By: Caleb Hellinger
Ma Qing’s career trajectory from investment banking to fintech marketing is a tale of innovation, resilience, and strategic vision. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of pursuing one’s passion and adapting to new opportunities. This article delves into her career, highlighting the pivotal moments that defined her path and the innovative strategies that have made her a prominent figure in the fintech industry.
Early Career at JP Morgan
Ma Qing began her professional journey in the fast-paced world of investment banking at JP Morgan. Here, she quickly distinguished herself by working on high-profile transactions, including Uber’s $2.7 billion acquisition of Postmates and Snap’s $1.1 billion convertible notes purchase. These experiences provided her with a robust foundation in financial strategy, corporate transactions, and deal-making. However, while the high-stakes environment of investment banking honed her analytical and strategic skills, Qing felt a growing desire to engage in work that allowed for more creativity and direct impact.
Despite the success and learning opportunities that came with her role at JP Morgan, Qing’s entrepreneurial spirit and creative inclinations drew her towards the burgeoning field of fintech. She saw the potential for financial technology to disrupt traditional financial services and create more inclusive financial systems. This realization marked the beginning of a significant career shift.
Transition to Public.com
In 2020, Qing made a bold move by joining Public.com as its third marketing hire. Public.com is an investing platform that aims to democratize the stock market by making investing more accessible and educational. Qing saw an untapped opportunity to leverage influencers to demystify personal finance and drive user growth. “The biggest problem in personal finance is that people are intimidated by it. By partnering with creators, we can make financial literacy relatable and engaging,” Qing explains.
Qing’s innovative approach involved forming strategic partnerships with high-profile influencers such as Phil DeFranco and Erika Kullberg. These collaborations were instrumental in expanding Public.com’s user base from 250,000 to 1.5 million within a year. A particularly successful campaign with Michael Reeves, titled “I Gave My Goldfish $50,000 to Trade Stocks,” drove thousands of new users and garnered over 10 million views. This campaign highlighted the efficacy of influencer marketing in making complex financial concepts accessible to a broader audience.
Under Qing’s leadership, Public.com’s innovative marketing strategies led to the company securing $220 million in venture funding, boosting its valuation to $1.2 billion. Her work showcased her ability to blend creativity with strategic thinking, making financial education both engaging and effective.
Leading Marketing at Firstcard
Currently, as the Chief Marketing Officer of Firstcard, Qing continues her mission to democratize financial literacy and credit building. Firstcard is a fintech company that aims to help people build credit, particularly focusing on immigrants, international students, and people of color. “Joining Firstcard was a natural choice for me,” she says. “My personal experience as an immigrant and the company’s significant social impact aligned perfectly with my values.”
Firstcard has ambitious plans for future enhancements, including the introduction of an AI financial advisor and sophisticated budgeting tools. These innovations aim to position Firstcard as the premier credit card for students, recognized by publications like Forbes and CNN. At present, Firstcard offers a suite of powerful features tailored to the needs of students and immigrants. These include accelerated credit building, the ability for international students to apply using passports instead of SSNs, up to 15% cashback at over 29,000 partner merchants, an impressive 4.25% APY, and 5% monthly cashback on popular educational platforms like ChatGPT, Chegg, Grammarly, Canva, Adobe, and Headspace. Ma Qing’s marketing efforts at Firstcard are centered on highlighting these existing benefits, ensuring they are accessible and engaging, and empowering users to manage their financial futures effectively.
One of Qing’s significant initiatives at Firstcard is the $10,000 Student Scholarship program, which supports international students. “When I was an international student, there were very few funding sources available,” Qing recalls. “By including international students in our scholarship program, we ensure they are not left behind.” This program reflects her commitment to inclusivity and her understanding of the unique financial challenges faced by underserved communities.
Emphasis on Financial Education
A cornerstone of Qing’s work at Firstcard is her emphasis on financial education. She believes that financial literacy is fundamental to achieving financial freedom. “A lack of financial literacy is the biggest barrier to achieving financial freedom,” Qing asserts. “To truly democratize credit building for everyone, we need to change the experience of many underserved communities.” Firstcard’s features, such as AI-driven financial advice and personalized budgeting tools, are designed to equip users with the knowledge and resources necessary for building a strong financial foundation.
Qing’s marketing strategy at Firstcard is not just about growth; it’s about creating meaningful impact. Her campaigns are crafted to educate and empower users, fundamentally altering their interactions with financial products. This educational philosophy is a thread that runs through all her endeavors, from influencer partnerships to her initiatives at Firstcard.
Advocacy and Thought Leadership
Beyond her professional roles, Qing is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and inclusion. She frequently speaks at conferences and industry events, sharing her insights and advocating for broader financial education. Her thought leadership in the fintech industry has positioned her as a visionary leader shaping the future of financial services.
Qing collaborates with non-profit organizations and educational institutions in her commitment to social responsibility to develop programs that promote financial literacy. “It’s important to ensure everyone has access to the knowledge and resources they need to succeed financially,” she emphasizes.
Qing’s influence extends beyond her professional achievements. She strongly advocates financial literacy and inclusion, frequently speaking at conferences and events to share her insights and experiences. Her thought leadership in the fintech industry has earned her recognition as a visionary leader shaping financial services’ future.
Future Outlook
Looking towards the future, Qing is optimistic about the continued potential for innovation in the fintech sector. She believes that technological advancements will further enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of financial services. “We are only beginning to explore the potential of AI in fintech,” she observes.” AI opens up vast opportunities to develop solutions that cater to the specific needs of diverse communities and positively impact people’s lives.” Qing is particularly excited about the potential of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain to revolutionize financial services. She sees these technologies as key enablers of more personalized and efficient financial products that can better meet the needs of diverse users.
Ma Qing’s journey from investment banking to leading innovative marketing campaigns in fintech is a testament to her vision, determination, and strategic acumen. Her work at Firstcard goes beyond professional achievement; it’s a personal mission to help others overcome the financial challenges she once faced. As Ma Qing continues to drive innovation in fintech marketing, her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring marketers and entrepreneurs. Her commitment to financial literacy, inclusivity, and innovation is shaping the future of fintech and making financial services more accessible for all.
For those eager to follow Ma Qing’s journey and gain insights from her experiences, connecting with her on LinkedIn and Twitter is highly recommended. Additionally, to explore more about Firstcard and its groundbreaking initiatives, visiting the Firstcard website is a great resource.
Follow Ma Qing on LinkedIn: Ma Qing’s LinkedIn
Follow Ma Qing on Twitter: Ma Qing’s Twitter
Visit Firstcard: Firstcard’s website
Published by: Holy Minoza
