News


Elliptic and LexisNexis team up for Bitcoin risk management

Blockchain intelligence firm Elliptic and LexisNexis Risk Solutions have partnered for the “first” use of “bank-grade” risk management for Bitcoin. Elliptic has integrated LexisNexis’s anti-money laundering (AML) risk management data into its Bitcoin transaction monitoring and compliance products. The two firms have built a proof-of-concept that uses financial intelligence data from LexisNexis and presents it […]

SIA buys e-money processing unit of Unicredit

Unicredit is selling its e-money processing unit to payments vendor SIA. The unit – part of Unicredit Business Integrated Solutions (UBIS) – processes around 13.5 million payment cards and manages 206,000 POS terminals and 12,000 ATMs in Italy, Germany and Austria. SIA has also got a ten-year outsourcing contract from UBIS for the supply of […]

clearXchange to Offer Debit Transfers, Upping Speed, User Base

Users of bank-owned P2P money network clearXchange soon will be able to send funds via debit cards, offering faster transfers and significantly expanding the network’s potential customer base to nearly anyone in the U.S. with a debit card.

Report: Mobile Wallets Disappoint

Many mobile wallet users want more from their mobile wallets, such as sales offers, coupons, order delivery updates and loyalty programs, and marketing and loyalty opportunities using mobile wallets has gone largely untapped, according to a recent study, “The State of Mobile Wallet Marketing,” conducted by Urban Airship, a mobile engagement platform provider.

UNICEF wants blockchain developer for humanitarian innovation

The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is looking for a developer to work on humanitarian projects, including the use of blockchain for innovation. The role will be based in New York and the UNICEF Innovation Unit wants the developer to create products that solve problems in the developing world. The individual will also work […]

People on the Move: Stuart Lawrence, Eoin Whyte, UKGCVA

Stuart Lawrence of Fusion Business Development has joined the UK Gift Card and Voucher Association (UKGCVA), the country’s trade body for vouchers and gift cards, as its first consultant member. The organization also has announced that Eoin Whyte has been re-elected as its chairman, a position he’s held for the past 12 months.

People on the Move: Keith Smith, Cullen Talley, Wonder Technologies

Keith Smith has joined digital gifting and incentives platform provider Wonder Technologies to serve as president and member of the company’s board of directors. Meanwhile, Cullen Talley has joined Wonder as senior vice president of sales and new market development, to spearhead the company’s customer acquisition and sales acceleration strategies.

Thomson Reuters joins R3 blockchain consortium

Thomson Reuters has joined R3’s partnership to design and apply distributed and shared ledger-inspired tech to global financial markets. Thomson Reuters will contribute insights from its work with customers to “drive product innovation and transformation in the financial sector using distributed ledger technologies”. David Rutter, CEO of R3, says the deal is “another significant milestone”. […]

InComm Continues Overseas Push with ValuAccess Buy

Atlanta-based prepaid product and transaction services company InComm has acquired the Hong Kong prepaid distribution business of ValuAccess for an undisclosed sum, marking the company’s second international acquisition this year. In January, InComm, which operates in more than 30 countries, expanded its European footprint with its purchase of TibiDono.

Consumer Reports Dubs Prepaid ‘A Smart Way to Pay,’ Rates Top Products

As prepaid providers eagerly await the release of the CFPB’s long-gestating final rule on prepaid accounts, Consumer Reports is lauding the industry for reducing or eliminating fees and instituting consumer protections akin to those of a debit card. The improvements in prepaid products at large have led the magazine to dub prepaid cards “a smart way to pay with plastic,” in a new report and prepaid card buying guide.

Office Depot Sues Delaware over Unclaimed Gift Card Law

Office Depot and an associated gift card program manager are suing Delaware officials in federal court, challenging the state’s unclaimed property law. The Florida-based retail chain and Virginia-based North American Card and Coupon Services LLC, Office Depot’s gift card operator, said Delaware’s escheat law violates the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable search and seizures.

Fidessa revenue and profit rise

Trading platform provider Fidessa has reported an increase in profit and revenue in the first half of 2016. For the period ended 30 June 2016, revenue rose by 9% to £158.3 million. Profits were even better. Operating profit was £22.0 million, compared to £19.2 million in 2015. Pre-tax profit was also up – with a […]

Mastercard, PayPal Talks to Share Transaction Data

Less than two weeks after PayPal announced a strategic partnership with Visa, the digital payments provider is talking with Mastercard about ending a long-running dispute over transaction data, Mastercard’s CEO says. During an earnings call last week, Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga said the payments network was engaged in a “constructive dialogue” with PayPal over Mastercard’s concerns about being shut out from merchant and transaction data for sales made via “staged” digital and mobile wallets such as PayPal and Google Wallet.

Total Merchant Services Finds ‘Groovv’ with SMEs

Payments processor Total Merchant Services has unveiled a new POS system targeted for use by small and midsize businesses, including those in the retail and restaurant verticals. Dubbed Groovv POS, the platform comes in two models: an all-in-one offering that includes a 13-inch touchscreen monitor, cash drawer, integrated barcode scanner and receipt printer; as well as a smaller “Flex” model, built around a detachable Samsung Galaxy tablet.

