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Exploring Success Factors in Fintech as Sentiment Improves

  • Writer: Peter Johnson
    Peter Johnson
  • Dec 11, 2023
  • 4 min read

I have written a bi-weekly article delving into the remarkable performance of publicly listed fintech firms over the past month, as demonstrated through their Q3 results and guidance. As of next week, I will close this series for the holiday season and embark on my own travels. This paper seeks to examine the current state of the economy in the United States. The aim of this paper is to analyze the current economic situation in the United States. An exploration of the latest economic data will be conducted in order to gain insight into the current state of the country's finances. The past month has evidenced a shift in luck and attitude for a large number of listed companies in financial services. Though not all entities have been similarly affected, quite a few have seen an improvement in their market value. In this write-up, I will attempt to uncover the cause of this enhanced sentiment other than the traditional notion that 'the tide raises all boats'. A pleasant alteration When considering the high expectations that had been put into "growth" projections for many heavily funded Fintechs in late 2021 and 2022, and coupled with the significant change in the cost of servicing debt, it is not unexpected that most firms spent most of 2022 and at least the first quarter of 2023 adapting to major macro and procurement difficulties. Furthermore, it is clear that negative sentiment can quickly spread and cause the performance of all those in the sector to suffer even when individual performance was not significant. Thus, the corrective forces can be extremely harsh. To A Successful Business Essential elements for achieving success in business include: Having a clear and attainable goal, having the determination to succeed, creating a comprehensive business plan, utilizing resources for maximum advantage, and seeking the professional advice of experts. For a business to be successful, it is important to have a specific goal that is achievable. The determination to reach that goal is also necessary. Having a detailed business plan is vital for guiding the business towards its goal. Resources such as money, time, and personnel must be managed to maximize the chances of success. It is also helpful to seek expert advice to ensure the best results. It has taken a while for the situation to stabilize, yet I have noticed a slight change in attitude when certain facts regarding certain Fintech companies are taken into account. Specifically, institutional investors have come to understand: Many Fintechs that have reached a significant base of retained and profitable customers are now prioritizing providing additional services to those existing clients over trying to acquire new ones. This is a much more cost-effective and higher-margin approach that will also mean the end of cash flow burn patterns that are not viable in the long-term. For the past 15 months, Fintechs which are more progressive have been diversifying their sources of income by embracing both embedded finance and B2B service provision models. Such models will only be profitable if they can achieve a large enough user base in addition to keeping a robust connection with this group. Despite the fact that Fintechs may have to cope with similar issues to traditional institutions with regards to security, infrastructure, and compliance, they have an advantage when it comes to creating customer engagement and recognizing potential with different groups. This has been made even more advantageous due to the growth of AI, which rewards those who have created the most extensive data sources. I have often been dubious about the advantages of making and sustaining Superapps for finance. However, fintech companies are well positioned to benefit from providing customers with conscious and contextual services. A great illustration of this can be found in Moneylion's various branded accounts that come with personalized content and a comprehensive provider marketplace. The operating leverage this offers when certain macro-level propositions gain momentum is quite striking. The positive effects of these changes have been pronounced for Fintechs that have already incorporated a wide range of services into their offerings while also striving for profitability and positive cash flow. As someone who has invested in growth-based metric startups for over five years, I understand that it can be hard for businesses to shift their aspirations and output toward generating positive EBITDA. For many early-stage companies, especially ones that rely on venture capital, this shift is often too tough to manage - however, those who were already solidly funded or listed on the stock exchange at the start of this year were in a place to make the move. Not all have been successful, but those that have made the transition are being rewarded by new investments and a positive rise in returns and late-round funding since the third quarter. To round up, it is clear that this research has highlighted the importance of this topic. From the evidence presented, it is clear that further research is necessary in order to gain a better understanding of the subject. In conclusion, this study has shown the significance of this topic. Data collected has indicated that additional exploration is required to have a better comprehension of the matter. Sentiment can be capricious and the typically low-liquidity, end-of-year rallies can be deluding, however I am confident that the principles I outlined will still be useful for Fintechs aiming to gain a better valuation or to get more capital next year. Of course, macro and economic issues can have an impact as we begin the year, as they have in the past, but it appears that scale, embedded finance, a diversified corporate structure and a focus on producing both profitability and cash flow will prove successful for companies that thoroughly adopt them.

 
 
 

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