This article originally appeared on The Wall Street Journal.

New apps help people save more money, pay bills and cope with fluctuations in income

At a time of volatile household incomes and widespread economic insecurity, the latest innovations in financial technology may help bring some peace of mind and a little stability to financially stressed American families.

The past few years have seen a proliferation of apps designed to help families—not rich people looking to allocate 401(k) retirement accounts, but the larger number struggling to make it from paycheck to paycheck, coping with the uncertainty of everyday life and trying to keep the promises they made to themselves to save.

“In the U.S. we don’t really have an access-to-banking problem,” says Jennifer Tescher, […]

This post originally appeared on Chemonics.

In Afghanistan, mobile banking technology is increasing women’s access to financial services, helping them conduct secure business transactions and grow their businesses.

Historically, women in Afghanistan have had limited access to financial products and services, but the expansion of mobile money services across the country is changing that. How does mobile money work? Individuals register their phone numbers with mobile money agents and activate an account, which allows them to quickly send and receive money on their phones. To withdraw or send cash, users visit an authorized agent who either converts money from the account to cash or deposits the cash into the specified user’s account.

Ever since it was piloted in 2009, mobile money has become […]

This post originally appeared on OCC.

Innovation has been a hallmark of the national banking system since its founding in 1863 by President Lincoln. That innovative spirit has been especially evident in recent decades as national banks and federal savings associations have led the way in developing and adapting products, services, and technology to meet the changing needs of their customers.

While banks continue to innovate, rapid and dramatic advances in financial technology (fintech) are beginning to disrupt the way traditional banks do business. As the prudential regulator of the federal banking system, we want national banks and federal savings associations to thrive in this environment and to continue fulfilling their vital role of providing financial services to consumers, businesses, and their communities.

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