Midnight Deal to Buy Bitcoin Goes Bad

A Florida man should have gotten his bitcoin through a reputable virtual currency exchange instead of some guys meeting in a Boston Market restaurant parking lot in the middle of the night. Likely surprising no one, a deal to exchange $28,000 for the equivalent in bitcoin went bad, leading to one arrest.

FICO quarterly income and revenue up

FICO, an analytics and decision management software provider, has reported a rise in revenue and income for its third fiscal quarter. For the period ended 30 June 2016, net income totalled $35.0 million, or $1.08 per share, versus $19.9 million, or $0.62 per share, reported in the prior year period. Non-GAAP net income for the […]

MasterCard and PayPal mull strategic alliance

Years of friction could be over as PayPal is talking to MasterCard on a potential strategic alliance, according to the Financial Times. PayPal, with its network of 188 million active users, has been expanding at MasterCard’s and Visa’s expense. One example was its recent partnership with Mexican telecommunications giant América Móvil for growth in Latin […]

New report lifts the lid on regtech sales performance globally

The Regtech Supplier Performance Report 2016, published by Market Fintech Limited and supported by Banking Technology, estimates that more 189 global financial institutions have deployed a range of new regulatory technology (regtech) solutions from 20+ specialist suppliers in just a couple of years.

Top fintech stories this week – 29 July 2016

Catch up on Banking Technology’s top five fintech stories of the week – all in one place! Abcul slow on tech modernisation project Exclusive: First credit unions to go live before year-end. New mobile banking for SMEs readies for UK launch Tide will offer a “nimble small business current account”. Top ten retail banking sites […]

CASHU Denies Reports of Saudi Ban, Announces Expansion

Earlier this month, reports emerged in several Saudi media outlets that SAMA had banned in-person sales of CASHU prepaid cards due to the large number of customers using the cards and the government’s inability to monitor misuse.

Venmo In-App Payments Exits Beta

Venmo also announced additional merchant partners have come on board, bringing the number of merchants now accepting Venmo payments within their mobile apps to 11.

Tech Leadership Award open for entries!

Do you know an outstanding Tech Leader? The Tech Leadership Award, part of our annual Banking Technology Awards, will go to an individual for leading and playing an instrumental role in devising and/or delivering the technology strategy to support the key business objectives of an organisation. The award is open to all industry participants worldwide […]

Alpima to implement new digital advisory platform from SS&C

London-based advisory firm Alpima has selected SS&C Technologies’ APX and Moxy solutions to underpin its digital advisory business. APX is an integrated, front-to-back office portfolio and client management solution. Moxy is a centralised trade order management system. SS&C says the contract was preceded by a “thorough analysis”. Pierre Mendelsohn, founder and CEO of Alpima, comments […]

Mastercard Patent Authenticates Without In-Store PIN, Biometrics

Mastercard on Tuesday (July 26) was granted a patent for a device that sidesteps PINs and biometrics for quick consumer payment authorization. The idea is that consumers would authenticate themselves before making the purchase, thereby enabling much faster checkout in-store.

Reports: Square Prepares for U.K. Launch

Square Inc. reportedly wants to set up shop in the U.K. That would put the mobile payments service up against such players as PalPay and Germany-based SumUp—among many others—for the loyalties of merchants.

Sopra Steria acquires Cassiopae

Paris-based Sopra Steria has completed its acquisition of Cassiopae, a developer of specialised finance management software. The firm, through its subsidiary Sopra Banking Software, has bought 75% of the share capital of Cassiopae. The planned tie-up was first announced in February, as Banking Technology reported. Cassiopae’s founder and his family, and certain managers including current […]

Pay Magazine – Awards Edition Is Here

The wait is over. The first publication dedicated to our annual Pay Awards is here—packed with insights and inspiration from our 10th annual Pay Awards competition and the programs, companies and individual that walked away with top honors. You’ll also get an exclusive look at comments from our expert judges.

CEO Fails to Keep Alive GiftCardRescue.com

Citing a lack of financing, gift card exchange GiftCardRescue.com has closed up shop. Kwame Kuadey, founder and CEO, launched the company in 2008, enabling consumers to exchange unwanted gift cards or buy new ones at a discount.

Mastercard Eyes License as China Opens to Outside Payment Firms

Mastercard is setting its sights on China, with plans to apply for a payment services license there and releasing a new index to track the pulse of the nation’s new economy. China began allowing foreign-based payment card providers to operate in the country in June, giving outside players the opportunity to access the country’s $8.25 trillion payments market—provided they met certain capital and security standards. Mastercard currently is studying the requirements and deciding whether to apply for a license alone or with a partner.

5 Ways Wearables Are Improving the Way We Shop

With nearly 40 million Americans using wearables—and that number expected to more than double by 2018, retailers are looking for ways to capitalize on wearable popularity by using these devices to push personalized offers and provide payments capabilities to improve the shopping experience.