Equifax launches real-time business ownership data service
Equifax, the consumer and business information specialist, has launched a new service providing real-time, integrated data on companies and the individuals who own and run them.
News
Orc adds high speed link to Istanbul exchange
Electronic trading specialist Orc has launched a high speed connection to Borsa İstanbul. which brought all the Turkish capital markets exchanges under one roof in 2013. “Turkey is becoming an increasingly attractive market, with a steady rise in trading activity and demand from the region,” said Orc.
PayPal Kicks off First Post-Spinoff Buy with Modest (Aug. 24, 2015)
PayPal’s purchase last week of Chicago-based Modest—its first acquisition since its spinoff from eBay—could be the beginning of a major shopping spree.
NYDFS: BitLicense Applications Show ‘Substantial Interest’ (Aug. 24, 2015)
Less than three months after New York State’s Department of Financial Services finalized the U.S.’s first state-level framework for licensing digital currency companies, nearly two dozen firms have applied for the so-called BitLicense, the agency said.
The Clearing House Calls for Level Playing Field for Banks, Alternative Payment Providers (Aug. 24, 2015)
The Clearing House (TCH) is calling on regulators to increase data security oversight for alternative payment providers, such as Apple, Google, Square and Venmo, which the bank-owned TCH says are not being held to the same regulatory standards as major banks, according to a new white paper.
Reserve Bank of India Grants Payments Bank Approval to Create Access for Citizens (Aug. 24, 2015)
The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval to 11 companies to set up payments banks in an effort to grant millions of Indian citizens access to basic banking features. Companies receiving approval included telecoms, tech firms and the post office.
Regulators seek input on harmonisation of unique OTC trade reporting identifiers
The Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures and the International Organization of Securities Commissions are seeking comment on proposals for harmonising the Unique Transaction Identifier used to be used for OTC derivatives trade reporting.
Malaysian bank picks Intellect iGTB platform for wholesale digitisation
Kuala Lumpur-based Hong Leong Bank Berhad has selected the Intellect Global Transaction Banking platform as the basis for a digital transformation of its wholesale banking services.
Amex’s Serve Introduces Cash-Back Rewards for Everyday Spending on GPR Card (Aug. 19, 2015)
American Express Co. today introduced the option for Serve GPR cardholders to earn 1 percent cash back on all purchases, a move analysts say is likely to intensify competition in the GPR category.
QIWI Integrates payWave into Visa QIWI Wallet (Aug. 19, 2015)
Building on a contactless payments boom in Russia, Visa and Russian payment services provider QIWI have integrated Visa’s payWave contactless technology into the Visa QIWI Wallet, providing millions of users with a new mobile payment option at contactless terminals.
High Price Tag for Mobile Shopping Cart Abandonment (Aug. 19, 2015)
Mobile commerce providers and retailers left a potential $24.5 billion in revenue on the table because of user experience issues, according to a new report from Jumio Inc.
Mobile to take lead in payments over the next five years
Mobile phones will take an increasingly leading role in the payments space over the next five years as a result of technologies that allow safe storage of payment details in smartphones, according to a report prepared by the Consult Hyperion on behalf of Payments UK.
People on the Move: David Hunter, bux.com Global Ltd.
Payment solutions provider bux.com Global Ltd. announced that David Hunter has joined the company as a non-executive director and member of the board.
People on the Move: Steven L. Antonakes, Eastern Bank
Boston-based Eastern Bank has appointed Steven L. Antonakes senior vice president and chief compliance officer.
People on the Move: Michael Moeser, Javelin Strategy & Research
Javelin Strategy & Research has hired Michael Moeser as director of payments for the retail and small business sectors.
People on the Move: Nandan Mer, MasterCard
MasterCard announced the appointment of Nandan Mer, who is currently group executive of loyalty solutions based in London, to the role of division president for Japan.
People on the Move: David Nute, PayRange Inc.
Mobile payments provider PayRange Inc. has appointed David Nute vice president of operations and finance.
Company on the Move: Rakuten Inc., New Tech Research Centers in Boston, Singapore
Tokyo-based Internet service company Rakuten Inc. has announced the opening of two international branches of the Rakuten Institute of Technology in Singapore and Boston.
People on the Move: Patricia A. Watson, TSYS
TSYS announced that Patricia A. Watson has been named senior executive vice president and chief information officer, effective Sept. 14.
Target and Visa Finalize Deal to Settle Data Breach Costs (Aug. 18, 2015)
Target Corp. has reached a deal with Visa Inc. to reimburse credit and debit card issuers for costs incurred following a massive data breach disclosed during the 2013 holiday shopping season that exposed personal data of more than 100 million consumers.
Apple Pay’s Australian Rollout Stalls on Bank Negotiations (Aug. 18, 2015)
Apple Inc.’s plan to roll out Apple Pay soon in Australia—which has a high penetration of contactless cards and NFC terminals—has hit a snag as the country’s largest banks balk at paying the toll Apple requires, according to reports.
