For every bold stunt that goes viral, there’s another fintech PR strategy that wins quietly — through transparency, consistency, and trust.
That might not sound exciting. But in a sector where trust is the hardest currency, these quieter strategies often prove to be the most sustainable.
Fintech companies, especially those handling consumer money, must balance innovation with reassurance. Trust is built not only on what companies say — but what theydo, and how consistently they tell their story.
This op-ed highlights four fintech PR strategies that showcase credibility, not chaos. These aren’t one-hit wonders. They’re campaigns that built reputation, investor confidence, and lasting loyalty.
Chime’s Stimulus Story: Show, Don’t Say
When COVID-19 hit and governments started issuing stimulus checks, Chime did something few banks dared: it deposited stimulus money into customer accountsbefore it officially arrived.
They fronted over $1.5 billion in early stimulus payments.
No campaign slogan. No billboard. Just action.
Media outlets jumped on the story — not because Chime pitched them, but because the action wasnewsworthy. CNBC, NYT, and Forbes all covered the move.
The result was a flood of new customers, earned media, and an uplift in brand trust — especially among underserved populations.
Key takeaway: Do something helpful, timely, and meaningful — and your customers and the media will do your PR for you.
Stripe’s Quiet Dominance
Unlike most unicorns, Stripe doesn’t make noise for the sake of it. It rarely advertises. It doesn’t overpromise. Instead, it publishes deeply thoughtful long-form essays, selective press exclusives, and technical product updates that matter to its audience.
Stripe founders write essays like “How We Build,” share engineering deep dives, and speak only when they have something to say.
This strategy hasn’t limited growth — it’s amplified it. Stripe has become synonymous with developer trust, enterprise-grade reliability, and minimal PR fluff.
Key takeaway: You don’t always need a loud voice — just a clear one. Consistency and clarity often beat coverage.
WorldRemit: Data as Differentiator
WorldRemit built its PR strategy around disruption — but not just by saying it. They proved it with data.
They published reports using proprietary remittance data. They commented on global money transfer trends, immigration, and inclusion. They positioned their execs as go-to experts in international finance — offering timely quotes and opinion pieces.
As a result, they landed 120+ features in nine months, raised $40 million in investment, and tripled site traffic.
Key takeaway: When you have unique insights, share them. PR rooted in real data is much harder to ignore — and more likely to be believed.
PayJoy: Credibility Through Awards
PayJoy didn’t have the name recognition of Stripe or the headline-grabbing tactics of Klarna. But it had a great story — helping low-income users in emerging markets build credit through smartphone-based financing.
With few press opportunities, PayJoy focused on awards: Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, Inc.’s Best in Business, and others.
By winning major recognitions, they earned trust with partners, investors, and the media. They didn’t need a viral tweet — they built long-term authority.
Key takeaway: Awards offer third-party validation. A well-written award submission is a PR campaign in disguise.
4 Rules for Building Fintech Trust Through PR
- Let actions lead messaging.
Don’t make claims you haven’t earned. Be like Chime: act first, then talk. - Write for the intelligent reader.
Stripe wins because it treats its audience like equals, not leads. Elevate your writing. - Use your unique data.
You have internal insights the media wants. Package it well — don’t hoard it. - Earn validation externally.
Awards, analyst mentions, user testimonials — build trust through others’ voices, not your own.
Final Thought: Flash Fades. Trust Endures.
Fintech PR doesn’t need to be flashy to be effective. Sometimes, the best campaigns are barely campaigns at all — they’re product-driven, data-backed, and people-first.
In a world of hype cycles and Twitter threads, substance still wins. And the fintechs that succeed over the long term are the ones who back up their messaging with real, user-driven proof.
In the end, your brand is only as strong as the trust it commands. And trust isn’t bought with ads. It’s built with action.
