- Workers typically choose to replicate weekly pay, accessing pay 1-3 times per month
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Use of EWA transfers is consistent, primarily for bills (33%) and groceries (21%)
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Stress is reduced, for 77% of those using EWA
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Financial confidence improves, with 72% feeling more in control of money
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Budgeting improves, for 55%; only 2% struggled to adjust
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Savings behaviours improve, but are an area for further analysis and improvement
“It’s been known for some time that longer, locked pay cycles can lead to irregular spending patterns and liquidity problems for workers. This compounds other aspects of the Poverty Premium including an underlying lack of access to affordable credit and other core financial tools such as effective savings, insurance, access to housing, all of which are experienced by much of the working population: the result is that they can act as a debt trap. It’s encouraging to now see the voice of the employee being heard, and I hope the findings will help the wider industry work together with employers on removing that problem, and allowing pay to empower workers in lifting themselves out of these cycles into a positive financial journey.”
- Quality of life: rose for 72%, outperforming global benchmarks on financial inclusion
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Debt cycles recede: users gradually rely less on emergency income access over time
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Reliance on predatory, high-cost credit reduced: 88% for payday loans; 39% for credit cards
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Workers prefer it: 89% say EWA is better than any alternative
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Workers recommend it: the ‘promoter score’ of 56 outperforms global benchmarks on financial inclusion
“The growth of Wagestream shows it is possible to scale fintech propositions which directly address social challenges like financial inclusion. And by investing in impact measurement, learning through data and sharing findings along the way, they can play an important role as a market leader in encouraging similar levels of transparency from other providers and employers. This is a hugely positive development, and a great demonstration of the power of impact measurement.”
“It’s inspiring to see a new breed of ethical fintech ventures like Wagestream taking impact measurement seriously. In taking on deeply entrenched social problems, it’s critical that providers of financial wellbeing services take the time to listen to users, study the impact and put the results into action, building responsible services based on those learnings. The fact they are willing to share these results with peers, clients and wider industry is a powerful step towards encouraging transparency and collaboration, which can only be a good thing for everyone.”