Fifth Third expanded the capabilities of its commercial payments business by acquiring DTS Connex, a provider of cash management software solutions for multi-location businesses like retailers, restaurants and healthcare providers.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited f ...

EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coastal Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CCB) (the “Company”), and its subsidiary, Coastal Community Bank (the “Bank”), today announced the appointment of four new members to its executive leadership team to support the Company’s continued growth across its digital banking and community-focused initiatives. Ryan Hall has joined as Chief Product Officer, Michael Costigan has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer, Freddy Rivas has joined as Chief Credit Office ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total processing volume (TPV) reached $91 billion in Q2 2025, a 29% increase compared to Q2 2024 [5][19] - Net revenue for Q2 was $150 million, growing 20% year over year [6][22] - Gross profit was $104 million, reflecting a 31% increase year over year, resulting in a gross margin of 69% [6][23] - Adjusted EBITDA was $29 million, achieving a margin of 19%, marking an all-time high for the company [7][27] - GAAP net loss was $600,000, including $8 million of interest income [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-block TPV grew nearly three times faster than block TPV, driven by diverse use cases [19][20] - Lending, including buy now pay later (BNPL), saw significant acceleration in growth compared to Q1, with all top 10 customers experiencing growth [21][29] - Value-added services gross profit more than doubled year over year, indicating strong traction [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - European TPV continues to grow over 100% year over year, driven by various use cases including neo banking and expense management [13][18] - The acquisition of TransactPay is expected to enhance program management capabilities in Europe, further driving growth [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding customer relationships and innovating in lending and BNPL solutions [8][17] - Plans to launch new capabilities that allow consumers to receive multiple BNPL options at purchase are underway, with a broader launch expected in 2026 [10][97] - The acquisition of TransactPay aims to standardize offerings across geographies and enhance customer engagement [16][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business trajectory despite some macroeconomic uncertainties [38][39] - Full-year 2025 revenue growth expectations have been raised, with anticipated growth in gross profit and adjusted EBITDA margins [29][34] - The revised accounting policy for network incentives will shift from a tailwind in Q2 to a headwind in Q3 and Q4 [31][33] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 35.2 million shares at an average price of $4.62 in Q2, reducing outstanding shares by over 12% [28] - Adjusted operating expenses were $76 million, shrinking 7% year over year, driven by better execution and investment timing delays [26][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Visibility on sales cycles and trends in TPV - Management feels good about visibility, noting strong performance in lending and BNPL, with growth accelerating unexpectedly [37][38] Question: Growth factor of value-added services - Value-added services are a high priority and are expected to become a larger growth driver as the business matures [39][42] Question: Drivers of increased adjusted EBITDA margin guidance - Strong gross profit growth driven by TPV and favorable mix, combined with lower expenses, are core sources of upside [46][48] Question: Regulatory environment impact - The regulatory environment is more business as usual, with some improvements in communication and coordination with bank partners [54][55] Question: International success and investment needs - The European market is growing over 100%, and the acquisition of TransactPay will enhance program management capabilities [71][75] Question: Crypto market performance and traditional bank engagement - The crypto use case has been volatile but is performing better, while engagement with traditional banks is ongoing but still several years away from broader support [83][87]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total Processing Volume (TPV) reached $91 billion in Q2 2025, a 29% increase compared to Q2 2024 [5][18] - Net revenue for Q2 was $150 million, growing 20% year over year, driven by diverse use cases [6][20] - Gross profit was $104 million, a 31% increase year over year, resulting in a gross margin of 69% [6][22] - Adjusted EBITDA was $29 million, translating into a 19% margin, marking an all-time high for the company [6][26] - The company reported a GAAP net loss of $600,000 for the quarter [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-block TPV grew nearly three times faster than block TPV, with financial services, lending (including BNPL), and expense management driving the majority of TPV growth [19] - Lending, including BNPL, saw significant acceleration in growth compared to Q1, with all top 10 customers experiencing growth [20] - Value-added services gross profit more than doubled year over year, indicating strong traction [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - European TPV continues to grow over 100% year over year, driven by diverse use cases [13][17] - The acquisition of TransactPay is expected to enhance program management services and support larger customers in Europe [15][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding customer relationships and enabling growth through innovative programs and geographic expansions [7][16] - The strategy includes enhancing value-added services and leveraging partnerships to deliver comprehensive solutions [10][41] - The acquisition of TransactPay is aimed at standardizing offerings across geographies and enhancing customer engagement [15][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the business trajectory despite some macroeconomic uncertainties [35][36] - The company raised expectations for Q3, Q4, and full-year 2025 revenue growth, gross profit growth, and adjusted EBITDA margin [28][32] - Management noted that the revised accounting policy for network incentives will shift from a tailwind in Q2 to a headwind in Q3 and Q4 [29][30] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 35.2 million shares at an average price of $4.62 in Q2, reducing outstanding shares by over 12% [27] - The company ended the quarter with over $820 million in cash and short-term investments [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Visibility on sales cycles and trends - Management feels good about visibility, noting strong performance in TPV growth and positive customer conversations [35][36] Question: Growth of value-added services - Value-added services are a high priority and are expected to become a larger growth driver as the business matures [37][41] Question: Drivers of adjusted EBITDA margin guidance increase - Strong gross profit growth driven by TPV and favorable mix, along with lower expenses, are key drivers of the adjusted EBITDA margin increase [45][46] Question: Regulatory environment impact - The regulatory environment is more business as usual, with some improvements in communication and coordination with bank partners [53][55] Question: International success and investment needs - The company sees significant growth potential in Europe, particularly with the capabilities gained from the TransactPay acquisition [70][73] Question: Crypto market performance - The crypto use case has been volatile but is performing better, with a focus on stablecoins and partnerships [82][84] Question: Traditional banks engagement - Conversations with traditional banks are ongoing, but broader support is still several years away [86][88] Question: TPV breakdown and spending patterns - No noticeable shifts in TPV breakdown, with strong performance across various use cases [92][94] Question: New BNPL capabilities - The company is developing a product that allows consumers to choose from multiple BNPL providers at the point of sale, enhancing value for issuing partners [95][96]

