The Growth Story The fintech sector’s momentum is undeniable. In 2024, global fintech revenues surged 21%—more than triple the 6% growth seen in traditional banking (WSJ, Investors.com, BCG, McKinsey). More recently, fintech profit growth has accelerated to 39%, with public fintechs lifting EBITDA margins from 12% to 16%. Today, 69% of public fintech companies are profitable—a milestone for an industry …

A Debt Landscape Under Pressure U.S. credit card balances remain historically high, reaching $1.182 trillion in Q1 2025—only slightly down from the $1.21 trillion peak in late 2024 (Procurement Tactics, LendingTree, Trading Economics). While the dip suggests a momentary easing, it’s overshadowed by a more concerning trend: delinquency rates are still climbing, even among higher-income households (MarketWatch). This isn’t just …