The rise and fall of Marcus (2024)

The beginning: Marcus by Goldman Sachs was launched in 2016 as an opportunity for Goldman to break into consumer banking and provide retail customers with a unique digital banking experience from a trusted name.

  • In the years that followed, it offered savings products, checking accounts, and personal loans. It partnered with Apple and General Motors to offer credit cards. And it expanded into the UK.
  • In 2021, the bank acquired fintech startup GreenSky, which offers home improvement and healthcare loans, in a bid to bulk up its consumer lending. It also partnered with working capital platform C2FO to offer loans that don’t require borrowers to designate assets as collateral.
  • Also in 2021, Marcus made plans to develop an app for consumers in the UK market which would also include a robo-advisor.

The rise and fall of Marcus (1)The rise and fall of Marcus (2)

E-Mail ChartDownload

This year in review: In 2022, Marcus struggled with leadership, as three different executives successively had headed up the division since 2021. Despite this instability, the bank could tout some impressive wins. But they were quickly overshadowed.

  • Marcus generated more than $100 billion in deposits since inception and reported having more than 14 million customers.
  • It also projected hitting $4 billion in revenues by 2024 after bringing in $1.5 billion in revenues in 2021.
  • In June, Marcus teamed up with Nav Technologies to offer a suite of credit options to small business owners.
  • But a profit remained elusive. Goldman reported an expected $1.2 billion in losses for 2022 from Marcus.
  • And in September, Marcus faced increasing scrutiny from the Federal Reserve. It wasn’t reported what types of questions the Fed was asking, but the frequency and line of questioning was more aggressive than its typical review of banking business lines.

Total overhaul: As the losses mounted and shareholders began to question the viability of the consumer-facing bank, Goldman Sachs was forced to make major changes to the business line. With its Q3 2022 earnings release, Goldman outlined a reorganization that would dismantle Marcus.

  • Most of Marcus’ products would be transitioned into the wealth and asset management businesses.
  • Checking accounts would be available only for high-net-worth clients and some corporate partners.
  • Its robo-advisor, Marcus Invest, and savings accounts would be offered only to high-net-worth customers.
  • The bank’s existing credit card partnerships would remain, but any new partnerships would be selective.

Goldman Sachs learned a few tough lessons in its attempt to build an in-house digital “speedboat” to compete with neobank challengers: Much more goes into attaining profitability than just new branding and marketing, and attracting new, lower-income customers outside of its wheelhouse requires a tailored approach to that demographic’s differing needs.

This article originally appeared in Insider Intelligence’s Banking Innovation Briefing—a daily recap of top stories reshaping the banking industry. Subscribe to have more hard-hitting takeaways delivered to your inbox daily.

The rise and fall of Marcus (2024)

FAQs

The rise and fall of Marcus? ›

The failure of Marcus can be attributed to a series of strategic and management missteps. Initially, the project attracted talented executives from both within and outside Goldman, like Harit Talwar from Discover Financial Services (DFS), aiming to blend Goldman's expertise with new consumer finance skills​​.

Why did Marcus by Goldman Sachs fail? ›

The failure of Marcus can be attributed to a series of strategic and management missteps. Initially, the project attracted talented executives from both within and outside Goldman, like Harit Talwar from Discover Financial Services (DFS), aiming to blend Goldman's expertise with new consumer finance skills​​.

What was Marcus Garvey's downfall? ›

In 1922 the federal government indicted Garvey on mail fraud charges stemming from Black Star Line promotional claims and he suspended all BSL operations. Two years later, the U.N.I.A. created another line, the Black Cross Navigation and Trading Co., but it, too, failed. Garvey was sentenced to prison.

Is Goldman Sachs shutting down Marcus? ›

Goldman Sachs to Shutter Marcus Invest and Sell Robo-Advisor Accounts to Betterment. Goldman Sachs is closing Marcus Invest, an automated-investing service, and is selling Marcus Invest's digital investing accounts to robo-advisor Betterment.

Why was Marcus Garvey called black Moses? ›

In his own time, he was hailed as a redeemer, a "Black Moses" who tried to lead his people to freedom, who dared to dream about and preach black redemption and black pride.

