SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 28, 2021 - Galileo Financial Technologies, the API standard for card issuing and digital banking and a subsidiary of Social Finance, Inc. (SoFi), announced today it signed a record number of new deals during 2020, strengthened existing partner and client relationships, and is working with numerous new partners as they prepare to launch their programs over the coming months of 2021.
Galileo signed a total of 41 new enterprise partners in 2020, up from a record-setting 31 new partners in 2019. Galileo continues to be the first choice for industry-leading players, including Dave.com, a neobank on a mission to create financial opportunity that advances America’s collective potential, by helping its customers budget, avoid overdraft fees, find work and build credit; MoneyLion’s RoarMoney, a demand deposit account that meets consumers’ financial needs as they evolve, from faster access to their funds to safe and secure contactless payment options; Robinhood’s cash management feature; Albert, with a $100 million Series C raise this week, which is building a new financial service to democratize how people manage, save and invest their money using automated features, while providing personalized advice from a team of human financial experts; and TomoCredit, the inclusive credit card for the next generation of consumers lacking credit history.
A testament to the continued premium service Galileo provides, the company also renewed 99% of revenue for agreements rolled over during 2020. In 2020, Galileo expanded into Latin America, opening an office in Mexico City and certifying Mastercard’s local Mexican domestic switch.
Galileo has agreements with seven LatAm-based companies, including many of Mexico’s leading neobanks, and is currently powering two groundbreaking fintechs as they advance financial inclusion across Latin America, including fintech innovator Klar, a 100% digital, transparent, free and secure alternative to traditional debit and credit services in Mexico, and Ualá whose successful entry into Mexico was powered by Galileo.
In Mexico, the Argentina-based fintech juggernaut offers a mobile app, linked to a digital account, and an international debit card with no issue, renewal or maintenance costs. 2020 also marked the launch of Galileo Instant, a fast, low-cost way for early-stage companies, such as fintech startups, gig-economy, e-commerce and marketplace companies, to enable digital payments.
Galileo Instant also provides a solution for businesses that want to expand opportunities by embedding payments into their business model. More than 1,500 businesses have registered through the Instant Dashboard, including Purple, a mobile banking app for people with disabilities, and Neggster, a youth-focused banking app. Both have recently moved into full production. Click here to read this news release on the wire.
The Spring Surge: New Galileo Debit Spend Index Charts Q1 Spend and the Year Ahead
American consumers spent cautiously on debit through January and early February before early tax refunds and spring weather sparked a March spending surge, according to the inaugural Galileo Debit Spend Index.
Why Gen Z’s Debit Card Push is Eating Into Credit Card Profits
For people worried about the economy and dealing with affordability issues, one option could be to tuck that high interest rate credit card aside and reach for a trusty debit card instead. To uncover the latest debit card trends, CardRates recently sat down with Paul Dunning, Vice President of Business Development at Galileo Financial Technologies, a fintech firm owned by SoFi. He explained why Gen Z consumers are turning to debit cards and expecting rewards, the compelling case for debit card rewards, and the appeal of debit cards for the debit-first consumer.
Half of Consumers Have Chosen One Brand Over Another Because Paying or Getting a Refund Was Easier
Consumer demand for financial services embedded within brand apps is outpacing brands’ ability to deliver, with most executives recognizing the gap. New research from Galileo Financial Technologies, soon to become SoFi Technology Solutions, found that 80% of brand executives say they plan to launch integrated financial services, but only 20% have done so thus far. The 2026 Galileo Integrated Financial Services Research Report, based on surveys of more than 2,000 U.S. consumers and 150 senior executives, shows that while consumers are already using features like saved cards, rewards, and instant refunds inside brand apps, most brands have yet to launch these capabilities.
Brand Executives Fear They’re Losing Customers to Rivals With In-App Financial Tools, Galileo Research Finds
Half of consumers have chosen one brand over another because paying or getting a refund was easier
Introducing SoFi Tech Solutions: A Unified Brand Built to Power End-to-End Financial Innovation
We’re evolving from Galileo to SoFi Tech Solutions to reflect the full scope of our platform. We deliver end-to-end infrastructure for fintechs, brands, and financial institutions, now backed by SoFi’s scale and resources. Our mission stays the same: support our clients’ growth while maintaining platform neutrality and strong data protections.
