PYMNTS
JANUARY 1, 2020
While one might assume that a payments revolution would be a hard thing to miss, as it turns out, it can happen. It all depends on how closely the world is looking — and what exactly it expects to be looking for. Sometimes, DPO Group CEO Eran Feinstein told Karen Webster, a massive paradigmatic shift can fly under the radar, if it looks just different enough from what the world is used to seeing.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2020
Speed, scale and engagement — if you say it a few times, really get your vocal cords and mouth into the exercise, there’s a certain snap to those words put together like that. As well there should be — those are among the main traits set to define payments in the 2020s. We here at PYMNTS don’t mean to wear you down with all our anticipation about the new decade.
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PYMNTS
DECEMBER 29, 2019
Samsung disclosed that it will introduce an “artificial human” called Neon at CES 2020 on Jan. 7 that is totally different than its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant Bixby, Digital Trends reported. The limited information about Neon was shared on Samsung’s Twitter account, and includes an “Artificial Human” teaser in several languages with the tagline “Have you met an ‘artificial’?”.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 30, 2019
Silicon Valley startup Plus.ai is thought to be the first company to deploy a self-driving commercial truck to haul 40,000 pounds of butter roughly 42 hours cross-country from Tulare, California to Quakertown, Pennsylvania, ZDNet reported. The company’s Level 4 autonomous semi-tractor-trailer completed the 2,800-mile run for Land O’Lakes in under three days.
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 2, 2020
The largest accounting firms – EY, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC – are investing billions of dollars in artificial intelligence (AI) and data technology products to change the industry in new ways, according to a report by Bloomberg Tax. The investment goes beyond the idea of just automating processes, moving into entrenched AI work, data analysis and tech training for all employees.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 30, 2019
Gift returns have become a holiday tradition in the U.S., with consumers anticipated to send back a record $100 billion worth of unwanted goods bought this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, The Financial Times reported. Last year returns from purchases made during the same period hit $6 billion. Online purchases are almost three times more likely to be returned than those in stores, leaving retailers with millions of items to sort.
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PYMNTS
DECEMBER 30, 2019
Digital payments firm PayPal is turning to Latin America to strengthen its position in the eCommerce payments and remittance arenas. Today (Dec. 30), PayPal announced an expansion of its partnership with Argentinian eCommerce company MercadoLibre (dubbed the “eBay of Latin America”), as it positions itself to capture more of Latin America’s market share.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 2, 2020
It’s going to be a very vocal year when it comes to retail. Voice is the killer app of the connected commerce experience, according to the How We Will Pay: 2019 Edition study. For the third consecutive year, the use of voice-enabled devices and assistants to enable purchasing has increased faster than any other type of connected commerce. About 31 percent of consumers now own voice-activated devices, up from 27 percent in 2018 and 14 percent in 2017.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 31, 2019
Paper-based payment methods such as checks and cash are awkward and cumbersome in either business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions. The negative impact that these increasingly outdated methods have on both senders and receivers has mostly been ignored, however. Such legacy payment methods are usually tied to paper-based invoices and manual tracking and reconciliation procedures, which impede payments from being processed in a timely manner.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2020
In just three years, one word, one idea, has rewritten the payments rulebook: “instant.” Driven by faster phones, ingenious apps and sheer market force, the move to instant is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with payments, opening up new worlds of risk and reward. Rarely do consumers and businesses agree on anything as much as they have on instant.
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 2, 2020
As diners can order a wide range of cuisines from their smartphones, mobile order-ahead continues to become more popular — and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are taking note. The technology is changing the design of restaurants, as some coffee chains are rolling out pick-up only locations while others are refreshing stores with pickup windows. Large chains like Dunkin’ and Starbucks were among the first to embrace mobile order-ahead technology.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 2, 2020
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), which establishes accounting standards in the U.S., has released new guidance on computing costs for cloud computing to take effect for public businesses in 2020. It also provides a new standard for companies that struggle with the implementation of the technology, according to a report by Compliance Week.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 31, 2019
It’s the list no one likes to be on. It’s kind of like being on the “worst dressed list” except that we’re talking about stolen data and, probably, lots of lawsuits. Welcome, then, to the Top Data Breaches of 2019. The readings are pretty grim. At a high level, the numbers are staggering. Millions of accounts hacked. Billions of records accessed. Thousands of breaches.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 2, 2020
The downside of data sharing has come full circle as JPMorgan Chase strives for enhanced protection by blocking FinTech apps from accessing customers’ passwords, The Financial Times (FT) reported on Tuesday (Jan. 2). As a way to get users’ passwords “out of the system,” the lender will disburse tokens to third parties, embedded with limited data, Bill Wallace, Chase’s head of digital, told FT. .
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
DECEMBER 30, 2019
The Open Banking business model has derived mixed reactions from the financial services market, and without a regulatory mandate in the U.S., it’s not entirely clear how deeply the data sharing strategy will proliferate. What is clear, however, is that Open Banking is gaining traction, largely driven by the competitive pressure for banks to enable their customers with the FinTech tools they demand.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 29, 2019
As online banking continues rapidly evolving , ahead of another anticipated round of funding next year, digital challenger bank Monzo remains in discussions to secure as much as £100m in upcoming weeks. The financial startup plans to raise between £50m and £100m in early 2020, amplifying an earlier June 2019 deal that netted Monzo £113m. Monzo , founded by entrepreneur Tom Blomfield, acquired 3.5 million customers in 2019, offering those users a mobile app bank account and a distinctively-colore
PYMNTS
JANUARY 2, 2020
It wasn’t very long ago that nearly every banking-connected function required a trip to the local branch. Even the simplest tasks like changing the PIN on a debit card required a command appearance. Today, CO-OP Financial Services Chief Technology Officer Pam Brodsack said, a customer can do that — and a whole lot more — from within the confines of their mobile app from just about any place on earth due to the power of application programming interfaces (APIs). .