PHH Granted Stay in CFPB Decision, Questions Bureau’s Power (Aug. 18, 2015)
In a blow to the CFPB, mortgage servicer PHH Corp. earlier this month was granted a stay pending appeal of a $109 million enforcement action issued by Director Richard Cordray and the bureau in June.
Earthport’s Ripple Integration Takes the Blockchain to Banks (Aug. 18, 2015)
Global payments network Earthport has teamed up with Ripple Labs to offer real-time cross-border payments via Ripple’s blockchain-based transaction ledger protocol.
Instinet to offer cash management and payment services to research clients
Nomura’s equities execution unit, Instinet Europe, is to offer cash management and payment services to purchasers of its investment research products following authorisation from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority to operate as a payment institution.
Commerce, PayPal Join for New Data Insights (Aug. 17, 2015)
The U.S. Department of Commerce and PayPal are teaming up to help guide international strategy for small and midsize U.S.-based businesses by combining data generated by PayPal’s global payments networks with government-sourced economic data.
State Bank of India Poised to Launch ‘SBI Buddy’ M-Wallet (Aug. 17, 2015)
The State Bank of India this week enters India’s increasingly competitive mobile wallet field with “SBI Buddy,” an m-wallet enabling consumers to make purchases directly from participating merchants’ e-commerce offerings.
Digital drives hiring in marketing and sales at FS firms
The drive to digital and need to boost financial services brands is leading to increased demand for marketing and sales support staff and pushing up bonuses for people with the right skills.
Fintech ‘unconference’ comes to New York
On 15 September, fintech firms BBVA Open Talent, Consult Hyperion, NYPAY and Next Bank NYC will present keynotes and discussions as well as twenty fintech start-up demos competing as part of the BBVA Open Talent competition.
South Africa’s JSE aims to ‘spearhead’ African cross-listings with ETFs
Stock markets in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa are planning to launch cross-listed exchange traded funds later this year, as part of an initiative that aims to boost liquidity across Africa’s three largest markets.
Samsung Pay Launching Sept. 28 in U.S., Reaching ‘Nearly Everywhere’ (Aug. 13, 2015)
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today announced that Samsung Pay will launch next week in Korea and on Sept. 28 will get in the m-wallet ring with Apple Pay in the U.S., enabling consumers with the latest generation of Samsung’s handsets to tap their devices and pay contactlessly “nearly everywhere” cards are accepted, including NFC-ready locations and those that are not yet NFC-ready, the company said.
Debit Caps: Fed Explains Transaction-Monitoring Rationale (Aug. 13, 2015)
The last lingering issue in the long-running legal dispute between merchants and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors over debit interchange fee caps took a step toward resolution this week, with the Fed detailing how it calculated a controversial aspect of the fee limit.
Perk.com Launches Rewards Prepaid Card with Discover, Marqeta (Aug. 13, 2015)
Perk.com Inc. has tapped One to Watch Paybefore Award-winning Marqeta to launch Perk Plastik, a Discover prepaid card that enables its rewards members to redeem points online and at the POS.
Fintech Acquisitions Roundup: FIS, Yodlee, SVB Deals (Aug. 12, 2015)
Financial technology investment remains hot, with several fintech providers involved in major acquisitions announced over the past week.
MasterCard, TD Bank Test Payments Wristband That Uses Consumer’s Heartbeat (Aug. 12, 2015)
MasterCard, Canada’s TD Bank Group and technology provider Nymi, formerly Bionym, are getting to the heart of payments security.
Rite Aid Reconnects NFC at its Stores Nationwide, Welcoming All NFC Payments (Aug. 12, 2015)
Pharmacy retailer Rite Aid this week said it will resume NFC acceptance at its 4,600 stores nationwide beginning Aug. 15, following months disabling contactless payments acceptance in the wake of Apple Pay’s rollout.
Credit Suisse dark pool accused of nefarious activity
Credit Suisse is facing allegations that its dark pool Crossfinder ripped off investors by providing unfair advantages for some participants while misleading others. The incident follows a long history of nefarious activity reported in various dark pools in recent years – and exposed the bank to charges of hypocrisy from market observers.
Global Move to Real-Time Payments Speeds up with New Standards (Aug. 11, 2015)
Global payments stakeholders, including regulators, are getting behind ISO 20022 as the standard that eventually could enable interoperable real-time, cross-border payments.
Amex Extends Apple Pay to U.S. Corporate Cards (Aug. 11, 2015)
American Express Co. this week expanded its Apple Pay connection to include corporate cards, becoming the first major corporate card portfolio to integrate with the m-payments service, the New York-based company said.
CPI Card Group Files for $100 Million IPO (Aug. 11, 2015)
Littleton, Colo.-based card manufacturer and payments company CPI Card Group Inc. has filed preliminary paperwork with the SEC, saying it could raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering.
Report: Speed, Security Essential to Continue M-Banking Boom (Aug. 11, 2015)
To compete in a mobile world, financial services providers must focus on speed, convenience and security when designing mobile banking and payments services, according to a new report.
