Sat.May 16, 2020 - Fri.May 22, 2020

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Why Hyperledger Says It?s Prime Time For Blockchain

PYMNTS

Is now the prime time for blockchain ? As COVID-19 has disrupted supply chains worldwide, Brian Behlendorf , executive director of Hyperledger , told Karen Webster that the pandemic has spurred a shift in thinking about new use cases for permissioned blockchains. Increasingly, firms seek accountability and visibility into suppliers, vendors and transactions in real time.

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SBA Releases PPP Forgiveness Application; Sheds Dim Light on Looming Questions

Katz,Sapper&Miller

The lack of guidance related to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness has been the genesis of exacerbated frustration in the tax and business communities over the last several weeks. While the Small Business Administration (SBA) has still not released authoritative guidance clarifying critical definitions and providing much-needed direction, it did release the PPP loan forgiveness application Friday, May 15.

Tax 69
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Orange County COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Fund Program 

CapataCPA

Orange County COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Fund Program In breaking news, the California Employment Development (EDD) funded $700,000 to Orange County’s Workforce Development Board (OCWDB) in partnership with the Orange County Community Services- Community Investment Division. These funds have been put into the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Support Program to help small businesses within the Orange County.

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Small Business Health Insurance Options: Which (If Any) Will You Pick?

Patriot Software

Thinking about offering employer-sponsored health insurance? Sure, you could offer a traditional group health insurance to your employees, but that’s not your only choice. There are a number of small business health insurance options you can choose from. Why not pick the program that fits your business? Read on to learn about small business healthcare […].

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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 Static budgets, rigid annual forecasts, and outdated financial models limit an organization’s ability to adapt to market shifts and economic uncertainty.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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Visa Seeks Patent On System To Turn Government Currencies Into Digital Blockchain Versions

PYMNTS

Credit card giant Visa has filed an application for a U.S. patent on a computer system that would convert physical dollars and other fiat currencies into digital versions, complete with denominations and serial numbers and recorded via blockchain. The system would then remove the paper currency from circulation. “According to the [details] discussed herein, the payment ecosystem may become entirely (e.g. 100 percent) digital,” Visa wrote in its application, which was originally filed with the

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COVID-19 Business Survival Series: “Being Philanthropic When It’s Needed Most”

Katz,Sapper&Miller

COVID-19 does not discriminate, and it has impacted all sectors of the nation’s economy. But certain industries are being affected more than others, maybe none more so than not-for-profits. Why does this sector matter – especially now – and what should the business community be doing to help preserve this very important piece of Indiana’s ecosystem?

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Amazon Eyes JCPenney Buy

PYMNTS

Amazon could be in talks to acquire the bankrupt clothing retailer JCPenney , Fox Business reported, citing Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). JCPenney officially filed for bankruptcy late Friday (May 15), ending speculation as to the beleaguered former retail titan’s financial status. Now, Amazon could be moving in. One source, according to WWD as reported by Fox Business, was “in Plano as we speak,” referring to the Texas city where JCPenney is headquartered.

Texas 110
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Dubai Creating $870M Free Trading Zone For eCommerce

PYMNTS

The government of Dubai is planning to create an $870 million free trade zone for eCommerce named Dubai CommerCity (DCC). The development project will be located next to Dubai International Airport. . The project is being developed collaboratively with two state-owned enterprises — the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority ( DAFZA ) and the property firm wasl.

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Why Now Is The Time For CUs’ Digital Transformation

PYMNTS

For credit unions (CUs), the shift to digital banking is here — and depending on how you look at it, the pivot, by necessity, took only a few months. In an interview with Karen Webster, Todd Clark , CEO of CO-OP Financial Services , said the past eight weeks have spurred CUs to grapple with significant changes in member activity across every channel, and an economic landscape that has presented members with momentous challenges.

Start-ups 105
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Overstock CEO: Why Immunity Passports Could Move Blockchain Tech Mainstream

PYMNTS

In the early days of enforced social distancing measures, there was a presiding confidence that any economic disruption would be temporary and fairly short. Analysts were nearly universally predicting a “V-shaped” U.S. recovery — a fast drop with a quick stop, then a rapid reset back to normal. End-to-end, things would recover by 2020’s end. But things are looking far less certain now in that regard.

