News


NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank hit by online banking issues

This is becoming a regular fixture in the UK, as yet again British banks are reporting online banking problems. In the latest glitch, customers of NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Ulster Bank have been hampered by the outage. The trio say they are “aware of some issues” with their online banking services. Customers […]

Singapore regulator calls for more feedback on payments law

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has launched a second consultation on its proposed regulatory framework, known as the Payment Services Bill. According to MAS, the Bill will streamline the regulation of services under a single legislation, expand the scope of regulated activities to include virtual currency services and “calibrate regulation according to the risks […]

Configo launches cloud environment

Digital sales and engagement firm Configo is taking its technology to the cloud. The company is making its Live Experience Platform – which gives FIs the ability to create customer-centric, personalised digital experiences – available as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, reports David Penn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). Until now, Configo’s platform was installed on-premise. The new cloud […]

Google eyes more data centre space in Denmark

Google is eyeing an expansion in Europe, buying land in Denmark where it plans to build a new data centre that could be used to expand the company’s cloud computing footprint, as well as meet new European Union standards related to data privacy, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication). Reuters reported that Google’s […]

European Payments Council’s SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme goes live

The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) Instant Credit Transfer (SCT Inst) scheme created by the European Payments Council (EPC) is now operational. As of today (21 November), the EPC says nearly 600 payment service providers (PSPs) from eight European countries are offering instant payment solutions based on SCT Inst. It was launched last year, with […]

Payments round-up: 21 November

Here’s more action from the lively paytech place. Features Apple, Coinsilium Group, UMT United Mobility Technology, Visa and even the Olympic Winter Games.

Fujitsu and Sensory are the face of biometrics for Mizuho

Fujitsu has teamed with Silicon Valley-based Sensory to provide face biometric authentication for Mizuho’s mobile banking. Mizuho is the first customer of the Fujitsu and Sensory partnership and it will be using TrulySecure. This solution’s features include the option to fuse voice and face biometrics recognition together; and it works with Android, iOS, Linux and […]

AWS and VMware vs Cisco and Google: a cloud fight worth watching

At one time in the not-so-distant past, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Google and VMware all competed against each other in the cloud market space. While AWS and Google succeeded with their cloud ambitions, Cisco, with its Intercloud platform, and VMware, with vCloud Air, failed to gain much traction Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister […]

Payments round-up: 20 November 2017

It pays to pay attention to the pacey payments precinct. Our latest round-up comprises Glint’s golden launch, BillPro’s licence and QR codes in Singapore. Glint, an electronic payment system that enables gold to be used as a currency, has launched its account and app based technology in the UK. Jason Cozens, CEO, Glint, says: “Everyone […]

European Association for Biometrics conference: easing the digital journey

Customers are impatient and friction leads to lost sales – a key takeaway from last week’s seminar on the use of “Biometrics in Banking and Payments” organised by the European Association for Biometrics. Researched flagged by Michael Sass, VP market product management, security solutions Europe at Mastercard, highlighted the potential impact on revenue; abandonment rates […]

Fintech funding round-up: 20 November 2017

Coming straight after Friday’s (17 November) fintech funding action, here’s another round-up. Features Xiaomi’s interest in India, Bamboo Capital Partners, First Access, Allied Irish Banks and TransferMate. Chinese phone and appliances maker Xiaomi plans to invest around $1 billion in 100 start-ups in India over the next five years, according to chief executive Lei Jun […]

IberCaja turns to Meniga for personalised digital banking

Spanish bank IberCaja has implemented and integrated Meniga’s digital banking solution into its core systems for real-time customer data processing. According to Meniga, it is the first personal finance software provider that IberCaja has partnered with as part of its digital revamp. Victor Iglesias CEO at IberCaja, says the agreement is an “important milestone in […]

RBS unleashes robo-advice service via NatWest brand

Wealthtech is coming to the UK high street as Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has launched a robo-advice service for around five million customers under its NatWest brand. The service will be available for clients with a minimum of £500 to invest. The total cost of advice, investment and platform fees will be at 0.95%. […]

Kabbage expands small business funding with $200m credit facility

Alternative credit company Kabbage has a lot to be thankful for this week. The Atlanta-based start-up received a new $200 million revolving credit facility from Credit Suisse bringing its total debt funding to $750 million, reports Julie Muhn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). Kabbage emphasised that this credit facility diversifies its funding sources, which will help it […]

Coinbase goes into Custody to let investors store digital assets

Who knows how much more appreciation in the price of Bitcoin will be required to encourage notorious cryptocurrency skeptic and JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to endorse investing in digital assets. But when he does, a new company launched by Coinbase called Coinbase Custody will be there to make sure he does it the right […]

ForwardLane unveils new AI APIs

US-based ForwardLane has introduced a pair of new artificial intelligence (AI) APIs that apply natural language processing and deep learning AI for managing research data and communication, reports David Penn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). “The two APIs empower the world’s leading asset managers, wealth mangers, and insurers augment the capabilities of their star performers and […]

Fiorano launches PSD2 solution for banks

Fiorano Software, a specialist in integration middleware and API management, has launched Fiorano PSD2, a solution enabling banks to comply with the European Union’s PSD2 regulations.

