Fintechs that raked in profits from high interest rates now face a key test

The app icons for Revolut and Monzo displayed on a smartphone. Betty Laura Zapata | Bloomberg via Getty Images Financial technology firms were initially the biggest losers of interest rate hikes by global central banks in 2022, which led to tumbling valuations. With time though, this change in the interest rate environment steadily boosted profits for fintechs. This is because higher rates boost what's called net interest income — or the difference between the rates charged for loans and the interest paid out to savers. In 2024, several fintechs — including Robinhood, Revolut and Monzo — saw a boost to their bottom lines as a result. Robinhood reported $1.4 billion in annual profit, boosted by a 19% jump in net interest income year-over-year, to $1.1 billion. Revolut also saw a 58% jump in net interest income last year, which helped lift profits to £1.1 billion ($1.45 billion). Monzo, meanwhile, reported its first annual profit in the year ending March 31, 2024, buoyed by a 167% incre ... Read full article.