Is the so-called “YouTube Bank” about to go under and become our next Bank Failure?

It’s very complicated, allow me to explain.

First of all, we’re talking about a bank called Yotta.

And it’s not actually, technically a “Bank”, it’s a “Savings App”.

Why is it called the “YouTube Bank”?

Because a couple years ago, many YouTubers all famously promoted Yotta to their audiences, the most prominent likely being Graham Stephan.  And let me just say I like Graham and his videos and I don’t think he did anything wrong here, but he was very prominent in promoting Yotta, even making a video titled “I Bought a Bank”.  That video is now deleted but I remember personally watching it when he posted it.

Ok, so what happened?

Or more accurately, what is happening?

Let me just give you the headline first and then we’ll break it all down:

Savings app CEO says 85,000 accounts locked in fintech meltdown: ‘We never imagined a scenario like this’

That’s from CNBC.

Not only are the accounts locked, but users are unable to withdraw any of their cash.

A total nightmare scenario.

The company is claiming it’s a problem between two “middlemen providers” but it’s extremely concerning whenever you can’t get your money out of a bank — or “savings app”.

And I am absolutely not claiming they are insolvent or going under — they claim they are not — but I will say this…..I saw the very same thing happen right before crypto brokerage Celsius went under.

I was actually live-tweeting and covering the story as it happened.

They announced a “glitch” with withdrawals and I immediately advised everyone to transfer their funds off the platform.

The company claimed all was safe and all was good, and then just hours later they had collapsed.

Is the same scenario happening here?

I don’t know.

I hope not.

According to Yotta, no funds are lost or at risk, it’s just a tech glitch.

Here are more details from CNBC:

When Adam Moelis co-founded a fintech startup named Yotta in 2019, he wanted to give Americans a new way to save money to help them cushion the ups and downs of life.

Instead, his company has inadvertently been a source of deep pain for thousands of customers who relied on Yotta accounts to receive paychecks, pay bills and save for emergencies.

The crisis began May 11, when a dispute between two of Yotta’s banking partners — fintech middleman Synapse and Tennessee-based Evolve Bank & Trust — led to the lockup of accounts at Yotta and at least two dozen other startups. Synapse declared bankruptcy earlier this year after several key clients abandoned the firm amid disagreements over the tracking of customer funds.

For the past three weeks, 85,000 Yotta customers with a combined $112 million in savings have been locked out of their accounts, Moelis told CNBC. The disruption had upended lives, forced users to borrow money for food and thrown upcoming events like surgeries or weddings into doubt, he said.

“The stories are heartbreaking,” Moelis said. “We never imagined something like this could happen. We worked with banks that are members of the FDIC. We never imagined a scenario like this could play out and that no regulator would step in and help.”

Boom & bust

The ongoing mess has exposed the risks in a corner of fintech that grew in prominence during a boom in venture investment — and it will likely reverberate for years as regulators increase scrutiny of the space.

The so-called “banking as a service” model allowed consumer fintech companies to quickly launch savings accounts and debit services, with firms like Synapse acting as a bridge between the startups and FDIC-backed banks that ultimately held deposits.

The heart of the dispute between Synapse and Evolve Bank involves a foundational function of finance: keeping accurate ledgers of transactions and balances. Synapse and Evolve disagree on how much of Yotta’s funds are held at Evolve, and how much are held at other banks that Synapse worked with.

Synapse hasn’t responded to requests for comment, and Evolve has blamed Synapse for the breakdown.

The Synapse bankruptcy has mostly ensnared lesser-known consumer fintech firms, especially after larger fintech players including Mercury and Dave
fled the Synapse platform in the past year.

That has left Yotta, which encouraged users to save money with free weekly lottery-style sweepstakes, as one of the largest companies to be affected. Accounts at crypto firm Juno and at Copper, which offered savings accounts for families and teens, also have been frozen.