Core Insights - Wix has launched a suite of financial services, including Wix Checking and Wix Capital, aimed at helping small to medium-sized businesses manage cash flow and fund growth [2][3]. Group 1: Wix Financial Services - Wix Checking offers a business checking account integrated within the Wix platform at no extra cost, utilizing Unit's embedded finance solution [2]. - The checking tool syncs automatically with Wix Payments, eliminating the need for external banking tools and manual reconciliations, thereby saving time and reducing errors [2]. - Wix Capital is a merchant cash advance service designed to assist businesses in securing funding when traditional banks are not an option [3]. Group 2: Challenges for SMBs - Financial institutions have historically struggled to serve small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) due to their varied business models, cash flow patterns, and credit profiles [4]. - Many SMBs lack dedicated finance teams or the volume to justify custom solutions, placing them in a challenging position between retail and corporate financing [4]. - Research indicates that 20% of SMBs without access to financing are concerned about their survival amid ongoing cost increases driven by tariffs [4][5]. Group 3: Access to Financing - Only 44% of SMBs have access to external financing, such as bank loans or lines of credit, while 56% rely on operational cash flow or personal capital for daily operations [6]. - This disparity in access to financing is particularly concerning in light of current macroeconomic trends [6].

Core Viewpoint - WEX is transitioning from a traditional fuel card provider to a diversified FinTech infrastructure company, focusing on AP automation and expanding into new verticals despite a temporary revenue dip due to client restructuring [1][3]. Group 1: Company Transformation - WEX now operates in three segments: Mobility, Benefits, and Corporate Payments, marking its evolution from a payments utility to a multiplatform financial infrastructure company [4][5]. - The Mobility segment accounts for approximately 50% of total revenue, facing challenges such as decreased same-store sales due to efficiency gains and cautious spending by fleet operators [6]. Group 2: Strategic Partnerships and Growth - WEX secured a significant contract with BP, allowing the issuance of BP-branded fleet cards linked to its loyalty program, which is expected to enhance WEX's leadership in fleet payments [7][8]. - The Benefits segment showed stable growth with a revenue increase of 8.5% year-over-year to $195.1 million, driven by growth in SaaS accounts and custodial investment income [9][10]. Group 3: Corporate Payments Segment - The Corporate Payments segment experienced an 11.8% revenue decline to $118.3 million, primarily due to a major online travel agency restructuring its spending model [11][12]. - WEX is expanding its AP automation capabilities, increasing its dedicated sales force by over 50% and signing over 140 new customers year-to-date, indicating strong demand for digitizing payment workflows [12][13].

