Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy. They are the biggest job creators and offer a path to the American Dream. But for many, it is difficult to get the capital they need to operate and succeed. In the Great Recession, access to capital for small businesses froze, and in the aftermath, many community banks shuttered their doors and other lenders that had weathered the storm turned to more profitable avenues. For years after the financial crisis, the outlook for many small businesses was bleak. But then a new dawn of financial technology, or “fintech,” emerged. Beginning in 2010, new fintech entrepreneurs recognized the gaps in the small business lending market and revolutionized the customer experience for small business owners. Instead of Xeroxing a pile of paperwork and waiting weeks for an answer, small businesses filled out applications online and heard back within hours, sometimes even minutes. Banks scrambled to catch up. Technology companies like Amazon, PayPal, and Square entered the market, and new possibilities for even more transformative products and services began to appear. In Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream, former U.S. Small Business Administrator and Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School, Karen G. Mills, focuses on the needs of small businesses for capital and how technology will transform the small business lending market. This is a market that has been plagued by frictions: it is hard for a lender to figure out which small businesses are creditworthy, and borrowers often don’t know how much money or what kind of loan they need. New streams of data have the power to illuminate the opaque nature of a small business’s finances, making it easier for them to weather bumpy cash flows and providing more transparency to potential lenders. Mills charts how fintech has changed and will continue to change small business lending, and how financial innovation and wise regulation can restore a path to the American Dream. An ambitious book grappling with the broad significance of small business to the economy, the historical role of credit markets, the dynamics of innovation cycles, and the policy implications for regulation, Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream is relevant to bankers, fintech investors, and regulators; in fact, to anyone who is interested in the future of small business in America.

Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy. They are the biggest job creators and offer a path to the American Dream. But for many, it is difficult to get the capital they need to operate and succeed. In Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream, former U.S. Small Business Administrator and Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School, Karen G. Mills, focuses on the needs of small businesses for capital and how technology will transform the small business lending market. This is a market that has been plagued by frictions: it is hard for a lender to figure out which small businesses are creditworthy, and borrowers often don't know how much money or what kind of loan they need. Every small business is different; one day the borrower is a dry cleaner and the next a parts supplier, making it difficult for lenders to understand each business's unique circumstances. Today, however, big data and artificial intelligence have the power to illuminate the opaque nature of a small business's finances and make it easier for them access capital to weather bumpy cash flows or to invest in growth opportunities. Beginning in the dark days following the 2008-9 recession and continuing through the crisis of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Mills charts how fintech has changed and will continue to change small business lending. In the new fintech landscape financial products are embedded in applications that small business owners use on daily basis, and data powered algorithms provide automated insights to determine which businesses are creditworthy. Digital challenger banks, big tech and traditional banks and credit card companies are deciding how they want to engage in the new lending ecosystem. Who will be the winners and losers? How should regulators respond? In this pivotal moment, Mills elucidates how financial innovation and wise regulation can restore a path to the American Dream by improving access to small business credit. An ambitious book grappling with the broad significance of small business to the economy, the historical role of credit markets, the dynamics of innovation cycles, and the policy implications for regulation, this second edition of Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream is relevant to bankers, regulators and fintech entrepreneurs and investors; in fact, to anyone who is interested in the future of small business in America.

IS THE AMERICAN DREAM STILL ALIVE? Bob Russell wrote this book to celebrate our free market economy and to honor those who have achieved The American Dream. This book includes the inspirational life stories of 17 of his friends who achieved their dreams and financial independence through owning a small business. These life stories are the pride and hope of America. The hardships and difficulties that some people had to overcome in order to become successful is amazing. These entrepreneurs had the vision, determination and intelligence to succeed and provide products or services which created jobs. This free market competition results in improved products or services and reduced prices, thus improving all our lives. Everyone seems to have their own idea of exactly what The American Dream is, but most believe it is the ability to achieve their goals and do as well or better financially than their parents. There has been a lot of discussion recently about whether The American Dream is dead or achievable. In this book, the author shows that The Dream is not dead even though government regulations and taxes have made it more difficult to achieve. Russell feels that by turning the free market loose our national economy will expand resulting in more people realizing The American Dream. "...a consummate account of entrepreneurial financial success obtained through free market capitalism. ...a remarkable gallery of seventeen life stories-heroic, tragic, moving... The American Dream is a tribute to the spirit of entrepreneurial success and is highly recommended to interested readers." -Robert J. Smat, M.S., Ph.D., Organic Research Chemist and Patent Agent, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. (retired) "Bob Russell reminds us that the great American success story has been achieved by many families. ...it is worthwhile to read, as it is a reflection of American culture." -Gary W. Rodgers Ph.D, Professor, Florida Southwestern State College Colorado State University-Global Campus "Bob Russell"s book is a resounding endorsement of free market capitalism as told through 17 life stories of entrepreneurs who have achieved significant financial success. This book will no doubt give readers confirmation that free market capitalism. ...is the supreme economic system..." -Tim Allen, Ph.D., CCIM, Professor, Eminent Scholar and Alico Chair in Finance Lutgert College of Business, Florida Gulf Coast University

Experts from NYU Stern School of Business analyze new financial regulations and what they mean for the economy The NYU Stern School of Business is one of the top business schools in the world thanks to the leading academics, researchers, and provocative thinkers who call it home. In Regulating Wall Street: The New Architecture of Global Finance, an impressive group of the Stern school’s top authorities on finance combine their expertise in capital markets, risk management, banking, and derivatives to assess the strengths and weaknesses of new regulations in response to the recent global financial crisis. Summarizes key issues that regulatory reform should address Evaluates the key components of regulatory reform Provides analysis of how the reforms will affect financial firms and markets, as well as the real economy The U.S. Congress is on track to complete the most significant changes in financial regulation since the 1930s. Regulating Wall Street: The New Architecture of Global Finance discusses the impact these news laws will have on the U.S. and global financial architecture.

