Banking Services, In Partnership with Green Dot Bank, Now Available to Everyone Through Stash Platform Offering Zero Overdraft, No Monthly Debit Maintenance Fees and Free In-Network ATMs
Launch Follows Stash’s Series E Raise of $65M
NEW YORK — Stash, one of the fastest growing financial platforms in the U.S., simplifying how millions of Americans save and invest, today announced the official launch of its mobile-first banking services in partnership with Green Dot Corporation and its subsidiary bank, Green Dot Bank. The launch follows on the heels of the company’s Series E fundraise of $65M. The funding will be used to increase product growth and propel brand awareness.
As part of the launch, Stash is rolling out its game-changing feature, Stock-Back®2—the only rewards program that invests for customers as they spend. Stock-Back® rewards are like points, but they can actually grow. While most points programs are designed to make you buy/spend more, Stock-Back helps customers build a stronger financial future as they spend on life’s necessities. Customers will automatically earn fractional shares of stock on qualified purchases by simply using their Stash debit card, building portfolios that reflect their spending habits by investing directly in the companies they shop, eat, watch, listen, and live with.
Now, everyone can truly invest in what they buy. For example, if you buy a meal at a local restaurant, make a purchase at a local bookstore, or pay your parking meter, you’ll earn Stock-Back® in a Stash-approved ETF3. When customers buy a burrito at Chipotle, pay T-Mobile bills, or shop at Amazon or Walmart they’ll earn a piece of each companies’ publicly traded stock (i.e., CMG, TMUS, AMZN, WMT). All Stock-Back® rewards will be invested in customers’ Stash personal investment accounts.
“80% of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck…. Stock-Back® is our way of utilizing Stash’s smart, patent-pending technology to help people build better financial habits and invest in their future. Our ability to give customers the opportunity to save and build portfolios that mirror their spending behavior and preferences is incredibly powerful. During the testing period, we saw an overwhelmingly positive response from users as they pay ordinary bills like Netflix, and in return received Netflix stock as well as access to dividends, educational resources and financial advice. It’s a winning combination for our over 3 million customers,” said Co-Founder and President, Ed Robinson.
“I have invested in and served on the Board of many leading companies, and it’s clear how a program like Stock-Back® can power immense brand loyalty,” said Jim Breyer, Founder and CEO of Breyer Capital. “The early data shows unequivocally that share ownership drives increased sales and customer appreciation. This innovative new technology from Stash will have CEOs and CMOs knocking on their door.”
The program will quickly ramp up in rewards when layered with exclusive offers and partner deals—some up to 5% Stock-Back®. At launch, the Stock-Back® Rewards program will give customers a base reward of .125% for every qualifying purchase in the respective publicly-traded stock or an investment in a Stash-approved ETF.
“Beyond democratizing access to the stock market, we’re trying to upend an ecosystem where financial services companies continue to take from the masses, and pile on fee after fee. At Stash, we believe the customer should keep more of their money, which is why we built a unique rewards program that invests in them when they spend. Now, with Stock-Back® Rewards, we can really deliver on the holistic experience we set out to achieve, helping our customers maximize their financial power,” said Brandon Krieg, CEO & Co-Founder of Stash. “We’ve truly built a full-service financial platform for investors. Stash customers will become investors and own stock in companies and sectors they support—with each qualified swipe of their Stash debit cards.”
Stash’s banking services4, powered by Green Dot’s Banking as a Service Platform, includes a debit account with no overdraft or monthly maintenance fees, access to large network of free ATMs nationwide, as well as ASAP Direct Deposit™ which enables customers to get paid up to two days early. Every Stash customer also receives personal guidance across every aspect of their finances—from spending to saving and investing‚ with actionable advice to help them get the most out of their money.
“It’s been incredible watching this product come to life and to experience all the collaboration and ingenuity that went into its design. We’re proud to partner with Stash to provide an innovative banking solution for all Americans, demonstrating the versatility of Green Dot’s Banking as a Service platform, and enabling a simplified banking and investing experience for Stash’s millions of customers,” said Dov Marmor, Head of Banking as a Service, Green Dot.
1 Other fees may apply. Fee-free ATM access applies to in-network ATMS only. For out of network ATMs and bank tellers a $2.50 fee will apply, plus any additional fee that the ATM owner or bank may charge.
2 Stash Stock-Back® is not sponsored or endorsed by Green Dot Bank, Green Dot Corporation, Visa U.S.A, or any of their respective affiliates, and none of the foregoing has any responsibility to fulfill any stock rewards earned by this promotion.
3 If publicly-traded stock of the merchant is not available or capable of being fulfilled for any reason, the stock reward arising from a qualifying transaction will be in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT), an ETF available on the Stash Platform.
4 Debit Account Services provided by Green Dot Bank and Stash Visa debit card issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC. Investment products are services are offered by Stash Investments LLC, not Green Dot Bank, and are Not FDIC insured, Not Bank Guaranteed and May Lose Value.
