PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2017
Whether you believe the hype or not, blockchain technology is attracting massive investments, exploration and competition across the globe. In the last week alone, top players in the distributed ledger space have made progress in their own initiatives, from membership growth within blockchain consortia to the pursuit of distributed ledger-related patents by top banks.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 9, 2017
Supermarkets aren’t generally the sorts of things that generate massive, dedicated fan bases. Certainly most shopper have a preferred grocery store (or at least one they tend to frequent more often than others) — but in general, it is not something most people talk all that often about since on the whole shopping for groceries doesn’t register all that highly on the excitement meter.
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PYMNTS
JANUARY 19, 2017
This year could be the year that blockchain emerges from its current status as a largely hypothetical game-changer to one that’s put to the test. While few working applications of blockchain technology are in use today by financial service providers, the industry continues to place its confidence — and money — behind the technology. The latest is global consulting firm McKinsey, whose new report has put a price tag on the potential of blockchain: $110 billion.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 26, 2017
Dubai’s startup and tech scene has come a long way in the past three decades — the city is now a major business center in the Middle East, attracting investors and entrepreneurs from around the world. In this week’s Tech Center tracker, we take a look at how Dubai is giving FinTech hubs around the world a run for their money. Before we jump into the post, here are a few quick facts about Dubai and its tech scene: Dubai has an estimated population of 2,701,977.
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.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 27, 2017
The U.S. is no longer the world’s largest market for FinTech investment, according to the latest report from Citigroup, released this week. Analysts found that, in the first nine months of 2016, China held the top spot for FinTech investment, with funding raised for that period doubling compared to the same period in 2015. This week, however, venture capitalists in the B2B FinTech space went global, hitting Australia, the U.S., France and India.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 21, 2017
Enterprise tech conglomerate Oracle is growing thanks to the acquisition of an API management firm, Apiary. Reports last week said the takeover will help Oracle offer more robust API building and monitoring services through integrating Apiary’s APIFlow solution, which helps businesses create and manage their APIs. “Oracle’s API Integration Cloud enables companies to secure, consume, monetize and analyze APIs,” said Oracle Senior Vice President of Integration Cloud Amit Za
Accountant Advocate brings together the best content for small business accounting professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 10, 2017
In retail, inventory is what you’ve got and you hope they want. But when it just sits there gathering dust, money isn’t coming in, and space is being wasted. Human judgement — what to offer, where and when, and for how much — drives inventory decisions. But human judgement is, of course, fallible if it does not have the correct information at hand. Technology, as it does so often with every corner of life, can help augment that (retail) judgement.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 26, 2017
eBay has spent much of the last year rethinking its market position and reworking its platform to help it compete more consistently and strongly against Amazon.com (and the rest of retail). And, as of Q4 2017, it looks like those efforts are paying off — literally. The holiday period saw a 3.1 percent rise in quarterly revenue for eBay — some good news that pushed up the price of shares in the online marketplace by 7.5 percent in after hours trading.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2017
As the old joke goes, for corporate professionals, the procurement department is where you go to retire. Indeed, said KPMG ‘s Procurement and Operations in the Americas Practice Leader Samir Khushalani, historically, procurement has been viewed within the organization as a cost center that deals with straightforward transactions. And while technology progressed, with solutions providers developing company-wide infrastructure for businesses to manage all aspects of procurement, Khushalani
PYMNTS
JANUARY 31, 2017
With its infatuation with Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, it’s safe to say that today’s generation is as concerned with appearances as were previous generations — if not more. The unexpected beauty queen reigning supreme is none other than cosmetic superstore Ulta , where anyone can walk in off the street for countless hair and makeup options. Whereas the latter half of 2016 saw a downward spiral in retail stocks, Ulta was the ray of light shining through with a 38 percent stock surge.
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.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2017
Heading into the new year, most everyone, retailers included, is looking within to enhance our lives and businesses from knowledge already ascertained and move that understanding forward. In the retail space, experts say the chatbot may be one of the best things a merchant can add in 2017. “Creating better real-time customer experiences based on conversational interfaces.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 4, 2017
Canadian financial technology companies backed by venture capitalists reached a level not seen in nearly two decades, despite a slowdown of investment dollars flowing into FinTechs in the U.S. According to a report by Reuters , while FinTechs may not be red hot in the U.S., in Canada , they are breathing new life into the startup market and have drawn in a new crop of venture capital funds in Canada that are looking for young FinTech companies.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 17, 2017
Google is taking the first steps to integrate its Google Assistant with different paid services. According to a report , citing an APK teardown by XDA, Google’s latest version of its app, 6.11.13 beta, has a string of code which the report said could be a sign that payments are coming to Google Assistant shortly. The report said the string of code shows that Google Assistant can handle credit cards and offer direct links to Google support.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 6, 2017
Hackers — in case anyone was still left wondering — are not going anywhere anytime soon. The environment is simply too rich with targets. And given the tens of billions of IoT devices expected to be logging on — and possibly logging into payments functions — the environment is only getting richer and more tempting. And in an age where cybercriminals seem to be ubiquitously lurking at all times, security becomes every merchant’s, issuer’s, card network’s and consumer’s problem.
