PYMNTS

OCTOBER 17, 2017

Can big banks be nimble of foot when it comes to FinTech? One giant — JPMorgan Chase & Co. — is taking some definitive steps on that stage. JPMorgan announced today (Oct. 17) it is acquiring payments platform WePay. The combination will create an ecosystem of platform developers and small businesses, powered by WePay’s ability to integrate payments functionality into software and fueled by Chase’s global reach, small business product portfolio and network of 4 million small businesses.

Technology 87

Technology 87

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 20, 2017

On Friday (Oct. 20), Mastercard announced news that it will be opening up access to its blockchain technology through its developer’s API. Initially, the technology will be made available for B2B transactions, specifically to address the demands of cross-border payments. Mastercard is not the only firm delving into blockchain. The company joins Google, Overstock, Citi and Goldman Sachs in embracing the distributed ledger technology.

B2B 84

B2B Technology audit 84

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 16, 2017

From an acronym known mostly by programmers in the early 2000s to something thousands of innovators have embraced to ignite numerous innovative solutions, it’s been an electric journey for the application program interface (API). According to David Koch, chief commercial officer at financial services provider FI.SPAN — a company that build an API-based platform to connect FinTechs and corporate customers to financial institutions (FIs) — APIs have unleashed an incredible number of opportunities

Technology 80

Technology Start-ups Retail 80

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 23, 2017

On Monday (Oct. 23), Mastercard announced news of the launch of Mastercard Consumer Control, which allows consumers to view where their credit card information is stored online. The program is an API that displays where payment details are kept, allowing cardholders to understand how that information is being used. “As digital payments continue to evolve, cardholders have more and more options to enable new types of devices for payment and to pay in new ways online and in-app,” said Jessica Tur

Technology 78

Technology B2B audit Retail 78

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

OCTOBER 26, 2017

The Overstock.com subsidiary, tZERO , is planning to launch an initial coin offering (ICO), according to news from CNBC. The company wants to raise up to $500 million through sales of the new digital currency. Overstock.com is one of the most significant investors in the blockchain technology on which digital coins are based. The site accepts bitcoin as a form of payment and ranks among Google, Citi and Goldman Sachs as some of the major players in the cryptocurrency space.

Retail 76

Retail Technology Sales 76

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 27, 2017

Earlier this month, NovoPayment , a digital finance and transactions firm, announced news of the launch of its Developer Hub, one of the first such platforms servicing Latin America, according to a press release. NovoPayment, based in Miami, offers financial and transactional services through a cloud-based platform, the company said. Its clients include banks, financial institutions and others throughout the Americas.

Transportation 74

Transportation accounting and finance Finance accounted 74

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 3, 2017

Cryptocurrencies may have naysayers on Wall Street, but Goldman Sachs isn’t one of them, according to news from The Wall Street Journal. Citing people familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported that Goldman Sachs is mulling whether to launch a new trading business that is focused on bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. If the firm moves ahead with these plans, it will be the first high-profile Wall Street company to deal directly in the bitcoin trading market.

New York 72

New York Technology 72

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 20, 2017

Marqeta , an open API card issuer, and Alipay , a third-party payment platform popular in China, have announced news of a partnership that will make using Alipay easier in the U.S. Marqeta’s API platform will reportedly ease completion of Alipay’s payments in real time. Alipay has more than 520 million registered users in China, according to the firm.

Retail 72

Retail Sales Technology 72

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 11, 2017

Based on the activity of the past few weeks, it seems API-based solutions are becoming more at home on mobile devices as various companies launched several app-based solutions to expedite cash flows in different global markets. These developments could offer help to consumers, executives, entrepreneurs or freelancers as they conduct their own types of business.

B2B 71

B2B accounting and finance Retail Finance 71

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 18, 2017

In corporate finance, “Excel spreadsheets” is nothing short of a taboo. But a new solution from Bank of America Merrill Lynch is looking to make better use of the notoriously manual tool. The financial institution (FI) announced news on Tuesday (Oct. 17) that it is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) and API technology to integrate its solutions directly with Microsoft Excel.

