Building financial literacy is good for business

Traditional banks may have profited from keeping customers in the dark over fees, but a new wave of challengers have decided widespread financial literacy is a win-win

Financial literacy is to fintech what in-person cash deposits are to bricks-and-mortar banks: the absolute basic. With literacy comes knowledge and with knowledge, as the saying goes, comes power.  

That’s how Eddie Behringer sees it, at any rate. Chief executive of Seattle-based Copper Banking, he gives his customers cash rewards for hitting their savings goals and even offers to top up their accounts if they pass a quick test about finance.

Financial literacy is a market opportunity