PYMNTS

APRIL 1, 2019

When it comes to online shopping, one of the greatest frustrations for consumers — and friction points for merchants — is having to manually enter credit or debit card information for each purchase. It’s no wonder that 78.9 percent of consumers today have account information stored online with at least one or more companies or service providers. In the latest Mobile Card Services Playbook , a collaboration with Ondot , PYMNTS surveyed more than 9,500 U.S. consumers to get a better understanding

Maine 85

Maine Retail accountant accounted 85

Katz,Sapper&Miller

APRIL 5, 2019

David Blish, director of healthcare consulting in Katz, Sapper & Miller’s Healthcare Resources Group, will present at the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives’ (AAOE) 2019 Annual Conference. Taking place May 5-8 in Nashville, TN, the conference brings together orthopedic hospital and practice administrators, managing physicians, educators, and industry partners for meaningful discussion and education about practice management, strategic initiatives, and the latest industry trends.

Healthcare 50

Healthcare Hospitality Education 50

CBH

APRIL 1, 2019

Last month, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) finalized new guidance that updates its definition of “collections” to be aligned with the definition used by the American Alliance of Museums. In Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-03, Not-for-Profit Entities (Topic 958): Updating the Definition of Collections , the FASB states that proceeds from the sale of collection items (i.e., historical artifacts, art groupings) can be used to obtain new items or maintain existing ite

accounting standards 40

accounting standards financial statements financial accounting Sales 40

PYMNTS

APRIL 2, 2019

Wells Fargo announced Tuesday (April 2) the launch of contactless consumer credit and debit cards. In a press release , Wells Fargo said the new cards will enable customers to complete transactions quickly and with a single tap at millions of merchants and transit systems that accept contactless payments. The bank said it will enable customers to tap to initiate an ATM transaction at more than 13,000 ATMs around the country later this year.

Technology 83

Technology Retail accountant accounted 83

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

APRIL 5, 2019

With U.S. gig workers accounting for more than $1.4 trillion in income by the end of 2018, it’s safe to say the gig economy is becoming a mainstream part of the global economy. From ridesharing drivers to freelance designers and consultants, an increasing share of gig workers are pursuing specialized jobs, often juggling multiple at once. In fact, the share of those in the gig economy with highly specialized skills rose to 32.3 percent in Q4 2018 — a 12.2 percent increase over the previous quart

accountant 81

accountant accounted Account Maine 81

PYMNTS

APRIL 2, 2019

The gig economy is growing. The desire to get paid faster is also gaining traction — along with the companies satisfying that desire. To that end, Visa announced Tuesday (April 2) that it has introduced Card Payouts, an app designed help mid- to large-sized businesses manage cash flow — and speed payments to gig economy workers, to boot. (Call it killing the check — and you may remember our own research, where 85 percent of gig economy workers surveyed said they would work more if they could get

NetSuite 80

NetSuite Expense Reimbursements 80

PYMNTS

MARCH 31, 2019

The FBI has announced a directive shift away from counterterrorism and toward fighting the increasing threats from cyber attacks, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The move comes amid an ecosystem of attacks from foreign countries, like Russia and its election meddling and China’s cyber attacks against U.S. businesses. The Navy also recently reported that it was under siege by Chinese cyber attacks, and FBI Director Christopher Wray said all 56 bureau field offices have open inve

Washington 76

Washington Start-ups 76

PYMNTS

APRIL 5, 2019

Dozens of cybercriminal groups have found a home on Facebook , using the platform’s online marketplace to sell illegal services such as stolen credit card information, as well as account theft and spamming tools, according to Cisco Systems’ Talos security unit. “Over the past several months, Cisco Talos has tracked several groups on Facebook where shady (at best) and illegal (at worst) activities frequently take place.

accounted 76

accounted Account accountant 76

PYMNTS

APRIL 5, 2019

A new blockchain association has been created to promote the adoption of the technology across the European Union. The group — the International Association of Trusted Blockchain Applications ( INATBA ) — officially launched on April 3 in Brussels and includes SWIFT, IBM, Ripple and around 100 other companies and organizations. As a European Commission initiative, INATBA is a “global multi-stakeholder forum” created to bring “industry, startups and SMEs, policy makers, international organization

Technology 75

Technology Legal 75

PYMNTS

APRIL 5, 2019

Denmark has decided to ban 500-euro notes in an attempt to fight money laundering in the country. The decision was made despite a request by the European Central Bank ( ECB ) not to ban the note. But Danish authorities says that the bills’ use for criminal activities justifies the ban, adding that the ECB even decided to stop printing the notes in 2016 under the recommendation of the global anti-laundering organization Financial Action Task Force.

