Have frictionless payments gone too far? Are women finally set to get targeted financial advice? And will investments’ eco-credentials trump potential returns? In this part of the 2021 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how people are redefining their relationships with money.

Cash is returning to relevance as a way for people to regain control over their spending, particularly for those on lower incomes. Decreased access to cash through the closure of bank branches and the dominance of contactless is becoming a pain point for vulnerable people that want to budget better.

Women are often let down by the finance industry, from patronising campaigns to intimidating institutions. Online toolkit SmartPurse provides jargon-free financial information, a chance to network with other women on and offline, and a database for finding a financial adviser or coach.

American adults are feeling the pinch of the recession, and their financial woes are being compounded by student loan debt. Dallas-based start-up College Cash is looking to alleviate some of this economic stress by compensating people through a user-generated content marketplace.