News


People on the Move: David Durant, YapStone

YapStone, a global provider of Web and mobile payment technology solutions for large vertical markets and online marketplaces, named David Durant general counsel.

Nasdaq to introduce blockchain for private equities

Nasdaq is to use the blockchain technology behind controversial alternative currency Bitcoin, as part of a push to improve the exchange’s equity management abilities. The move is the first time a major global exchange has put the blockchain concept to use.

Halifax doubles mobile user base in a year

UK retail bank Halifax reports that two-thirds of its customers are now using mobile to login, doubling the number of mobile banking sessions compared to a year ago.

Industry bodies look to harmonise ISO 20022 real-time payment implementation

Global interoperability of real-time payments systems will require harmonisation of market practices and standards. A group of international clearing houses, banks, vendors, payments associations and other parties have proposed setting up an activity to look at how to deliver this under the aegis of the International Standards Organisation – and set an ambitious target of collating an initial variant of ISO 20022 usage guidelines for real-time payments before the summer.

O2 Buys Weve, Ends Telco JV’s M-Payment Plans (May 7, 2015)

Weve, the U.K. telco-led mobile wallet joint venture of O2, Vodafone and EE, this week announced another major reorganization, abandoning its earlier mobile payments ambitions to focus on mobile advertising, under the sole ownership of O2.

V.me Set for Full Rollout in U.K. (May 7, 2015)

The U.K. rollout of Visa Europe’s V.me digital wallet is picking up steam, the payments network said, with support from banks representing more than half of the country’s 130 million cardholders and thousands of merchants.

EU Lawmakers Reach Informal PSD2 Agreement (May 7, 2015)

European lawmakers, following years of discussion, believe improved competition, more innovation and enhanced consumer protections in cross-border payments will be the result of an informal agreement on a revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) reached this week.

Lima Exchange sets sights on LatAm expansion with LSE platform

As Peru rapidly grows its economy, the country’s Bolsa de Valores Lima exchange hopes to turn itself into a regional hub for international investors. To that end, the exchange has gone live with a new trading platform, built by the London Stock Exchange’s MillenniumIT subsidiary.

Innotribe names South African Start-up Challenge finalists

The Innotribe Start-up Challenge attendees selected the five finalists from the African leg of the Start-up Challenge to compete at Sibos Singapore in October. The showcase was held yesterday alongside Swift’s African Regional Conference.

US lags on EMV card adoption as October deadline looms

EMV card usage is increasing almost everywhere in the world as a billion new EMV cards enter circulation – but the US continues to lag behind, despite the fact that liability shifts to the retailer from 15 October this year.

Visa Europe Opens Doors to Startups with Innovation Lab (May 5, 2015)

Visa Europe has not only opened the physical doors of its new international innovation hub in London, the payments network also is opening its figurative doors to working with companies across the fintech ecosystem to create what it calls a new generation of payment services.

Banks face “mad rush” to prepare for MiFIR

Financial institutions will need to maintain records, report transactions and supply reference data under the European Commission’s forthcoming MiFIR regulation. But those who expect plenty of time for implementation and no regulatory conflicts are likely to be disappointed, according to a new report by analyst firm Aite.

V.me by Visa to be rolled out in UK this year

Visa Europe says that it will roll out its V.me by Visa in the UK this year, having secured commitment from 55% of the UK’s card issuance base, which accounts for more than 60 million card holders, and thousands of the UK’s retailers. It will now be commercially available to the majority of internet shoppers in the UK before the end of 2015.

Citi Mobile Challenge demos ‘disruptive’ finalists in London

Mobile startups are changing the way customers interact with financial services around the world. Tier one banks know this, and are keen to get a piece of the action. This week, companies from EMEA demoed at the Citi mobile challenge in London in the final stage of an annual event that takes in hundreds of financial startups around the globe.

Retail banks face falling customer satisfaction and loyalty globally

At first glance the message for banks from the latest World Retail Banking Report 2015 looks like very bad news for traditional banks. Globally, customers’ propensity to leave their primary bank is on the rise while their willingness to make referrals or buy additional products from their primary bank has decreased significantly.

ABN Amro extends Temenos relationship to private banking

ABN Amro plans to implement the Temenos WealthSuite integrated wealth management platform for its international private banking business. It will also be able to extend the use of the T24 core system to its private banking and diamond & jewellery business, giving it one platform with one operating model across multiple business lines.

Why FDIC Insurance for Google Wallet?

The recent news that funds stored in Google Wallet now are FDIC-insured might indicate the tech giant has more changes in store for the wallet—and may even begin positioning it as a checking account alternative.