Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 477,692 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,285 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,285 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,232 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 477,692 cutting edge ideas.

30 Finance-Based Innovations

From Handy Banking Apps to Global Micro-Finance Networks

— November 6, 2011 — Lifestyle
These finance-based innovations will have you thinking about all of the ways that money flows through the global economy. These innovations range in scope, from an impressive sophisticated ATM machine that does not require a bank card, to futuristic banks.

Within these finance-based innovations are many tech developments, like iPad-powered ATMs, and innovations within the field of micro-finance. Finding clever strategies to lend money is definitely necessary considering the current Occupy Wall Street protests, and the calls to bailout students from debt.

Implications - Consumers have become apprehensive about their long term financial well-being as a direct result of the economic downturn. These consumers are looking for products and services that can mollify these feelings. Companies should take this mindset into account and when creating new services.
5.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
30
Free Fee Banking
Free Fee Banking
Electric Orange Checking Account Pays You to Sign Up
<
29
American-Based Microlending
American-Based Microlending
ACCION Chicago Provides Financial Access to Small Business Owners
<
28
Ethical Investments
Ethical Investments
Bridges Ventures is a Venture Capital Company with a Social Aim
<
27
Micro-Financed Eateries
Micro-Financed Eateries
The Elevens Restaurant Plans to Crowd-Source Investors
<
26
Cardless ATM Withdrawals
Cardless ATM Withdrawals
South Africa's FSB Lets Customers Withdraw Cash Using Their Phones
<
25
Global Microfinance Networks
Global Microfinance Networks
FINCA Provides Financial Services to Low-Income Entrepreneurs
<
24
Alternative Loan Products
Alternative Loan Products
Fair Finance Offers Affordable Banking to Urban Populations
<
23
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Muhammad Yunus's Grameen Bank Has Revolutionized Finance
<
22
Social Advisory Firms
Social Advisory Firms
Intellecap is a ‘Think and Do' Tank With Market-Based Strategies
<
21
Meta Investing Websites
Meta Investing Websites
StreetRead
<
20
Handy Banking Apps
Handy Banking Apps
The BankSimple App is an Attractive Checking Alternative
<
19
Youth-Oriented Finances
Youth-Oriented Finances
MyBnk Teaches Money Management and Entrepreneurial Skills
<
18
Crowdsourced Credit Crunch Advice
Crowdsourced Credit Crunch Advice
Google Tip Jar Lets You Submit and Rank Money Saving Ideas
<
17
Social Investment Bank
Social Investment Bank
First Charity Oriented Bank
<
16
Debt-Saving Plastic
Debt-Saving Plastic
The Live Checking Card Places Crucial Banking Info at Our Fingertips
<
15
Iris-Verified Online Security
Iris-Verified Online Security
Hoyos Group EyeLock Will See that You Never Get Hacked Again
<
14
Giving 2.0
Giving 2.0
Kiva Loans Lend Directly to a Developing World Entrepreneur
<
13
Flourishing In Crisis
Flourishing In Crisis
Green Banks Thrive as Wall Street Collapses
<
12
Federal Help Sites for Homeowners
Federal Help Sites for Homeowners
MakingHomeAffordable.gov Aids Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Mortgages
<
11
iPad-Powered ATMs
iPad-Powered ATMs
The BBVA Bank in Spain Integrates iPad Technology
<
10
Kiddie Finance Tools
Kiddie Finance Tools
Money Savvy Pig Has Four Tummies to Teach Money Management
<
9
Microlending Credit Cards
Microlending Credit Cards
KivaB4B Doubles Grants
<
8
Biggest Property Development ever in the US
Biggest Property Development ever in the US
CityCenter on the Las Vegas Strip
<
7
Million Dollar Business Minds
Million Dollar Business Minds
Young Entrepreneur Gets Lucky With His Brainstorming
<
6
Bikini Finance
Bikini Finance
Trident Pogo Stick Girls Are Selling Insurance
<
5
Classy Financial Institutions
Classy Financial Institutions
The Raiffeisen Bank in Zurich Looks like a Fancy Hotel
<
4
Bejeweled Credit Cards
Bejeweled Credit Cards
Kazakh Diamond Mastercard
<
3
Microfinance Investing
Microfinance Investing
Kiva.org Lets You Become a Banker to the Poor
<
2
Futuristic Banks
Futuristic Banks
Citibank New York Branch is Digitally in Tune With Customers
<
1
Finance Recruiting Gets Naughty
Finance Recruiting Gets Naughty
Career at Optiver Keeps You 'Aroused'?
<