They are both notable players in disruptive industries.One of the great things about equity markets is that we can be virtually certain that, over long periods, such as a decade, major indexes will produce competitive returns compared to other asset classes. But what if we want to do even better than whatever these indexes deliver?Investing in the right stocks can help anyone achieve that. Let's consider two candidates that might outperform the mighty S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.07%) over the next 10 years: SoFi Techn ...

Westpac (ASX:WBC) has pledged to keep as many rural bank branches open as possible through to 2030, a stance that would see it keeping regional towns in focus a full three years longer than its “Big 4” competitors.Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.Major banks have been slashing rural branches over the last few years, with the aim being to push regional customers towards online banking optio ...

Core Insights - Phantom payments are small, unauthorized charges that may indicate a scammer is testing an account for future fraudulent activity [4][5][8] - The holiday shopping season increases the importance of monitoring account activity for suspicious transactions [2][8] Group 1: Understanding Phantom Payments - Phantom payments are typically small amounts, such as $0.37, $1.12, or $2.19, that do not correspond to any known purchases [5][6] - Scammers use these small charges to confirm that an account is active without raising suspicion [4][5] Group 2: Detection and Response - Regularly reviewing bank statements and transaction history is crucial to identify phantom payments [6][8] - Setting up bank alerts for new transactions can help in early detection of suspicious activity [6][8] Group 3: Actions to Take - If phantom payments are detected, contacting the bank immediately is essential to freeze the card and prevent further unauthorized charges [7][9] - Updating payment information for recurring transactions is necessary to avoid missed payments and late fees [7][8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the heightened focus on cybersecurity awareness among banks and credit unions during October, emphasizing the importance of educating consumers and businesses about financial threats [1][2]. Group 1: Cybersecurity Awareness Campaigns - Many financial institutions implement thematic weekly communications to educate customers on cybersecurity, with some banks adopting a consistent message throughout the month [2]. - First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus utilizes a "weekly game plan" focusing on five themes: strong authentication, spotting scams, device and network safety, protecting kids and seniors, and a Halloween special [3]. - The bank provides weekly one-pagers with advice, reinforcing foundational "cyber hygiene" principles such as avoiding public Wi-Fi [3]. Group 2: Password Security Evolution - The consensus on strong password requirements has shifted from complex character strings to longer, memorable passphrases, which are now recommended by many banks [5][7]. - Passphrases consist of multiple random words, making them easier to remember and harder to crack compared to traditional passwords [9]. Group 3: Managing Customer Expectations - Banks communicate clearly what information they will never request from customers to combat impersonation scams, using direct language to set expectations [10]. - Institutions like Capital One and Eastern Bank explicitly state they will not ask for sensitive information over the phone or via email [10]. Group 4: Identifying Scams and Fraud - Financial institutions educate customers about various scams, including check fraud and the risks associated with immediate digital payments like wire transfers and Zelle [12][13]. - Banks highlight different forms of impersonation attacks, collectively referred to as the "-ishing" family, which includes phishing, vishing, smishing, and quishing [13][14].

Industry Overview - Financial technology (fintech) is a transformative investment space merging finance and technology, offering services like online banking, peer-to-peer payments, insurance, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity [1] - The fintech space is expected to benefit from expanding transaction volumes due to the widespread adoption of digital means, accelerated by the pandemic [2] - The innovative nature of fintech positions it for significant growth, driven by consumer behavior shifting towards digital platforms for convenience and cost-effectiveness [4] Catalysts for Growth - The performance of the fintech sector is inversely related to interest rates; a recent reduction in the Federal Reserve's benchmark interest rates is expected to benefit fintech companies [3] - The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is revolutionizing banking, payments, and investments, providing efficient and secure financial solutions [5] Recommended Stocks - Five fintech stocks are recommended for long-term investment: Affirm Holdings Inc. (AFRM), StoneCo Ltd. (STNE), ACI Worldwide Inc. (ACIW), Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN), and OppFi Inc. (OPFI) [2][6] Company-Specific Insights Affirm Holdings Inc. (AFRM) - Affirm has strong revenue growth from diverse income streams, expecting revenues of $3.13-$3.19 billion in fiscal 2025, driven by growing active merchant numbers and improving gross merchandise value [7] - Key partnerships, including those with Apple Pay and Hotels.com, are crucial for Affirm's expansion, including a recent entry into the UK market [8] - Affirm's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 36.9% and 96.4%, respectively, with a 60% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [9] - The average short-term price target indicates a potential increase of 70.6% from the last closing price of $40.76, suggesting a maximum upside of 111% [10] StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) - StoneCo is a leading provider of point-of-sale payment processing services, enabling businesses to accept various payment methods [11] - The company offers a full suite of products for e-commerce transactions and client management, utilizing transaction data for credit assessment [12] - StoneCo's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 4.1% and -6.7%, respectively, with a 9.6% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [13] - The average short-term price target suggests a potential increase of 12.2% from the last closing price of $11.83, indicating a maximum upside of 86% [13] ACI Worldwide Inc. (ACIW) - ACI Worldwide provides software solutions for digital payments, powering electronic payments for over 5,000 organizations globally, including major financial institutions [15][16] - The company offers real-time payment capabilities and a comprehensive omni-channel payments experience [17] - ACIW's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 6.8% and 6.1%, respectively, with a 2.6% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [18] - The average short-term price target indicates a potential increase of 22.9% from the last closing price of $51.31, suggesting a maximum upside of 38.4% [18] Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN) - Coinbase provides financial infrastructure for the crypto economy, offering a user-friendly platform for consumers and sophisticated trading features for experienced users [19][20] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Coinbase are 26.2% and 0.7%, respectively, with a 2.7% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [21] - The average short-term price target indicates a potential increase of 62.7% from the last closing price of $172.21, suggesting a maximum upside of 179.1% [22] OppFi Inc. (OPFI) - OppFi operates a financial technology platform that helps banks provide credit access to consumers, focusing on those turned away by mainstream options [23] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for OppFi are 9.7% and 12.6%, respectively, with a 10.3% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [25] - The average short-term price target indicates a potential increase of 38.4% from the last closing price of $8.35, suggesting a maximum upside of 55.7% [25]