Is Marcus bank safe from collapse? ›

Goldman Sachs Bank USA is an FDIC member, which means that funds deposited in Marcus savings accounts are insured up to the maximum allowed by law, which is currently $250,000 for all your individually-owned accounts combined, $250,000 per owner for all your jointly-owned accounts, and $250,000 per beneficiary for ...

Is it safe to put money in Marcus? ›

Goldman Sachs Bank USA is an FDIC member, which means that funds deposited in Marcus Online Savings Accounts and CD accounts are insured up to the maximum allowed by law, which is currently $250,000 for all your individually-owned accounts combined, $250,000 per owner for jointly owned accounts and $250,000 per ...

Why did Garvey's movement fall apart? ›

Answer and Explanation: Marcus Garvey's movement fell apart because it was too lofty and because it faced severe criticism, not only from whites, but from blacks as well. Garvey was calling for all black people of African descent to unite and unseat colonialism.

Why did Marcus Garvey's movement fall apart in Quizlet? ›

Why did Marcus Garvey's movement fall apart? There was no effective leadership after Garvey was deported to Jamaica.

What was Marcus Garvey's main message? ›

Marcus Garvey and his organization, the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), represent the largest mass movement in African-American history. Proclaiming a black nationalist "Back to Africa" message, Garvey and the UNIA established 700 branches in thirty-eight states by the early 1920s.

What are the downsides of Marcus? ›

Access issues: Marcus has no physical branches or ATM network. Funding limitations: Account holders can't use cash or mobile checks for deposits. Limited accounts: Marcus doesn't have as many banking products available as some other financial institutions, including a checking account.

Why I leave Goldman Sachs? ›

After conversations with nine Goldman Sachs partners over a twelve-month period proved fruitless, Smith came to believe that the only way the system would ever change was for an insider to finally speak out publicly. He walked away from his career and took matters into his own hands. This is his story.

How does Marcus by Goldman make money? ›

Despite the investor indifference, Goldman's Marcus business is at an inflection point. Begun in late 2016, it has essentially two products: high-interest savings and personal loans. The bank has gathered about $48 billion in deposits and made $5 billion in loans so far, but new offerings are coming.

What did MLK say about Marcus Garvey? ›

King once described Garvey as "the first man on a mass scale and level to give millions of Negroes a sense of dignity and destiny." Back in the early 1920s, when Garvey was living in Harlem, the idea of Black nationalism, of unapologetic Black pride, was something whispered, not shouted.

What religion was Marcus Garvey? ›

In March 1908, his mother died. While in Kingston, Garvey converted to Catholicism. Garvey became a trade unionist, vice president of the compositors' section of the Printers' Union, and took a leading role in the November 1908 print workers' strike.

What did J. Edgar Hoover do to Marcus Garvey? ›

Edgar Hoover hired the first black FBI agent to spy on Marcus Garvey, and the FBI damaged some of the Black Star Line's ships. (B) J. Edgar Hoover was a bigger enemy of Marcus Garvey than W.E.B. Du Bois, and Hoover hired a black agent to spy on him.

What is the latest scandal of Goldman Sachs? ›

Goldman has said 1MDB officials and former Malaysian government officials lied to it about how bond sale proceeds would be used. The bank collected about $600 million in fees, and its Malaysia unit pleaded guilty to a corruption charge.

Why did Goldman Sachs lose money? ›

Goldman Sachs has experienced additional losses in their credit card business, mainly due to the Apple Card. The investment bank has recently shared its financial results for Q2 2023, indicating that they are still facing challenges with the Apple Card and other portfolios.

Who went to jail from Goldman Sachs? ›

Mohammed Zina, a former analyst at Goldman Sachs, departs Southwark Crown Court in London, UK, on February 12, 2024. London — A former Goldman Sachs analyst was sentenced to 22 months in prison Friday for using inside information to buy shares in listed companies and make more than 140,000 pounds ($175,650).

Is Goldman Sachs in decline? ›

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Goldman Sachs in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is predicted to post an EPS of $8.57, indicating a 2.5% decline compared to the equivalent quarter last year.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Errol Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 5593

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Errol Quitzon

Birthday: 1993-04-02

Address: 70604 Haley Lane, Port Weldonside, TN 99233-0942

Phone: +9665282866296

Job: Product Retail Agent

Hobby: Computer programming, Horseback riding, Hooping, Dance, Ice skating, Backpacking, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.