Core Viewpoint - Green Dot (GDOT) is a pro-consumer bank holding company that has shown strong performance over the past six months and is expected to maintain this momentum in the near term, making it a compelling addition to investment portfolios [1]. Performance Overview - GDOT's stock has returned 19.2% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 7.3% and the S&P 500 composite's rise of 5.5% [2]. - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a VGM Score of A, indicating strong investment potential [3]. Earnings and Growth Prospects - GDOT has a solid earnings surprise history, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 5.6% [4]. - Current-year earnings estimates are at $1.22, reflecting a 9.9% growth over the past 60 days, while next year's earnings are projected to increase by 10.8% [4]. - Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have risen nearly 10%, indicating expected double-digit growth [6]. Strategic Partnerships and Innovations - The partnership with Samsung enhances the Samsung Wallet with "Tap to Transfer" functionality, allowing users to send money quickly, thereby improving convenience and cross-platform compatibility [6]. - Green Dot's user-centric expansion strategy, combined with its Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, allows it to power financial products for major brands like Walmart, Uber, and Apple, generating steady revenues from interchange fees and deposits [8]. Competitive Positioning - Green Dot's asset-light balance sheet differentiates it from other BaaS providers, enabling higher margins and reduced reliance on interest income, positioning the company strongly in the embedded finance space [8].

Core Insights - SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI) has experienced a significant stock price increase of 32% over the past three months and 121.5% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 13.8% [1][7] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on changes in federal student loan policies, which may drive demand for private refinancing options [3] - SoFi's land-and-expand strategy is a key strength, allowing the company to attract a growing customer base and enhance profitability through cross-selling [4] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, SoFi reported a 20% year-over-year increase in net sales and a remarkable 217% surge in net income, indicating strong operating leverage [10] - The company added 800,000 new members in the quarter, the highest absolute increase recorded, which enhances cross-selling potential [10] - Revenue growth was driven by all three business segments, with Lending and Technology Platform revenues growing 25% and 10% year-over-year, respectively, while the Financial Services segment surged 101% [11] Growth Projections - Management maintains an aggressive revenue growth outlook for 2025, projecting a revenue increase of 24% to 27% and an EPS surge of 80% to 87% [5][8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SOFI's 2025 earnings is 27 cents per share, reflecting an 80% year-over-year increase, with projected revenues of $3.29 billion, marking a 26.2% increase from the previous year [11] Market Position and Competitive Landscape - Galileo, SoFi's B2B financial services platform, is a pivotal growth driver, with the embedded finance market projected to grow at a 16.8% CAGR through 2029 [9] - SoFi's ability to attract high-profile clients through Galileo strengthens its long-term outlook and market position [9] Valuation Concerns - SOFI's forward P/E ratio of 40.03 significantly exceeds the industry average of 18.63, raising concerns about valuation sustainability [7][17] - The elevated valuation suggests that investors are pricing in aggressive growth expectations that may not be fully supported by current fundamentals [17]