Government 73

Government 73

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Technology

PYMNTS

APRIL 4, 2019

Luxury brands are selling more and more on Chinese eCommerce sites like JD.com and Alibaba, while still keeping their distance from Amazon, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. French multinational luxury goods conglomerate LVMH ’s finance chief made his views on Amazon clear in 2016 when he said “the existing business of Amazon doesn’t fit with luxury, full stop.

Education 73

Education Finance Technology Retail 73

PYMNTS

APRIL 1, 2019

Digital solutions have made their way into the gig economy, with more workers than ever utilizing digital marketplaces that pair companies with talent from around the world. These days, however, gig jobs don’t just encompass rideshare drivers, home renters or handymen on popular platforms like Uber, Airbnb or TaskRabbit. Gig work is now available in nearly every industry, and it is beginning to disrupt traditional ideas regarding career paths and earnings. .

Healthcare 73

Healthcare Education Start-ups Finance 73

PYMNTS

APRIL 1, 2019

FinTech has revolutionized the way traditional banks can implement and roll out new products and services to their customers, with banks’ complex infrastructures positioning “out-of-the-box” solutions as a competitive proposition for FinTech firms to offer their bank clients. Yet, not all financial services can — or should — be a one-size-fits-all tool.

Finance 73

Finance accounting and finance accounts payable Technology 73

PYMNTS

APRIL 4, 2019

Small and medium-sized business spend management firm Bento for Business is teaming up with Visa to enhance cash flow management for SMB customers. In a press release on Thursday (April 4), Bento announced its collaboration with Visa to integrate Visa’s business debit card into the Bento for Business platform. Current holders of Visa business debit cards will be given access to Bento’s financial solutions, including expense and spend management, budgeting and bookkeeping functionalit

Non-Profits 72

Non-Profits Spend Management Business Spend Management bookkeeping 72

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

APRIL 1, 2019

Woody Allen once supposedly said 80 percent of success is just showing up. Beyond that, in business and in life, showing up on time counts for a lot, too. So it is with payments, where speed counts. The movement toward faster payments and peer to peer (P2P) is, well, quickening. As the Faster Payments Tracker shows, the clamor for speedier payments spans the globe.

72

72

PYMNTS

APRIL 1, 2019

Three years ago, I wrote a piece in which I said Apple had become the kind of company that Steve Jobs once said he never wanted it to be: one that follows the lead of others. Jobs felt so strongly that he said he’d rather gamble Apple’s future instead of trying to one-up everyone else after the fact. Today, Apple seems to be gambling its future by doing just that: being like someone else, often years after others have led the way.

Gambling 71

Gambling Sports Manufacturing Gaming 71

PYMNTS

APRIL 4, 2019

Out of the haze of uncertainty emerged a new mobile network, and from the new mobile network came new retail applications and experiences, all taking advantage of the faster speed of the technology, and the potential to reduce friction. So goes the imagined story of 5G , even though the narrative has barely progressed beyond the prologue. The mobile technology is moving from the realm of the possible to the world of the real.

Retail 71

Retail E-commerce Technology Maine 71

PYMNTS

APRIL 4, 2019

FinTech firms are creating offerings to make it easier for retailers to handle their payments on the back end. Modo , for example, designed its new /Checkout product with “the end in mind,” Brian Billingsley, the company’s chief revenue officer, told PYMNTS in an interview. He explained that much of the industry is focused on creating beautiful experiences on the front end, but funds still have to flow back to the merchant and be reconciled at the end of the day.

accounting and finance 70

accounting and finance Finance Start-ups Retail 70

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

APRIL 2, 2019

The legal cannabis market continues to reach new milestones, the latest being the launch of the industry’s first commodity trading desk — with the latest service provider highlighting the opportunity in addressing the more nuanced challenges of an unfamiliar, emerging market. Marijuana company Grupo Flor has rolled out its commodity trading desk to connect industry buyers and sellers, and facilitate the trade of raw materials, including the THC flower, THC trim, crude and distillate THC an

B2B 70

B2B Transportation Legal Hospitality 70

PYMNTS

APRIL 5, 2019

Probably every shopper knows the thrill of the retail treasure hunt — that odd, unexpected, but perfect product discovered on a shelf; that highly desired item almost hidden in some corner, but found via serendipity or determined effort. Probably every shopper also knows the frustration of the hunt — the time-consuming, wasted effort to locate a shirt or skirt in a specific color or size; an item that’s supposed to be on the retail floor, according to inventory software, but is nowhere to be fou

Sales 69

Sales Retail Start-ups Technology 69

PYMNTS

APRIL 3, 2019

In an effort to lure talented engineers its way, Goldman Sachs has rolled out a new program in which it will pay engineers to develop new finance apps. According to a report in Reuters , Goldman Sachs is looking to hire engineers to join a digital innovation program. The engineers would receive $100,000 in compensation along with access to Goldman Sachs’ API.

