August, 2018

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Moving Past The Myths Of Payments Innovation

PYMNTS

All you need is a hot idea and some funding. All you have to do is listen to what consumers say they want. The big players have an inherent advantage. Meetings suck the creativity out of any worthwhile project. Those are some of the common myths of innovation , and they apply to the payments world. At best, they are superficially true, ne’er-do-well siblings of cliché.

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ICO Investors Fall For Exit Scams, Phishing

PYMNTS

The founder of crypto startup Savedroid , which just raised $50 million in an initial coin offering (ICO), posted two photos on his Twitter account a few months ago — one of him at an airport and another one of him at the beach. The caption? “Thanks guys! Over and out.” While it seems that Savedroid Founder Yassin Hankir pulled off a fake “exit scam,” the real ones are becoming a problem.

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In FinTech, The Race for Patents (And More)

PYMNTS

In technology, innovation, of course, is as critical as oxygen, fueling the “next big thing” and boosting top and bottom lines. And shoring up that “next big thing” comes with patent filings, part of the arsenal of protecting intellectual property, shepherding concept to reality. And, according to Cipher , a data insights firm based in the United Kingdom, in FinTech, the patent race is one that is seeing some clear winners, among them large tech firms, with traditional banks trailing.

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Zoho Expense Integrates With Uber For Business Travelers

PYMNTS

Zoho , the maker of an operating system for businesses, announced on Thursday (Aug. 16) that it will automatically import Uber for Business trip receipts into Zoho Expense, its expense reporting and tracking software. In a press release , Zoho said that with direct integration between the Uber and Zoho apps, business travelers don’t have to manually forward Uber receipts to Zoho Expense.

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What Your Financial Statements Are Telling You—And How to Listen!

Speaker: David Worrell, CFO, Author & Speaker

Your financial statements hold powerful insights—but are you truly paying attention? Many finance professionals focus on the income statement while overlooking key signals hidden in the balance sheet and cash flow statement. Understanding these numbers can unlock smarter decision-making, uncover risks, and drive long-term success. Join David Worrell, accomplished CFO, finance expert, and author, for an engaging, nontraditional take on reading financial statements.

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Visa-Supported Blindsight Could Change Payments For The Visually Impaired

PYMNTS

Right now, it looks like a blood pressure cuff with wires and tiny boxes attached to it. Or, perhaps, an oversized watchband, one that was made by a child stuck inside on a rainy day. But it’s only a prototype — one invented by high school seniors in the San Francisco Bay area — that could one day change how blind consumers handle payments and commerce, along with other daily tasks.

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Reformed Fraudster Now Fighting Fraud

PYMNTS

Most people’s first job was babysitting, or delivering the paper, or perhaps working at a local shop. But none of those jobs really appealed to a young Tony Sales – because they weren’t lucrative enough. Fraud, on the other hand, paid extremely well, a fact he learned at the age of 13 when he embarked on his first subscription scam. Sales would go door-to-door soliciting pledges for a charity walk, or a swim to fight cancer or a skate-a-thon, or anything else he could think of.

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Don’t Count Out Billboards — Amazon, Facebook And Google Haven’t

PYMNTS

Billboards are not going gently into that good night. In fact, the old-fashioned form of outdoor advertising is winning over digital marketing heavyweights and finding ways to thrive in the online world. Examples abound. Amid data sharing and online privacy controversies, Facebook recently promoted on billboards what Bloomberg called the social media operator’s “new approach to user safety and privacy.

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WePay On The Power Of The POS To Future-Proof Retailers

PYMNTS

When it comes to the topic of future proofing, WePay Co-founder Rich Aberman told Karen Webster for this week’s edition of Unscripted Podcast, one should take all claims with an appropriate grain of salt. Depending on how long of a view one takes, the future will eventually find ways to turn left unexpectedly. But, he said, when it comes to the point-of-sale (POS) and future-proofing, an extremely important sea change has taken place.

