North America fintech funding round-up: Vexi, Comun, ModernFi & more
A round-up of the latest funding endeavours of fintech start-ups from across North America.
Financial Inclusion
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: Ledge, AdalFi and Power
Our weekly fintech round-up for you to get the latest funding news from around the world.
What the FinTech? | S.4 Episode 2 | Space Bank and financial inclusion
In this episode, we’re joined by Nika Kurdiani, deputy CEO at TBC Bank and CEO of Space International.
Ghana’s Fortek partners Codebase for Digibanc platform
It is hoped the partnership will “accelerate digitisation” and boost entrepreneurship in Africa.
Global Technology Partners names Olaseni Alabede as new CTO
Alabede was previously vice president of product development in Mastercard’s installments business.
UK’s FCA names first members of its new innovation advisory group
The Innovation Advisory Group (IAG) will meet for the first time in February, the FCA says.
Non-profit Commonwealth begins second phase of partnership with JP Morgan Chase
Commonwealth and JP Morgan Chase are examining how new tech can reduce wealth inequality in the US.
South Africa to pilot national rapid payments programme this year
The national payment system forms part of South Africa’s Vision 2025 programme.
More banking hubs and pods earmarked for UK as branch closures continue
A further nine banking hubs and six deposit services have been recommended by Link.
GXS Bank names Muthukrishnan Ramaswami as group CEO
Ramaswami most recently spent 12 years as president of the Singapore Exchange (SGX).
Paytech Highline names Rebecca Mowat director of partnerships
Mowat brings over 20 years’ worth of experience in international trade and business to Highline, the firm says.
South African digital lender Lulalend bags $35m Series B
Lulalend will look to increase its loan book size and develop new products.
Liberis lands €30m in debt financing from Silicon Valley Bank UK
The funding will support Liberis’ targeted expansion across the Nordics and Europe.
UK mortgage lender LiveMore bags £250m credit facility from Citi
The new funding facility will enable LiveMore to increase loan originations and grow its portfolio.
Malaysian fintech HelloGold winds down core business
CEO and co-founder Robin Lee tells Fintech News Malaysia the firm is “pivoting to a B2B model”.
Open letter calls on UK government to boost SME credit access
The letter has been co-signed by Codat, Atom Bank, Funding Circle, Iwoca, Allica Bank, SPRK Capital and others.
FCA greenlights Nova Credit to provide credit references for new arrivals
Nova Passport collates cross-border credit bureau data to help businesses underwrite new-to-country individuals.
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: Ascendant, Evergreen, Kwara, Pilon & more
Featuring Ascendant, Evergreen, Komunal, Kwara, Pilon, and Sprinque.
Indian government set to spend $320m to boost adoption of digital payments
The government hopes its plan will facilitate the development of “a robust digital payment ecosystem”.
State Bank of Pakistan names five successful digital bank applicants
The country’s central bank and regulator expects these new digital banks to promote financial inclusion.
Tyme Group opts for Mambu’s core banking tech for Philippines’ GoTyme Bank and future banks across Asia
Mambu’s platform enabled a “lift and shift” of Tyme Group’s digital bank concept from South Africa to the Philippines.
Banking on youth: How can banks and fintechs maximise the opportunity around junior accounts?
Looking for competitive analysis and comprehensive on the junior accounts and child-oriented money apps? We have it!
New consumer lending fintech Salmon launches in the Philippines
Salmon claims to have over 2,000 customers and over 30 merchant partners for its lending product.
PayQuicker appoints Nazuk Jain to lead product development
Jain will build out the firm’s product team and manage its expanding product roadmap.
Healthcare paytech Paytient lands $40.5m Series B
The round consists of $33m in equity and $7.5m in debt from Silicon Valley Bank.
Germany’s Gen Z neobank Ruuky files for insolvency
The neobank has assured customers that all their funds are secured and its app is still “fully accessible”.
Beyond Bitcoin: why developing nations should look to stablecoins
With stablecoins, emerging economies could potentially build more inclusive and fairer monetary systems.
KreditBee extends Series D funding round with additional $100m
The news follows KreditBee’s $80 million fundraise as part of its Series D funding round last month.
FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 6 January 2023
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
Akulaku secures $200m from Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
The funding will support Akulaku’s anticipated growth as it looks to provide banking services across Southeast Asia.
Japan’s Smartpay launches open banking digital payments service
Smartpay claims it is the first digital consumer finance firm to utilise Japan’s open banking system.
Indian fintech start-up SarvaGram bags $35m Series C funding
Founded in 2018, SarvaGram last raised $10 million in a Series B funding round in 2021.
Welcome.Place, Enfuce, Epassi, Visa partner for refugee prepaid card pilot
The goal is to provide a service that assists 50,000 Ukrainian and other refugees by the end of 2023.
Reasons to be hopeful for 2023
Perhaps, the universe has a plan hiding in plain sight. The glimmers of hope that are just around the corner…
2022: Top five payments stories
FinTech Futures takes a look back at some of the year’s top developments and stories in payments.
Top five fintechs and neobanks of 2022
FinTech Futures takes a look back at some of the year’s top new fintechs and neobanks.
Fintech Galaxy snaps up Egypt’s Underlie to boost regional open finance
Fintech Galaxy will leverage Underlie’s open banking APIs expertise to speed up market penetration in Egypt.
White paper: How mortgage-as-a-service levels the playing field for minority and first-time homeowners
How industry leaders leverage mortgage-as-a-service to increase minority and first-time homeownership.
Jordan Kuwait Bank taps Codebase for digital onboarding and instant credit services
The bank will utilise Codebase Technologies’ Digibanc platform.
The What the FinTech? podcast | Season three’s jailed buzzwords
We run down all the buzzwords our podcast guests wanted gone from the industry this year.
