Banque Saudi Fransi and DSK Bank tap Backbase to revamp digital customer experiences
Both financial institutions are set to implement Backbase’s Engagement Banking Platform.
UK
Norway’s Signicat buys UK anti-fraud firm Sphonic
The company aims to be the go-to provider for digital identity and anti-financial crime services across Europe.
Funding Circle founder bags $30m for new paytech
The funding was raised at a pre-money valuation of $60 million, according to Sky News sources.
UK challenger Starling secures £130.5m funding at £2.5bn valuation
The challenger plans to “build a war chest for acquisitions”.
Tom Hamilton joins investment fintech Bite as new chief information officer
Hamilton has more than 20 years worth of experience in senior leadership and information technology roles.
Kiwi regtech start-up First AML lands £15.6m Series B, makes UK debut
The company’s co-founder Bion Behdin is relocating to its new London office.
Tighten financial crime controls, FCA tells challengers
The FCA review found some UK challenger banks have “weaknesses” with regards to financial crime controls.
FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 22 April 2022
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
Trading app Robinhood plots global expansion with acquisition of UK crypto firm Ziglu
Robinhood says the deal forms part of its mission to “democratise finance”.
Business financing platform Muse Finance hires Tarek AbdelKader as CTO
The tech veteran has previously worked at firms including The Co-Operative Bank and Think Money Group.
New UK fintech Frost to launch next month
The firm’s app currently has a waitlist of over 15,000 people.
UK paytech MYPINPAD merges with Singapore’s SmartPesa
The new combined entity will operate under the MYPINPAD brand and will double its global footprint.
New UK start-up Keyzy gears up for launch with rent-to-own solution
The firm promises hopeful homeowners the ability to “move in now, buy later”.
Anti-fraud platform SEON raises $94m Series B to fuel global expansion
The start-up will use the fresh capital to expand throughout North America, LatAm and APAC.
The Bank of London hires new deputy CEO for the UK
Tom Wood will also join the firm’s UK Bank Board, reporting to group chief executive and founder Anthony Watson.
FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 15 April 2022
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
Microsoft teams up with Finastra to offer SME lending through Dynamics 365
Microsoft says the partnership will drive value for SMEs, “the backbone of job creation in the world’s economy”.
Wagestream secures $175m Series C funding to fuel expansion plans
The round is believed to be the largest ever raised for a social impact fintech.
New UK fintech start-up GoSolo launches business account
GoSolo aims to streamline the application process for opening a UK business account as a non-resident.
New UK lending fintech OnLadder receives funding
The UK-based start-up seeks to make purchasing a home more affordable for first-time buyers.
SME financing platform Stenn lands $50m equity investment
Stenn CEO Greg Karpovsky says: “A lack of access to finance is stunting the growth of SMEs around the world.”
Paysafe appoints former FIS president as new CEO
Bruce Lowthers succeeds Philip McHugh, who is stepping down after three years in the role.
Bank of England’s fintech chief Varun Paul leaves for digital asset platform Fireblocks
Paul has been at the central bank for 16 years and spent just over a year as head of the fintech hub.
How GoCodeGreen is aiming to make fintech software net-zero
Eric Zie, CEO and founder of GoCodeGreen, talks to FinTech Futures about the push for sustainable software engineering.
FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 8 April 2022
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
UK fintech funding round-up: Timeline, Leatherback & Network B
A handy round-up of the recent funding endeavours of UK-based fintechs.
UK fintech Fidel API secures $65m Series B round
Funding will help the firm meet the “ever increasing demand for tools that enable programmable money experiences”.
Kevin Guy joins UK challenger MoneeMint as COO
Guy has 36 years’ worth of experience across banking and financial services.
NatWest taps Bottomline to tackle authorised push payment fraud
NatWest will look to utilise Bottomline’s confirmation of payee (CoP) solution.
UK’s Zopa Bank hits profitability less than two years since launch
The firm claims it is “one of the fastest digital banks to achieve profitability ever”.
Mike Regnier takes the reins as new Santander UK CEO
Regnier joins Santander from Yorkshire Building Society, where he was CEO since 2017.
Two years on from the FCA’s AML/CTF registration regime, how are firms managing?
Two years on from its introduction, how have cryptoasset firms been navigating the registration process?
Oxbury Bank raises £31m in Series C funding, acquires core banking tech provider Naqoda
Oxbury Bank is a start-up bank in the UK focused on the agricultural sector.
UK savings app Moneybox lands £35m Series D
The investment brings Moneybox’s total funding raised to date to £95 million.
Blockchain.com valued at $14bn following Series D funding round
The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners with participation from Baillie Gifford.
RBC set to acquire UK wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin in £1.6bn deal
The deal is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and is expected to be completed by Q3 2022.
UK credit card start-up Yonder exits stealth, raises £20m
Yonder is designed for the five million-strong ‘credit invisible’ market underserved by current credit providers.
UK Infrastructure Bank embarks on system selection
UKIB, a new government-owned bank, is looking for a core banking system and has issued a tender.
FinTech Futures Jobs: Three great London-based jobs to apply for this week
Exciting open vacancies at Freetrade, Shopify and Railsbank. Apply today!
Charity donation app Toucan acquires fellow start-up DonatePal
DonatePal co-founder Zishan Sheikh will also join Toucan as a board advisor.
