Alliance Data to buy BNPL fintech Bread for $450m
The acquirer expects the deal to increase its earnings per share by 2023.
Digital
Chime’s app goes down for a day as users complain of rejected purchases
“We are currently experiencing intermittent outages,” Chime said.
Deepfakes in finance: a threat to be wary of?
Fraudsters are turning to synthetic identities to open new accounts.
US challenger Bella plans launch around conversational banking
Bella offers a range of consumer-friendly options, including gifts and randomised cashback.
TrueLayer nabs former Amazon and AmEx exec as new CPO
Ossama Soliman joins TruLayer as its new chief product officer.
Yolt to launch Mastercard debit card through PPS partnership
Money management app takes a deeper step into the payments sphere.
Boutique wealth manager CWPW launches in UK
CMPW is taking a “hybrid” approach, of both AI and human interaction.
PayTech Awards Supplement
Commending the payment sector’s best projects and experts of 2020.
Sustainable banking app Novus launches website and waiting list
The new app promises to help users lead a better lifestyle.
New US challenger Flyp targets excluded communities
The neobank aims to provide the same service as big banks without the fees.
Calastone acquired by US private equity firm Carlyle Group
Financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
A banker goes a-banking, volume 7: why can’t we be friends?
What 15 years of digitisation & modernisation have gotten us from the consumer’s point of view? It’s not looking great.
Nets completes acquisition of major Polish card payment processor
“Poland is one of the most attractive regions in Europe” for digital payments.
Meezan Bank picks BPC’s SmartVista to revamp payments
Meezan is deploying SmartVista for payment authorisation, card management, and more.
Prospa sets out to serve global diaspora of African entrepreneurs
The start-up’s sweet-spot customers are entrepreneurs and micro-SMEs.
Neobank Vybe plans 300,000 new customers in UK and France
Vybe’s CEO claims the challenger already has 950,000 people signed up and ready.
Money management fintech Yatta emerges in Dublin
Yatta promises to help users navigate the “complexities” of financial decision making.
African remittance firms thrive amid COVID-19
Azimo saw a nearly 200% increase over the expected number of new customers in April, May and June.
Cashfac: Fully automate your escrow accounts solution
Driving customer satisfaction through your escrow accounts solution.
Nordic challenger Lunar lands $47m Series C
The round arrives just seven months after its €20 million Series B extension in April.
Stability of financial institutions during and beyond COVID-19
How should banks provide consumers with what they need and can afford?
Monet Money to target UK’s creatives with cash flow app
The beta version of its app is expected to land in February 2021.
Restrictive covenants during COVID-19: are they enforceable?
Can you enforce such clauses in a post-pandemic world – and should you?
Effectively combating fraud while staying user-friendly
The current cyber threat landscape, authentication methods and how the industry continues to fight back.
FAB transfers legacy banking licence to ADQ
A number of legacy banks in Dubai have launched digital-only services this year.
Unifimoney signs cross-border payments deal with Nium
The US neobank promises an “enhanced outbound money experience”.
Woman-owned de novo Agility Bank gains regulatory green light in Texas
Agility Bank aims to raise $30 million prior to launch in 2021.
PayPal brings crypto further into mainstream with wallet update
PayPal landed the first conditional crypto licence from the NYSDFS.
First Women’s Bank picks Fiserv to underpin 2021 launch
The US neobank will operate out of Chicago to challenge small business lending in the US.
Line launches messenger-based banking platform in Thailand
Line has developed and operates the service in collaboration with Thai bank Kasikornbank.
Unqork signs Life.io partnership weeks after $207m Series C
Life.io will build its customer engagement apps on Unqork tech.
Game over, insert coin
We are trying to pay lip service to wholesale dramatic change but get away with cosmetic modifications.
Commercial Bank of Dubai serves ‘low-income’ customers with Now Money
“[We’re offering a] much more advanced and cost-effective alternative”.
Visa and Mastercard abusing UK duopoly, say retail groups
The major card schemes are accused using their position to charge increased fees.
Hong Kong challenger WeLab Bank goes live on Temenos Transact
The neobank launched a few months ago.
European lender Capitalbox buys rival Dutch arm of Spotcap
The deal marks Spotcap’s exit from the direct lending market.
PeoplesBank picks Nymbus to help launch digital bank Zynlo
Regional US bank stand up digital branc with help from Nymbus.
COVID-19: Hard road ahead for insurtech companies
The global head of Willis Towers Watson Reinsurance Tech anticipates a rocky road ahead for insurtech.
White paper: Low code development in banking and its role in high speed content-based services
How banks can make more strategic use of their content, developing applications at speed that transform services & user experiences.
UK challenger Lanistar lands £15m from CEO’s family
“Lanistar is not only planning to stand out, but step over all the other start-ups”.
