UN Women notes 65% of men (globally) report having an account at a formal financial institution, only 58% of women do. In part, a lack of financial literacy can also contribute to women being less likely to start their own businesses or to hold senior leadership positions in organisations. On a much darker note, a lack of financial independence can mean a lack of options, trapping women in desperate situations. This podcast aims to inspire parents, women, and of course, girls themselves to think early about the importance of financial independence and basic financial literacy. https://bankingongirls.com/

Humans love to offer group gifts saying "thank you," "congratulations" or "best wishes" in a number of situations. For example, an end of year gift for a classroom teacher or soccer coach. A farewell gift for a colleague. A baby shower or wedding gift for a friend or family member.Someone has to do the work of collecting the money, circulating the card, and actually buying and delivering the gift.This is the problem that GroupTogether very neatly and elegantly solves for with an online solution that has already been used by 1 million Australians.https://www.grouptogether.com/

When sanctions on Russia removed access to SWIFT, Payments and Financial Services became a weapon of war.Whilst a justified response, where does the line stop and start when a provider or country doesn’t like the services you offer, or where and how those services are provided?Or maybe as a citizen you said something online that provoked a response where your access to financial services were removed.Though hate crime and other behaviour deserves action. Should we be worried that access to financial services is becoming a mechanism for censorship?And will DeFI solve or create more problems?

That's right, a few keywords, click and alakazam..............The financial sector is under siege. In recent years, a number of high-profile hacks have left consumers reeling, and Fintech startups are chipping away at the traditional banking model. To stay ahead of the curve, banks are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for help. AI is already being used in a number of ways in the financial sector, from fraud prevention to customer service. But, its use is only going to increase in the coming years. Banks are investing billions of dollars in AI, and the results are already starting to show.

Innovation. Disruption. Choice.These are 3 things startups (on the whole) and Fintechs bring to our daily lives. New products, new ways to interact across different mediums and greater choice, creating competitive tension and theoretically greater value for consumers.So what happens if and/or when an economic crisis or a talent shortage impacts the Fintech industry?Well, frankly, some of these products may no longer be in market, snapped up by an incumbent or at a minimum progress slowed.Will your daily life get easier or harder? Will your access to innovative products be lessened?Only time will tell.

Barely a month after failed takeover talks with ANZ, MYOB shifted its focus and invested in one of the biggest fintech deals of the year, buying Flare, in my humble opinion a great deal.For platforms in the SME space, MYOB are coming.Does this demonstrate Fintech is thriving as an industry?Or do you have to build until bought? Risk de-banking or go overseas for primary revenue streams?What this really says is, Fintech is here to stay.No matter the end game.So if you have a good idea to disrupt CeFi, there's never a bad time.https://www.myob.com/au/about/news/2022/myob-acquires-flare--australian-smes-to-reap-benefits0