Non-systemic meltdown

Moelis, who has been in contact with other fintech principals impacted by the Synapse failure, estimates that at least 200,000 total customer accounts with balances are locked. While Synapse has said in court filings it has 10 million end users, it’s likely that active accounts are far smaller, Moelis said.

Adam Moelis, Co-Founder at Yotta Savings.
Adam Moelis, Co-Founder at Yotta Savings.
Courtesy: Yotta
The fintech co-founder said he believes the relatively limited scope of the issue, and the fact that most of those affected aren’t wealthy, has given regulators clearance to let the situation play out. Last year, regulators swiftly intervened in the regional banking crisis that threatened uninsured deposits of startups and rich families, he noted.

“To me, if this was happening at a larger scale, I think regulators would have done something by now,” he said. “We’ve got real, everyday Americans that aren’t necessarily wealthy and don’t have the ability to lobby that are being impacted.”

The Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. have declined to comment on the issue. Representatives of the agencies have pointed to efforts they’ve made to encourage banks to manage the risks of using fintech partners.

Enter YouTuber “Coffeezilla” who is famous on YouTube for exposing scams.

He just posted this which is how I first learned of this issue:

To be fair, Coffeezilla says in his video he does not know if this is a scam or not, and I believe he even says he does not believe it is a scam.

But whatever it is (scam, bank failure, tech glitch, something else) it is NOT good.

And people are absolutely being crushed, with one man reporting he had $80,000 in the bank and it was his nest egg he was using after quitting his job to launch his own business.

Another woman reports being unable to pay rent.

What would you do if your bank account was suddenly just frozen?

Doesn’t matter how much money you have in there if you can’t use it!

Very scary.

We hope this situation is resolved soon and has a good outcome.

Whether or not this ends up being a “bank failure” or not, there is a reason why I keep warning you that a major run on the banks is coming.

Stay on guard.

And get your money out of the banks if you’re worried about this type of stuff!

JUST IN: Billionaire Real Estate Investor Barry Sternlicht Expects One Bank Failure PER WEEK!

JUST IN: Billionaire Real Estate Investor Barry Sternlicht Expects One Bank Failure PER WEEK!

Last year we had 6 fairly large banks FAIL in the United States.

Unprecedented at least in my recollection in recent years.

But I kept telling you it was NOT over.

Then a few weeks ago this happened:

BREAKING NEW BANK FAILURE: Republic First Bank Collapses, Seized By Regulators

And through it all I continue to warn you....something much bigger and much worse is coming.

I sure hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

In fact, I continue to see things getting worse at an accelerated pace.

But who cares what I think....I'm just a reporter.  Your humble correspondent!

What you should care about, however, is what Barry Sternlicht thinks.

Do you know who that is?

Sternlicht is an American billionare and real estate expert:

Barry Sternlicht, born on November 27, 1960, in New York City, is a renowned American billionaire and the co-founder (with Bob Faith), chairman, and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, a prominent investment fund managing over $100 billion in assets. He also holds the position of chairman of Starwood Property Trust. Sternlicht's professional journey began in 1991 when he co-founded Starwood Capital Group with Bob Faith, and he later founded the W hotel chain and Starwood Property Trust, one of the largest commercial mortgage REITs. In 1995, he became the chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide until 2005.

Throughout his career, Barry Sternlicht has been recognized for his significant contributions to the hospitality industry, real estate markets, and the global business community. He was named the Cornell Icon of the Industry in 2015, a prestigious honor acknowledging his leadership and innovation within the hospitality sector. Additionally, in 2010, Sternlicht was awarded both the "Executive of the Year" and "Investor of the Year" titles by Commercial Property Executive, highlighting his remarkable achievements in real estate investment and management.

Sternlicht has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, including serving on the board of directors for the Robin Hood Foundation and the Dreamland Community Theatre. His commitment to giving back extends to his alma mater, Brown University, where he has been a trustee.

