Fintech
This Week in Fintech: TFT Bi-Weekly News Roundup 18/07
THE Fintech Times biweekly press review Check out the latest fintech stories from around the world on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Appointments
Silver flow, a cloud platform for global card processing, has appointed Dagmar van Ravenswaay Claasen as chairman of its supervisory board. The board was launched earlier this year to support Silverflow’s growth strategies, as well as provide insights into industry needs, solutions, and the future of paytech. He has held leadership positions at The Bank of the Netherlands, before joining Adyen as Director of Regulatory Affairs.
TBC Banking Group PLC appointment Konstantin Kruglov as head of artificial intelligence at TBC Uzbekistanits fintech business in the Central Asian country. Its role includes building an AI-enabled virtual assistant to enhance customer experience across TBC interfaces, as well as leveraging AI-powered technology to streamline customer service, sales and other operations.
Evidence-based investment firm Sparrows Capital announces the appointment of Arnie Millington to oversee its customized MPS proposition for asset managers – Sparrow Capital MPS. Millington joins the company from Seven Investment Management (7IM)where he was responsible for maintaining and building relationships with financial advisers and planners across the Midlands and North West. He has over 10 years’ experience in the wealth and advisory industry with previous roles at Reference capital AND AJ Bell.
Financial Technology Quantum appointment Next Salihu as project manager. Salihu joins from BPC Banking Technologies, where he served as Senior Project Manager. In this role, he provided payment services consulting and managed the end-to-end implementation of numerous projects, serving fintechs, banking partners and acquirers across Europe.
Other hirings
Boku, a global mobile payment solutions provider, has appointed Rob Whittick as the new CFO. He joins after 25 years at Natwest Groupwhere he held several senior roles. Boku’s global payments network now includes over 300 local payment methods worldwide, reaching over 7.5 billion consumer payment accounts in more than 90 countries.
Well, an Australian expense management platform, has promoted Damon Hauenstein to the expanded role of CFO and COO. As COO, he will oversee the company’s day-to-day operational execution, in addition to his current CFO responsibilities. Hauenstein joined Weel in 2022 as the inaugural CFO.
Partnerships and collaborations
New day, an unsecured consumer credit provider in the UK, went into operation with Doneconnectivity products and open banking transaction categorization. This move to provide more in-depth affordability assessments supports responsible access to credit, as well as financial inclusion. NewDay customers can share their transaction data through open banking for a concrete affordability assessment.
KYAX, a financial reporting tool for digital assets, Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) and the Digital Token Identification Foundation (DTIF) have joined forces to accelerate the implementation of the ISO 24165 Digital Token Identifier (DTI) and ISO 6166 International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) standards. This collaboration aims to improve transparency and efficiency in regulatory reporting.
THE Ajman Transport Authority from the United Arab Emirates has entered into a partnership with BPC, a payment solutions company that will become the first authority in the UAE to implement modern payment technology on public transport buses, enhancing smart services in the transport sector, through the introduction of O-CITY, a smart city and mobility solution developed by BPC.
Capital at your fingertips announces a renewed multi-year agreement with GDS connection, using its decision platform to support and integrate Capital on Tap’s proprietary risk models across its business in the UK and US. As it expands, Capital on Tap will leverage its partnership with GDS Link to enhance its automated risk decision-making.
Chelsea FC has unveiled a pre-season partnership with Scratchthe digital wallet powered by the global payments platform Secure payment. Skrill will be the presenting partner of its opening match against AFC Wrexham team. The company enables consumers and businesses to transact using 260 payment methods in over 40 currencies worldwide.
Financing and Investments
British Business Investment (BBI) has further committed to Claret Capital Partners Limited, with a new co-investment fund. The fund will invest in high-growth, technology-enabled small businesses across the UK. BBI, a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of British Commercial Bankaims to improve access to alternative finance for small businesses in the UK, while supporting the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
All right, a digital business account provider for SMEs, has secured a bridge to its $5 million Series A round of growth funding, as well as an EU Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from FIN-FSA (Finland’s financial supervisory authority), positioning the company for accelerated growth across Europe. The latest round sees wamo’s total funding reach $11.8 million.
Company Updates
Tandem approved £650m of new lending in green loans and home improvement ‘green pathways’ (HILs). The bank also saw its customer base grow to over 300,000, deposits more than double for the second year running to over £3.6bn and was profitable for the second year. In addition, its Green Hub has had over 200,000 visits since launch and over 1,700 fully completed personalised Green Home Plan pathways.
Copper.co, a premium digital asset custody, collateral management and services company, has been granted a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) license in Hong Kong. This license, granted by the Companies Registry of Hong Kong, represents a major milestone in Copper’s global market expansion and compliance with international regulatory frameworks and standards.
