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EarnIn

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EarnIn
FormerlyActiveHours
Industry
Founded2013
FounderRam Palaniappan (CEO)
HeadquartersPalo Alto, California
ServicesEarned wage access
Number of employees
200+ (2021)
Websitewww.earnin.com

EarnIn is an earnings management company that offers a suite of tool designed to give customers more control over their pay and financial standing. Founded by Ram Palaniappan in 2013 as Activehours, the company launched its app in May 2014 to provide earned wage access services.[1][2]

Since then, EarnIn has expanded its offerings to include Early Pay, a product that enables people to access their paycheck up to 2 days early, Live Pay, a product that enables people to stream their pay, and other features including free credit monitoring, balance alerts, bill reminders, savings features, and more.[3][4][5]

History

[edit]

Earnin was founded by Ram Palaniappan in 2013.[6][5] Palaniappan, who helped launch RushCard, wanted to help people unlock their earned wages.[4]

After a year of development, Earnin launched its app in May 2014. At launch, the company was handling transactions for employees at 100 different companies; a few months later, this had grown to 250 employers including Best Buy, Starbucks, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America.[4][7][8]

Originally known as Activehours, the company rebranded to Earnin in November 2017.[8]

In 2017 and 2018, Earnin raised $164 million across two rounds of fundraising, with venture capital firm A16z participating in both rounds.[9]

In January 2023, the company rebranded from Earnin to EarnIn.[10]

In 2024, EarnIn furthered its debt relief efforts by partnering with Forgive Co. Together, the two forgave over $10 million in debt held by those living in metro Atlanta.[11]

In May 2024 EarnIn created a $50,000 fund to help cover overdraft charges incurred by its previous customers in the state of Connecticut.[12][13]

Operating model

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EarnIn operates in the earned-wage access (EWA) industry, providing workers with on-demand access to wages they have already earned, but would otherwise wait to receive on payday.[14] The service is not a loan, because the money is already earned and there is no interest charge or mandatory fee in many cases.[15]

By providing this pay-earlier access, EarnIn addresses the cash-flow gaps and timing mismatches that many hourly workers experience, and reduces reliance on credit cards, payday loans, or overdrafts.[16]

Services

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EarnIn offers a suite of mobile financial tools designed to give customers flexible access to their earnings and support overall financial wellness. The app is available to customers who are at least 18 years old, paid on a consistent schedule, have a U.S. bank account, and earn at least $320 per pay period. Services are available regardless of employer or banking provider, no interest is charged, and no credit check is required.[17] After a member's scheduled wages are deposited in their bank account by their employer, the company automatically withdraws the wages and the tip.[18][1][7][19] EarnIn's "zero integration" B2B model, which allows companies to offer EarnIn without requiring that it be integrated into a company's payroll system.[20]

Balance Shield

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The Balance Shield service helps prevent overdraft fees by alerting customers when checking account balances fall below a certain threshold, regardless of where they bank, and when bills are due.[21]

Cash Out

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EarnIn’s Cash Out feature allows customers to access earned wages before their designated payday. In return for this access, EarnIn deducts an equal amount from a customer's bank account on their designated payday. EarnIn allows access of up to $150 per day, or $750 per pay period.[22]

Credit Monitoring

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EarnIn's Credit Monitoring allows customers to access their credit score through the EarnIn app for free. The service displays a mini version of a credit report that includes creditor history, usage, open accounts, payment history, and fraud alerts.[23]

Early Pay

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EarnIn's Early Pay feature automatically deposits customer's paychecks up to two days in advance. The service costs US$2.99 per paycheck and can be turned off at any time.[24][25]

Tip Yourself

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EarnIn allows customers to use the Tip Yourself service, which automatically saves between $1 to $100 daily in up to five Tip Jars. Tip Yourself money is held at Evolve Bank & Trust and is FDIC insured.[26]

EarnIn Payroll

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EarnIn's Payroll is a modern payroll software designed for payroll service providers, employers, and employees. The playform integrates payroll processing with HR functions, time and attendance, benefits, administration, and user-friendly interfaces. The employee self service portal allows employees to access and manage their employment information, and direct when they receive their pay, at no risk to the employer via EarnIn's embedded financial tools.[27]

[edit]

In April 2019, the New York State Department of Financial Services investigated whether the company's "tipping" system skirted New York State lending laws regulating payday lending.[28][1] An article in the New York Post said that members who do not leave tips may have their monthly maximum restricted, which may trigger interest rate disclosure laws.[29] New York State subpoenaed information from the company, including a calculation of annual percentage rates if tips were measured as fees or interest.[1]

In November 2024, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against EarnIn, alleging that the company deceptively marketed its earned wage advance services.[30] The case was dismissed after determining that EarnIn's advances were not loans.[31]

In March 2021, a federal court granted final approval of a $12.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit against EarnIn, in which plaintiffs claimed that the company’s practices led to overdraft fees on their bank accounts.[32]

In August 2024, a class-action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against EarnIn. The plaintiffs alleged that the company's optional fees and tips constituted hidden interest payments, violating Georgia's Payday Loan Act and the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The complaint highlighted that EarnIn's fees and tips led to APRs averaging 284%.[33]

In 2024, a wrongful termination lawsuit was filed in Vermont Civil Court by a former EarnIn employee alleging retaliation after reporting months of harassment and threats by users of the platform.[34] The suit remains active as of early 2025.