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Fortumo Rolls Out Direct Carrier Billing In Sweden; MySQUAR Launches Remittance Service

PYMNTS

Welcome to The Axis, your late look at payments news from around the world. Coverage includes Fortumo ’s rollout of direct carrier billing in Sweden. In addition, Australia Post is deploying a multilane payment solution from Verifone , and MySQUAR has rolled out a soft-launch of a remittance service. Estonia -based tech firm Fortumo unveiled direct carrier billing and SMS messaging in Sweden, the company said in an announcement.

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Marketplace Merchants Sing The Blues

PYMNTS

There’s a lot of sizzle in marketplaces. In fact, they have made tiny businesses into big ones, as even the tiniest one-man operation can gain the chance to jump from a hyper-local stage to a global one — with access to professional supply chain management and logistics skills, payments simplified to one click and, most importantly, the chance to increase their world audience.

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Forecasting Failures Are Costly: Here's How To Fix Them

Speaker: Dave Sackett

Traditional budgeting and forecasting methods can no longer keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Static budgets, rigid annual forecasts, and outdated financial models limit an organization’s ability to adapt to market shifts and economic uncertainty. To stay ahead, finance leaders must leverage a future-forward approach—one that leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and continuous planning to drive smarter financial decisions.

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FBI Warns Banks About Widescale ATM Cash-Out Scam

PYMNTS

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to banks that cybercriminals are gearing up to launch a choreographed global scam, known as the “ATM cashout,” in which the bad guys hack a bank or payment card processor to make cloned cards that they can use to withdraw money from ATMs around the globe. According to a Krebs on Security report, citing a confidential alert the FBI sent to banks late last week, millions of dollars can be stolen in only a few hours.

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 In India, Has Demonetization Been Defeated?

PYMNTS

When you want to know something: Follow the money. In India, then, to find out how well, or not so well, demonetization efforts are playing out, follow the money. News comes this week, per India’s central bank, that cash still is king — more than ever. In fact, the value of cash grew 37.7 percent during a period that was supposed to reduce reliance on paper notes.

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Why Cash Was King For The Queen Of Soul

PYMNTS

“Oooh, your kisses, sweeter than honey/ But guess what? So’s my money.”. Writing about Aretha in a 2016 profile for The New Yorker , writer David Remnick noted that as she sat readying herself for a performance, she was surrounded by small stacks of hundred-dollar bills. The money, he explained, was her fee for singing that night in Ontario, because Aretha only sang once she had been paid upfront.

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Innovation-Seeking Big Brands Pop Up In Small Spaces

PYMNTS

Brands might want a space to test new concepts with shoppers in brick-and-mortar retail environments, but they don’t always want the time and expense involved in building out a permanent store. To that end, retailers like Macy’s are turning to pop-up shops to showcase brands — and giving them a level of flexibility not often found with traditional stores.

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Are Robots Replacing You? Keeping Humans in the Loop in Automated Environments

Speaker: Erroll Amacker

As businesses increasingly adopt automation, finance leaders must navigate the delicate balance between technology and human expertise. This webinar explores the critical role of human oversight in accounts payable (AP) automation and how a people-centric approach can drive better financial performance. Join us for an insightful discussion on how integrating human expertise into automated workflows enhances decision-making, reduces fraud risks, strengthens vendor relationships, and accelerates R

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How Digital Disbursements Tools Are Changing Low-Dollar Lending

PYMNTS

As Americans increasingly turn to their mobile devices to instantly pay through peer-to-peer (P2P) services like Venmo and Zelle, the act of writing a check or heading to the ATM for quick cash is becoming a thing of the past. This technology is also changing how consumers lend and borrow money, according to Travis Holoway, founder of short-term lending exchange platform SoLo Funds , particularly when it comes to low-dollar or short-term loans.

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Axiom Bank Acquires Factoring Firm

PYMNTS

U.S.-based Axiom Bank is expanding its business lending capabilities through the acquisition of Allied Affiliated Funding , reports said Thursday (Aug. 23). A press release announced the takeover agreement, which will see Axiom absorbing Allied’s asset-based lending and factoring offerings. The acquisition will also bridge Allied’s existing customers to the banking and cash management offerings of Axiom, the companies said.

