As financial stress reaches alarming levels across the United States, a new AI-powered companion named Vera is emerging as a lifeline for Americans struggling with money anxiety and emotional burnout. Nearly 70 per cent of Americans report feeling financially anxious, while 43 per cent of Gen Z experience “money dysmorphia”, a distorted perception of one’s financial reality driven by constant digital comparison and economic uncertainty. Compounding the crisis, more than 60 per cent refuse to talk about money at all, leaving millions to cope alone.

Vera steps into this void as a judgment-free 24/7 companion built to support the emotional and practical sides of personal finance. Designed for anyone overwhelmed by debt, confused about investing, or too ashamed to open their credit card statements, Vera provides a safe space for honest conversations—free from lectures, stigma, or social pressure.

Powered by datasets from trusted agencies including the SEC, CFPB, and FTC, Vera offers financial guidance that is both personalised and grounded in reliable information.

“We're living through a financial mental health crisis where people are too ashamed to admit they're struggling, and the tools on the market now are not helping,” said Fernando Espuelas, founder and CEO of Vera. “Other apps are focused on scarcity. Vera is focused on abundance. She helps people build instead of budget and makes financial goals feel achievable, instead of a punishment.”

Unlike traditional personal finance tools that emphasise tracking spreadsheets and cutting expenses, Vera focuses on the emotional root causes of financial behavior. She helps users rewrite their internal “money story,” understand triggers, clarify personal aspirations, and shift from fear-driven decision-making to empowered growth.

Designed for a generation navigating economic volatility and social media–driven comparison, Vera reframes financial wellness as an integrated emotional and mental health journey.

The platform also prioritizes user autonomy and data protection:

You control your data: Connect accounts securely through Plaid or enter information manually.

No selling or sharing: Vera never sells or shares personal or financial data.

Full transparency: All data is encrypted and can be deleted at any time.

Ethics-first design: Five core principles—well-being, control, integrity, fairness, and continuous evolution—guide every interaction.

“Financial health isn’t just about numbers and budgeting anymore. There’s an emotional component that we’ve ignored for too long,” added Espuelas. “True financial wellness is impossible without mental and emotional well-being—they’re deeply intertwined, and it's time we started treating it as such.”

With its empathetic, privacy-forward approach, Vera aims to redefine what financial support can look like—offering not just answers, but understanding, encouragement, and a path toward financial freedom.