ABN Amro joins API rush with developer portal

ABN Amro has launched the first version of its Developer Portal, with a series of commercial application programming interfaces (APIs). The bank says working more closely with external developers will help it accelerate innovation and improve its services.

Dell makes case for cloud “core”

Make another space on your buzzword bingo card, as Dell is talking about the cloud “core”, reports Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication). “We decided instead of the edge and the cloud we need one more point – the core,” Jason Shepherd, Dell director of IoT strategy and partnerships tells Enterprise Cloud News. The […]

Multicloud can lead to management nightmare – survey

As enterprises move to a multicloud universe that combines different public and private clouds, the question now becomes how to manage all these competing platforms as the complexity builds? Enterprise Cloud News (Banking Technology’s sister publication) reports that’s the question at the heart of a study released this week by research firm opinion.life and sponsored […]

Fintech funding round-up: 17 November 2017

Following on from yesterday’s (16 November) fintech funding fun, here’s another summary. Features Flender, Tipigo Ventures, India Accelerator, Kuants, Sumeru and a handy $2 billion in Singapore. Return to Flender. Address known. As reported in May, peer-to-peer lending start-up Flender was seeking to get €1 million in funding and is targeting a UK launch after […]

Wanted: US-based bank for crypto-friendly fun

It wasn’t spotted on Craigslist but here’s an unusual request. If you are the owner of a small or medium-sized bank in the US and are ready to sell it completely (or partially) – you have a buyer! Vladislav (aka Slava) Solodkiy, managing partner at venture capital (VC) firm Life.Sreda, is being refreshingly direct and […]

Alogent adds Jwaala to digital banking tech portfolio

US firm Alogent has acquired a Texas-based digital banking tech vendor, Jwaala, for an undisclosed amount. Alogent, which is based in the US state of Georgia, says it will continue to support Jwaala’s collection of solutions, which will be marketed under the new name, Alogent Digital. Dede Wakefield, Alogent CEO, describes the acquisition as “the […]

PoC-ketful of fintech pinnacles for Kickstart Accelerator

Fintech is running like clockwork in Switzerland as over 30 proof of concepts (PoCs) and partnerships have been secured at Zurich-based Kickstart Accelerator’s tech programme. The accelerator – an initiative of digitalswitzerland and operated by Impact Hub Zurich – saw 29 start-ups as well as an intrapreneur team from AXA Winterthur and Swisscom working in […]

Veridium and Wala bring blockchain power to Africa’s unbanked

Biometrics firm Veridium has teamed with Wala, a blockchain-powered financial services platform, as they target the unbanked and underbanked population in Africa. The duo will collaborate on a pilot programme in sub-Saharan Africa to demonstrate their digital model offering “zero-fee banking”. This pilot is funded by a grant awarded to Veridium from the Digital Financial […]

Facebook data privacy lawsuit is worth keeping an eye on

Large companies getting sued is nothing particularly new, but a lawsuit over whether Facebook has violated the data privacy rights of European citizens might make quite a splash, reports Telecoms.com (Banking Technology‘s sister publication). As reported back in September, Facebook was slapped with a fine from the Spanish data protection watchdog for inappropriately collecting and […]

Actiance acquired by K1 Capital Management

Communications compliance and analytics company Actiance has made its exit this week. The California-based company has been acquired by K1 Investment Management, an investment firm focused on acquisition-based growth opportunities, reports Julie Muhn at Finovate (Banking Technology’s sister company). K1 will join Actiance with its rival, Smarsh, which specialises on archiving compliance. The combined company will reach […]

BNP Paribas and Caple make European SME credit capable

BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) has acquired a 10% stake in European credit provider Caple, allowing for a partnership to offer alternative credit to European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

InvestCloud goes Neon and Gray for wealthtech way

US-based InvestCloud has released two new lines of financial apps – Gray and Neon – to run on its digital platform. InvestCloud Gray digitises client interactions, providing a platform for wealth managers. While InvestCloud Neon enables wealth managers and financial institutions to automate trading, accounting and middle-office workflows. It also supports the real-time processing of […]