Meridiansa U.S. holding company specializing in global payments, CRM and banking, has outlined plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange. In addition to other strategic acquisitions, Meridien will acquire a 27 percent stake in the fintech company DKK Partners, which has offices in Dubai, to strengthen the group’s capabilities. As part of the deal, Meridien Holdings and DKK Partners have entered into a strategic alliance to complement its business plans by securing global capabilities in payments, acquisition, banking and FX liquidity.
Salt edgean open banking solutions provider, recently launched its sixth version of the Open Banking Gateway API. The company is releasing its latest version of the Account Information API first, with the Payments API set to follow suit shortly. This latest update follows the successful launch of the V5 API in 2019.
Career has expanded its Quik delivery service to include a wide range of electronics products in the UAE, available for delivery in less than 60 minutes in Dubai and select neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi. Customers can now shop for the latest iPhones, tablets, gaming accessories, wearables and more through Quik Electronics on Careem.
Fintech
US Agencies Request Information on Bank-Fintech Dealings
Federal banking regulators have issued a statement reminding banks of the potential risks associated with third-party arrangements to provide bank deposit products and services.
The agencies support responsible innovation and banks that engage in these arrangements in a safe and fair manner and in compliance with applicable law. While these arrangements may offer benefits, supervisory experience has identified a number of safety and soundness, compliance, and consumer concerns with the management of these arrangements. The statement details potential risks and provides examples of effective risk management practices for these arrangements. Additionally, the statement reminds banks of existing legal requirements, guidance, and related resources and provides insights that the agencies have gained through their oversight. The statement does not establish new supervisory expectations.
Separately, the agencies requested additional information on a broad range of arrangements between banks and fintechs, including for deposit, payment, and lending products and services. The agencies are seeking input on the nature and implications of arrangements between banks and fintechs and effective risk management practices.
The agencies are considering whether to take additional steps to ensure that banks effectively manage the risks associated with these different types of arrangements.
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Fintech
What changes in financial regulation have impacted the development of financial technology?
Exploring the complex landscape of global financial regulation, we gather insights from leading fintech leaders, including CEOs and finance experts. From the game-changing impact of PSD2 to the significant role of GDPR in data security, explore the four key regulatory changes that have reshaped fintech development, answering the question: “What changes in financial regulation have impacted fintech development?”
- PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology
- GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy
- Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation
- GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security
PSD2 revolutionizes access to financial technology
When it comes to regulatory impact on fintech development, nothing comes close to PSD2. This EU regulation has created a new level playing field for market players of all sizes, from fintech startups to established banks. It has had a ripple effect on other markets around the world, inspiring similar regulatory frameworks and driving global innovation in fintech.
The Payment Services Directive (PSD2), the EU law in force since 2018, has revolutionized the fintech industry by requiring banks to provide third-party payment providers (TPPs) with access to payment services and customer account information via open APIs. This has democratized access to financial data, fostering the development of personalized financial instruments and seamless payment solutions. Advanced security measures such as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) have increased consumer trust, pushing both fintech companies and traditional banks to innovate and collaborate more effectively, resulting in a dynamic and consumer-friendly financial ecosystem.
The impact of PSD2 has extended beyond the EU, inspiring similar regulations around the world. Countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada have launched their own open banking initiatives, spurred by the benefits seen in the EU. PSD2 has highlighted the benefits of open banking, also prompting US financial institutions and fintech companies to explore similar initiatives voluntarily.
This has led to a global wave of fintech innovation, with financial institutions and fintech companies offering more integrated, personalized and secure services. The EU’s leadership in open banking through PSD2 has set a global standard, promoting regulatory harmonization and fostering an interconnected and innovative global financial ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the EU’s PSD3 proposals and Financial Data Access (FIDA) regulations promise to further advance open banking. PSD3 aims to refine and build on PSD2, with a focus on improving transaction security, fraud prevention, and integration between banks and TPPs. FIDA will expand data sharing beyond payment accounts to include areas such as insurance and investments, paving the way for more comprehensive financial products and services.
These developments are set to further enhance connectivity, efficiency and innovation in financial services, cementing open banking as a key component of the global financial infrastructure.
General Manager, Technology and Product Consultant Fintech, Insurtech, Miquido
GDPR Improves Fintech Data Privacy
Privacy and data protection have been taken to another level by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), forcing fintech companies to tighten their data management. In compliance with the GDPR, organizations must ensure that personal data is processed fairly, transparently, and securely.
This has led to increased innovation in fintech towards technologies such as encryption and anonymization for data protection. GDPR was described as a top priority in the data protection strategies of 92% of US-based companies surveyed by PwC.