In terms of market predictions and business acumen, Sternlicht has demonstrated a keen understanding of economic trends and investment opportunities. He has successfully navigated multiple economic downturns and has been instrumental in the growth and development of his companies. His ability to identify and capitalize on market opportunities has earned him a reputation as a savvy investor and a leader in the real estate and hospitality industries.

And here's what he's saying RIGHT NOW:

Here are more details, from my friends over at Watcher.Guru:

Billionaire real estate investor and CEO of Starwood Capital, Barry Sternlicht, has recently stated his expectation of one bank failure per week in the United States. Indeed, Sternlicht expressed his concern regarding more than 4,000 banks in the US amid the ongoing pressure of interest rates and inflation.

Sternlicht noted that community and regional banks could be in for a treacherous time amid a host of macroeconomic factors. Subsequently, he noted that a regional bank could fail “every week, maybe two a week” in a recent interview with CNBC.

Throughout the year, the United States has been navigating an economy of increased frailty. Indeed, the Federal Reserve had enacted a two-year tightening campaign, increasing interest rates to combat high inflation. Now, the Central Bank has yet to cut rates, with many projecting dangers for the economy as a result.

One of them is billionaire real estate investor Barry Sternlicht, who expects one bank failure per week. Speaking to CNBC, the co-founder of the $115 billion Starwood Capital Group shared his grim prognosis for the current state of interest rates and their effect on smaller banks.

“I think people are looking for these cracks, and you’re going to see the crack develop now,” Sternlicht said. “You’re going to see a regional bank fail every day, or not—every week, maybe two a week,” he added.

At least one, maybe TWO, bank failures every week!

Hello folks!

I hope you're paying attention and I hope you're taking action to protect yourself and your family.

That's why I publish these articles, to sound the alarm and give you as much advanced warning as possible.

And it all lines up with what I've been telling you about....

Like this:

Grant Cardone: “There Are Gonna Be 100 Bank Failures In This Country…”

And this:

Audit Reveals 282 U.S. Banks Are In Danger Of Failing

Ok, so is it all DOOM and GLOOM?

What can you do about it?

Keep reading and I'll tell you!

Peter Schiff: "Gold is going to be revalued MUCH higher than it is..."

I've been telling you that you might want to get some GOLD for a while now...

I'm not a financial advisor, I'm just your humble reporter.

But someone who's much smarter than me and is a professional money manager just said something that you have to see.

That would be Peter Schiff and he just said on MeetKevin's podcast that Gold is about to be revalued MUCH higher!

Oh, and Patrick Bet-David loves gold too!

Check this out:

Here is a dedicated video player if this is easier for you to see:

You can watch the entire interview right here if you like:

Two VERY smart guys, Peter Schiff and Patrick Bet-David.

Here's more on Schiff if you don't know much about him:

Peter Schiff is an accomplished American economist, financial broker, author, and stock market commentator with a significant influence in finance and investment circles. Schiff is the CEO and chief global strategist of Euro Pacific Capital Inc., a brokerage firm founded in 1996, focused on international markets and securities. He has successfully expanded the firm's operations over the years, demonstrating his acumen in identifying growth opportunities and his expertise in global financial markets.

One of Schiff's major accomplishments is his prescient call on the 2008 financial crisis. He gained widespread recognition for his predictions of the housing market bubble and the ensuing financial crisis, which were made well before they occurred. His accurate forecast of these events earned him a reputation as a savvy investor and a keen observer of economic trends. Schiff's warnings about the dangers of excessive debt and speculative bubbles have been validated by market events, reinforcing his status as a forward-thinking economist.

In addition to his financial career, Peter Schiff is an accomplished author, having written several books on economics and investing. His works, including "Crash Proof: How to Profit From the Coming Economic Collapse," have been critically acclaimed for their insightful analysis and practical advice on safeguarding investments against economic downturns. Schiff's ability to break down complex economic concepts into accessible language has made his books popular among both novice and experienced investors.