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Amid Lira’s Lurch, Blockchain As Monetary Policy Fix?

PYMNTS

Might it be blockchain’s turn to shine amid pockets of economic turmoil? It’s no secret that blockchain is becoming ever more divorced from bitcoin, with which it has been traditionally associated. And as a form of data sharing, a form of record keeping, a direct conduit in transactions, some proponents say that decentralized ledger technology (DLT) can be a salve for an issue front-and-center, as Turkey proves a recent example of daily life roiled by rapid currency devaluation and panic: Namely

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Barclays Next To Tap Into FinTech With MarketInvoice Investment

PYMNTS

Barclays is the next traditional financial institution to strike a partnership with an alternative lender, announcing Thursday (Aug. 2) that it has invested in small business lending platform MarketInvoice. An announcement on the MarketInvoice blog said Barclays’ investment makes the bank the first High Street FI to partner with the FinTech. In addition to acquiring a minority stake in the alternative lender, MarketInvoice will integrate its invoice financing solution into Barclays’ offering.

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Book of Secrets on the Month-End Close

Based off SkyStem's popular e-Book, the book of secrets to the month-end close will be revealed in this one-hour webinar. Learn leading practices when it comes to building a strong and sustainable month-end close that has room to grow and evolve. Learn about the power of precise estimates, why reconciliations are critical to closing the books, how and when to automate, and how the chart of accounts play into your close process.

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FinTech/FI Collaborations In Mexico And Beyond

PYMNTS

There are any number of government initiatives pairing FinTech with traditional FIs , and now Mexico joins the roster with renewed focus. Only one-third of adults in that country have a bank account. And the new administration, incoming, is looking to boost financial inclusion. One incoming future deputy finance minister, Arturo Herrera, told Reuters that financial inclusion’s shortfall in the country has led to obstacles in the fight against poverty and slow economic growth.

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New Data Shows 1.5 Companies Fall Victim To Ransomware Each Minute

PYMNTS

A new report has found that 1.5 organizations fall victim to ransomware attacks every minute — and more than $1 million is lost each minute due to cybercrime. RiskIQ ’s 2018 “ The Evil Internet Minute ” investigated the cyber threats that organizations and internet users face every minute. “With businesses expanding their online presence to create more touchpoints with customers, employees and partners, the boundaries between what’s inside the firewall and what’s outside become less and le

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Alibaba’s Lazada Partners With Finaxar To Offer Credit Options To SMEs

PYMNTS

Alibaba’s Lazada has announced a partnership with Finaxar , which will offer new credit options for SMEs in Southeast Asia. Finaxar will offer its services to Lazada sellers in Singapore, with plans to eventually expand to cover other parts of Southeast Asia. The goal is to increase the number of retailers in the region, which boasts 650 million consumers.

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Auto Relocation, Sharing Economy Style

PYMNTS

Peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplaces seek to make car relocation more accessible as they tackle the challenge of moving vehicles across the country. Consumers might put out a query online and be bombarded with responses when they first look to move said vehicles, a process that sometimes continues long after they have found a solution. Vehicle delivery can also be a pain point for them.

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How To Break Digital Transformation Barriers And Accelerate AI Adoption

Speaker: Anna Tiomina, MBA

AI is reshaping industries, yet finance remains one of the slowest adopters. Concerns over compliance, legacy systems, and data silos have made finance teams hesitant to embrace AI-driven transformation. But delaying adoption isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about staying competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. How can finance leaders overcome these challenges and start leveraging AI effectively?

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Browser Or Buy Button? W3C’s Jacobs On The Payment Request API

PYMNTS

Native apps are boring and the web is not dead, said Sir Tim Berners-Lee in November of 2014, on the 25 th anniversary of the commercial web. He’s entitled to that opinion: He’s the one, after all, who invented the World Wide Web. His point then, and as it remains now, was that native apps — “walled gardens” as he called them — are limiting, almost by design.