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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 Banks Can Guide FinTechs Through Their First Economic Downturn

PYMNTS

From competitors to collaborators, the FinTech boom introduced a field of opportunity for traditional financial institutions to team up with an industry newcomer to become more agile and modern with their own product offerings. While FinTechs are, in many ways, useful allies to banks, traditional FIs can also be a critical partner to FinTechs that lack the resources or opportunity to acquire their own banking license.

Finance 104
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Improving Conversions While Navigating The Great Digital Shift

PYMNTS

When the pandemic is over, there will be thousands of books written about the ways the coronavirus changed daily life, globally. Among those will be – or should be – a tome on how the great shift to digital commerce drove merchants to connect to multiple services. In an interview with Karen Webster, Justin Benson, CEO of Spreedly , said the shift is a critical one, requiring merchants to rethink how they approach payments and, as a result, optimize revenues.

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Alibaba Developing AI For Tmall Genie Smart Speakers

PYMNTS

China’s Alibaba Group is putting $1.4 billion into the development of artificial intelligence (AI) for its Tmall Genie smart speaker, the company said in a statement on Wednesday (May 20) following a press conference. The upgrade and innovation centered around its flagship Tmall Genie smart speaker will use proprietary technologies that combine AI and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Kentucky 101
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H1 Insights: Improving Patient Outcomes By Changing How Doctors, Pharma and Patients Find Each Other

PYMNTS

In healthcare, increasingly, data is critical for addressing inefficiencies in a system that is nearly 18 percent of U.S. GDP. And perhaps, most critically, matching patients with the right doctors, and various healthcare professionals with the right pharmaceutical companies during research and trials can speed treatments and new drugs as they move from concept to real-life therapies.

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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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PPP Loan Forgiveness May Be Hard To Win For Self-Employed Workers

PYMNTS

The self-employed might regret getting one of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). CNBC reported these independent contractors who borrowed from the PPP face the prospect of not getting the balance forgiven. Under the terms of the CARES Act, businesses don’t have to repay the loan if they spent at least 75 percent of the proceeds on payroll and no more than 25 percent for other items.

Ohio 99
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April Home Sales Slide As Buyers, Sellers Wait Out Pandemic

PYMNTS

Home sales fell to a 10-year low in April as buying and selling have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). For the second consecutive month, each of the nation’s four regions saw sales dwindle in year-over-year sales, with the West seeing the greatest dip. Total existing-home sales – including single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and co-ops – dropped 17.8 percent in April to 4.3 million, compared to the same month a year ago w

Sales 98
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Kasikornbank To Offer Nium’s FinTech Payments Platform

PYMNTS

FinTech payments platform Nium , based in Singapore, is expanding its global reach to service Kasikornbank’s Asia-Pacific customers in Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. In a joint statement, the two companies said the move is part of an effort by Kasikornbank (KBank) to ramp up its “digital cross-border payments offerings” as social distancing measures become the new normal.

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What Famed Boston Eatery Petit Robert’s Owner Sees As Restaurants’ Future

PYMNTS

Boston’s Petit Robert Bistro , one of the city’s fanciest French restaurants, started 2020 with expectations that were anything but small. Mild winter weather in Boston had led to stronger-than-average performances in January and February, and owner Loic Le Garrec told Karen Webster in a recent conversation that he expected going gangbusters through his typically busy spring season.

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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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Will The Pandemic Finally Get Central Banks Interested In Building Digital Currencies?

PYMNTS

The tipping point might be nigh for digital dollars and other central bank-issued currencies done through bits and bytes. As politicians across the globe grapple with the pandemic’s continued economic fallout and the need to get stimulus funds to individuals, corporations and even local governments with speed and security, digital delivery of those dollars is likely to gain increasing traction.

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New Facebook Shops Feature Streamlines Social Commerce

PYMNTS

To enable businesses to more easily list their merchandise on its social media platforms, Facebook has unveiled Facebook Shops. The free feature will allow companies to place product listings on their Facebook Page, Instagram profiles and stories, or in ads, CNBC reported. The social media company had allowed companies to list items on Instagram and Facebook in the past.

