Fintech
This Week in Fintech: TFT’s bi-weekly news roundup 5/16
Welcome to The times of fintech Bi-weekly news roundup Thursday 16 May 2024, with the latest updates from around the world.
Financing and investments
London-based climate fintech ok closed a $2.5 million funding round led by Fuel-related initiatives and supported by Sorven Partners, Mishcon de Reya and existing investors. It will use the investment to bring industry-leading experts to support international expansion and product development. ekko enables banks, fintechs and payment service providers to integrate the positive impact of the planet into their products.
Proptech from the United Arab Emirates Keyper announces pre-Series A capital raise of $4 million in equity. This round was led by BECO Capital AND Middle East Venture Partner (MEVP), with the participation also of existing investors Vivium Holding, Jabbar Group AND Signature Developers. Keyper will invest the new funds in digitizing the rental experience in the UAE and scaling up its rent now, pay later solution.
Irish AI startup Numra, formerly known as Autonifai, has raised €1.5 million in funding to bring its AI financial assistant “Mary” to market. The investment was led by the Irish VC firm Elkstone. Numra plans to use the new funding to accelerate customer acquisition in the United States and to further invest in product development.
BSeed, The first Brazilian investment house specializing in early-stage B2B SaaS startups, presented its third fund, Seed 3, for a total of $30 million. With the new fund, backed mainly by family offices, the VC aims to continue investing in startups at the beginning of their journey in Brazil and Latin America.
Partnerships and collaborations
Public Joint-Stock Commercial Bank of Vietnam (PVcomBank), one of the largest banks in Vietnam, launched PVConnect with Temenos Digital on Amazon Web Services (AWS). With Temenos’ cloud-native digital banking platform, PVcombank designed, built and launched its mobile app, upgrading the mobile banking experience for one million customers.
Forecast, an Abu Dhabi-based big data analytics company powered by generative artificial intelligence, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Intel. The partnership aims to accelerate applied AI projects and develop cutting-edge AI solutions in the Middle East. Intel and Presight will jointly drive the development of AI products, including Smart Cities, through research and development initiatives, focusing on leveraging open source tools.
Soft spacethe fintech service provider, has entered into a partnership Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company Limited, GMO financial portal AND SMBC GMO PAYMENT to enable Tap to Pay on iPhone for the “stera tap” iOS app, which allows merchants to accept contactless payments on their iPhone. Contactless payments are expanding in Japan, with an acceptance rate among small and medium-sized businesses, known as SMEs, of around 60%.
Tassat, the private blockchain-based B2B real-time settlement platform, has announced a partnership with Digital glass tower, a fintech that facilitates B2B cross-border remittances. The partnership will equip Glasstower with Tassat’s blockchain-based technology stack for its multinational enterprise users. Through Tassat’s private blockchain, Glasstower provides instant and secure digital cross-border payments.
CorServ, with which it collaborated, providing banks and fintechs with payment programs Avidbank launch an advantageous credit card program for its business customers. The solution offers Avidbank business customers benefits including choice of credit card products, self-service interfaces for managing their cards, customizable reports, virtual cards, spend controls and expense reporting.
Further partnerships
THE Hashgraph Association, the Swiss-based organization has signed a strategic partnership with the Qatar Financial Center launch a Digital Assets Venture Studio, a platform to support local Qatari and international portfolio companies in developing regulatory compliant decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions and digital assets built on the Hedera Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) network.
Two French providers of e-invoicing solutions, Esker SA AND Sovos, have interconnected their platforms representing an important step towards becoming government-registered partner dematerialization platforms. The French e-invoicing reform sees four million companies forced to accept national electronic invoices, and the largest 6,000 are obliged to issue and report their transactions electronically from September 2026.
Earnixa global provider of AI-driven SaaS pricing and rating solutions for financial services, and Examination, a global digital insurance and systems integration consulting firm, have entered into a strategic partnership to provide property and casualty insurers with greater operational and analytical flexibility to accelerate product pricing and rating innovation . This partnership combines technology and solution consulting expertise.
Nym paper, a financial solutions provider integrated into MENAP, has signed a strategic partnership with Dellsons Associates, a banking consultancy, to drive innovation in the fintech landscape and empower businesses in the Middle East and Pakistan. The strategic alliance will create synergy between NymCard’s technology and Dellsons’ regional expertise and industry connections in the financial and banking sectors.
BUT
CUBE acquires global regulatory intelligence activities from Thomson Reuters. The acquisition represents an important step forward in CUBE’s growth plans. CUBE’s current global customer base will expand to a total of approximately 1,000 customers across banking, insurance, wealth and investment management, payments and adjacent regulated industries. CUBE’s global employees will also reach 600.
Appointments
SAP I agree, the integrated travel, expense and invoice management brand has announced two leadership changes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Gabriele Indrieri will move from MD for SAP Concur EMEA to the role of chief revenue officer. Furthermore, he also mentioned SAP Concur João Carvalho as MD in Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey), Middle East and Africa.
Digital bank Tandem appointment Suavek Zajac as head of technology. Zajac has previously worked at companies including Grand Parade, William Hill, Mora AND Railsr. He will lead the development of Tandem’s digital offering, leading a team of engineers to build scalable systems to support Tandem’s green mission of making it easier for people to choose a greener lifestyle.
Yuno, names the global payments orchestration platform Juan Felipe Cadena as the new strategic account director. Prior to joining Yuno, Juan Felipe served as CEO and CCO at CargoFly, where he assisted cargo airlines to optimize their revenues and expand into new markets, and held leadership roles at Viva Air and LATAM airlines.
Bank payment company GoCardless he named Jolawn Victor as head of growth. Victor previously held management and leadership roles at PepsiCo, Headspace and, more recently Intuition. In his new role at GoCardless, Victor will lead the global “Growth Group,” managing a team primarily responsible for SMB customer acquisition, incremental revenue growth as well as branding, marketing and communications.
Carmola, named the automotive finance fintech Federico de Benoist as director of capital markets. This strategic addition to the team marks a significant step in Carmoola’s mission to bring simplicity, control and value to even more car buyers. His career to date includes notable roles in German bankculminating as managing director – head of asset finance.
Other appointments
Paynetica, an embedded finance provider, he named Amit Sharma as head of UK operations. Sharma previously worked at EML Payments, Prepaid Financial Services and Prepay Solutions. At Paynetics, Sharma is responsible for improving business efficiency, increasing customer satisfaction and realizing solutions through innovation, communication and collaboration.
Pan-European payment service provider Lemon announced two appointments within its finance and technology divisions to strengthen its management committee. Celine Bayer AND Nicolas Vigier assume the roles of technical director and financial director respectively.
Insurtech bolt he named Nga Phan as product manager. Phan is responsible for leading Bolt’s product development in support of the company’s long-term growth plans. Phan has previously worked in Salesforce, ServiceNow AND Risk management solutionsas well as Bain & Company.
ARK Investing in European issuer of thematic ETFs, he named Paolo Spells as sales director for Northern Europe. The spells were previously a ABOUT 5000, where he was responsible for ETF sales in the UK. Previously, Paul was a sales director at Partner of Orpheus and business development manager at LGBTR Capital.
Fenergoprovider of digital solutions for customer insight, transaction tracking and customer lifecycle management, has strengthened its presence in the EMEA region with the appointment of Ruth Ormsby as MD of EMEA. Joins Fenergo from sales force, where he served as senior vice president of all sectors in the UK and Ireland.
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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