The coronavirus epidemic in 2020 and 2021 forced firms to reevaluate and speed up their digitization initiatives more than ever. Years-long planned digitization efforts were finished in a matter of months. These modifications will remain as we move deeper into 2021.
The fintech industry, in particular how established companies involved finance on a different level by integrating financial processes into their whole company plan, is one of the most famous examples of digitalization. With an expected market price of above $138 billion in 2026, it’s obvious that the embedded finance age is here to stay and not simply a passing trend in finance.
What is Embedded Finance?
It can be difficult to grasp what this term actually means for individuals who are just getting familiar with the idea, as it is with any new ideas. The use of financial instruments or services by a non-financial provider, such as loan or payment processing, is known as embedded finance. An electrical retailer, for instance, might provide point-of-service insurance for items purchased in-store.
Consumer financial processes will be streamlined through embedded financing, making it simpler for customers to access the services they require when they do. In the past, customers might have needed to physically visit a bank branch to request credit in order to make a significant purchase. Thanks to embedded finance, they can now do both at the same time at the point of service. ChargeAfter, Amazon’s EMI financing choices, Klarna, and Afterpay are some of the best-known examples of embedded finance.
The simplicity of embedded finance for consumers is one of its main advantages. Customers could be more likely to finish a purchase and enjoy customer pleasure, which is crucial for fostering brand loyalty, if pain points experienced by consumers are eliminated, such as the requirement to seek credit elsewhere. Because customers are more inclined to buy something and return to do so often, firms may have the possibility to boost profits.
But ease isn’t the only benefit of embedded finance. It also serves as a tool for a greater understanding of consumers, their requirements, and their purchasing patterns. Later, this information can be used to motivate more corporate growth.
Five types of Embedded Finance
1. Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)
Modern consumers are opening a new line of credit thanks to buy-now, pay-later services. Consumers are empowered to shop differently when they have access to a greater variety of things that can be paid for overtime, whether they decide to spend more on a newborn’s travel system or a higher-end piece of home equipment. The consumer is given the option to divide the payment in order to avoid large transactions. The finest part is that the customer pays nothing extra if the payments are made according to the payment plan. Therefore, the top financing platforms, including ChagreAfter, are providing BNPL credit at 0% interest rates.
2. Point-of-Sale Financing
Integrated lending, which developed from BNPL, goes a step further with loans. Businesses looking to fund larger or more substantial purchases can integrate these financial instruments. To be able to lend responsibly, they frequently need more information, such as information on creditworthiness.
In contrast to BNPL lending, POS financing may include interest charges, however, these are still less than those charged by banks. Additionally, the application process is more pleasant and the application form is simpler. Additionally, POS financing has grown in popularity with physical and mortar-retailers. For instance, Raymour and Flanigan, one of the major furniture merchants, recently began collaborating with ChargeAfter to equip its retail locations with point-of-sale financing.
3. Embedded Insurance
Customers may wish to make certain that, should the worst occur, their money won’t be wasted while investing in a new good or service. Integrated insurance comes into play in this situation. Businesses are in a better position to provide insurance fast by integrating insurance finance technologies.
4. Trading and Investment
Users can connect with their physical bank to make investments in a way that suits their current financial condition and spending patterns thanks to embedded finance capabilities in investment applications. This is an illustration of how a different sort of financial services provider has used embedded finance.
5. Fintech-as-a-service
A fintech API called fintech-as-a-service enables businesses, including non-financial ones, to integrate financial functionality into their current goods, services, and programs.
The use of financial technology-as-a-service products in a whole is growing, from billing to customer acquisition and all in between.
Using Embedded Finance
Creating an embedded financial strategy that meets their demands can be the first step for businesses. This entails assessing your digital requirements and choosing the tools you want to integrate. Identifying your company’s objectives for its integrated finance initiative is the first stage in that process.
These could include initiatives like enhancing customer service, expanding an existing clientele, or starting a new business to cater to a particular target market or demand. For instance, if you want to enhance client pleasure and service, one strategy to consider is embedded payment.
For some customers, a BNPL model might increase access to products or services. You could find it simpler to establish yourself as a one-stop-shop concept with embedded insurance. But before choosing the best option, you must first be aware of your needs.
Connect Lenders and Consumers
If your business is a retailer, helping consumers and lenders can also help you. For this reason, ChargeAfer developed a platform wherein lenders are assigned to stores, connecting them to customers who want to finance.
In other words, ChargeAfter’s multi-lender P2P platform connects the three parties in a way that is mutually beneficial.
About ChargeAfter
ChargeAfter is a leading multi-lender platform for Buy Now pay later (BNPL) Consumer Financing. It connects businesses with the most reliable lenders, enabling them to offer customers the greatest financing solutions. With the best system of Waterfall Financing, ChargeAfter guarantees BNPL lending to every shopper, by matching the most relevant lender to every client. Using the unique consumer financing technology, ChargeAfter provides all parties, merchants, lenders, and consumers, with the best shopping experience. Phoenix, MUFG, VISA, Bradesco, BBVA, Synchrony, PICO Partners, CITI, Propel Venture Partners, Plug and Play, and other companies worldwide are among the investors of ChargeAfter.