In 2024, another employment-related lawsuit (Castro v. Activehours, Inc.) was filed in California state court, alleging wrongful termination after bringing concerns over data leaks and security and privacy.[35] The suit remains active as of early 2025.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Crosman, Penny (2019-04-03). "A payday lender in disguise? New York investigates the Earnin app". American Banker. Archived from the original on 2025-08-23. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  2. ^ Rubin, Ben Fox. "You can hire this startup -- for free -- to negotiate down your medical bills". CNET. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  3. ^ Debter, Lauren. "Want To Cash In On Your Paycheck Before Payday? There's An App For That". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  4. ^ a b c Lapowsky, Issie (2015-08-05). "The Next Big Thing You Missed: Startup Offers Payday Advances Without the Pesky Loan-Sharking". Wired. Archived from the original on 2014-08-27. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  5. ^ a b Carrns, Ann (2014-05-22). "Getting Your Wages, Before Payday". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  6. ^ Valle, Gaby Del (2019-05-22). "How a Silicon Valley startup is trying to rebrand payday loans". Vox. Archived from the original on 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  7. ^ a b Shieber, Jonathan (2017-09-21). "Activehours raises $39 million for its new take on cash advances". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 2025-09-22. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  8. ^ a b Clark, Kate (2018-12-20). "Earnin raises $125M to help workers track and cash out wages in real time". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 2025-08-23. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  9. ^ Pearson, Jake (2025-11-05). "Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It's Paying Off for Silicon Valley". ProPublica. Archived from the original on 2025-11-06. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  10. ^ Gramatikova, Tsani (2023-02-21). "EarnIn Unveils a New Strategic Brand Identity That Highlights Its Mission To Alleviate Financial Anxiety". Smart Branding. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  11. ^ Kanell, Michael E. "Company pays off debts of Atlantans in 'random acts of kindness'". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  12. ^ Haar, Dan. "Dan Haar: Finance firm banned from CT is giving away $50K to former customers as legislation fails". CT Insider. Archived from the original on 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  13. ^ Ragland, Jamil (2024-05-02). "Company That Advances Workers' Pay Offers Refund For Fees After Halting Service". CT News Junkie. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  14. ^ "The case for earned wage access | Payments Dive". www.paymentsdive.com. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  15. ^ DeMarco, Jacqueline (2019-07-08). "Earnin app review: Paycheck advances". Intuit Credit Karma. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  16. ^ "The case for earned wage access | Payments Dive". www.paymentsdive.com. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  17. ^ Renzulli, Kerri Anne. "EarnIn App Review". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  18. ^ "How the Pay What You Want Model Can Work For You". www.bizjournals.com. Archived from the original on 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  19. ^ "The Rise of Digital Tipping — From Music to Your Own Paycheck". OZY. 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  20. ^ Balogh, Shannen. "This startup has raised $190 million from investors like Andreessen Horowitz to help workers get paid in between paychecks. Its head of B2B explains why it's introducing a 'zero integration' model". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  21. ^ Valle, Gaby Del (2019-05-22). "How a Silicon Valley startup is trying to rebrand payday loans". Vox. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  22. ^ Renzulli, Kerri Anne. "EarnIn App Review". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  23. ^ "Earnin Review: Pros, Cons, And Alternatives". 2020-03-31. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
  24. ^ PYMNTS (2025-03-18). "EarnIn Debuts Early Pay For Faster Paycheck Access". PYMNTS.com. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  25. ^ "EarnIn aims to fill gap left by banks, launches Early Pay". American Banker. 2025-03-21. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  26. ^ "EarnIn App Review [2025]: Get Paid Faster". FinanceBuzz. 2020-04-08. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  27. ^ Limonta-Volkova, Ilona. "Why Are Earned Wage Access Companies Like EarnIn Moving Into Payroll?". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  28. ^ Dugan, Kevin (2019-03-28). "Cash-advance app Earnin gets subpoenaed by NY regulator: source". New York Post. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  29. ^ Dugan, Kevin (2019-03-22). "Popular cash advance app Earnin operating in payday loan 'gray area,' critics claim". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  30. ^ "Activehours, which makes every day a payday, just raised $22 million in Series A funding". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  31. ^ Kauflin, Jeff. "MoneyLion Accused Of Trapping Borrowers With Misleading Claims And Illegal Loans In Baltimore City Lawsuit". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  32. ^ "Perks et al v. Activehours, Inc., No. 5:2019cv05543 - Document 63 (N.D. Cal. 2021)". Justia. March 25, 2021.
  33. ^ Rosenblum, Taylor Gess, Carlin McCrory, Caleb Rosenberg, Jeremy (2024-08-22). "Class Action Alleging Usurious Fees and Tips Filed Against FinTech Provider of Earned Wage Access Services". Consumer Financial Services Law Monitor. Retrieved 2025-03-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ "Register of Actions". portal.vtcourts.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
  35. ^ "Case 24STCV32469 Kelvin Evelio Castro Vs Activehours, Inc., Et Al. - Trellis: Legal Intelligence + Judicial Analytics". Trellis.Law. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
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