PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2018

In a renewed show of support for blockchain technology , American Express General Manager of Corporate Payments Carlos Carriedo has suggested that its pilot tests with partner Ripple to enable real-time cross-border corporate payments have been a success. Reports in Invest In Blockchain on Tuesday (Dec. 11) said Carriedo spoke at the Wings of Change Europe conference and emphasized American Express’ interest in blockchain technology. “Blockchain is absolutely an option we’re

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PYMNTS

DECEMBER 7, 2018

Not to ruin your holiday spirit, but let’s start this story with the cold and brutal truth: One of the largest risks that payments and commerce operators face in 2019 is being called to account by government officials, regulators or media about a failure to secure their organizations from cyberattacks. The past year brought a significantly increased focus on the security and privacy of online data, with not only consumers paying more attention to the issue but (much more importantly) lawmakers h

Technology 96

Technology Government Maine Gaming 96

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 31, 2018

So far this year (and there’s still one more day), Verizon reported that there have been 2,216 confirmed data breaches across 65 countries. Even more disturbing, perhaps, is that 68 percent of those breaches took months for the breached companies to discover. If that’s not disturbing enough, 28 percent of those incidents were perpetuated by insiders.

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Retail Government Manufacturing accounted 92

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 28, 2018

The Central Bank of the Russian Federation (CBR) announced that it has revoked the licenses of five Russian foreign exchange (FX) trading companies. According to a statement on the bank’s website, the decision was made due to “the repeated violations of the requirements of the Russian legislation on securities within one year.”. The five companies — Forex Club, Alpari Forex, Trust Forex, InstaForex and TeleTrade — will see their licenses expire on Jan. 27, and must stop all operat

Legal 87

Legal B2B 87

Speaker: Danny Gassaway and Wayne Richards

Finance leaders are prioritizing efficiency and digital transformation, yet many hesitate to automate due to uncertainty. Without a clear understanding of its impact, organizations risk falling behind competitors who are leveraging automation to drive productivity and cost savings. Join Wayne Richards and Danny Gassaway from AvidXchange for a practical guide on bringing accounts payable (AP) automation to your organization.

Finance

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 26, 2018

Google Payment Lithuania, a unit of Alphabet’s Google, was granted an electronic money institution license by The Board of the Bank of Lithuania. Finextra , citing Google, reported that with the license Google can issue and redeem electronic money and provide payment services. “The end of this year reflects our efforts and experience of the past few years in actively developing a FinTech-conducive ecosystem in Lithuania.

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PYMNTS

DECEMBER 20, 2018

In life, change is the only constant, so why should it be different for payments? From cash to digital, from plastic cards to mobile wallets, from cash registers at the front of restaurants to tablets brought to tables (redefining the concept of “dine and dash”) — the way we pay shifts along with the availability of technology, and tech shifts as commerce demands new features.

Technology 84

Technology 84

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 4, 2018

Ripple, the blockchain company that owns XRP, the digital currency, has joined forces with NEM, Fetch.AI, and EMURGO/Cardano to create a new association that represents the interest of blockchain and cryptocurrency business in Europe. According to a report in The Next Web , the group, dubbed Blockchain for Europe, says its the first unified voice for the industry in Europe.

Healthcare 83

Healthcare Transportation audit Technology 83

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 26, 2018

Uber, gearing up to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in the first quarter of 2019, is offering to settle with drivers who have been fighting the ride-hailing company via individual arbitration. According to a report in TechCrunch , citing law firm Lichten & Liss-Riordan, Uber has as part of the settlement tentatively offered to pay 11 cents for each mile Uber drivers drove.

Legal 83

Legal 83

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 18, 2018

Amazon , Apple and Google are among the large tech companies that are throwing their support behind the creation of a real-time payments network in the U.S. led by the Federal Reserve. According to a report in the American Banker citing a letter submitted by a trade group representing Amazon, Apple, Google, PayPal , Square , Stripe and Intuit , they all expressed their support for the Fed being in charge of the development of a system that can connect all the banks and credit unions in the U.S

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PYMNTS

DECEMBER 24, 2018

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” is a holiday classic, though some of us at PYMNTS still don’t understand why anyone would want to take a partridge away from what seems like a pleasant existence in a pear tree. But in hopes of hopping on the holiday bandwagon — and providing data-backed insight in the hottest payment trends for 2019 — allow us to offer this list of a dozen ways that consumers (and some businesses) are paying now, methods that promise to play big roles in 2019.

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Technology Start-ups Education Retail 83

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It's the time of year to give our close process some TLC. Join us in this one hour webinar where we discuss how to adopt leading practices and infuse technology into the month-end close process to improve our experience and increase our productivity during month-end and quarter-end close. Learning Objectives: This course's objective is to understand how the month-end close can be improved with automation and adoption of leading practices.

