Clair partners with MetaBank and Galileo to give workers instant access their earnings

By Pavithra R

New York-based Clair, a social FinTech that provides Instant Pay Access as a Service for human capital management (HCM) and gig platforms to allow workers to get paid faster, has announced entering into a new partnership with nationally-chartered MetaBank, a subsidiary of Meta Financial Group and API-based payment processor Galileo, 2 firms known for providing the vital infrastructure that powers the global FinTech revolution. 

The partnership follows Clair’s recent strategic partnership with Mastercard to enable hourly workers to receive instant no-fee advances on their earnings, and to easily access their money at ATMs or in-store using a Mastercard debit card. Together, MetaBank, Galileo, and Mastercard are the three pillars that enable Clair’s unique on-demand payment business model, a model which allows workers to escape from the pitfalls of debt trap and avoid payday loans by instantly getting access to no-cost wage advances based on the hours they’ve worked.

“The fintech sector as we know it today simply wouldn’t exist without the kind of infrastructure that Galileo and MetaBank provide. By making it possible for hourly workers to access cash via their Clair Debit Mastercard, these partnerships will help countless U.S. workers access their earnings without paying fees or taking on debt, empower them to make smarter financial decisions, and ultimately make the United States a more inclusive place for everyone,” said said Nico Simko, CEO at Clair.

Clair’s partnership with MetaBank will enable the company to provide its users with access to fully-featured digital banking services, including FDIC-insured deposit accounts with no monthly fees, inactivity fees, or overdraft. Additionally, users will also benefit from automated digital tools that support better saving habits and financial planning, as well as use their Clair Debit Mastercard to make free withdrawals at U.S. ATMs or make purchases from more than 8 mn retailers.

“As a financial enablement company, MetaBank works to increase financial availability, choice, and opportunity for all. We’re passionate about delivering financial inclusion for all, and we’re delighted to be supporting Clair’s mission to provide hourly workers easy access to the financial services they need,” said Brett Pharr, Co-President and Chief Operating Officer at MetaBank.

Clair will also leverage Galileo’s best-in-class payment technologies to empower itself to bring products to market with the ultimate in both reliability and scalability, while delivering the powerful, feature-rich services that workforce management and HR tech customers demand.

“Galileo was founded with a focus on financial inclusion, and we’re always looking to partner with innovators that share our commitment to digital transformation. By making payment processing effortless, we’re enabling Clair to keep doing what it does best — bringing frictionless, high-quality financial services to America’s workforce,” said Clay Wilkes, CEO at Galileo.

Founded in 2019, Clair is built with the mission to make every worker financially free. The FinTech believes that financial freedom is the first step to living a more empowered life.