Bank of Japan to launch CBDC pilot programme in April
The pilot will test the technical feasibility of a CBDC and leverage the “skills and insights” of private industry.
Banking
Cartoon: What recession?
A new cartoon illustrating how private market valuations have been impacted in the current environment.
North America fintech funding round-up: Vexi, Comun, ModernFi & more
A round-up of the latest funding endeavours of fintech start-ups from across North America.
FinTech Futures: Top five stories of the week – 17 February 2023
Here’s our pick of five of the top news stories from the world of finance and tech this week.
Financial market data provider Quodd acquires Xignite
The combined business will serve more than 2,200 companies.
Solving the cybersecurity puzzle
FinTech Futures speaks to City University of London’s Raj Muttukrishnan and Crossword’s Stuart Jubb.
AI regtech WorkFusion names Arthur Mueller VP of financial crime
Mueller joins from Rabobank North America where he served as AML and sanctions officer for more than six years.
Demystifying digital transformation
There are a lot of parallels among the big banks in terms of why digital transformation is so complicated.
Video: Highlights from the exclusive global launch of Leda Glyptis’ book, Bankers Like Us
Take a look at the highlights from Leda Glyptis’ global book launch.
Global fintech investment drops 31% in 2022 from record 2021 high
Despite the drop, it was still the third-best year for fintech investment ever.
Zopa acquires DivideBuy in “BNPL 2.0” push
Zopa’s “BNPL 2.0” offering will allow consumers to spread the cost of purchases worth between £250 and £30,000.
Citizens Financial Group taps Paymentus for bill pay and money movement services
Through the partnership, Citizens will deploy Paymentus Bill Center and Paymentus Loan Payments.
Ecuador’s first digital bank goes live with Temenos core
Diners Club Ecuador has gone live on Temenos’ cloud-native banking platform with AWS.
Unity Small Finance Bank taps M2P for core banking upgrade
The Indian bank will deploy M2P’s Turing CBS offering.
Confronting confrontation
If you don’t like confrontation, get better at it. So you can at least only have it once and move on.
Finastra reportedly looking to sell banking business
Finastra is understood to be exploring the sale of its banking portfolio for as much as $7 billion.
Dragonfly makes C-level hires as firm expands partnerships and portfolio
Alongside the senior appointments, the firm says it has also expanded its development and product teams.
Digital asset infrastructure provider Taurus lands $65m Series B
Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Pictet Group and Arab Bank Switzerland all participated in the round.
What the FinTech? | S.4 Episode 2 | Space Bank and financial inclusion
In this episode, we’re joined by Nika Kurdiani, deputy CEO at TBC Bank and CEO of Space International.
Laurentian Bank launches new credit card programme with Brim Financial
Laurentian Bank says the new credit card programme will “enhance the overall experience” of its customers.
TISA signs for Flexcube core banking system & applies for banking licence
The project will be delivered by Oracle FS’s implementation partner, Profinch.
NatWest Group snaps up UK fintech Cushon for £144m
The acquisition will enable NatWest to offer its commercial customers a suite of financial wellbeing products.
UAE’s central bank launches financial services digital transformation programme
The UAE is aiming to become a “financial and digital payment hub”.
UK building society Nationwide to cut around 450 jobs
Nationwide confirmed it is cutting around 450 jobs as it looks to “streamline” its non-customer-facing teams.
FIS reveals plans to spin off merchant business unit
FIS expects the spin-off to be completed within the next 12 months.
Ghana’s Fortek partners Codebase for Digibanc platform
It is hoped the partnership will “accelerate digitisation” and boost entrepreneurship in Africa.
Cartoon: À la carte
A new cartoon illustrating how the drop in VC money may result in new fintech start-ups being acquired.
The future of financial services depends on global connectivity
To establish interoperability in global payments, a balance must be struck between collaboration and competition.
Asia Alliance Bank in tech overhaul with Temenos and Foranx
Temenos’ core banking system will be implemented by the vendor’s regional partner, Foranx.
Global Technology Partners names Olaseni Alabede as new CTO
Alabede was previously vice president of product development in Mastercard’s installments business.
FinTech Futures Jobs: The top fintech companies hiring right now in the UK
Explore thousands of open roles on the Fintech Futures Job Board today.
Finzly opens up access to FedNow via API connection
Developers from fintechs and banks can now access the sandbox environment of FedNow via Finzly’s API.
Why change your core?
If you treat core transformation like a standard large project, your chances of success are slim.
SME lender Merchant Money scores £115m in funding
The funding will grow Merchant Money’s lending books across its secured and unsecured product offerings.
What are you not doing while you’re doing what you’re doing?
Hierarchy should be about an increasing level of complex accountability.
Bank of England and HM Treasury outline case for digital pound
The Bank and HM Treasury plan to “accelerate” work on the technology and policy architecture for a digital pound.
The Bank of London bags $40m in Series C extension
The round was co-led by Mangrove Capital Partners and 14W Venture Capital.
Inter&Co acquires real estate investment start-up YellowFi
Inter&Co provides financial services through its ‘super-app’ to more than 25 million users.
Arab Bank Switzerland taps InvestGlass for digital onboarding solution
Arab Bank says the solution will boost client experience while maintaining high levels of security.
Non-profit Commonwealth begins second phase of partnership with JP Morgan Chase
Commonwealth and JP Morgan Chase are examining how new tech can reduce wealth inequality in the US.
