By Matthew Goldman in me, elsewhere — Nov 27, 2024

CardsFTW #133: A Card Nerd's Gift Guide

Thanksgiving is late this year, and the traditional holiday shopping period is one week shorter. We're taking a break from our usual programming to share a fun-filled gift guide for fintech and credit card nerds. Share this with your loved ones so they know what to get you, or treat yourself!

Goldman Socks

Earlier this year, we launched Goldman Socks, which now features five fin-tastic sock designs. You can show your love for CardsFTW or wear a reminder of how to profit when trading. Socks are $24 per pair, but you can save 20% with code "diversify" so that you can, you know, diversify your sock portfolio.

Image of the Goldman sock collection, featuring five colorful pairs of socks with unique financial-themed designs. From left to right: a geometric pattern with earthy tones, blue argyle with dollar signs, a yellow sock with a wallet icon, a red sock with ‘BAAS’ text and sheep holding money, and a teal sock featuring bull and bear market icons with the phrases ‘SELL HIGH’ and ‘BUY LOW.’

Buy Socks!

Bellroy Slim Sleeve Wallet

I may have more than 30 active credit cards (including business cards!). While I can't carry all of them in this wallet, I can carry a lot of them without getting a George Costanza wallet effect. I've been using the Bellroy Slim Sleeve for almost a decade and find it the best wallet for a card aficionado.

We recommend this Totavi-approved deep orange.

Grab a Wallet

Card Case

OK, now you have the wallet, but where do you store all your other cards? I keep my active and inactive collection in a couple of these Amazon goodies: the Gowall Business Card Holder.

Image of a black leather-bound name card book with ‘Name card Book 240 Cards’ embossed on the cover. The book is open, displaying clear plastic sleeves holding business cards. — Just imagine credit cards, instead of business cards.

Carry a Card Case

A Totavi Research Subscription

If you're looking to level up your industry knowledge, our new Totavi Research Subscription offers updated, in-depth reports on cards and fintech. Use code "cardsftw" for 20% off the annual subscription.

Image showcasing three market analysis reports offered by Totavi, titled ‘Data Aggregator Market Analysis,’ ‘Debit Card Program Management Platform Market Analysis,’ and ‘Credit-Cards-as-a-Service Market Analysis.’ Each report features a unique cover design: the first with data visualizations and orange tones, the second displaying a grid of debit card designs, and the third with a stylized abstract rocky landscape.

Read the Research

New Books

We have a strong collection of books in our CardsFTW reading list, but three new ones have caught our eyes for holiday reading.

Banking as a Service: Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks of New Banking Business Models

Jason Mikula's forthcoming book on banking as a service drops just after the holidays (in case you need a Boxing Day present).

Savings and Trust: The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman's Bank

Our second book is by author Justene Hill Edwards and covers the history of the Freedman's Bank.

Book cover for ‘The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman’s Bank: Savings and Trust’ by Justene Hill Edwards. The cover features an ornate, vintage-style border with sepia tones, centered text in bold, and an archival photograph of a group of African Americans in historical attire, emphasizing the historical significance of the Freedman’s Bank established in 1865. — Important Reading

Fintech Feminists

Lastly, we picked up Nicole Casperson's new book at Money2020.

KeySmart Card Tracker

If you love cards as much as I do, losing them is a nightmare. While a traditional Apple AirTag is too bulky, the KeySmart SmartCard is a Bluetooth tracker that looks just like a card!

Image showcasing the KeySmart Card, a slim tracking device designed to fit into a wallet. The card is partially inserted into a sleek black leather cardholder, emitting a green light. Beside it, a smartphone screen displays a map with the location of the KeySmart Card, emphasizing its tracking functionality. — I bought one of these for myself!

Track Your Wallet

A CardsFTW Subscription

If you're not already a paid subscriber (thank you to those who are!), now is the perfect time to gift yourself a premium subscription to CardsFTW.

Upgrade Today!

Me, Elsewhere

It's the end of the year, which means that it's time for everyone's predictions about the year ahead are starting to roll out (our annual post will be shared in a few weeks). This week's Fintech Takes with Alex Johnson podcast features a conversation with Alex, Todd Pollak, CRO at Marqeta, and me, discussing the state of credit and what we think may lie ahead in 2025.

CardsFTW

CardsFTW, released weekly on Wednesdays, offers insights and analysis on new credit and debit card industry products for consumers and providers. CardsFTW is authored and published by Matthew Goldman and the team at Totavi, a boutique consulting firm specializing in fintech product management & marketing. We bring real operational experience that varies from the earliest days of a startup to high-growth phases and public company leadership. Visit www.totavi.com to learn more.