Financial Expert, Sterlinx Global
Regulatory Sandboxes Drive Fintech Innovation
Since the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) pioneered sandbox regulatory frameworks in 2016 to enable fintech startups to explore new products and services, similar frameworks have been introduced in other countries.
This has reduced the “crippling effect on innovation” caused by a “one size fits all” regulatory approach, which would also require machines to be built to complete regulatory compliance before any testing. Successful applications within sandboxes give regulators the confidence to move forward and address gaps in laws, regulations, or supervisory approaches. This has led to widespread adoption of new technologies and business models and helped channel private sector dynamism, while keeping consumers protected and imposing appropriate regulatory requirements.
Co-founder, UK Linkology
GDPR Impacts Fintech Data Security
A big change in financial regulations that has had a real impact on fintech is the 2018 EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I have seen how GDPR has pushed us to focus more on user privacy and data security.
GDPR means we have to handle personal data much more carefully. At Leverage, we have had to step up our game to meet these new rules. We have improved our data encryption and started doing regular security audits. It was a little tricky at first, but it has made our systems much more secure.
For example, we’ve added features that give users more control over their data, like simple consent tools and clear privacy notices. These changes have helped us comply with GDPR and made our customers feel more confident in how we handle their information.
I believe that GDPR has made fintech companies, including us at Leverage, more transparent and secure. It has helped build trust with our users, showing them that we take data protection seriously.
CEO & Co-Founder, Leverage Planning
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Fintech
M2P Fintech About to Raise $80M
Application Programming Interface (API) Infrastructure Platform M2P Financial Technology has reached the final round to raise $80 million, at a valuation of $900 million.
Specifically, M2P Fintech, formerly known as Yap, is closing a new funding round involving new and existing investors, according to entrackr.com. The India-based company, which last raised funding two and a half years ago, previously secured $56 million in a round led by Insight Partners, earning a post-money valuation of $650 million.
A source indicated that M2P Fintech is ready to raise $80 million in this new funding round, led by a new investor. Existing backers, including Insight Partners, are also expected to participate. The new funding is expected to go toward enhancing the company’s technology infrastructure and driving growth in domestic and international markets.
What does M2P Fintech do?
M2P Fintech’s API platform enables businesses to provide branded financial services through partnerships with fintech companies while maintaining regulatory compliance. In addition to its operations in India, the company is active in Nepal, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Bahrain, Egypt, and many other countries.
Another source revealed that M2P Fintech’s valuation in this funding round is expected to be between USD 880 million and USD 900 million (post-money). The company has reportedly received a term sheet and the deal is expected to be publicly announced soon. The Tiger Global-backed company has acquired six companies to date, including Goals101, Syntizen, and BSG ITSOFT, to enhance its service offerings.
According to TheKredible, Beenext is the company’s largest shareholder with over 13% ownership, while the co-founders collectively own 34% of the company. Although M2P Fintech has yet to release its FY24 financials, it has reported a significant increase in operating revenue. However, this growth has also been accompanied by a substantial increase in losses.
Fintech
Scottish financial technology firm Aveni secures £11m to expand AI offering
By Gloria Methri
Today
- To come
- Aveni Assistance
- Aveni Detection
Artificial intelligence Financial Technology Aveni has announced one of the largest Series A investments in a Scottish company this year, amounting to £11 million. The investment is led by Puma Private Equity with participation from Par Equity, Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide.
Aveni combines AI expertise with extensive financial services experience to create large language models (LLMs) and AI products designed specifically for the financial services industry. It is trusted by some of the UK’s leading financial services firms. It has seen significant business growth over the past two years through its conformity and productivity solutions, Aveni Detect and Aveni Assist.
This investment will enable Aveni to build on the success of its existing products, further consolidate its presence in the sector and introduce advanced technologies through FinLLM, a large-scale language model specifically for financial services.
FinLLM is being developed in partnership with new investors Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide. It is a large, industry-aligned language model that aims to set the standard for transparent, responsible and ethical adoption of generative AI in UK financial services.
Following the investment, the team developing the FinLLM will be based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, in a state-of-the-art facility.
Joseph Twigg, CEO of Aveniexplained, “The financial services industry doesn’t need AI models that can quote Shakespeare; it needs AI models that deliver transparency, trust, and most importantly, fairness. The way to achieve this is to develop small, highly tuned language models, trained on financial services data, and reviewed by financial services experts for specific financial services use cases. Generative AI is the most significant technological evolution of our generation, and we are in the early stages of adoption. This represents a significant opportunity for Aveni and our partners. The goal with FinLLM is to set a new standard for the controlled, responsible, and ethical adoption of generative AI, outperforming all other generic models in our select financial services use cases.”
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