We recently compiled a list of 20 Fintech Stocks Riding the Rising AI Wave.In this article, we’ll take a look at where Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) stacks up against other fintech stocks.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining how financial services works, bringing new waves of innovation while improving efficiency and decision-making across the industry. From automating mundane processes to personalizing the customer experience, AI has firmly established itself as a revolutionary player, and nowhere is this more evident than in the fintech space. In recent years, the rise of generative AI (GenAI) models, such as OpenAI’s GPT, has accelerated this transformation. These tools do more than process data, they generate meaningful content, automate workflows, and unlock insights in ways that traditional AI could never achieve.
Banks and financial institutions around the world have rapidly adopted AI, not just as a passing trend but as a strategic necessity. Many of the world’s largest banks, particularly those in North America, have allocated substantial resources to building AI infrastructure and talent. They are investing heavily in areas like fraud detection, customer service chatbots, and personalized financial products. The deployment of specialized hardware further highlights the commitment to refining processes, managing risks and scaling AI-driven innovations. These investments are already paying off, leading to more efficient operations, improved profitability and increased customer satisfaction.
GenAI’s impact extends beyond operational efficiency and touches almost every facet of the banking industry. Whether it’s expediting loan applications, optimizing compliance procedures, or creating predictive investment strategies, AI is enabling financial institutions to meet increasingly high customer expectations. Banks are also leveraging AI to stay ahead of the curve by thwarting competition from tech giants and emerging business models like embedded finance, where financial services are seamlessly integrated with non-financial platforms.
The benefits of AI are not limited to banks alone; the ripple effects are being felt in other areas of finance, such as wealth management, insurance and payment solutions. AI tools are transforming how these industries operate by providing real-time insights, personalized recommendations and automated claims processing. For example, AI-powered financial advice platforms enable wealth managers to provide personalized advice more effectively. Similarly, insurance companies are using AI to streamline claims processing, improving both customer experience and internal operations.
However, rapid adoption of AI is not without its challenges. Integrating AI into financial services introduces complexities, such as the “black box” problem, where the logic behind AI-related decisions becomes difficult to interpret. There are also concerns about bias in algorithms, data privacy and the potential for job losses. To address these issues, financial institutions are working to establish strong governance frameworks that ensure transparency, fairness and accountability in AI operations. Banks are not just adopting AI for its own sake, they are also striving to develop ethical AI solutions that align with regulatory requirements and maintain customer trust.
The influence of AI is also reshaping the cybersecurity landscape for fintechs. While AI strengthens defenses by detecting threats and automating responses, it simultaneously increases the attack surface, creating new vulnerabilities for malicious actors to exploit. Financial institutions need to strike a balance, deploying AI to improve security while ensuring these systems remain protected against manipulation. Collaborative efforts between banks, technology companies and regulators are essential to creating secure AI ecosystems that minimize risks without compromising innovation.
According to KPMG, global fintech investments reached $51.9 billion across 2,255 deals in the first half of 2024, up from $62.3 billion in the second half of 2023. The Americas led with $36 billion dollars, while Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) recorded investments. fall to $11.4 billion. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) region got $3.7 billion. Despite a slight decline, M&A activity is showing promise, with $32.6 billion recorded, already surpassing the 2023 total of $58.8 billion.
The payments sector remains dominant, attracting $21.4 billion, thanks to large buyouts. AI-driven fintech is also booming, particularly in the US, with deals like Ramp and FundGuard securing major fundraising rounds. Investors are increasingly attracted to solutions based on AI, behavioral intelligence and new markets in Southeast Asia and Africa.
Although high interest rates have slowed some larger transactions, the second half of 2024 could see renewed interest in areas such as central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and ESG fintech, suggesting opportunities future growth.
In this evolving landscape, fintech companies are at the forefront of harnessing the potential of AI to transform financial services. With AI technologies now integrated into everything from fraud prevention systems to investment platforms, the fintech sector is riding a wave of momentum toward new growth and opportunities. Companies that effectively integrate AI not only improve internal efficiency, but also create new revenue streams and build stronger customer relationships.
This article explores 20 fintech stocks that are capitalizing on the AI revolution, riding the wave of innovation to new heights. As AI becomes more integral to financial services, these companies are positioned to take the lead in shaping the future of the industry, one that is more efficient, secure and more customer-centric than ever before. Whether you’re an investor looking to gain exposure to cutting-edge technology or someone interested in the future of finance, these fintech players are worth keeping an eye on.
Our methodology
For this article, we have selected 20 fintech stocks that are making big strides thanks to the latest news. For each company, we mentioned the number of hedge fund investors, which was taken from the Insider Monkey Q2 database of 912 hedge funds. Why are we interested in stocks that hedge funds are piling into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the stocks selected by the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter strategy selects 14 small- and large-cap stocks each quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A woman using a payment terminal at a store checkout displaying payment products and solutions.
Number of hedge fund holders: 142
Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) is a global leader in transaction processing and digital payment solutions, making it a key player in the fintech industry. The company offers a wide range of payment-related products and services, including credit, debit and prepaid solutions, serving consumers and businesses around the world. Its involvement in the fintech space is highlighted by its commitment to improving digital payment systems through partnerships, acquisitions and innovative technologies, particularly in the area of AI.
Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) has integrated AI into multiple facets of its operations, propelling the company into the next phase of fintech innovation. During its second quarter 2024 earnings call, Mastercard highlighted the critical role AI plays in improving fraud detection, cybersecurity and data analytics. By integrating AI into its services, Mastercard has been able to provide more secure and efficient transaction solutions. This integration of AI extends to Mastercard’s strategic focus on value-added services, such as fraud detection tools, which are increasingly in demand as digital transactions grow globally. global scale.
On October 8, 2024, Citi updated its price target for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) stock, raising it to $566 from $538 previously, while maintaining a Buy rating. This revision reflects Mastercard’s strong fundamentals, including its strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Citi analysts noted the inclusion of AI-based services as a key growth driver, although the acquisition of Recorded Future, a threat intelligence company, has not yet been factored into revenue estimates. Citi’s projections also took into account currency fluctuations and recent debt issuances, although earnings per share estimates for the coming years were only slightly moderated.
Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) continued its expansion into emerging markets, including partnerships with companies like Amazon in the Middle East and Africa, and Safaricom in Kenya, demonstrating its desire to expand digital payment solutions on a global scale. AI plays a central role in these efforts, enabling the company to streamline payment processing and cross-border transactions, strengthening Mastercard Incorporated’s (NYSE: MA) position as a fintech leader.
Global MA ranks 2nd on our list of fintech stocks riding the AI wave to the upside. While we recognize the potential of MA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold more promise in terms of higher returns and in a shorter time frame. If you’re looking for an AI stock that’s more promising than MA but trades at less than 5x earnings, check out our report on cheapest AI stock.