Technology

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 16, 2018

Facebook , the beleaguered social media giant that is facing intense scrutiny into its business practices, could be on the hook for a multibillion dollar fine, reported CNN. According to the report citing the Irish Data Protection Commission, Facebook is under investigation by the regulator over allegations it failed to protect the privacy of its users.

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PYMNTS

DECEMBER 26, 2018

Blockchain seemed to be stuck in pilot phase in 2017, but in 2018, the financial services industry finally saw a stronger flow of real-world, working blockchain applications — many of which targeted pain points in B2B payments, including the time and lack of transparency in cross-border transactions. Industry heavyweights like Mastercard and American Express have taken steps in recent months to explore the use of blockchain in commercial payments.

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Technology B2B Approval Workflows audit 80

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 14, 2018

Instacart will have to conquer the grocery-delivery business without the help of Amazon. That’s one take on the news Thursday (Dec. 13) that Instacart has begun the process of winding down deliveries to customers of Amazon-owned Whole Foods. That wasn’t perhaps the most surprising news, given how Amazon keeps taking control of more logistical and delivery operations — an effort that many observers expect will eventually include the eCommerce operator competing head-to-head with UPS and FedEx.

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Gaming Sales Retail Technology 78

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 17, 2018

Use of alternative finance (AltFin) sources among small business (SMB) owners is on the rise, but still has a long way to go before it poses a legitimate threat to traditional banks’ market dominance. Mercator Advisory Group data released earlier this year found that 27 percent of small businesses in the U.S. have already used an alternative lending platform, particularly among younger entrepreneurs.

accounting and finance 78

accounting and finance Finance Education Start-ups 78

Speaker: Jennifer Hill

Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.

payroll

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 18, 2018

New technology continues to change the way consumers order and pay for quick-service restaurant (QSR) food: Kiosks and online ordering, among other experiences, let consumers ditch the counter for faster and higher-tech alternatives. But these restaurants are not innovating all that fast — even with all sorts of new technologies hitting the market. According to the PYMNTS Restaurant Readiness Index , the average technological implementation score is far from perfect at 38.7 out of 100.

Technology 78

Technology Sports Retail 78

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 28, 2018

Shoppers had new opportunities to buy groceries without having to walk through the aisles of their local supermarkets or wait in line at checkout counters this year, as grocers rolled out digital innovations in shopping and payments. This year, retailers from Kroger to Whole Foods Market brought new offerings ranging from cashierless checkout to personal shopping services to their stores.

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PYMNTS

DECEMBER 12, 2018

SWIFT announced Wednesday (Dec. 12) that the company’s Chief Executive Officer Gottfried Leibbrandt has informed the board that he plans to leave the company at the end of June. In a press release, SWIFT noted that Leibbrandt has been in his job for seven years and played an important role in ensuring SWIFT remained on sound financial footing, improved upon SWIFT’s risk and security functions and oversaw the overhaul of technology at the company.

Start-ups 77

Start-ups Technology 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 9, 2018

With retailers struggling to get compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard , qualified security assessors are going to be in more demand and can offer tokenization as one way of achieving compliance. That’s according to TokenEx , which recently hosted a webinar to help retailers better understand tokenization. In a press release, TokenEx pointed to a new analysis by SecurityScorecard that shows the alarming rate at which retailers aren’t prepared.

Retail 77

Retail 77

Speaker: Sierre Lindgren

Fraud is a battle that every organization must face – it’s no longer a question of “if” but “when.” Every organization is a potential target for fraud, and the finance department is often the bullseye. From cleverly disguised emails to fraudulent payment requests, the tactics of cybercriminals are advancing rapidly. Drawing insights from real-world cases and industry expertise, we’ll explore the vulnerabilities in your processes and how to fortify them effectively.

Finance

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 14, 2018

One of the largest banks in Spain, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), has completed a $170 million (€150 million) loan with Porsche Holding using blockchain technology, according to a report. Although the bank has completed blockchain loans before, it’s never done it with a non-Spanish customer, until now. One of the bank’s previous blockchain loans was completed with state-owned and -operated national electrical grid operator Red Eléctrica de España (REE) for $150 million in November.

Technology 77

Technology Manufacturing Legal Finance 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 10, 2018

State Farm announced that it is testing out blockchain technology to streamline the subrogation process for auto claims. Subrogation is the last part of the claims process, where an insurance company recovers costs it paid to its customer for damages from the at-fault party. State Farm explained it is working with a partner in the insurance industry to test the blockchain solution against existing processes.

