Open banking fintech Tarabut Gateway appoints new VP of engineering
Derek Lakin has more than 20 years’ worth of experience in the software industry.
Middle East
Dubai Investments buys 9% stake in UK challenger Monument Bank
Dubai Investments says the acquisition gives it a “unique opportunity” to move into the digital banking space.
BNPL fintech Tabby lands $58m in Series C funding
The Dubai-based firm plans to use the funding to support its growth and expand its product line.
Chief strategy and digital officer of Banque Saudi Fransi departs
He describes his tenure at BSF as an “amazing four years” in a LinkedIn post about his departure.
Hadhramout Commercial Bank opts for ICS Banks core banking system
Hadhramout Commercial Bank (HCB) is a new universal bank in Yemen.
Israeli trade financing start-up 40Seas raises $111m
40Seas offers financing for SMEs involved in global commerce.
American Express buys Israeli B2B payments automation start-up Nipendo
Amex plans to “integrate Nipendo’s team, technology and capabilities” to boost its B2B payments offerings.
Radu Topliceanu named as new head of digital bank Mashreq Neo
Mashreq Neo is the digital offshoot of UAE’s Mashreq – “a bank for a brilliant new world” – launched in 2017.
Saudi Central Bank debuts open banking lab to boost innovation
The Open Banking Lab will provide a technical testing environment to ensure compatibility with the country’s Open Banking Framework.
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.
Network International appoints group chief business transformation and technology officer
Network’s new hire Sandeep Chouhan brings over three decades of experience working in consumer banking and payments.
Jordan Kuwait Bank taps Codebase for digital onboarding and instant credit services
The bank will utilise Codebase Technologies’ Digibanc platform.
GCC fintech Now Money taps ThetaRay for AML Sonar solution
Now Money provides mobile banking services to the financially underserved, including low-fee cross-border remittances.
UK paytech Total Processing hires CCO and head of product to drive growth
Simon King joined as CCO in September while Aden Davies joins as head of product.
Al Kawthar Leasing Company opts for ICS Banks system
The ICS Banks Finance Leasing Solution is provided by regional banking tech vendor ICSFS.
UAE’s National Bonds taps Azentio for digital Islamic banking solution
Azentio says its iMAL platform will enable National Bonds to roll out Islamic products and services faster.
Mobility fintech Moove lands $30m to fuel UAE expansion
Moove intends to use the funding to scale to 2,000 EVs in the UAE over the coming year.
Saudi financial super-app Tweeq lands central bank e-money licence
Tweeq leverages Paymentology’s Banking.Live platform and hopes to launch its app soon.
Israel’s Shield bags $20m in Series B funding
Shield plans to boost its growth in existing markets and expand into new ones, including the US.
Saudi fintech platform Tameed picks Moneythor for loyalty features
With Moneythor’s solution, Tameed aims to enhance its purchase order financing offering with a loyalty programme.
Banque Saudi Fransi digital head Grant Niven departs
Niven was responsible for developing and executing the bank’s company-wide “digital vision”.
UAE investment fintech Baraka lands $20m Series A
The start-up offers investors access to more than 6,000 US stocks and ETFs.
Dubai-based fintech Leap aims to improve youth financial literacy
The Dubai-based start-up wants to improve youth financial literacy, targeting the under-18s.
Invest Bank in major tech overhaul with Temenos and NdcTech
Invest Bank is one of the first in the UAE to adopt a full SaaS model for digital and core banking systems.
BML Istisharat signs new core banking tech clients in Iraq and UAE
Two banks in Iraq and one in the UAE are implementing BML Istisharat’s ICBS core banking system.
Sohar International’s chief transformation officer Ewan MacLeod resigns
MacLeod joined the bank in February 2020 following a three-year stint at Nordea.
DFSA fines Bank of Singapore $1.1m citing inadequate AML controls
The regulatory authority also says that the bank acted outside the scope of its DFSA licence.
UAE’s Wio Bank goes live on Mambu’s cloud banking platform
The challenger says it chose Mambu’s API-led cloud platform to achieve a “faster” time to market.
Lendtech Ezra appoints Erwan Gelebart as new CEO
Gelebart has spent the past 14 years working for digital financial services firms across Africa and Asia.
Saudi Central Bank debuts new open banking framework
The framework includes legislation, regulatory guidelines and tech standards based on international best practices.
Dubai’s Pyypl lands $20m Series B as it eyes regional expansion
The round saw participation from new international investors and 10 existing investors.
Fintech Galaxy lands TPP licence from Central Bank of Bahrain
The licence allows the firm to integrate its FINX platform with multiple bank APIs.
DFSA introduces new “crypto token regime” to boost digital asset regulation
The DFSA says it is a “progressive regulator” that recognises the growing interest in crypto.
Capital Bank of Jordan launches new mobile banking app powered by Codebase
The bank is aiming to enhance customer engagement and acquisition with the Digibanc-powered app.
MFS Africa implements ThetaRay’s solution to detect financial crimes
ThetaRay says its Sonar solution helps to “effectively identify truly suspicious cases”.
MarketFinance nets £30m credit facility from Israeli investment group Viola
Viola had previously invested £75 million in the company to support its entry into the business loans segment.
UAE fintech start-up Mamo receives regulatory approval
Mamo can now provide money services and expand operations without user restrictions.
New fintech start-up Five FS launches in the UAE and KSA markets
The start-up has officially launched in the UAE and Saudi Arabian markets.
Dubai-based fintech YAP in talks to raise further $20m
If completed, the new funds will take the firm’s total Series A raise to $61 million.
Dubai’s Fintech Surge set to accelerate MENA region’s rapid fintech growth
Fintech Surge will host top innovators across digital banking, paytech, insurtech, regtech and much more.
