News


ACI Worldwide powers pan-European instant credit transfer scheme

ACI Worldwide has been named by EBA Clearing as one of the “frontrunner service providers” for the pan-European EBA SEPA Instant Credit Transfer Scheme (SCT Inst), due to go live in November 2017. The scheme will enable consumers and businesses to make euro credit transfers in real-time between accounts across an international area that will […]

Judge Tosses out Shareholder Suit Related to Home Depot Breach

Home Depot has scored a victory in the legal fight that followed the retail chain’s 2014 data breach. The retailer’s investors cannot sue its board of directors via a shareholder derivative suit, ruled a federal judge in Georgia, the home state of the chain.

EBA’s Proposed Guidelines Call for 2-Hour Notice of Data Breach

The European Banking Authority working with the European Central Bank has released a consultation paper on guidelines for payment service providers to follow in the event of security breaches. Among the suggested mandates is notifying authorities of an incident within two hours from the moment the breach is detected—that’s significantly faster than the breach notification requirements set to go into force next year, which mandate notice within 72 hours and applies to some U.S. companies.

UniCredit to cut 14,000 jobs

Italy’s largest bank UniCredit plans to raise €13 billion and axe 14,000 jobs over the next two years as it looks to get its finances in order. Along with the job cuts, which amount to about 11% of its workforce, UniCredit will shut down about 25% of its 3,800 branches. It also aims to use […]

Mastercard: Europe Not Immune to Unbanked Problem

More than 138 million Europeans do not have access to formal banking services, says Mastercard in a new report—news that could present an opportunity to prepaid providers and so-called “challenger banks.”

Fiserv Continues Notification Push with OBS Buy

Financial services technology provider Fiserv Inc. has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Online Banking Solutions Inc. (OBS), in a deal Fiserv said will bolster its cash management and digital business banking capabilities—and continues the firm’s recent focus on driving customer engagement via notifications.

Innovate Finance launches new fintech start-up competition, Pitch360

Innovate Finance, a UK-based fintech membership association, has unveiled its first ever start-up competition, Pitch360. Open to applicants from around the world, Pitch360 offers a 360-second (six minute) pitch of a new business and product in front of a live audience of influencers, investors and media professionals as well as access to Innovate Finance’s member […]

Mabrey Bank turns to Jack Henry for IT infrastructure and core processing

Oklahoma-based Mabrey Bank has migrated its IT infrastructure and core processing to an outsourced delivery model with US-based banking software heavyweight Jack Henry. The bank moved its IT infrastructure to the cloud computing environment, Gladiator Hosted Network Solutions, and then migrated its CIF 20/20 core processing system to JHA OutLink Processing Services. Carlisle Mabrey, IV, […]

Metro Bank moves IT infrastructure to Rackspace cloud

UK-based challenger bank Metro Bank has moved its IT infrastructure to a Rackspace managed cloud solution. Rackspace says this has reduced the bank’s close-of-business processing time by 50% and report production time by two-thirds.

Mastercard: Gift Cards Pack One-Two Punch during Holidays; In-Store Sales Still Dominate  

An “extremely strong” November for holiday shopping concluded with a “solid start” over Thanksgiving weekend, according to Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president of Market Insights for Mastercard. Although final holiday shopping data won’t be available until the end of the month, Quinlan spoke with Paybefore about how the shopping season is shaping up for retailers.

Irish E-Money License Could Make Facebook a P2P Force in EU

Facebook has received a key license that would enable the social media giant to bring its Messenger P2P service to Europe. The Central Bank of Ireland quietly granted an e-money license to Facebook Payments International Ltd. in late October, the company confirmed in a statement to TechCrunch, paving the way for the potential launch of Facebook’s Messenger-based money transfer service throughout the EU’s 28 member nations under passporting rules.

Chase Pay Bites into QSR Sector with LevelUp

Consumers with Chase Pay mobile wallets can now order and preemptively pay for their meals at quick service restaurants thanks to a deal with Boston-based LevelUp, Chase said. The deal, which comes as Chase expands its mobile wallet, promises to help make that payment technology more important for consumers, as the deal eventually will involve thousands of eateries.

M-Payments Deal Report: Apple Pay, WeChat, Starbucks and Square

Some of the biggest players in the mobile payments space have announced deals that could bring digital payments and gifting to more consumers around the globe. Starbucks will provide “social gifting” and payments to users of China’s WeChat messaging service, while Square will integrate its digital debit cards with Apple Pay, two recent developments that could boost the popularity of mobile payments.

Fintech funding round-up: 12 December 2016

With so much fintech funding activity going on, we’ve summarised the latest fundraising efforts of start-ups. Featuring Lunar Way, FXCH and Polychain Capital.

BNY Mellon suffers payments glitch

BNY Mellon experienced problems with processing clients’ payments instructions – it blamed the issue on its connection to Swift. The problems were subsequently resolved.

Mobey Day Toronto: Machines of loving grace

Don’t rage against the machine, just embrace its potential and look at the real world applications. The world of machine learning (ML) came under the spotlight on day two of Mobey Day in the great city of Toronto. At yesterday’s (8 December) sessions at the Four Seasons Hotel, about 300 delegates enjoyed panels and presentations […]

Mobey Day Toronto: The disruption paradox

Teamwork triumphs in Toronto. The theme of collaboration between start-ups and the big players dominated day one of Mobey Day. While some in the fintech industry say they’re disruptive, it seems that’s no longer true as they all look to work together. At yesterday’s (7 December) sessions at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, […]

Fintech tour Toronto: Ontario calls for venture capital

Ontario in Canada is calling for more venture capital to come to the region as it looks to boost its fintech industry. This is the main message from a tour of Toronto, given to the international media by the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth (MEDG).

Can Amazon Make the Checkout Lane Obsolete?

Amazon’s vision of the future, which it’s testing in Seattle, is a grocery store that enables customers to complete purchases via scanning mobile phones instead of waiting to pay.

People on the Move: Steve Pruitt, Americhip

Steve Pruitt has taken on the role of director of new business development for the Americhip Gift Card Group, a provider of print, specialty packaging, shopper marketing and gift card programs.

People on the Move: Jo Kenrick, Bacs Board

Jo Kenrick has been named an independent director on the board of Bacs Payment Schemes Ltd., the network behind the clearing and settlement of U.K. automated payment methods, direct debit and Bacs direct credit, as well as the Current Account Switch Service and the Cash Isa Transfer Service.