News


CASHU Denies Reports of Saudi Ban, Announces Expansion

Earlier this month, reports emerged in several Saudi media outlets that SAMA had banned in-person sales of CASHU prepaid cards due to the large number of customers using the cards and the government’s inability to monitor misuse.

Venmo In-App Payments Exits Beta

Venmo also announced additional merchant partners have come on board, bringing the number of merchants now accepting Venmo payments within their mobile apps to 11.

Jaywing supports Shawbrook Bank for IFRS 9 compliance

UK-based challenger Shawbrook Bank is working with a credit risk analytics firm, Jaywing, to meet the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 9 modelling requirements. Jaywing is helping the bank through the build of a credit risk modelling programme that will underpin credit management, impairment forecast and capital requirement including stress testing and Internal Capital Adequacy […]

Tech Leadership Award open for entries!

Do you know an outstanding Tech Leader? The Tech Leadership Award, part of our annual Banking Technology Awards, will go to an individual for leading and playing an instrumental role in devising and/or delivering the technology strategy to support the key business objectives of an organisation. The award is open to all industry participants worldwide […]

Diasoft scores second win in Vietnam with TPBank

Russia-based banking tech vendor Diasoft has landed its second deal in Vietnam, with TienPhongBank (TPBank). TPBank will implement Diasoft’s loan origination and debt collection solutions, part of a broader Flextera software suite. Diasoft’s first contract in Vietnam (and the vendor’s first in South East Asia) – signed in 2013 – is with Vietnam International Bank […]

Project Sentinel completes MiFID II technology specification, embarks on vendor search

Project Sentinel, a collaborative initiative by a group of banks to mutualise the cost of MiFID II implementation in the OTC front office, has completed the detailed business requirements that meet MiFID II regulatory obligations. The project is now focused on finding the right vendors to deliver the solution. “Once the vendor assessment is complete, […]

Dubai Islamic Bank selects Nasdaq BWise platform for risk and compliance

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has chosen Nasdaq BWise’s governance, risk management and compliance (GRC) platform for more real-time visibility into their risks. The BWise GRC platform will support DIB, the largest Islamic bank in the United Arab Emirates, to continue monitoring and managing its risks, compile and present reports for the board, senior management and […]

New mobile banking service for SMEs gears up for UK launch

UK-based Tide will offer a “nimble small business current account”, with a swift set-up and no monthly fees. It claims to be among the “world’s first” mobile-first banking services for SMEs. Tide’s CEO George Bevis says the company will open its virtual doors for business in autumn this year. Tide is currently in the “private alpha […]

Top ten retail banking sites in the US – June 2016

Who is leading the digital way among the US retail banks? We have put together some nifty stats for the top ten online banking sites in the US for the past month (data courtesy of SimilarWeb). We’ll be publishing regular updates on a monthly basis, to track the changes, developments and trends – to bring you a fuller […]

Lloyds selects Bacs payment solution from D+H

DH Corporation (D+H) has onboarded UK’s Lloyds Banking Group for its white-labelled Bacs payment service. Lloyds “sought to provide new payment services to enhance clients’ payables and receivables processes”, says D+H. To begin with, Lloyds will offer the vendor’s Bacs capabilities to SMEs and mid-market clients, but D+H hopes this will be subsequently scaled up […]

Italy’s FinecoBank to expand to UK

The UK’s challenger bank sector is set to gain another player. Unicredit’s subsidiary, FinecoBank, is coming to the UK this autumn, according to City AM. FinecoBank has been around since the late 1990s and today has over 1.1 million clients in its home market of Italy and €55 billion of assets. Alessandro Foti, CEO and […]

FinTech Group and Rocket Internet team up for digital banking launch

FinTech Group and Rocket Internet have formed a technology partnership, with the first step to launch a digital bank. Based on the banking licence of its subsidiary bank Biw, FinTech Group will provide Rocket Internet the infrastructure such as its own, proprietary core banking system and automated processes. In addition, XCOM, FinTech Group’s technology supplier, […]

