm. According to McKinsey, the technology is likely to add between $200 billion and $340 billion to the market over the next few years. Fintech companies are actively keeping up with the trend and making sure they adapt to both the capabilities and risks of Gen AI. Between 2022 and 2023, the share of fintech companies that improved their AI capabilities increased from 30% to 70%. On the other hand, around 90% of fintech companies surveyed in March this year by McKinsey said they had established centralized Gen AI functions. According to experts, the use of this technology is set to make fintech companies more agile and efficient in the coming years.
Methodology
Insider Monkey’s database of 920 hedge funds was evaluated as of the first quarter of 2024. We chose the 10 best fintech stocks to buy now based on hedge fund sentiment towards each stock. Stocks are ranked in ascending order by hedge fund holders in each company.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds are piling into? The reason is simple: Our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the best stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter strategy selects 14 small- and large-cap stocks each quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A wide-angle shot of a team of bankers and financial advisors evaluating an investment portfolio on a touchscreen monitor.
Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU)
Number of hedge fund owners: 63
In the first quarter of 2024, 63 hedge funds were bullish on Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU), up from 50 in the third quarter and 54 in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Brazil-based digital banking company provides financial services in multiple countries, particularly in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.
Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) is among the most promising stocks to buy now across various sectors, with its stock price up 40% over the past year, and is now three times what it was worth in January 2023. According to NASDAQ, one of the main reasons behind this growth has been the company’s consistent net income growth in each of the last five quarters.
Baron FinTech Fund said the following about Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) in its Q1 2024 Letter to Investors:
Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU) is a digital bank with operations in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. Shares appreciated during the quarter after the company reported strong balance sheet growth and improved margins. New product launches and expansion into new countries are yielding favorable results. Nu also benefited from inclusion in the MSCI Brazil index, which prompted buying from passively managed funds. We continue to hold the stock because Nu is revolutionizing the financial services industry in Latin America with its digital distribution and strong focus on user experience. The company has grown to serve more than 90 million customers in less than 10 years, largely through word of mouth. We believe the company’s excellent product offerings will drive continued stock gains in large, growing markets.
Overall NU ranks 8th on our list of the best fintech stocks to buy. You can visit The 10 best Fintech stocks to buy now to see other fintech stocks that are on hedge funds’ radar. While we recognize NU’s potential as an investment, our belief lies in the belief that AI stocks are more promising in delivering higher returns, and doing so in a shorter time frame. If you’re looking for an AI stock that’s more promising than NU but trades at less than 5 times its earnings, see our report on cheapest AI shares.
READ NEXT: An analyst sees a new $25 billion “opportunity” for NVIDIA AND Jim Cramer recommends these 10 stocks for June.
Disclosure: None. This article was originally published on Indoor monkey.
Fintech
US Agencies Request Information on Bank-Fintech Dealings
Federal banking regulators have issued a statement reminding banks of the potential risks associated with third-party arrangements to provide bank deposit products and services.
The agencies support responsible innovation and banks that engage in these arrangements in a safe and fair manner and in compliance with applicable law. While these arrangements may offer benefits, supervisory experience has identified a number of safety and soundness, compliance, and consumer concerns with the management of these arrangements. The statement details potential risks and provides examples of effective risk management practices for these arrangements. Additionally, the statement reminds banks of existing legal requirements, guidance, and related resources and provides insights that the agencies have gained through their oversight. The statement does not establish new supervisory expectations.
Separately, the agencies requested additional information on a broad range of arrangements between banks and fintechs, including for deposit, payment, and lending products and services. The agencies are seeking input on the nature and implications of arrangements between banks and fintechs and effective risk management practices.
The agencies are considering whether to take additional steps to ensure that banks effectively manage the risks associated with these different types of arrangements.
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Fintech
What changes in financial regulation have impacted the development of financial technology?
Exploring the complex landscape of global financial regulation, we gather insights from leading fintech leaders, including CEOs and finance experts. From the game-changing impact of PSD2 to the significant role of GDPR in data security, explore the four key regulatory changes that have reshaped fintech development, answering the question: “What changes in financial regulation have impacted fintech development?”
- PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology
- GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy
- Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation
- GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security
PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology
When it comes to regulatory impact on fintech development, nothing comes close to PSD2. This EU regulation has created a new level playing field for market players of all sizes, from fintech startups to established banks. It has had a ripple effect on other markets around the world, inspiring similar regulatory frameworks and driving global innovation in fintech.
The Payment Services Directive (PSD2), the EU law in force since 2018, has revolutionized the fintech industry by requiring banks to provide third-party payment providers (TPPs) with access to payment services and customer account information via open APIs. This has democratized access to financial data, fostering the development of personalized financial instruments and seamless payment solutions. Advanced security measures such as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) have increased consumer trust, pushing both fintech companies and traditional banks to innovate and collaborate more effectively, resulting in a dynamic and consumer-friendly financial ecosystem.
The impact of PSD2 has extended beyond the EU, inspiring similar regulations around the world. Countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada have launched their own open banking initiatives, spurred by the benefits seen in the EU. PSD2 has highlighted the benefits of open banking, also prompting US financial institutions and fintech companies to explore similar initiatives voluntarily.
