Your Sales Intelligence FinTech Newsletter

SPONSORED BY

EDITOR’S PICK🎯

Are You Confident in Your Forecast—Or Just Guessing?

Forecasting isn’t just about pulling pipeline reports and hoping for the best. Too often, sales leaders think they have visibility into their deals—until they realize too late that a key opportunity has slipped.

Laura Keith, CEO of Hive Perform, believes the problem isn’t just about having more data—it’s about having the right insights at the right time. The best sales teams don’t just react to deal risks; they predict them before they derail the quarter.

The real question sales leaders should be asking isn’t “What happened?” or even “What’s happening now?”—but “What’s about to happen, and how do we get ahead of it?”

With AI-driven deal intelligence, sales leaders can move beyond gut instincts and CRM guesswork. The future of forecasting isn’t tracking the past—it’s shaping what happens next.

Feeling confident in your forecast? If not, it might be time to rethink your approach.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS 🌐

GenAI Adoption in Banking: Divergent Strategies for Boosting Productivity vs. Cost Reduction

NTT DATA’s latest report, "Intelligent Banking in the Age of AI," highlights the increasing adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) in banking, with 58% of institutions fully integrating AI, up from 45% in 2023. However, banks are divided on its primary use:

• 50% prioritize productivity and efficiency

• 49% focus on reducing IT costs

Regional differences are evident, with 59% of U.S. banks emphasizing cost reduction, while European banks (46%) prioritize efficiency gains.

Key adoption strategies include:

• 51% fostering AI-human collaboration

• 47% integrating GenAI into existing systems

• 28% aiming for full automation, with the Americas and Japan leading this trend.

NTT DATA emphasizes that successful GenAI adoption requires clear strategy, strong execution, and regulatory compliance. Banks must balance innovation with cost efficiency to maximize ROI.

Exploring Blockchain's Transformative Impact on FinTech and Global Finance

The FinTech Blockchain Global Industry Report highlights blockchain's transformative impact on finance, predicting market growth from $3.4 billion in 2024 to $49.2 billion by 2030. Despite regulatory and environmental challenges, blockchain enhances financial inclusivity, transparency, and efficiency, driven by consumer demand and technological innovations.

Klarna Targets April US IPO with $15 Billion Valuation

Swedish fintech giant Klarna is preparing for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO) in April, aiming for a valuation of up to $15 billion. The move underscores Klarna's aggressive expansion in the American market, where it has rapidly grown its buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services. The planned IPO is expected to be one of the biggest fintech listings of the year, potentially reviving investor confidence in the BNPL sector after recent market volatility. Klarna has been positioning itself as a key player in digital payments, transitioning towards a more AI-driven, subscription-based model to enhance profitability.

With this public offering, Klarna aims to further solidify its global footprint, attract new investors, and compete with major U.S. financial technology firms. If successful, the listing could serve as a benchmark for other European fintechs eyeing the U.S. market for future growth.

Crypto Regulatory Roundup

Key developments in crypto regulation this month:

• Basel Committee Delay: Prudential standards for bank crypto exposures postponed to January 2026.

• MiCA Implementation: EU stablecoin rules take effect July 2024, with broader crypto regulations January 2025.

• SEC Rescinds SAB 121: Changes impact crypto custody reporting following industry feedback.

These shifts highlight the evolving regulatory landscape and the need for financial institutions to stay ahead of compliance changes.

Sezzle’s Survival Strategy: How Targeting Heavy BNPL Users Revived Its Business

Struggling to stay afloat in an increasingly competitive buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) market, fintech company Sezzle executed a bold strategy—doubling down on its most frequent BNPL users. By shifting focus to consumers who rely heavily on installment payments, Sezzle was able to increase transaction volumes, strengthen revenue streams, and ultimately achieve profitability.

The fintech sector has faced mounting regulatory pressures and market skepticism in recent years, with investors demanding a clearer path to sustainable growth. Sezzle differentiated itself by offering tailored incentives to its most engaged users, refining its subscription-based model, and implementing AI-driven risk assessment to improve repayment rates.

This strategic pivot has not only stabilized Sezzle’s financial position but also positioned it as a key player in the evolving BNPL landscape. As fintech firms continue to navigate economic uncertainty, Sezzle’s success story highlights the importance of identifying and serving high-value customer segments to drive long-term growth.