Elo and Discover mark “first” transaction for global network boost

Elo, the “first” 100% Brazilian card brand, conducted its first international transaction in the US on the Discover Global Network. This transaction marks the official acceptance of the Elo Global Card in the US. The cards are issued by Banco do Brasil, Bradesco and Caixa Econômica Federal, and will be used for international purchases and […]

Alpima to implement new digital advisory platform from SS&C

London-based advisory firm Alpima has selected SS&C Technologies’ APX and Moxy solutions to underpin its digital advisory business. APX is an integrated, front-to-back office portfolio and client management solution. Moxy is a centralised trade order management system. SS&C says the contract was preceded by a “thorough analysis”. Pierre Mendelsohn, founder and CEO of Alpima, comments […]

HSBC funds Xenomorph for data management boost

Xenomorph, a provider of data management technology to banks, investment managers and insurance companies, has received new funding from HSBC. The firm says the funding has enabled it to “accelerate global go-to-market plans” for its TimeScape EDM+ financial analytics and data management platform. TimeScape EDM+ is designed to manage the complete lifecycle of financial data […]

Top ten retail banking sites in India – June 2016

Who is leading the digital way among the retail banks in India? We have put together some nifty stats for India’s top ten online banking sites for the past month (data courtesy of SimilarWeb). We’ll be publishing regular updates on a monthly basis, to track the changes, developments and trends – to bring you a fuller picture of […]

EBA Clearing unveils specifications for new pan-European instant payment solution

EBA Clearing, a provider of payment infrastructure solutions owned by 53 major banks in Europe, has published the specifications for its future pan-European real-time payments solution. The new solution is set to go live in November 2017. It will comply with the SCT Inst Scheme of the European Payments Council (EPC). The document, which can […]

Blom Bank automates operational risk with Wolters Kluwer’s OneSumX

Lebanon-based Blom Bank has signed for Wolters Kluwer’s flagship solution, OneSumX, for operational risk management. The project will be delivered by the vendor’s local partner, Advanced Financial Solutions. OneSumX Operational Risk “automates and simplifies” the process of collecting, storing, analysing, tracking and reporting on information relevant to operational losses, risk and control assessments, says Wolters […]

Top ten retail banking sites in the UK – June 2016

With digital banking (and particularly mobile) sharply on the rise in the UK – according to the latest figures released by the British Bankers Association – who is leading among the UK retail banks? We have put together some nifty stats for the top ten online banking sites in the UK for the past month (data […]

Mastercard Patent Authenticates Without In-Store PIN, Biometrics

Mastercard on Tuesday (July 26) was granted a patent for a device that sidesteps PINs and biometrics for quick consumer payment authorization. The idea is that consumers would authenticate themselves before making the purchase, thereby enabling much faster checkout in-store.

Reports: Square Prepares for U.K. Launch

Square Inc. reportedly wants to set up shop in the U.K. That would put the mobile payments service up against such players as PalPay and Germany-based SumUp—among many others—for the loyalties of merchants.

Sopra Steria acquires Cassiopae

Paris-based Sopra Steria has completed its acquisition of Cassiopae, a developer of specialised finance management software. The firm, through its subsidiary Sopra Banking Software, has bought 75% of the share capital of Cassiopae. The planned tie-up was first announced in February, as Banking Technology reported. Cassiopae’s founder and his family, and certain managers including current […]

Pay Magazine – Awards Edition Is Here

The wait is over. The first publication dedicated to our annual Pay Awards is here—packed with insights and inspiration from our 10th annual Pay Awards competition and the programs, companies and individual that walked away with top honors. You’ll also get an exclusive look at comments from our expert judges.