Americans as a whole view themselves as reasonably prudent and sober people when it comes to matters of money, reflecting the puritan roots of the earliest European settlers. Yet as a community, we also seem to believe that we are entitled to a lifestyle that is well-beyond our current income, a tendency that goes back to the earliest days of the United States and particularly to get rich quick experiences ranging from the Gold Rush of the 1840s to the real estate bubble of the early 21st Century. Inflated examines this apparent conflict and makes the argument that such a world view is so ingrained in us that to expect the United States to live in a "deflated" world is simply unrealistic. It skillfully seeks to tell the story of, money inflation and public debt as enduring (and perhaps endearing) features of American life, rather than something we can one day overcome as our policy makers constantly promise. Features interviews with today's top financial industry leaders and insiders. Offer a glimpse into the future of the Federal Reserve and the role it will play in the coming years Examines what the future may hold for the value of the U.S. dollar and the real incomes of future generations of Americans The gradual result of the situation we find ourselves in will inevitably lead to inflation, loss of economic opportunity, and a decline in the value of the dollar. This book will show you why, and reveal how we might be able to deal with it.

Are you a college student or recent graduate with a great idea fora business? You're not alone. All across the country, more and more studentsare seeking advice on starting their own businesses. Theentrepreneurial spirit is thriving at Harvard, where many students,past and present, have become successful business owners--evenfounders of Fortune 500 companies. Now, some of the bright minds ofthe Harvard Entrepreneurs Club, a recognized student organizationof Harvard College, have compiled their business knowledge andexperience into one comprehensive manual to aid students in makingtheir entrepreneurial dreams come true. This professional andpractical guide will take you step by step through the process ofstarting and maintaining a business. Poonam Sharma and fellowmembers of the Club have tailored this useful resource to theunique issues and obstacles that students will face. You'll receiveinvaluable advice on formulating a business plan, advertising,legal protection, business ethics, and much more. Even if you have no professional experience, little marketingknow-how, or even a small bank account, this book can teach you howto join the ever-growing ranks of students who know firsthand thepleasure--and the profit--that come from being your own boss andbringing your business idea to life.

Over 70 in-depth interviews of Fintech Founders provide lessons from some of the most successful fintech entrepreneurs that will help you understand the challenges and opportunities of applying technology and collaboration to solve some key problems of the financial services industry. This book is for entrepreneurs, for people working inside of large organizations and everyone in between who is interested to learn the secrets of successful entrepreneurs. In this advice-filled resource, Rubini gathers advice that comes from a diverse range of financial services niches including financing, banking, payments, wealth management, insurance, and cryptocurrencies, to help you harness the insights of thought leaders. Those working inside the financial services industry and those interested in working in or starting up businesses in financial services will learn valuable lessons on how to take an idea forward, how to find the right business founders, how to seek funding, how to learn from initial mistakes, and how to define and reposition your business model. Rubini also inquires into the future of fintech and uncovers provoking and insightful predictions.

This important book considers the ways in which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can thrive in the age of big data. To address this central issue from multiple viewpoints, the editors introduce a collection of experiences, insights, and guidelines from a variety of expert researchers, each of whom provides a piece to solve this puzzle.

IS THE AMERICAN DREAM STILL ALIVE? THE STORIES IN THIS BOOK OFFER A RESOUNDING "YES!" This collection of interviews with 50 successful immigrant entrepreneurs from all over the world provides proof that the American dream is not only alive and well, but thriving. Furthermore, these stories show the great wealth - financial and cultural - that immigrants can offer the United States. This country was founded by immigrants who set off to make a better life for themselves. Similarly, many of these innovators left behind war-torn countries, failing economies, and political unrest to find financial and personal security for themselves and their families. Along with them, they brought the wisdom and insight of their cultures, the sobriety of their perspectives on life, and an unending passion for innovation and hard-work. On top of almost unanimously coming to the country without speaking the language, these enterprising business owners were jailed, took bullets, and overcame incurable diseases, all on their journey to becoming successful entrepreneurs. They hail from Mexico, Russia, Somalia, Afghanistan, China, Argentina, Lebanon, France, India, Kenya, Haiti, and several other countries, and they represent a wide swath of industries including healthcare, finance, cosmetics, fashion, food & beverage, technology and more. Whether you're in need of motivation to start your own business, or you're wondering if the US is still a great place to do business, you'll find this book full of actionable and inspiring advice that will help save you time and money on your path to becoming an entrepreneur in America.