Schiff has been a vocal advocate for sound money and fiscal conservatism, often appearing on financial news networks to share his views. His advocacy for gold as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation has influenced many investors' strategies. Despite his sometimes controversial opinions, Schiff's expertise and deep understanding of economic principles have earned him respect in the investment community.

Speaking of Gold being revalued in the future, we first told you about that three months ago:

“Gold Revaluation” Incoming? Price Could Be $10,000-60,000 Per Ounce!

"Gold Revaluation" Incoming? Price Could Be $10,000-60,000 Per Ounce!

One of the worst things our country ever did was to allow the Central Bankers to take of off the Gold Standard...

But it was the best thing to happen to the corrupt bankers, as they printed money to infinity and got filthy rich!

But....are they getting ready to flip the script on the public once again?

As the system they have completely destroyed through unlimited money printing is set to collapse, I'm seeing reports that they might be ready to go BACK to a Gold Standard.

Crazy right?

I have to show you this short 2 minute video from the Black Swan Capitalist who perfectly nails this.

And then keep reading for a solution YOU can implement right now to keep you and your family safe!  And one way you can do it with NO MONEY OUT OF POCKET!  Yes, really....

He says not only is the plan in place, but simulations have been run and if and when that happens it would result in a necessary gold price of anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000 per ounce!

For those not great at math, from today's price of $1,955 that would be anywhere from a 400% to a 2,900%+ gain!

Wow!

But not only that but there was one line that jumped out at me....

He said, quote:  "Those who put their money in gold and silver will be just fine and make incredible gains, meanwhile those who trusted the Government and kept their money in US Dollars will be utterly wiped out."

That rung very true to me.

When has "trusting the Government" ever paid off?

This is EXACTLY the kind of thing they would do, and revel in it!

It's Ronald Reagan's famous quote:

So with that in mind, watch this clip and understand what might be JUST around the corner....

Backup here if needed:

Ok so how can you get gold with NO MONEY OUT OF POCKET?  Read below...

The ONLY Two Gold Companies I Am Proud To Partner With

We mostly cover politics here, but politics affects the economy and the economy affects...YOU and ME!  And our pocketbooks.

Big league.

So in the midst of covering politics, we also cover money from time to time...and while I'm not a financial advisor, I share what I'm learning in the hopes that it can help you and keep you and your family safe.

And that often leads me to covering Gold and Silver.

You know, what they have always called "God's Money".

He made it, they aren't making any more of it, and it has always been highly valued as money from the beginning of time until now.

So I'm a big fan and I think it has the potential to do big things if, say, the U.S. Dollar were to suddenly collapse.

So that's why I talk about it and why I want to make sure everyone protects themselves and your families.

So to answer the question of "what can I do?" it's really quite simple: you need to get some #Gold or #Silver in your own possession.

It's called "physical" gold and silver.

Not paper traded garbage on the stock exchanges that isn't backed by anything.

Don't touch that stuff.

And because I get asked so much how to buy it and what the best places are, I thought I would publish this and just get it out there for all to have....

I have two special hook-ups for you and these are the ONLY two companies I am proud to partner up with on Gold and Silver.

Both involve PHYSICAL gold and silver.

Because if you do NOTHING else, make sure you own "physical" gold and silver, not paper contracts.

The paper contracts (like stock ticker SLV and GLD) could very well go POOF one day and disappear or go to zero, because they're not actually backed by the gold and silver they claim to represent.

It's a massive game of musical chairs out there and when the music stops (and I think it will stop soon...) people who only own paper might find themselves owning something not worth the paper it's literally written on.

And I know you'll never forget it if I give you this GIF so....Let's Get Physical:

Now...WHERE do you get physical gold and silver and how do you know it's real and safe?

And that you're getting the best price?

Oh, and how about personal one-on-one real customer service?

You know, like you were some Big Wig millionaire at Goldman Sachs who could just call their personal banker and get help?

That's what I'm about to tell you.  

I have two killer connections for you...

