The Worlds of Retail Investing and Lending Collide | Bux and Sharegain | The Fintech Show #143
By Anton Grant · 2 May 2024
Find out how fintech is changing the retail investment space.
In this episode of the Fintech Show we're joined by Boaz Yaari from Sharegain and Yorick Naeff from BUX for a fireside chat on the evolution of retail investing and the new revenue streams that banks can unlock.
Together, they explore the changing landscape of retail investment, predict future trends like non-purpose lending, and we find out how their companies got started.
There’s no denying the boom that retail investing has experienced in recent years, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Now, many consumers are looking for ways to grow their wealth and take control of their savings and investment journey, rather than relying on banks to do that for them. US stock trading volumes saw an enormous spike in 2020 and 2021 due to the immense rise in retail investing. Even neobanks are adding investment products to their offering, with great interest. Monzo got 200,000 sign ups to their investment account waiting list in just two days.
It’s in this context that both Yaari and Naeff started their companies. Both CEO/co-founders here reveal the stories that led them to where they are now. Boaz traces his path from FX derivatives trading to securities lending, recognising an untapped opportunity akin to Airbnb but for securities lending. Despite skepticism from others, Yaari's pattern recognition and determination spurred him on to pursue Sharegain.
On the other hand, Naeff's background in financial services and tech converged when he observed the barriers hindering retail investors from entering the market. Collaborating with a colleague, they conceptualized BUX to democratize retail investing, leveraging the rise of mobile applications. Their shared vision aligned perfectly with the evolving market, particularly the increasing demand for accessible and intuitive investment platforms.