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Stock Rewards Checking Now Accessible to Financial Institutions Through Bits of Stock and Jack Henry Collaboration

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Bits of Stock (BSTK) enables community financial institutions and credit unions to offer customer rewards in the form of fractional shares of popular publicly traded stocks. The company's Stock Rewards Checking Account, accessible through the Jack Henry™ digital banking platform Banno, empowers partners to engage and build loyalty with younger generations through stock ownership. Bits of Stock leveraged the Banno Digital Toolkit™ to integrate its technology into the digital experiences offered by community and regional financial institutions. OMB Bank, headquartered in Springfield, Mo., was the first community financial institution to integrate with Bits of Stock powered by the Jack Henry platform.
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The integration of Bits of Stock's rewards program with Jack Henry's digital banking platform presents a novel approach to customer engagement and loyalty programs within the financial sector. This initiative could potentially increase the customer base of partner banks and credit unions by attracting a demographic interested in the stock market but possibly intimidated by the complexity or initial capital required for investing. By offering fractional shares as rewards, these financial institutions may see a higher retention rate among younger consumers who value investment opportunities as part of their banking experience.

From a financial standpoint, the move may lead to an uptick in debit card usage as consumers seek to accumulate stock rewards, thereby increasing transaction-based revenue for the participating banks. Additionally, the partnership with Jack Henry, which services a large network of financial institutions, provides Bits of Stock with a significant distribution channel that could enhance its market penetration and brand recognition. This could be reflected in the performance of the stocks involved in the rewards program, potentially influencing their liquidity and visibility in the market.

Offering fractional shares as rewards is a strategic move that taps into the growing trend of gamification in finance and the increasing interest in micro-investing. This service differentiation could be a decisive factor for digital-savvy consumers when choosing their financial service providers. By providing a tangible investment incentive, rather than traditional points or cash-back, Bits of Stock and its partner institutions are likely to resonate with a generation that is more financially informed and investment-oriented.

Market research could further validate the effectiveness of such reward programs in driving customer loyalty and engagement. It is essential to monitor consumer behavior in response to these programs to fine-tune the offering and maximize its appeal. The success of this initiative could prompt other financial institutions to explore similar partnerships, leading to a broader shift in how banking rewards are structured industry-wide.

The integration of stock rewards programs into everyday banking activities could have broader economic implications. By promoting stock ownership, even on a fractional basis, there is potential for increased participation in the equity markets. This democratization of investing could lead to a more financially literate population with a stake in the performance of public companies. Over time, this could contribute to the stability and growth of the stock market as a greater segment of the population becomes invested in its success.

However, it is crucial to consider the risks associated with encouraging stock market participation through consumer banking. The volatility of the stock market means that rewards may fluctuate in value, which could impact consumer perceptions and financial well-being. Financial institutions must balance the promotion of investment opportunities with the responsibility to educate their customers about the risks involved in equity investments.

Partner banks and credit unions can engage and retain a new generation of consumers by offering fractional shares of stock as rewards for everyday debit card activity.

NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bits of Stock announced today that its Stock Rewards Checking Account is now accessible through the Jack Henry™ digital banking platform Banno.

Bits of Stock's mission is to empower its partners to engage & build loyalty with younger generations via stock rewards

Bits of Stock leveraged the Banno Digital Toolkit™, the same set of APIs the Banno Digital Platform™ is built on, to embed its technology into the digital experiences offered by community and regional financial institutions. OMB Bank, headquartered in Springfield, Mo., was the first community financial institution to integrate with Bits of Stock powered by the Jack Henry platform.

Access to Jack Henry's API, design and authenticated frameworks has enabled Bits of Stock to directly integrate into the digital banking platform, providing a seamless banking experience. This integration contributes to Jack Henry's growing ecosystem of more than 950 fin-techs, providing approximately 7,500 financial institutions with relevant financial products and services for their account holders.

Bits of Stock enables community financial institutions and credit unions to offer customer rewards in the form of fractional shares of popular publicly traded stocks. The company's mission is to empower its partners to engage and build loyalty with younger generations through stock ownership. Similar to a cash back rewards program, the award-winning Stock Rewards Checking Account is embedded in the financial institution's digital banking experience and rewards debit cardholders with fractional shares of their active stock pick with every swipe.

"There is so much synergy for Jack Henry and Bits of Stock," said Arash Asady, CEO of Bits of Stock. "Both companies are committed to finding innovative ways to empower financial services for consumers at scale."

About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

Jack Henry (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fin-techs. For more than 47 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their account holders. We empower approximately 7,500 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.

About OMB Bank

Founded in 1999, OMB Bank is committed to making banking better for families, businesses and communities with its best-in-class consumer, commercial, treasury, mortgage and digital banking services. OMB is headquartered in Springfield, Mo., and operates eight full-service branches in Ash Grove, Buffalo, Carthage, Mt. Vernon, Springfield and Walnut Grove as well as lending centers in Springfield and Lenexa, Kan. Please visit www.ombbank.com for more information.

About Bits of Stock

Bits of Stock empowers community financial institutions and credit unions to engage next-gen account holders by rewarding them in fractional shares of stock. Our purpose is to empower you to engage and build loyalty with younger generations through stock ownership. Learn more about how our first-in-class and award-winning Stock Rewards program differentiates and keeps you relevant to the next generation of investors. Please visit www.bitsofstock.com for additional information.

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stock-rewards-checking-now-accessible-to-financial-institutions-through-bits-of-stock-and-jack-henry-collaboration-302029510.html

SOURCE Bits of Stock

FAQ

How can partner banks and credit unions engage and retain a new generation of consumers?

Partner banks and credit unions can engage and retain a new generation of consumers by offering fractional shares of stock as rewards for everyday debit card activity through Bits of Stock's Stock Rewards Checking Account accessible through the Jack Henry™ digital banking platform Banno.

What is the mission of Bits of Stock?

The mission of Bits of Stock is to empower its partners to engage and build loyalty with younger generations via stock rewards, similar to a cash back rewards program.

How does Bits of Stock enable community financial institutions and credit unions to offer customer rewards?

Bits of Stock enables community financial institutions and credit unions to offer customer rewards in the form of fractional shares of popular publicly traded stocks through its award-winning Stock Rewards Checking Account, embedded in the financial institution's digital banking experience.

Who was the first community financial institution to integrate with Bits of Stock powered by the Jack Henry platform?

OMB Bank, headquartered in Springfield, Mo., was the first community financial institution to integrate with Bits of Stock powered by the Jack Henry platform.

What technology did Bits of Stock leverage to integrate its technology into the digital experiences offered by community and regional financial institutions?

Bits of Stock leveraged the Banno Digital Toolkit™, the same set of APIs the Banno Digital Platform™ is built on, to embed its technology into the digital experiences offered by community and regional financial institutions.

Henry (Jack) & Associates

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