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
PYMNTS
JANUARY 26, 2017
Industries around the world have caught AI fever. Developers around the world have made more ways than ever for the technology to automate, optimize and enable different services. Facebook, Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon and other major companies are all working on AI projects, along with numerous tech startups. One such upstart, which leverages artificial intelligence and image recognition in part to enable commerce, is Clarifai.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 5, 2017
The global mobile wallet market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35.5 percent from 2017 to 2021, according to research firm Research and Markets. In a press release highlighting the launch of new research, dubbed “Global Mobile Wallet Market 2017–2021,” Research and Markets said the use of 3G and 2G mobile data and broadband around the globe is a big contributor to the growth of the mobile wallet market.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2017
IT professionals say the reuse of passwords by company employees is a significant concern, reports said Monday (Jan. 2). A new survey by Gemalto found that 90 percent of IT professionals are concerned about employees reusing passwords they use for personal accounts in their professional lives, researchers said. Still, 68 percent of those surveyed said they would be fine with having an employee use the same passwords for personal social media accounts and company accounts.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 26, 2017
Apple has surely managed to deliver a lot of hype with the launch of its mobile payments platform, but according to the numbers so far, it hasn’t really managed to deliver a hit. Which isn’t to say it’s been a wholesale miss, which, in the world of mobile payments, is actually something of a success in and of itself — just ask the former teams from CurrentC or Softcard (we miss you Tappy , you were our favorite muppet).
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PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2017
Consumers aren’t just using their mobile devices to browse; they are also making purchases at a higher rate, according to NetElixir. According to a report , citing data from search marketing firm NetElixir, the conversion rate from mobile devices during the holiday season increased to 1.45 percent from 1.15 percent in the year-earlier period. NetElixir, which based its analysis on 90 million visits to retailer websites, said consumers are still spending more when shopping on desktops compared t
PYMNTS
JANUARY 24, 2017
“The real ‘move the needle’ opportunity in banking is to build a bank from scratch.”. That’s according to financial services vet and Varo Money CEO and Cofounder Colin Walsh, who told Karen Webster recently that the future of banking, for millennials in particular, lies not in branches but in bots who become money coaches. Millennials, Walsh went on to say, get very, very little, if any, advice at all from their bank about what to do with their money.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 30, 2017
Nyca Partners, the venture capital firm focused on the FinTech market, raised $125 million for a second fund. According to a report , Hans Morris, the former Visa president turned venture capitalist, created Nyca Partners in 2014, launching a $30 million fund. The fund invested in a slew of FinTech startups, including Lending Club, SigFig and Orchard.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 4, 2017
Soon, online payments might get more frictionless. Amazon’s patent on its 1-Click payment system will expire this year, meaning online buyers could soon see many other online stores adopting similar methods throughout 2017. Anyone who has used Amazon more than once or bought using voice commands on the Amazon Echo will be familiar with 1-Click. It’s an integral part of the Amazon experience.
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?
PYMNTS
JANUARY 6, 2017
Quite possibly the sleeper hit of the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2017? Three-time Super Bowl MVP, four-prime Super Bowl Champion, legendary New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Or at least his new technology. Beyond his NFL talents and with his wife, Gisele Bundchen, he has become known for focusing on a stringent and healthy lifestyle. Earlier this year, the couple released the $200 TB12 Nutrition Manual that instructs staying away from sugar, white flour, olive oil, iodized salt, to
PYMNTS
JANUARY 31, 2017
Need a Frappucino? Now, there’s artificial intelligence (AI) for that. Starbucks already has an order-and-pick-up feature on its mobile app, but soon customers will be able to use their voice to order. The company recently announced a new feature that will allow customers seeking a caffeinated beverage or a breakfast sandwich to place their order via voice command.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2017
Amid several investigations by France into how several African leaders acquired their wealth, the vice president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodorin Obiang, is now on trial for money laundering and corruption, Forbes reports. The trial got under way after the United Nations denied a request by Equatorial Guinea at the end of last year to halt proceedings on the argument that Obiang is covered by diplomatic immunity.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 27, 2017
In your wallet is a driver’s license and possibly a Social Security card. Maybe a credit card or two. Perhaps you keep a passport in a side pocket. All told, bits of paper and plastic that help definitively state that you are who you say you are. Those tangible items can also be gateways to fraud. In an age where bits and bytes are continually encroaching on the things we carry, the question becomes: How are our digital identities shaped, and just who (or what) should hold the key to managing th
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!
PYMNTS
JANUARY 26, 2017
Cross-border payments, trade finance, smart contracts — blockchain has the potential to disrupt B2B processes, but FinTech players are only beginning to take these concepts onto a real-world stage. For one firm, Finlync , the key to unlocking the potential of blockchain in B2B processes is unlocking the underlying data of that activity. The company announced earlier this month that it has developed what it claims to be the world’s first technology to integrate blockchain into ERP systems like SA
PYMNTS
JANUARY 23, 2017
Cash usage in the Americas is at an inflection point. With strong economic growth, the overall cash usage is expected to hit $3.5 trillion by 2020 — up from $3.06 trillion in 2015. And while that’s a sign of positive growth, proliferation of new payment products is chipping away at the growth, according to the brand new Global Cash Index™ Americas Analysis.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 6, 2017
For millions of Americans, opening and running a restaurant is the ultimate achievement of the American Dream. But while creating your own business and being your own boss may sound like fun, keeping that dream alive requires business savvy, and whether restaurant owners want to admit it or not, it also usually requires a helping hand from technology.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 23, 2017
One of the great mysteries of payments is why paper checks still reign — at least in B2B. But the dead tree conduit of supply chain payments may see a displacement in favor of digital financial processes, with a spur from blockchain. At least, that’s the hope. On a Friday (Jan. 20), when the world was watching the 45th president of the United States take the oath of office, PYMNTS’ mind was on, well, payments.
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.
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