Core Insights - SoFi and Nu Holdings are high-growth digital banking platforms disrupting traditional finance, focusing on underserved or digitally native consumers with app-based financial services [1] SoFi Overview - SoFi surpassed 10 million members in 2024, growing its user base by nearly 2.5 million that year [2] - In 2024, SoFi's revenues grew by 26% year over year, with a net income of $498.7 million compared to a loss of $300.7 million the previous year [2] - In Q1 2025, SoFi achieved a 20% year-over-year increase in net sales and a 217% surge in net income, highlighting strong operating leverage [6] - The company added 800,000 new members in Q1 2025, the highest absolute increase recorded, enhancing cross-selling potential [6] - Revenue growth in Q1 2025 was driven by all business segments, with lending and technology platform revenues growing by 25% and 10% respectively, while financial services surged by 101% [7] - SoFi's Galileo platform is a key growth driver, enabling seamless payment and lending integrations, and is projected to grow at a 16.8% CAGR through 2029 [5] Nu Holdings Overview - Nu Holdings reached 114.2 million customers by the end of 2024, marking a 22% year-over-year increase, and became Brazil's largest bank by primary account holders [3] - In Q1 2025, Nu added 4.3 million customers, reaching 118.6 million globally, with continued digitization expected to drive further growth [9] - NU reported 43.4% year-over-year growth in revenues and 2% growth in net income in 2024 [3] - NU's diversified revenue streams, including lending, interchange fees, and marketplace services, provide stability and reduce risk [10] Financial Projections - SoFi is expected to achieve 25% year-over-year sales growth and an 80% jump in EPS in 2025, reflecting improving profitability [11] - Nu Holdings is projected to post a stronger sales growth of about 29%, driven by rapid customer acquisition and geographic expansion [15] - SoFi's forward P/E is 36.07X, reflecting investor confidence in its rapid earnings growth potential, while NU's forward P/E is 19.08X [18] Comparative Analysis - SoFi demonstrates stronger near-term earnings acceleration, segment diversification, and expanding profitability, with projected EPS growth of 80% for 2025 [19] - NU focuses more on top-line expansion, while SoFi emphasizes bottom-line growth through product monetization and cost control [15][19]

Summary of Marqeta (MQ) FY Conference Call - May 20, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Marqeta (MQ) - **Industry**: Embedded Finance and Payment Processing Key Points Embedded Finance - Embedded finance is shifting from reliance on fintech startups to businesses integrating financial services into their platforms, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty [2][4][6] - Companies are moving towards in-house financial services, as seen with examples like Ramp and FiniPay, which offer integrated expense management solutions [4][5] Revenue Growth and Customer Base - Marqeta's largest customer, Block, has seen a decline in revenue contribution, now at 45%, down from 49% a year ago, indicating diversification in revenue sources [10][11] - Non-Block revenues are growing faster, with financial services and BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) segments showing significant growth [12][13] Market Opportunities - Marqeta identifies three main growth opportunities: expanding existing customer programs, capitalizing on the success of first-wave fintech companies like DoorDash and Uber, and acquiring new programs due to its modern platform capabilities [15][16] - The company is also focusing on the European market, which has seen a 300% increase in TPV (Total Payment Volume) and is now managing programs at scale [12][56] Credit and Lending Services - Marqeta is expanding into consumer credit, with plans to launch multiple credit programs, recognizing the importance of lending in the financial services landscape [29][32] - The company is cautious about entering the lending space due to fraud risks, emphasizing the need for careful partner selection [32][33] Competitive Landscape - Marqeta positions itself uniquely in the market, balancing scale and reliability with modern capabilities, making it a strong competitor against both legacy players and smaller fintechs [39][40] - The competitive environment is evolving, with many early-stage partners facing limitations, leading to increased migration to Marqeta for better scalability and capabilities [24][26] European Market Dynamics - The European market is characterized by a fast-growing fintech ecosystem, with Marqeta now able to manage programs at scale and provide BIN sponsorship, enhancing its competitive position [59][62] - The regulatory environment in Europe is more stringent, leading to innovative business models that focus on driving core business rather than standalone profitability from card programs [72] Future Outlook - Marqeta is preparing for a future where embedded finance becomes more prevalent, with expectations of significant growth in program management capabilities and customer engagement strategies [6][62] - The company is investing in enterprise sales capabilities to target larger clients, which are expected to have existing user bases and marketing engines, facilitating faster growth [51][52] Regulatory Environment - The current regulatory landscape has led to a decrease in unconventional business ideas, resulting in a focus on standard use cases with slight competitive advantages [66][67] Additional Insights - Marqeta's strategy includes moving upmarket to work with established companies that have the potential for scale, reducing reliance on high-risk startups [48][52] - The company is leveraging its unique position to offer integrated solutions that combine debit and credit services, catering to a broader range of customer needs [35][36]