PYMNTS
JANUARY 2, 2020
Samsung has introduced a new refrigerator that’s the latest addition to its Family Hub lineup, with artificial intelligence (AI) and features that can plan meals and connect with Samsung devices around the home, according to a report by VentureBeat. The cameras inside are powered by the company’s AI ViewInside technology which scans items, identifies them and sends updates when new or old items are out. .
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PYMNTS
DECEMBER 30, 2019
Bitcoin investors are in for a halving event in 2020 that could potentially give their currency a boost , according to Bloomberg. A halving event refers to the process in which the reward that Bitcoin creators get for creating fresh bitcoins will be cut in half. Sometimes, it’s referred to as the halvening instead, a reference to the classic fantasy film “Highlander.”.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2020
That great wit Homer Simpson , one the most influential court jesters of the past 30 years, had this to say about the habit of drinking adult beverages: “Here’s to alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.”. Some retailers might be taking that to heart in this new year as part of the larger and ongoing effort to breathe new life into brick-and-mortar retail — a struggle that has been around almost as long as “The Simpsons” has, in fact.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 3, 2020
Americans are drinking less beer, and this month people worldwide will be participating in ‘Dry January.’ But beer companies are trying to work around those obstacles and keep customers. Beer makers Heineken and Molson Coors are using the month-long sobriety challenge as a marketing tactic. Both companies are debuting non-alcoholic beers to entice customers who are shying away from the beverage due to health concerns or a shift toward trendier drinks like hard seltzers.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 31, 2019
New Russian protectionist legislation takes aim at U.S. Big Tech companies as additional laws are being prepped to restrict content. According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), all computers and mobile devices sold in Russia are required to have preinstalled Russian software effective July 1. Apple is among the many U.S. tech companies that are opposed to having to preinstall the Yandex Russian web browser and other apps, which would require additional licensing and development fees.
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
DECEMBER 30, 2019
Digital banking and payments firm i2c is partnering with borderless digital payments platform Wirex to introduce a multicurrency travelcard for customers in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, Wirex announced on Sunday (Dec. 29). The hybrid personal banking alternative enables people to use crypto, as well as over 150 traditional currencies. The platform folds blockchain technology into everyday transactions, offering customers flexibility and up to 1.5 percent crypto rewards on in-store purchases.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 30, 2019
Delivery service Postmates and popular coconut water drink Vita Coco are partnering with Manhattan deli Lenwich to offer a whimsical but practical 2020 “hangover remedy kit,” according to Fox Business. The free-while-they-last kits will feature a bottle of Vita Coco plus additional branded items from the company, including socks, a sleep mask, and a “Do Not Disturb” door sign.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 28, 2019
Christmas is now in the 2019 rear-view mirror. Gifts have been unwrapped, and 10 percent of packages are, or are in the process of being returned. This year, confident U.S. consumers spent, and spent big. According to Mastercard , sales are up 3.4 percent and eCommerce sales are up 18 percent over 2018. The National Retail Federation ( NRF ) reports that, based on early predictions, the average American spent a little more than $1,050 on gifts given to others this holiday season, with higher inc
PYMNTS
JANUARY 2, 2020
The former head of technology at Barclays, Mark Hipperson, is launching a digital bank called Ziglu that will serve both crypto and fiat accounts, according to a report by Cointelegraph. In addition to working at Barclays, Hipperson was the former CTO at Starling, a U.K. challenger bank. The accounts at Ziglu will be free and able to have multiple currencies, and people will be able to easily exchange them.
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 1, 2020
The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) is planning to pump about $115 billion into the economy by freeing up lenders to write more loans, The New York Times reported on Wednesday (Jan. 1). China’s central bank said it would cut its reserve requirement ratio – the amount of cash from deposits that lenders must have on-hand – by 0.5 percent up to 12.5 percent for large banks, effective Jan. 6, per reports.
PYMNTS
JANUARY 2, 2020
Chinese smartphone firm Xiaomi is planning to pump over ¥50 billion ($7.18 billion) into artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G technologies over the next five years, Reuters reported on Thursday (Jan. 2). The announcement was made by Xiaomi Chief Executive Lei Jun, who posted a letter on the company’s social media account. “We need to turn our continuous advantage we have in AIoT [artificial intelligence of things] and intelligent life into absolute victory in intelligent full scene, and completel
PYMNTS
JANUARY 2, 2020
To boost the bottom line and get consumers interested, actively engaged and ready to spend, retailers have increasingly been turning to advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to fine-tune businesses — in real time. That’s especially true with unattended retail, where consumers have become more comfortable with self-service.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 31, 2019
A little more than a year ago, PYMNTS started tracking the race for the consumer’s whole paycheck between the two retail behemoths that have been expanding their respective ecosystems in the process: Amazon and Walmart. At the time, in November 2018, it became clear that the state of that race had changed. Walmart was leading that race then, according to PYMNTS analysis, since it accounted for 8.9 percent of consumer retail spending in the U.S., and 2.8 percent of all U.S. consumer spending.
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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