US neobank Upgrade secures $105m Series E funding round
The new funding round values the firm at more than $3.3 billion.
Banking
The social dilemma
With half the world on social media, why are so many FIs still shying away from it in fear?
Cosy murder
Accepting the premise of the question keeps things tidy, but life doesn’t work that way.
Objectway acquires German core vendor Die Software Peter Fitzon
Italian software company plans all-in-one wealth and core product suite.
Circle announces plans to become a national digital currency bank
The firm says it will operate under the supervision of US financial regulators.
Social finance app Frich launches in the US
NYC-based Frich offers a savings wallet and no-fee overdraft for Gen Z users.
Kroo nets £17.7m Series A funding to build new digital bank
Neobank hopeful aims to secure a full banking licence ahead of a planned launch in 2022.
Fintech start-up dopay gains Egyptian banking licence
The payroll company is looking to launch a new digital banking platform in the country.
Cartoon: The many faces of VC
This week’s cartoon illustrates the different career stages of venture capitalists.
Fintech is facing diversity challenges – but there are reasons to be optimistic
There’s work to be done on forging greater equality in fintech, but there has been some progress.
Razer plans shutdown of Razer Pay service three years after launch
Payment service launched in Malaysia in 2018 and Singapore in 2019.
Malaysian challenger BigPay raises $100m to fund Asian expansion
BigPay is the fintech unit of Malaysian budget airline AirAsia Group.
Reserve Trust raises $30.5m in Series A, appoints new CEO
B2B payments firm says it can provide a service to cut out correspondent banking middlemen.
UBS fined by Hong Kong’s SFC for compliance breaches
SFC slaps $1.5 million fine on Swiss bank for multiple issues.
Identity verification firm SentiLink lands $70m Series B funding
San Francisco-based firm plans to build out its product suite and expand its team.
Why banks and fintechs need to be strategic with digital transformations
Here are a few tips to consider when developing a strategy for digital transformation.
Fintech funding deals globally 2 August – 8 August 2021
Featuring Rapyd, Human Interest, Unico, Matrixport and Kuda.
Extended deadline announced for Banking Tech Awards 2021
The new nomination deadline for the Banking Tech Awards 2021 is 20 August.
Credit Suisse nabs 16-year HSBC veteran for global fintech role
Orazio Tarda joins the Swiss bank after a long spell with HSBC.
Indian challenger bank Jupiter lands $45m Series B funding co-led by Nubank
The start-up has now raised around $71 million in total.
How evolving tech is changing digital habits
A deeper look at some of the technologies that are changing our digital habits.
Video: fintech news pick of the week – Rapyd, Monzo and Mercury
Our top pick of news from the world of finance and tech in bitesize video format, twice a week.
FinTech Futures Jobs: Three great roles to apply for this week
Exciting vacancies at CSC, Broadridge and Oracle. Apply today!
ICYMI funding round-up: Snoop, Easy, Wildfire Systems, Ritmo & more
Another batch of funding rounds that might have flown under your radar.
Teachers Building Society selects Finastra’s Fusion Essence Cloud
UK building society becomes first mutual to pick Finastra system.
Australian challenger Alex goes live on Temenos
The digital bank was granted a banking licence by APRA last month.
Broadridge acquires Alpha Omega in Itiviti combination plan
Broadridge will combine Alpha Omega and Itiviti’s post-trade solutions.
Is data the new currency for banks?
Banks have huge amounts of customer data, but do they have enough?
Fifth Third completes acquisition of healthcare fintech Provide
Provide offers financial products targeted at healthcare practices.
Exclusive: Central Bank of Egypt selects collection of Oracle FS platforms
Central bank picks a range of systems from digital banking to treasury and credit facilities.
QR codes – changing the consumer experience in banking
Introducing the “touches ATM experience” with QR codes.
Money is not a problem
Don’t tell me money is not a problem. It most definitely is a problem. It just isn’t the real problem.
Nigerian challenger Kuda raises $55m in Series B funding round
Kuda lands valuation of $500 million, and total raised of $91m.
Climate First Bank launches in Florida with Finastra Phoenix at the core
Florida-based lender plans to meet and exceed a range of green initiatives.
Capturing the Gen Z market starts with onboarding
Fintechs should deliver the digital-first experience Gen Z expects from the minute they sign up.
Video: fintech news pick of the week – Square, Lloyds and VNLIFE
Our top pick of news from the world of finance and tech in bitesize video format, twice a week.
Digital banking start-up Mercury hits $1.6bn valuation with new $120m funding
Digital bank secures unicorn status with Series B funding round.
Figure Technologies closes $200m Series D funding round
Blockchain infrastructure provider hits $3.2 billion valuation.
Vietnamese fintech VNLIFE lands $250m Series B funding
The funds will be used to fuel its “continued digitisation of Vietnam’s service ecosystem”.
FCA investigating Monzo as challenger reports £115m yearly loss
The FCA is investigating Monzo over potential breaches of money laundering laws.