Sales 97
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Swiggy, Zomato Add Alcohol To Delivery Menu In India

PYMNTS

Indian food delivery startups Swiggy and Zomato will start delivering alcohol in some cities in an effort to meet the increased demand for booze during the lockdown. Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, will be the first area to get alcohol delivered. “We believe that a technology-enabled home delivery based solution can enable responsible consumption of alcohol as well as provide an option that’s safer and promotes social distancing,” a Zomato spokesperson told the Economic Times in a report on

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Uber Cuts 3K More Jobs And Targets Office Closings

PYMNTS

Uber plans to cut 3,000 more jobs and close 45 offices — all while eyeing other cutbacks as the COVID-19 economy keeps pummeling the ride-hailing giant. Job cuts do not include drivers, who technically are not employees. Meanwhile, the company is seeking to buy Uber Eats rival Grubhub, which spurned the offer over the weekend. The talks between the two companies have so far not been fruitful.

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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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Ross Stores Begins Reopening After Reporting Sales Drop

PYMNTS

Amid the ongoing spread of the pandemic throughout the country, Ross Stores, Inc. reported total Q1 sales of $1.8 billion compared to $3.8 billion in the prior year. The retailer said it wasn’t reporting comparable-store sales, as its shops were open for less than seven weeks of the 13-week period, per an announcement. Ross Stores also registered a loss per share of 87 cents compared to earnings per share of $1.15 for the past year period.

Sales 96
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Moderna’s Coronavirus Vaccine Trial Could Offer Light At The End Of The Tunnel

PYMNTS

A COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the Cambridge, Massachusetts firm Moderna is showing early signs of promise, with an early-stage human trial showing some compelling results. This much-awaited bit of good news in the fight against the novel coronavirus sent shivers of anticipation through the stock market, which drove the company’s shares up some 26 percent intraday as the development broke.

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Ontario Systems Buys SwervePay To Boost Electronic Payments

PYMNTS

Payment collections software company Ontario Systems has acquired SwervePay to help bolster its electronic payment capabilities, according to a press release. Electronic payments processing is becoming “increasingly critical” for Ontario Systems’ customers, which mandated the acquisition of SwervePay acquisition, a payment facilitator in the accounts receivable management and healthcare industries.

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Digital Couponing Rises With The Digital Shift

PYMNTS

The digital shift will not have paper coupons. It remains to be seen if the pandemic and its hypervigilance about potential germs will wash what’s left of them away, but digital coupons are growing right along with the crisis-driven move to eCommerce. Inmar Intelligence , one of the leaders in digital couponing, reported last week that enrollment in digital coupon programs among the top 30 percent of national grocery chains has grown 93 percent year over year since March 1.

Sports 95
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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.

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How ePayments Can Ease B2B Friction In The Travel Industry

PYMNTS

While the travel industry remains decimated due to the pandemic, with businesses just beginning to tiptoe toward some semblance of normalcy, the shift to digital processes is gaining traction. In an interview with PYMNTS, Xavier Ginesta , chairman at Voxel Group , which focuses on B2B payments, said that friction exists for B2B payments within the travel space — but that friction can be eased with eBilling and ePayments.

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Banks Brace For Forbearance Program Expiry Dates

PYMNTS

The time is almost up for people who got mortgage forbearance under the CARES Act, but banks can’t predict how many will default of the $150 billion in loans currently on ice, according to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday (May 20). In order to avoid an anticipated deluge of defaults, forbearance programs were quickly rolled out in March without requiring proof of hardship.

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Kohl?s Leans Into Digital During Pandemic Store Closures

PYMNTS

As it leaned into its digital businesses with its stores closed amid the pandemic, Kohl’s Corporation saw its digital sales rise 24 percent for the quarter and accelerate to 60 percent in April. CEO Michelle Gass said in a Tuesday (May 19) first-quarter earnings call with analysts that the retailer amplified its digital marketing efforts and revised its online site content.

Retail 94
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Cosmetics Brand Natura Exposes Customer Data

PYMNTS

The Brazil cosmetics company that bought Avon Products Inc. in January accidentally exposed personal information about 250,000 of its customers that could have been accessed by anyone, The Hacker News reported. Natura & Co. , based in Sao Paulo, inadvertently left hundreds of gigabytes of its customers’ personal and payment-related information publicly available online.

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Demo SkyStem’s Award Winning Month-End Close Solution & Earn $100

Is your finance team bogged down by endless data requests and disorganized spreadsheets during the month-end close? It’s time to consider a better option – automate with ART! SkyStem’s solution works alongside your ERP to transform the close and account reconciliation process and speed up month-end work. Explore SkyStem’s ART - the award-winning account reconciliation automation platform - and receive a $100 Amazon gift card as a thank you for your time.