Finance 71

Finance Government Technology B2B 71

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Technology

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 30, 2017

In one of the more unfortunate examples of practice making perfect, fraudsters are getting better at what they do. According to the latest edition of the PYMNTS Global Fraud Index – after a short lull post-EMV in the U.S., when fraud briefly went down – they have bounced back with a vengeance. As it turns out, fraudsters – upon encountering a more sophisticated lock on the commerce “front doors” that are retail POS terminals – did not decide to give up their lives of digital crime in favor of be

Start-ups 69

Start-ups Washington California accountant 69

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 2, 2017

“Retail isn’t dead; it needs a revival.”. With a list of bankruptcies growing ever longer, suburbs hosting the carcasses of scores of dead and dying shopping malls and foot traffic on an ever-falling curve, it’s not hard to draw the conclusion that retail — or, at least, the brick-and-mortar version of it — is dead. But b8ta doesn’t buy it, hence the motto quoted above.

Technology 67

Technology Manufacturing Gambling Retail 67

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 12, 2017

SecurityScorecard , the risk management firm whose platform helps provide security ratings, said Thursday that it raised $27.5 million in Series C funding. The latest round, the company said in a statement, was led by Nokia Growth Partners (NGP) with participation from Moody’s Corporation, AXA Strategic Ventures and Intel Capital. Several existing investors – including Sequoia Capital and Google Ventures – also participated.

Start-ups 65

Start-ups Government 65

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 23, 2017

If the promise of mobile payments is speed and convenience, delivering on the promise – and turning it into practice – is a bit tougher. Small screen, small window of time to get the transaction done. Session timeouts? You’ve had ‘em, no doubt, perhaps fumbling through passwords and shipping address details. The idea of commerce anytime, anywhere may give way to frustration anytime, anywhere.

Retail 65

Retail Account accounted accountant 65

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

OCTOBER 17, 2017

For all of the commotion about Brexit, it appears as though London’s reign over the world of FinTech may be secure — even after the U.K. officially exits the EU. Research published last month in the Z/Yen Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI), and reported in Reuters, found that London remained the world’s top financial hub, surpassing New York City, Hong Kong and Singapore — despite market volatility and uncertainty over Brexit.

New York 63

New York Government Finance Technology 63

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 19, 2017

Signing at the end of a transaction at the physical point of sale is hardly ever about showing off a consumer’s best penmanship. Often distracted and always in a hurry, buyers typically produce what could only be described as a cross between modern art and a second grader’s early attempts at cursive. And nothing that could ever be mistaken for a proper human name.

Retail 61

Retail Sales 61

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 6, 2017

On Thursday (Oct. 5), Alenka Grealish, senior analyst at Celent, penned an article for American Banker with a prediction: The small business (SMB) credit space is headed for a “shake-up.” The small business loan market is oversaturated, she argued, creating a “FinTech credit bubble” that first showed signs of deflating as investors pulled out of some players like CAN Capital and LendingClub in 2016.

accounting and finance 61

accounting and finance B2B Finance payroll 61

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 10, 2017

“Does this merchant pass the Debbie Test?”. That’s the first thing Donald Kasdon, chief executive officer of credit card processing and payment solutions provider T1 Payments , said he asks when considering whether the processor should take on a new merchant. Debbie is Kasdon’s mother and, according to Kasdon, she’s the perfect litmus test for a vendor’s risk level.

Gambling 60

Gambling Start-ups 60

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

OCTOBER 30, 2017

In the modern age, seemingly everything has an added dose of intelligence built into it. Phones, homes and appliances are smart, even mundane items like floss, too — but what about the cities in which people live? Most people may not associate inner-city infrastructure or gridlock with artificial intelligence (AI), but there is an effort underway from Intelligence of Things (IoT)-enabled technology providers to solve those problems — and other issues plaguing cities — with the help of smart tech

Technology 58

Technology Transportation Government Retail 58

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 19, 2017

In an era of nearly constant data breaches, securing commerce is now everyone’s concern. And for good reason. In addition to the potential liability that issuers and merchants may face if stolen credentials or identities are used online, breaches only further fuel consumer concerns over whether – or how – to use their payments credentials securely in an increasingly digital world.

