Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

In the post-pandemic ‘new normal’, many Americans are facing significant financial pressures, fueling the demand for actionable budgeting guidance. How are personal finance communities on social media meeting this need? And why are old-school tricks winning over tech-savvy savers?

There are many frustrations when it comes to spending and managing money – and waiting for a plastic card to arrive in the post is one of them. Bip, a new app-based credit product, is helping people take back control of their finances and removing friction from payment processes.

Many adults say they weren’t taught about money at school so they want to give their kids the skills they didn’t learn until adulthood, and Greenlight offers just that. It’s a prepaid debit card with parent-set spending limits and transaction tracking that educates kids on money management.

How have vulnerable individuals been affected by the digitisation of banking? Will NFTs become a new type of commerce? How can people level up their retirement savings? In this part of the 2022 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how people are seeking more agency over their finances.