Michael O'Neil
Founder, HandUp
Michael O'Neil is a social entrepreneur focusing on creating financial systems that promote equity and access for marginalized populations.
Cited In
1 Article
Financial Technology (FinTech)
Is 'Fintech for Good' Actually Helping Underserved Communities — or Just Repackaging Predatory Products With Better Branding?Is "Fintech for Good" genuinely expanding financial opportunity, or simply modernizing high-cost financial products? The answer depends less on the technology than on the business model behind it. Fintech has lowered barriers to banking, payments, and credit for millions of previously underserved consumers. Yet digital delivery alone does not make a financial product fair. When transparency, affordable pricing, and consumer protections are absent, technology can scale financial inclusion—or scale financial exploitation.