A
Affirm
affirm.com
Affirm is a publicly-traded fintech company established in 2012 (founded by Max Levchin and others) that provides point-of-sale (POS) financing solutions and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) products for consumers and merchants.
Its mission is to “deliver honest financial products that improve lives” by offering transparent loan terms, no late-fees, and helping shoppers make smart payment choices.
On the consumer side, Affirm enables shoppers to split their purchases into installments (e.g., “Pay in 4” or monthly plans) either interest-free or with upfront disclosed interest and no hidden fees.
For merchants, Affirm offers a payment-option platform that integrates into checkout processes, aiming to increase conversion rates, average order values and reach new customers by offering flexible financing.
With its technology stack combining machine-learning-driven underwriting, real-time decisioning and consumer-friendly disclosures, Affirm positions itself as both a consumer alternative to traditional credit cards and a growth engine for merchants. It is headquartered at 650 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, U.S.
C
Current
current.com
Current provides mobile-banking-style services (via partner banks) that emphasise affordability, inclusion and digital-first youth and everyday consumer segments.
The value proposition includes no minimum balance requirements, no traditional overdraft fees (for qualifying members), early access to paychecks, savings features with bonus rates (via “Savings Pods”), a secured Build-Card for credit building, and built-in crypto trading.
The platform positions itself as “mobile banking done better” and is geared toward working Americans who have been underserved by legacy banking models.
S
SoFi
sofi.com
SoFi (Social Finance, Inc.) is a digital personal finance company that provides a diverse range of financial products including student loan refinancing, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, investment management, and banking services. SoFi aims to help people achieve financial independence by offering useful tools, member benefits, and community-driven resources through a mobile-first platform. SoFi is publicly traded and regulated as a bank holding company via its subsidiary, SoFi Bank, N.A. It is a member of the FDIC.