If you’re thinking long-term, these three stocks have quietly built a case for sustained growth — and they’re doing it in very different ways.
Tech-powered lending, modern banking services, and efficient trading platforms — these aren’t just buzzwords. They’re billion-dollar industries. And the companies tapping into them are gaining serious momentum. Here’s a closer look at three stocks that investors might want to keep on their radar right now.
Upstart’s AI-Driven Lending Model Is Gaining New Ground
Upstart Holdings is not your typical lending company. They’re using AI to shake up a space that’s been running on the same old FICO scores since the ’80s.
That idea alone is bold. But Upstart isn’t just talking — it’s proving something. Their algorithms (Model 18, to be exact) are smarter, more inclusive, and possibly even safer than traditional credit metrics. According to the company, the newest version of their model has led to more approvals and fewer defaults.
But here’s the kicker: Upstart still hasn’t been tested in a full-blown economic downturn.
That’s the part that gives some investors pause. Since going public in 2020, Upstart’s had to navigate rising interest rates and reduced risk appetite. The result? Slowed loan origination, falling revenue, and layoffs. It was rough.
Now, though, things are shifting.
-
Fortress Investment Group pledged up to $1.2 billion in loan purchases through 2026
-
Blue Owl has the option to purchase up to $2 billion in Upstart-originated loans
With interest rates stabilizing and investor confidence slowly creeping back, Upstart’s momentum could be real. The stock is still well below its all-time highs, but if the AI model holds strong, this might just be the beginning.
SoFi Is No Longer Just About Student Loans
SoFi Technologies has evolved — big time.
Started with student loan refinancing? Yep. But now it’s a full-on financial hub: checking, investing, mortgages, even insurance. You name it, they’re probably doing it.
And they’re not just serving end users. SoFi is also powering other fintechs with its tech infrastructure through Galileo and Technisys. Think of it like the cloud backbone of financial services — the company’s banking-as-a-service model is helping startups roll out financial products without needing a banking license.
Its numbers are impressive, too. Here’s a quick look:
| Metric | 2022 | Q1 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Base | $7.3B | $27B+ |
| Technology Platform Accounts | ~90M | 158M+ |
| Gross Margin | 49.3% | 57.6% |
SoFi’s big advantage? Deposits. With over $27 billion on hand, it can fund loans at a lower cost than peers who rely on more expensive capital sources. That’s saved it about $515 million per year in interest expenses. Not bad.
Another win? Personal loans are still in hot demand — and SoFi is seeing strong performance on that front.
SoFi isn’t profitable yet across the board. But it’s moving in the right direction. It’s no longer “just a student loan startup” — and investors are starting to take notice.
Interactive Brokers: Automation Is Its Secret Weapon
Interactive Brokers is like the quiet genius in the brokerage world. Not flashy. Just highly efficient.
The company’s bread and butter is automation. From the front-end trading tools to back-end infrastructure, they’ve engineered nearly everything in-house. That allows them to run lean, offer low fees, and deliver lightning-fast trade execution.
Their margins? They’re wild — especially compared to traditional players.
Just last year, Interactive Brokers posted a 72% adjusted pre-tax profit margin. That’s higher than most big banks, fintechs, and certainly most retail brokers.
Interactive Brokers attracts serious, high-frequency, tech-savvy traders. The ones who care about execution and pricing — not shiny apps. They offer:
-
Stocks
-
Options
-
Futures
-
Currencies
-
Bonds
-
ETFs
-
Cryptocurrencies
-
Even “event contracts” for risk-savvy investors
They’re also quietly expanding into new geographies and serving institutional clients. It’s not a Reddit favorite or a viral stock. But long-term investors who value fundamentals and cash flow might want to give this one a closer look.
All Three Look Different, But Share One Key Ingredient
Each of these companies — Upstart, SoFi, Interactive Brokers — is approaching finance from a completely different angle. But there’s one thing they have in common: they’re all betting on technology as the lever for growth.
That bet is starting to pay off.
Upstart’s AI model is attracting major capital. SoFi’s banking stack is driving fintech innovation. And Interactive Brokers is showing how automation can lead to fat margins and sticky customers.
They’re not perfect — no company is. But they’re all building something that could last.