SIA partners with Politecnico di Milano for payments innovation

Italian payments firm SIA has invested in a 3.17% stake in technical university Politecnico di Milano (MIP). SIA is the third new partner to join in 2016 after Microsoft and Whirlpool, and says it has already been collaborating with MIP for several years on international innovation and development projects. “Being close to companies and to […]

Axis Bank pilots India’s first RuPay EMV contactless smart card

Axis Bank has partnered with OT (Oberthur Technologies) to pilot the “first” open loop EMV contactless smart cards to be used in public transportation in Bengaluru, India. OT, a provider of security software products and services, says the cards allow people to tap and pay instead of buying a ticket each time they use transportation […]

Shubham Housing Finance opts for Nucleus’ FinnOne lending platform in the cloud

India-based Shubham Housing Development Finance Company has implemented Nucleus Software’s FinnOne Neo, a loan lifecycle management solution in the cloud. Nucleus says Shubham is one of the first dedicated housing finance companies in India to set up their lending platform on cloud infrastructure. Ajay Oak, chief operating officer of Shubham, says Nucleus was chosen “because […]

Fiserv gains with Dakota Plains

Dakota Plains Credit Union has replaced its existing system with an integrated technology suite from Fiserv, including XP2 for core account processing. The North Dakota-based credit union will also use Fiserv’s Virtual Branch for online banking, Mobiliti for mobile banking, CheckFree RXP for electronic payments, Statement Advantage for statements and e-statements, Wisdom for comprehensive accounting […]

European banks & digital strategies: mind the gap

European financial services companies must close the gap between vision and execution in their digital strategies, and here are the findings to support this statement. Whilst major European banks and insurance companies appear ready to embrace digital as a solution for maintaining both revenues and relevance, research from Accenture shows they will need to work a […]

Fidor fuels O2 mobile banking launch

Telefónica Germany, in association with Fidor Bank, has launched its mobile banking offering, “O2 Banking”, in Germany. As Banking Technology reported in May, Matthias Kröner, CEO of Fidor Bank, said the collaboration offers “the best of two digital worlds” – banking services via a mobile app and additional services from an O2 mobile contract. The […]

Bancolombia and First Data team up for payments innovation

Bancolombia and US-based First Data have formed a strategic agreement to integrate their technology platforms to “improve and diversify” services for business owners in Colombia. The companies will focus on building e-commerce and business management solutions for merchants as well as improving access to the banking system. First Data and Bancolombia say they will bring […]

CEO Fails to Keep Alive GiftCardRescue.com

Citing a lack of financing, gift card exchange GiftCardRescue.com has closed up shop. Kwame Kuadey, founder and CEO, launched the company in 2008, enabling consumers to exchange unwanted gift cards or buy new ones at a discount.

Mastercard Eyes License as China Opens to Outside Payment Firms

Mastercard is setting its sights on China, with plans to apply for a payment services license there and releasing a new index to track the pulse of the nation’s new economy. China began allowing foreign-based payment card providers to operate in the country in June, giving outside players the opportunity to access the country’s $8.25 trillion payments market—provided they met certain capital and security standards. Mastercard currently is studying the requirements and deciding whether to apply for a license alone or with a partner.

5 Ways Wearables Are Improving the Way We Shop

With nearly 40 million Americans using wearables—and that number expected to more than double by 2018, retailers are looking for ways to capitalize on wearable popularity by using these devices to push personalized offers and provide payments capabilities to improve the shopping experience.

Report: U.K. Mobile Banking on Rise as Branch Visits, Desktop Banking Dwindle

Mobile banking is catching on in a big way in the U.K., with payments via mobile banking apps reaching £347 (about US$456 million) in 2015, up a whopping 54 percent over the previous year, according to a new study. The Way We Bank Now, a report from the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) and professional services organization EY, found that U.K. consumers used mobile banking apps—ranging from those of major banks to full-featured mobile-centric accounts—more than 4 billion times last year.

Absa launches digital wallet and ChatBanking for Facebook Messenger

Absa has launched a MasterCard-powered digital wallet and ChatBanking for Facebook Messenger. ChatBanking will let customers conduct banking without having to leave the social media platform; and follows on from the recent introduction of Absa ChatBanking on Twitter in May. Ashley Veasey, group CIO and chief digital officer at Barclays Africa (Absa is majority owned […]

WorldPay’s world of pain ends

Global payments provider WorldPay says it has put an end to two weeks of turmoil which saw millions of payments affected through one of its gateways. The company had experienced a fretful fortnight which saw many customers unable to receive cash from e-commerce sites (and other non-fintech ones). This led to a boisterous backlash and […]