Start-ups 58

Start-ups Technology accounting online accounted 58

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 18, 2017

When catering to a limited group of members, credit unions need to think carefully about how to address member needs. That’s why some credit unions are embracing the market’s “mom and pop” legacy and emphasizing their ability to offer the type of personalized member services that rival banks and FinTechs struggle to deliver. The latest PYMNTS Credit Union Tracker™ , powered by CO-OP Financial Services, features news on new mergers and partnerships alike, along with notable recent headlines from

Tennessee 58

Tennessee Education Government Maine 58

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 13, 2017

Sometimes events in the payments world are seismic ones. A rumbling, a shakeup that puts everyone off balance and then the regrouping — it’s those aftershocks that need watching. So it is with Equifax. No need to go over the numbers tied to the seismic breach because they keep changing, and may be changing even as you read this eBook. When the impact stretches across oceans, nations and demographics, though, and those affected number in the hundreds of millions, a sea change is a-swelling.

Retail 57

Retail 57

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

OCTOBER 6, 2017

Fides Treasury Services is integrating corporate payments capabilities into its offering. The company announced Thursday (Oct. 5) that it is launching EFT Web, a platform for corporate treasurers to execute and manage payments. The solution supports payment files of any format, Fides said, and supports automation while providing added security for these transactions.

Technology 57

Technology Start-ups accountant accounted 57

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 30, 2017

As more industry players realize that traditional FIs simply can’t go it alone to meet all the needs of the modern small business, collaboration has become key. But that collaborative environment is also giving way to a deeper connection between traditional and non-traditional financial service providers, as more firms recognize the value in sharing data.

accounting and finance 57

accounting and finance Spend Management audit Finance 57

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 4, 2017

Rumors are swirling that Apple is currently testing Apple Pay Cash internally using iOS 11.1 and an accompanying device certificate. According to news from 9to5Mac , 11.1 was released in beta to developers last week, but not everyone received Apple Pay Cash. The new service was announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference over the summer, but the feature wasn’t included when iOS 11 launched to the public last month.

Retail 56

Retail accounted Account accountant 56

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 11, 2017

A survey of business travelers conducted by the Global Business Travel Association suggests administrative tasks are only half the battle of taking a business trip. The GBTA released the results of its survey Tuesday (Oct. 10), and while administrative tasks like approvals and expensing were certainly on the list, the number-one pain point for business travelers is the time spent in transit, cited by 61 percent of 630 survey respondents as a top-five challenge.

Technology 56

Technology B2B 56

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

OCTOBER 18, 2017

Innovation is oxygen in payments. For financial services firms, innovation is spurring speed, killing friction and fostering loyalty among customers. In fact, it should likely always be part of the corporate agenda — if it’s done right, that is. That, itself, begs the question: What is innovation, really? When are new rollouts just necessary updates to keep a product fresh, and when are bells and whistles just, well, noise?

Technology 56

Technology 56

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 2, 2017

Shake Shack is going cashless with kiosks in New York City later this month. New York, according to company CEO Randy Garutti, is what the retailer considers “the playground” — Shake Shack’s go-to choice for testing out new innovations for consumers. This cashless kiosk coming soon to Astor Place will not have a cashier counter. Instead, guests will use digital kiosks to order their food — or utilize their smartphones, if they have the mobile Shake Shack app.

Hospitality 56

Hospitality New York California Retail 56

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 16, 2017

In South Africa, where cash still reigns and there are few signs of merchants and consumers moving away from paper and coin payments, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face several payments dilemmas. Many are unable to accept credit cards, and many cannot afford the mainstream point of sale (POS) terminals and solutions — which can also take a very long time to procure.

Hospitality 55

Hospitality Sales Gaming Start-ups 55

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 6, 2017

Two Indian alternative lenders are partnering up to target the nation’s small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Reports in The Economic Times on Thursday (Oct. 5) said Tata Capital and Capital Float are teaming up, a deal in which Tata Capital will provide working capital loans to SMBs borrowing through Capital Float’s platform. The companies have also developed a new solution, the “Pay Later” offering, that enables companies to borrow, based on a credit limit, for up to a year.

Finance 55

Finance B2B 55

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