Technology 77

Technology 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 26, 2018

Will the New Year bring an increase in cyberattacks? According to one security expert, the answer is, unfortunately, yes. According to Robert Ackerman, Jr., founder and managing director of cybersecurity venture firm AllegisCyber , and co-founder of DataTribe , a cybersecurity startup in Washington, D.C., companies should expect to see a rise in breaches in 2019, “as chronically improving malware will be deployed more aggressively on more fronts.” Those cyberattacks cost companies i

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Washington Government 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 28, 2018

The online retail market hit $186.13 billion during the third quarter, with Alibaba in the dominant position. According to a report in The Drum, Alibaba’s Tmall controlled 59.5 percent of the market share in China during the third quarter. In second place was eCommerce rival JD.com, which The Drum reported ended the third quarter with an online market share of 25.8 percent.

Retail 77

Retail Sales 77

Speaker: Debra L. Robinson

CPAs know the drill: taxes, compliance, rinse, repeat. But what about the sneaky cash flow that’s quietly messing with your organization’s success? It’s time to step into the spotlight and expose the “dirty little secrets” of cash flow to fuel strategic growth. By upskilling your accounting practices and shifting focus from tax compliance to the strategic movement of money, you can transform your role from reactive accountant to proactive financial strategist.

CPA

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 3, 2018

In 1954, mathematician L.J. Savage published research about how consumers process information when making decisions. Dubbed the sure-thing principle , Savage’s work showed that consumers consider a variety of inputs when making decisions. They also mentally bucket – and then disregard – inputs that may be important, but not important enough to change their minds about something they really want to do.

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Real Estate Sales Transportation Technology 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 20, 2018

The French Data Protection Authority said Thursday (Dec. 20) that it fined Uber $460,000 over its 2016 data breach that exposed the data on 57 million customers and drivers across the world. Uber paid hackers to hide the breach for about a year before it was disclosed. According to a report in Moneycontrol.com , the French Data Protection Authority said the data breach could have been prevented by implementing “certain elementary security measures.” The French government joins a grow

California 77

California Government 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 17, 2018

There’s a new method hackers can use to break into someone’s smartphone: create a 3D-print life-size replica of the owner’s head. To show how the method can work, Forbes reporter Thomas Brewster had a 3D print of his own head created at Backface in Birmingham, U.K. He then used his real-life head to set up facial recognition on five phones, including the iPhone X and four Android devices: an LG G7 ThinQ, a Samsung S9, a Samsung Note 8 and a OnePlus 6.

Legal 77

Legal Government 77

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 20, 2018

Morgan Stanley wants to make it easier to acquire new tech from startups as well as pick up the pace of collaboration amid concerns from FinTechs that partnering with big banks can be slow and expensive. According to a report in Reuters citing Shawn Melamed, Morgan Stanley’s head of technology business development and innovation office, Melamed said the company is streamlining documentation and expanding the instances where executives can look at new products in an effort to improve partn

Technology 76

Technology New York 76

Speaker: Aaron Berson

Managing spend is more than a cost cutting exercise – it's a pathway to smarter decisions that unlock efficiency and drive growth. By understanding and refining the spending process, financial leaders can empower their organizations to achieve more with less. Explore the art of balancing financial control with operational growth. From uncovering hidden inefficiencies to designing workflows that scale your business, we’ll share strategies to align your organization’s spending with its strategic g

Spend Management

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 5, 2018

When the data of 15 million T-Mobile customers was stolen in 2015, the mobile firm’s CEO immediately went into damage control mode. John Legere released a statement when the news broke, offering customers access to free credit monitoring and identity resolution services, and emphasizing the company’s efforts to assist clients concerned about their privacy.

Technology 76

Technology Hospitality Healthcare Start-ups 76

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 27, 2018

Open banking, bank APIs and data sharing flourished in 2018, with small business and corporate financial services squarely in the path of this financial services trend as banks and FinTechs consider new ways to enhance business payments, accounting, treasury and financial management. The strength of open banking is apparent in the fact that it has gained traction even in markets like the U.S., where regulatory requirements for FIs to open up data are non-existent.

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cma bookkeeping Retail accounted 76

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 16, 2018

Robinhood , the FinTech that garnered a lot of attention last week after announcing a checking and savings product with 3 percent interest, has retreated from that, removing any mention of checking and savings from the product. According to a report in Bloomberg , when Robinhood announced the products last week , it compared them to traditional bank accounts, boasting a 3 percent interest rate on both checking and savings.

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accounted accountant Account 76

PYMNTS

DECEMBER 4, 2018

Loyalty has come a long way in the payments realm, from the days when strict terms of rewards programs were more frustrating than enticing for consumers. Gone are the days when you had to redeem points for miles and miles for flights – but only if you were flying two years from that day, on the second Thursday in March, at 7:30 p.m., with the condition that you make three stops before finding your way to the final destination.

Retail 76

Retail Sales Technology 76

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Bleisure travel — where employees combine work and leisure — has been around since the advent of corporate travel and is here to stay. Successful bleisure policies strike a balance between employee preferences and company goals — workers report a 64% improvement in work-life balance, while companies benefit from reduced travel costs and increased workforce innovation.