Finance 68

Finance Technology 68

PYMNTS

APRIL 2, 2019

It’s not enough to be a retailer these days, not if a merchant intends to survive in a world of commerce dominated by the likes of Amazon and other tech-focused competitors. Innovation is one of the keys to advancement — and that increasingly means opening tech hubs, incubators and other such operations. Those efforts have certainly led to significant advances in product and revenue, and the enablement of what’s come to be called the “consumer experience.

Retail 68

Retail Technology Maine Gaming 68

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

APRIL 4, 2019

Consumers’ preferences are undeniably shifting digitally when it comes to banking and financial services. According to a recent study by Citibank , 31 percent of consumers use their mobile banking app more than any other — placing mobile banking behind only social media and weather for most frequented mobile destinations. And by all accounts, this digital migration is driven by consumer preference — according to the same study, 91 percent of mobile banking users prefer accessing their app over

Technology 67

Technology Start-ups Education Retail 67

PYMNTS

APRIL 4, 2019

About two years ago, Walmart teamed up with Green Dot and Commonwealth, for a prepaid card savings program. On Thursday (April 4), the company announced that customers “have moved more than $2 billion through the program’s virtual Vault, a safe and accessible way to save money through the Walmart prepaid MoneyCard.”. Customers can also win money using the program.

Start-ups 67

Start-ups Retail 67

PYMNTS

MARCH 31, 2019

Cross-border money transfer startup TransferWise is looking to raise funds and will sell a stake in itself to do so, according to a report by Reuters. The company’s past investors include English business magnate Richard Branson and PayPal founders Peter Thiel and Max Levchin. FinTech companies that offer new technology to help move cash and funds across borders are becoming increasingly popular and disruptive to traditional banking institutions.

Technology 67

Technology 67

PYMNTS

APRIL 4, 2019

FinTech firms may not be the only ones that traditional financial institutions (FIs) need to keep an eye on. About six in 10 consumers have said they would be open to banking with non-FIs if they could — especially with big-name brands like Amazon , PayPal and Walmart. Younger consumers, as it turns out, are particularly open to receiving financial services from retail merchants and FinTech firms.

Retail 67

Retail Finance Maine 67

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

APRIL 5, 2019

SoLo Funds announced it has added a Mastercard integration so users can link their debit accounts to the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform. The company noted there are 100,000 Visa cardholders who already use the SoLo Funds platform, which allows users to request and receive a P2P loan of less than $1,000 within minutes – faster than traditional ACH bank transfers, which can take up to three full business days to settle.

accountant 66

accountant accounted Account 66

PYMNTS

APRIL 2, 2019

The old adage — timeworn, but true — is that a journey begins with a single step. In the world of Open Banking, the steps are tentative, but march toward a goal of greater financial transparency and flexibility. The promise — far off, but in sight — is that individuals will have greater control over how and where their data is used, by whom and when.

Start-ups 66

Start-ups Retail Technology accountant 66

PYMNTS

APRIL 2, 2019

Walmart announced Tuesday (April 2) Walmart Voice Order, a new voice ordering capability that enables people to use voice commands to shop for groceries. In a blog post, Tom Ward, senior vice president of digital operations at Walmart, said the retailer is building platforms with partners including Google to help customers shop via voice. Starting in April customers can say “Hey Google, talk to Walmart” and the Google Assistant will add items directly to their Walmart Grocery cart.

Start-ups 66

Start-ups Technology Retail 66

PYMNTS

APRIL 4, 2019

In a move to take on Apple’s wireless earbud dominance, Amazon is planning to make its own version with Alexa capability, according to a report by Bloomberg. The company is preparing to release earbuds with built-in Alexa functionality, possibly by the end of this year. They will look like AirPods, but Amazon is reportedly aiming for better audio quality.

Maine 65

Maine Retail 65

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