Dallas fintech Stretch to offer former prison inmates bank accounts
The start-up’s aim is to help America’s formerly incarcerated people transition back into the country’s economy.
Banking
New US bank on the block Sable aims to support new migrants
Sable offers both debit and credit accounts for new arrivals.
US de novo Lili targets freelancers with tax tools & early payments
It wants to give freelancers an “all-in-one” banking app.
Video: Top fintech stories this week – 18 March 2021
FinTech Futures’ weekly news round-up.
What the Fintech? | S.2 Episode 7 | Class is in session
Tania Ziegler, senior research associate at Cambridge, joins us on this latest episode.
ICYMI funding round: Fondeadora, SEON, Lendo, Nomanini & more
Plenty of funding rounds may have slipped you by this week.
Goldman Sachs analysts reveal abusive working conditions in leaked survey
“This is beyond the level of ‘hard working’, this is inhumane/abuse,” says one surveyed analyst.
Australia consults industry on more “sustainable” challenger bank licence
The APRA’s consultation closes at the end of April.
Sheroes Money is banking on India’s female entrepreneurs
India is home to just two self-made female billionaires.
Railsbank comes to Australia via tie-up with challenger bank Volt
Railsbank considers Australia “a highly strategic market”, where embedded finance is “still in its infancy”.
US fintech Sincere to target “pet parents” with debit cards
In 2019, Americans spent $95.7 billion on their pets.
Avaloq CEO Juerg Hunziker to step back
Hunziker is replaced by the co-CEO pairing of Martin Greweldinger and Thomas Beck.
OCBC launches facial recognition at ATMs, region’s first
The biometric tool will be first used for account balance enquiries – piloted by eight ATMs.
How financial services leaders can create opportunities in a crisis
Retail banking is set to undergo up to three years of acceleration in digital banking preference just this year.
UK fintechs B-North, DIEM, Encompass, and Lumio raise funding
A round-up of recent investments clinched by the UK fintech start-ups.
Canadian challenger Koho raises $56m in Series C funding round
The new funding is all headed towards building awareness in the market.
NatWest’s FCA laundering charge the “first of a few” to come in 2021
The FCA is currently still investigating 6 other cases.
Low-code firm Genesis raises $45m in Series B funding round
Genesis had raised $4.8m over nine years prior to the new injection.
API fintech Flinks adds Levi King to turbocharge US growth
King brings funding, market entry, and growth expertise.
New central bank rules push Pakistan’s banks towards digital payments
All Pakistani banks will need to provide debit cards to users who don’t already have one.
Nordea to deploy AxiomSL’s RegCloud for regulatory reporting
Scandinavian bank aims to meet Finrep, Corep, AnaCredit, and SHSG requirements.
Dear Luc: When is the best time to expand my fintech abroad?
When is the right time for a fintech to go beyond the domestic market?
Ikigai launches in UK to disrupt the asset percentage pricing model
Ikigai is charging a flat £10-a-month fee to early access users.
Web browser Opera hires ex-PayPal and Tencent exec to lead new fintech arm
The new EVP likens Dify’s potential to PayPal’s market disruptor status.
Nest Bank picks Fiserv for card issuance revamp
Fiserv’s First Data brand is handling the implementation.
Technology is winning the fight for financial inclusion
Enlist technology as an ally in the fight against financial exclusion.
Revolut exits Canada after trialling beta for year and a half
Canada is a difficult market for challengers to crack.
NatWest faces FCA money laundering charge over £365m account
The bank will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court next month.
N26 loses 300 employees and head of HR in 12 months
The company is now trying to recruit 500 new employees by end of June.
Core banking provider Technisys buys AI chatbot operator Kona
Technisys has acquired some 60 bank customers to date.
Autobooks raises $25m in Series B round featuring TD Bank
Paytech firm to explore options abroad after new raise.
Emirates NBD chief digital officer leaves to pursue entrepreneurship
Evans Munyuki resigns after brush with COVID-19.
Regulating the Brexit deal
In spite of their clear importance, regulators have often met resistance.
Fintech funding deals globally 8-14 March 2021
Featuring Stripe, Starling, BlockFi, Cedar, and Flutterwave.
Bank of England governor key architect in RBS scandal which left businesses in ruin
Bailey did not disclose his hand in creating the Asset Protection Agency.
First Iraqi Bank selects ICS Banks core banking tech from ICSFS
Start-up bank FIB aims to transform the banking sector in Iraq and the wider MENA region.
KKO picks Pannovate to underpin digital bank launch in Mexico
KKO plan a new bank for young professionals.
Katherine Dziaman joins Sandstone Technology as new CFOO
She replaces Pow-Chuan Lee, who leaves the firm after two and half years.
Video: Top fintech stories this week – 12 March 2021
FinTech Futures’ weekly news round-up.
Banking Technology March 2021 issue out now
Creating communities: celebrating women in fintech this Women’s History Month
