DAVE vs. SOFI: Which Fintech Disruptor Offers More Growth Potential Now?

Core Insights - SoFi Technologies (SOFI) and Dave Inc. (DAVE) are both innovative fintech companies that provide digital banking services, targeting underserved or digitally savvy audiences [1] - SOFI is focusing on scaling and innovation to enhance profitability, while DAVE is a newer player emphasizing short-term cash advances and budgeting tools [1][10] Summary of SOFI - SOFI's Q2 2025 results show strong performance with adjusted earnings of 8 cents per share, exceeding estimates by 33.3% and more than doubling year-over-year [3] - Revenues reached $858.2 million, surpassing estimates by 6.6% and growing 43.4% year-over-year, driven by a growing customer base and product portfolio [3][11] - The company added a record 850,000 new members in Q2, bringing total membership to 11.7 million, a 34% annual increase [4] - Fee-based revenue increased by 72% year-over-year to $378 million, contributing to a more than $1.5 billion annualized fee-based income [5] - Adjusted EBITDA rose 80.6% year-over-year to $249.1 million, with a margin improvement of 600 basis points [6] - SOFI raised its 2025 guidance, expecting adjusted net revenues of approximately $3.375 billion, implying about 30% annual growth [7][20] - The company anticipates adding at least 3 million new members in 2025, representing roughly 30% year-over-year growth [9] Summary of DAVE - DAVE's revenues grew 64% in Q2 2025, with monthly transacting members reaching 2.6 million, a 16% increase year-over-year [12][11] - The company experienced a 51% surge in ExtraCash originations and a 27% increase in Dave Debit Card usage [13] - However, DAVE faces challenges with rising delinquency rates, which increased to 2.4% from 2% a year earlier [14] - Competition from fintech peers and traditional banks is intensifying, putting pressure on DAVE's business model [15][16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DAVE's 2025 sales is set at $512.4 million, indicating a 47.6% year-over-year increase [17] Comparative Analysis - SOFI is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 53.56X, while DAVE is at 18.05X, indicating a significant valuation difference [24] - SOFI demonstrates balanced growth with scaling membership and expanding product adoption, while DAVE's growth is challenged by its smaller scale and rising delinquency rates [25] - SOFI's raised guidance and strong EPS momentum reinforce its leadership in digital finance, despite a richer valuation [25][26]