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Can You ‘Future Proof’ Your Mobile Payments?

PYMNTS

The shift to digital and mobile forms of payments and commerce is undeniable across various areas such as retailing, banking and B2B payments. But that does not mean a proactive mindset reigns when it comes to mobile security and innovation. Reactive ways of doing things can degrade the user experience — and that can drive away consumers. That was among the main themes of a recent PYMNTS discussion between Karen Webster and Schalk Nolte, CEO of Entersekt , a South Africa-based FinTech firm that

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Zelle Eyeing Expansion Into Small Business Payments

PYMNTS

Zelle , the digital payment app that enables consumers to send money to friends and family, is gearing up to expand its offering to enable customers to pay small businesses. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the situation, reported Zelle is in the process of enhancing its risk assessment tools as part of the effort to make it safe for people to pay small businesses.

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Could Grubhub Become The Amazon Of Restaurants?

PYMNTS

Grubhub made news a couple weeks ago when it simultaneously delivered a very strong Q2 2018 earnings report and announced the acquisition of LevelUp. The focus then and the subsequent coverage since has been on the positive impact of the LevelUp acquisition on Grubhub’s ability to diversify its platform offerings. With LevelUp, Grubhub can now offer restaurants that are part of its network order ahead/pickup in-store and new CRM/loyalty initiatives to their mobile wallets using LevelUp’s white l

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New Software & You: Elevating Your Tech Stack

Speaker: Joe Wroblewski, Senior Sales Engineer

Is your tech stack working for you—or are you working for it ? 🤖 In today’s world of automation and AI, technology should simplify workflows—not add complexity. Seamless integration and interconnectivity are key to maximizing productivity, optimizing workflows, and improving collaboration. Join expert Joe Wroblewski for a practical and insightful session on how you can build a smarter, more connected tech stack that drives efficiency and long-term success!

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Farm-To-Table Service, Milk And Eggs, Tills For Online Grocery Niche

PYMNTS

The grocery delivery arena is getting crowded – as crowded as the aisles, one might say, of a local supermarket ahead of a big storm. Amazon has had and still has its impact, of course, having bought Whole Foods and helping to send companies such as Kroger and Walmart into the meal kit market and to their own online delivery models, scrambling to get clicks and online sales.

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In The Park. At A Kiosk. Using Digital Payments. Buying $1.6K Designer Jewelry.

PYMNTS

Consumers are using less cash than ever, with the average consumer carrying just $21. In response, unattended retail operators are finding new ways to embrace alternative payment methods, ranging from mobile wallets to cryptocurrencies. In the new Unattended Retail Tracker , PYMNTS charts the latest ways that companies are working to accept more non-cash payment methods, from the common credit card swipe to biometric scans.

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Interpreting The Language Of The Supplier Invoice

PYMNTS

In FinTech ‘s never-ending path to combating friction, B2B solution providers often take one of two approaches: design a holistic solution that allows a company to entirely replace an entire function with a single, streamlined tool, or design a solution that zeroes in on one particular point of friction that can seamlessly integrate into an organization’s existing operations and systems.

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Wells Fargo Computer Glitch Forced Hundreds Of Foreclosures

PYMNTS

Wells Fargo , the embattled national bank, disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that hundreds of individuals saw their homes in foreclosure because of a glitch in software the company used. According to a report in CNN citing Wells Fargo , software it used denied mortgage modification requests incorrectly. The bank said it set aside $8 million to compensate the customers that were impacted by the computer glitch.

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The Human Side of Finance: The Intersectionality of People, Culture, Adaptability, and Resilience

Speaker: Melissa Hurrington

Finance isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about the people behind them. In a world of constant disruption, resilient finance teams aren’t just operationally efficient. They are adaptable, engaged, and deeply connected to a strong organizational culture. Success lies at the intersection of people, culture, adaptability, and resilience. Finance leaders who master this balance will build teams that thrive through uncertainty and drive long-term business impact.