News


Samba Bank to go paperless with BenchMatrix

Pakistan-based Samba Bank has signed for BenchMatrix’s retail loan origination system, RiskNucleus LOS. The solution will automate the bank’s consumer lending processes across its entire network of 37 branches and facilitate “moving towards a fully paperless environment”, BenchMatrix says.

Starling Bank First Digital Challenger to Join Faster Payments

U.K.-based Starling Bank has become the “first of the digital-only challengers” to join Faster Payments this week. The 13th direct participant of the Faster Payments Scheme, Starling says its customers will be able to see where their money is flowing and when in real-time, 24/7.

Singapore’s POSB launches banking chatbot

POSB, one of Singapore’s oldest banks and part of the DBS Banking Group, has launched an online virtual assistant. It is powered by the KAI conversational bot/AI platform from a New York-based fintech start-up, Kasisto.

Fifth Third Bank teams with QED Investors for fintech innovation

Fifth Third Bank is partnering with venture capital (VC) firm QED Investors to bring new products and services to their banking customers. The VC firm will advise the Ohio-based bank and support its NorthStar strategy to “enhance offerings through technology”. Tim Spence, executive vice-president and chief strategy officer for Fifth Third Bank says the partnership […]

DeVere Group launches private bank

Financial adviser firm DeVere Group has unveiled its own private bank, DeVere Group Bank St Lucia. The company says the launch “has been facilitated” by the acquisition of St Lucia-based Arton Bank for an undisclosed sum. Arton Bank was set up and licensed in 2014 under the Offshore Banking Act 1996. Founder and CEO of […]

VEB issues core banking system tender

Russia-based Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (VEB), a state-owned development bank, has issued a tender for new core banking software.

Mastercard Moves Closer to Finalizing VocaLink Deal

A lone concern by the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding Mastercard buying VocaLink appears to be nearing resolution, thus paving the way for the card network’s acquisition of the U.K. transaction processor.

Blackhawk Provides ‘Upside’ for Companies, Business Travelers

Blackhawk Network’s expansion into the incentives industry continues to bear fruit. In its latest partnership, business travel site Upside will be offering its customers incentives, including gift cards from the more than 50 merchants in Blackhawk’s network.

FIS and Verifone Help Consumers Redeem Loyalty Points

2016 Pay Award winners FIS and Verifone are working together to make it easier (and instantaneous) for consumers to redeem loyalty points, some $16 billion of which are left on the table annually in the U.S., the companies said.

Carmakers Continue Payments Push: Daimler to Roll out Mercedes Pay

Banks and retailers aren’t the only companies getting into the digital wallet game. Daimler Financial Services, which operates under the same corporate umbrella as the Mercedes luxury car brand, plans to build an electronic payments service via its acquisition of Luxembourg-based PayCash Europe.

Daimler Financial Services buys PayCash Europe

Daimler Financial Services is acquiring e-payments services provider PayCash Europe, based in Luxembourg. This will enable Daimler to launch its own e-payments service under the Mercedes Pay brand.

Fintech tour Hong Kong: Park and ride

Park and ride? A visit to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and an opportunity for fintechs to ride the start-up wave.

UBS extends agreement with EPAM Systems worth $300m

The world’s largest wealth manager UBS has extended its long-standing agreement with EPAM Systems, a provider of product development and software engineering solutions. The agreement – worth over $300 million – “supports the bank’s strategic cost reduction programme”, according to EPAM.

Schroders in digital drive with Capriza

Global asset manager Schroders has selected Capriza’s enterprise mobility platform “to power its drive to digitisation”, according to the vendor.

HSBC to capitalise on tech innovation with technology advisory board

HSBC has appointed a technology advisory board of top-level specialists from around the globe as the banking giant is keen to capitalise on opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics, blockchain and data science, combat cybercrime and leverage its global infrastructure.

AnaCap to acquire German payments provider Heidelpay

Private equity firm AnaCap Financial Partners is taking over a controlling stake in Heidelpay, an online payment service provider (PSP) in Germany. Heidelpay’s co-founders and existing management will retain a minority stake in the business.