This has led to a global wave of fintech innovation, with financial institutions and fintech companies offering more integrated, personalized and secure services. The EU’s leadership in open banking through PSD2 has set a global standard, promoting regulatory harmonization and fostering an interconnected and innovative global financial ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the EU’s PSD3 proposals and Financial Data Access (FIDA) regulations promise to further advance open banking. PSD3 aims to refine and build on PSD2, with a focus on improving transaction security, fraud prevention, and integration between banks and TPPs. FIDA will expand data sharing beyond payment accounts to include areas such as insurance and investments, paving the way for more comprehensive financial products and services.
These developments are set to further enhance connectivity, efficiency and innovation in financial services, cementing open banking as a key component of the global financial infrastructure.
General Manager, Technology and Product Consultant Fintech, Insurtech, Miquido
GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy
Privacy and data protection have been taken to another level by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), forcing fintech companies to tighten their data management. In compliance with the GDPR, organizations must ensure that personal data is processed fairly, transparently, and securely.
This has led to increased innovation in fintech towards technologies such as encryption and anonymization for data protection. GDPR was described as a top priority in the data protection strategies of 92% of US-based companies surveyed by PwC.
Financial Expert, Sterlinx Global
Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation
Since the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pioneered sandbox regulatory frameworks in 2016 to enable fintech startups to explore new products and services, similar frameworks have been introduced in other countries.
This has reduced the “crippling effect on innovation” caused by a “one size fits all” regulatory approach, which would also require machines to be built to complete regulatory compliance before any testing. Successful applications within sandboxes give regulators the confidence to move forward and address gaps in laws, regulations, or supervisory approaches. This has led to widespread adoption of new technologies and business models and helped channel private sector dynamism, while keeping consumers protected and imposing appropriate regulatory requirements.
Co-founder, UK Linkology
GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security
A big change in financial regulations that has had a real impact on fintech is the 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I have seen how GDPR has pushed us to focus more on user privacy and data security.
GDPR means we have to handle personal data much more carefully. At Leverage, we have had to step up our game to meet these new rules. We have improved our data encryption and started doing regular security audits. It was a little tricky at first, but it has made our systems much more secure.
For example, we’ve added features that give users more control over their data, like simple consent tools and clear privacy notices. These changes have helped us comply with GDPR and made our customers feel more confident in how we handle their information.
I believe that GDPR has made fintech companies, including us at Leverage, more transparent and secure. It has helped build trust with our users, showing them that we take data protection seriously.
CEO & Co-Founder, Leverage Planning
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Fintech
M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M
Application Programming Interface (API) Infrastructure Platform M2P Financial Technology has reached the final round to raise $80 million, at a valuation of $900 million.
Specifically, M2P Fintech, formerly known as Yap, is closing a new funding round involving new and existing investors, according to entrackr.com. The India-based company, which last raised funding two and a half years ago, previously secured $56 million in a round led by Insight Partners, earning a post-money valuation of $650 million.
A source indicated that M2P Fintech is ready to raise $80 million in this new funding round, led by a new investor. Existing backers, including Insight Partners, are also expected to participate. The new funding is expected to go toward enhancing the company’s technology infrastructure and driving growth in domestic and international markets.
What does M2P Fintech do?
M2P Fintech’s API platform enables businesses to provide branded financial services through partnerships with fintech companies while maintaining regulatory compliance. In addition to its operations in India, the company is active in Nepal, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Bahrain, Egypt, and many other countries.
Another source revealed that M2P Fintech’s valuation in this funding round is expected to be between USD 880 million and USD 900 million (post-money). The company has reportedly received a term sheet and the deal is expected to be publicly announced soon. The Tiger Global-backed company has acquired six companies to date, including Goals101, Syntizen, and BSG ITSOFT, to enhance its service offerings.
According to TheKredible, Beenext is the company’s largest shareholder with over 13% ownership, while the co-founders collectively own 34% of the company. Although M2P Fintech has yet to release its FY24 financials, it has reported a significant increase in operating revenue. However, this growth has also been accompanied by a substantial increase in losses.
Fintech
Scottish financial technology firm Aveni secures £11m to expand AI offering
By Gloria Methri
Today
- To come
- Aveni Assistance
- Aveni Detection
Artificial intelligence Financial Technology Aveni has announced one of the largest Series A investments in a Scottish company this year, amounting to £11 million. The investment is led by Puma Private Equity with participation from Par Equity, Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide.
Aveni combines AI expertise with extensive financial services experience to create large language models (LLMs) and AI products designed specifically for the financial services industry. It is trusted by some of the UK’s leading financial services firms. It has seen significant business growth over the past two years through its conformity and productivity solutions, Aveni Detect and Aveni Assist.
This investment will enable Aveni to build on the success of its existing products, further consolidate its presence in the sector and introduce advanced technologies through FinLLM, a large-scale language model specifically for financial services.
FinLLM is being developed in partnership with new investors Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide. It is a large, industry-aligned language model that aims to set the standard for transparent, responsible and ethical adoption of generative AI in UK financial services.
Following the investment, the team developing the FinLLM will be based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, in a state-of-the-art facility.
Joseph Twigg, CEO of Aveniexplained, “The financial services industry doesn’t need AI models that can quote Shakespeare; it needs AI models that deliver transparency, trust, and most importantly, fairness. The way to achieve this is to develop small, highly tuned language models, trained on financial services data, and reviewed by financial services experts for specific financial services use cases. Generative AI is the most significant technological evolution of our generation, and we are in the early stages of adoption. This represents a significant opportunity for Aveni and our partners. The goal with FinLLM is to set a new standard for the controlled, responsible, and ethical adoption of generative AI, outperforming all other generic models in our select financial services use cases.”
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