The first is for purchasing gold and silver bullion.

That means bulk bars.

That's the cheapest and most economical way to do it, to stretch your dollar into as much gold and silver as possible.

The website is called WLT Precious Metals and when you see my logo in the top left-hand corner, you'll know you're in the right place.

You'll get a personal phone call with Ira Bershatsky (or someone on his team) and they will work with you free of charge for as long as needed to answer any questions you have and get you taken care of.

How about that!

You don't see that much anymore, but Ira and his team pride themselves on good old-fashioned real customers service:

No sales pitch, just real, actual help.

And the best prices you will find.

Here's the only disclaimer I will give you: because they do pride themselves on dedicated service, it might take a few days before you get a phone call back.  Just be patient.

Good things come to those who wait!

You can contact Ira and WLT Precious Metals here.

Ok, that was #1.

Now I want to tell you about option #2.

An equally great company, I am so happy to be working with these guys.

This next company is called Genesis Gold and this is for people who want to purchase real physical gold or silver in their IRAs (Investment Retirement Accounts).

You know what the beauty of that is?

Two huge benefits actually...

First is TAX FREE baby!

I'm not a tax advisor, but that's a general oversimplification.

Never pay more taxes than you are legally required to pay.

And that's why I love getting gold and silver in my IRA (and why I hold a large chunk in an IRA myself!).

Second is if you simply shift money out of stocks (like Peter Schiff recommends) and into Gold, it won't cost you anything!  No money out of pocket!  

BOOM!

There's so much to love about Genesis Gold, starting with the fact they are proudly and un-ashamedly Christina!

They call it "Faith-Driven Stewardship" and they put it right on the homepage of their website along with a quote from Ezekiel:

Wealth Preservation With Gold & Silver –
The Genesis Gold IRA

By your wisdom and your understanding you have made wealth for yourself, and have gathered Gold and Silver into your treasuries – EZEKIEL 28:4

Genesis Gold Group believes the Bible gives clues on how man-made currencies (paper money) represent instability, and a lack of virtue and encourages living wastefully in excess.

Conflicts have beleaguered us since the dawn of civilization, and they can all be encapsulated into one battle. The battle is between currency, man-made paper, and gold and silver — the two precious metals found in our Earth’s crust, sent to us by our Lord to use as money. Man-made currency always leads nations down the path to increased war, greed, and ultimate collapse. History has shown that abandoning gold and silver has always been a bad idea. Gold and Silver enforce discipline, nurture self-constraint, self-reliance, and balance, and lead to confidence, a restrained government, and a more stable foreign policy.

Genesis Gold Group believes in empowering faith-driven stewardship with Gold & Silver are an integral part of a balanced portfolio. Protecting your finances with precious metals has never been more crucial during these trying times.

With a combined 50-plus years in the precious metals industry, let your Genesis gold and silver experts guide you through the simplicity of asset protection and growth with our Genesis Gold IRA.

Sincerely,

Genesis Gold Group

Empowering Faith-Driven Stewardship

Oh....and they're VERY good at what they do.

You also get physical gold and silver with Genesis, believe it or not!  The gold and silver is purchased for you (in whatever combination of coins and bars you prefer, a picture taken and sent to you, and then stored safely in a vault for you!

I love what these guys are doing.

Here's more on why gold and silver in your IRA are so powerful:

You can contact Genesis Gold here.

They are also very backed up with record demand, so you may have to wait a bit, but someone WILL get in touch with you for personal customer service and assistance!

Tell 'em Noah sent ya!

Oh, and did you know Genesis is recommended by SUPERMAN himself?

It's true.

Superman himself, Clark Kent -- Dean Cain -- came on my show a few weeks ago and we broke it all down:

Watch here:

Stay safe!

Make sure you can weather the storm when it hits!

Because the storm always hits eventually, doesn't it?

As for me and my house, we will be ready. 💪

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport.

View the original article here.
 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.


We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.