FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY & MODERN TOOLS

Technology is transforming how we manage, invest, and protect our money. These topics cover the
tools and trends shaping modern finance.

TOPIC 245
Digital Banking and Fintech: The New Financial Services Landscape
Financial technology is reshaping how people bank, pay, borrow, and invest, offering both new opportunities and
new risks for consumers. This topic navigates the digital banking and fintech landscape, equipping learners to
evaluate and use modern financial tools wisely.

How digital banking differs from traditional banking
Neobanks: Chime, Current, Ally, and the online-only model
FDIC insurance and consumer protections for digital banks
Mobile payment platforms: Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal
Open banking and financial data portability
Fintech lending and how it differs from bank lending
Buy now, pay later (BNPL): benefits and risks
Choosing the right digital banking tools for your financial situation

TOPIC 246
Budgeting Apps and Personal Finance Tools
Budgeting apps and personal finance tools remove friction from money management, making it easier to track
spending, automate savings, and stay accountable to financial goals. This topic helps learners evaluate, select, and
get the most out of digital personal finance tools.

Overview of leading budgeting apps: YNAB, Mint, EveryDollar, Copilot
Zero-based budgeting in digital tools
Automated savings apps: Qapital, Digit, Acorns
Subscription tracking and management tools
Net worth tracking and personal balance sheets
Connecting financial accounts safely to third-party apps
Evaluating data privacy and security of finance apps
Faith-based and values-aligned budgeting approaches in digital tools

TOPIC 247
Robo-Advisors: Automated Investing for Everyone
Robo-advisors have democratized professional investment management by delivering automated, low-cost
portfolio services to investors of all wealth levels. This topic explains how robo-advisors work, compares leading
platforms, and helps investors determine when automated investing is the right solution.

How robo-advisors work: algorithms, rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting
Leading robo-advisor platforms: Betterment, Wealthfront, Schwab Intelligent Portfolios
Fee structures and cost comparison with human advisors
Asset allocation and portfolio construction methodology
Suitability: when a robo-advisor is (and isn’t) the right choice
Robo-advisors for retirement accounts (IRA, 401k)
Hybrid robo-advisor models with human advisor access
Socially responsible and ESG investment options in robo platforms

TOPIC 248
Cryptocurrency Wallets, Exchanges, and Safe Practices
As cryptocurrency adoption grows, understanding how to safely store, transact, and manage digital assets
becomes essential financial literacy. This topic covers the technical basics of wallets and exchanges alongside the
practical security and tax considerations every crypto holder needs to know.

Hot wallets vs. cold wallets: security tradeoffs
Custodial vs. non-custodial wallets
Centralized exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken) vs. decentralized exchanges (DEX)
Buying, selling, and transferring cryptocurrency safely
Private key management and seed phrase security
Common crypto scams: rug pulls, phishing, and social engineering
Tax record-keeping for cryptocurrency transactions
NFTs and digital collectibles: financial and legal considerations

TOPIC 249
Identity Theft Protection and Recovery
Identity theft affects millions of Americans every year, with consequences ranging from damaged credit to drained
accounts and stolen tax refunds. This topic equips individuals and families with proactive protection strategies and
a clear recovery roadmap if theft occurs.

How identity theft happens: data breaches, phishing, social engineering
Types of identity theft: financial, medical, tax, synthetic
Monitoring tools: credit monitoring, dark web monitoring
Placing and lifting credit freezes and fraud alerts
Responding to a data breach notification
Tax identity theft: IRS Identity Protection PINs
Recovery process: disputing fraudulent accounts
Identity theft insurance: what it covers

TOPIC 250
Cybersecurity for Financial Accounts and Data
Cyber threats to personal and organizational financial accounts are growing in sophistication and frequency,
making cybersecurity a core financial literacy competency. This topic provides practical, actionable cybersecurity
guidance for individuals, small businesses, and faith-based organizations.

Password management: strong passwords and password managers
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for financial accounts
Phishing, smishing, and vishing: recognizing and avoiding attacks
Securing home networks and public Wi-Fi risks
Safe online banking and investment account practices
Protecting financial data on mobile devices
Small business and church cybersecurity essentials
What to do if your financial account is compromised

TOPIC 251
AI in Financial Planning: Tools, Opportunities, and Risks
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming financial planning, tax preparation, fraud detection, and investment
management, creating both powerful new tools and important new risks. This topic helps financial professionals
and consumers understand how to leverage AI responsibly while maintaining human judgment and ethical
oversight.

How AI is being used in personal financial planning tools
AI-powered tax preparation and advisory platforms
Machine learning in fraud detection and credit underwriting
AI chatbots and virtual financial assistants
Limitations and risks of AI-generated financial advice
Algorithmic bias in financial AI systems
The future of the CPA profession in an AI-driven world
Ethical considerations for AI in financial services

TOPIC 252
Digital Estate Planning: Assets, Accounts, and Legacy
Digital assets — from cryptocurrency and investment accounts to social media profiles and cloud-stored data —
represent a growing component of personal estates that most estate plans fail to address. This topic guides
individuals and their advisors in building a comprehensive digital estate plan that protects and transfers digital
wealth.

What are digital assets: financial accounts, crypto, social media, subscriptions
Taking inventory of digital assets
Passwords and access planning for heirs
Fiduciary access laws: RUFADAA and state variations
Including digital assets in wills and trusts
Digital executor role and responsibilities
Cryptocurrency estate planning: key management for heirs
Social media legacy settings and memorialization policies