Yes, Girls Still Run the World

Welcome to this week’s fintech roundup! Each week, I’ll share insights from my latest work, a thought-provoking read, and a few must-know industry updates. March is women’s history month and in that spirit, I’ve been spending more time on the female consumer in my content. A smattering of my thoughts below.

📝 My Latest Written Pieces: Fintech & the Gender Wealth Gap

Fintech startups around the world are tackling financial inequality head-on. In my latest Forbes article, I explore how companies from Latin America to Africa are expanding access to capital, boosting financial literacy, and empowering women entrepreneurs. Read it here.

🎙️ On the Podcast: Conversations That Matter

• Latest Episode: I sat down with Katrina Robinson to discuss the importance of estate planning and having a financial plan. Listen here.

• Upcoming: This week week, I’ll be joined by Ehis Akhetuamhen, where we’ll explore his incredible story of courage and perseverance by way of Nigeria and Kentucky. Stay tuned!

💡 On Designing for Women in Fintech

Despite women being among the most loyal financial customers, many fintechs still miss the mark with design and messaging that don’t resonate. Too often, platforms default to “gender-neutral” branding that actually skews male—emphasizing speed, aggressive wealth-building, and independence rather than community, confidence, and personalization.

So how can fintechs do better? Three key design strategies can help:

✅ Shift from Transactions to Relationships – Women tend to value long-term financial security and community-driven decision-making. Instead of focusing only on returns and speed, fintechs should highlight peer networks, financial journeys, and collaborative wealth-building.

✅ Rethink UX to Build Confidence – Many platforms rely on high-contrast, fast-paced designs with aggressive calls-to-action. Instead, fintechs should focus on educational, intuitive onboarding and create a user experience that guides rather than pressures.

✅ Leverage Personalization & Life-Centered Messaging – Women’s financial needs evolve across life stages. Fintechs that incorporate goal-based recommendations and targeted content—from starting a business to planning for maternity leave—will build deeper trust and engagement.

I explore this further in my latest This Week in Fintech Article: "The New Female Consumer: Fintech’s Overlooked Opportunity." Fintechs that embrace inclusive, relationship-driven design will win in the long run. What brands do you think are getting it right?

🔗 Other Interesting Reads & Listens

📌 Slow Run Club for Women Gathers Pace in Dublin - Just a cool initiative.
📌 La Escala – A heartbreaking and beautiful episode from one of my favorite Spanish language podcasts.

Until next time,

Ilona