Digital


MDM Bank launches single-tap mobile payments; OpenWay provides tech

One of Russia’s major banking players, MDM Bank, has rolled out a single-tap Mastercard Contactless mobile payments option. The service is underpinned by the WAY4 Host Card Emulation (HCE) technology from OpenWay. MDM Bank’s customers can now pay from their Mastercard account with no need to enter a password or PIN code or even activate […]

Defining fintech as an opportunity, not as a threat

“Silicon Valley is coming,” warned Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase’s boss, in a recent letter to shareholders. It’s a sentiment echoed across much of the banking world at the moment. The idea that fintech is a threat to the financial services sector is bubbling – a 2015 PwC survey found 83% of financial services professionals were […]

Bancolombia’s Nequi first in Colombia to deploy mobile biometrics

Nequi, a financial mobile banking service from Bancolombia, has become the first in Colombia to deploy mobile biometrics for authentication. The technology – the IdentityX platform – is supplied by US fintech specialist Daon. Users will be asked to provide their biometrics when signing up for Nequi. They will be able to authenticate with a […]

Worldpay launches IoT hackathon

Global payments provider Worldpay has teamed up with Consult Hyperion, MongoDB and Visa Europe Collab to host its first internet of things (IoT) hackathon in London in September. The event aims to foster innovation and encourage participants to apply technology to integrating payments. Two themes will flow through the 48-hour hackathon – the “Smart City” […]

Backbase and Entersekt partner for digital banking authentication

Digital banking software specialist Backbase has teamed with Entersekt to use its authentication capabilities on the Backbase Open Banking Marketplace. Backbase will offer banks push-based authentication and transaction signing integrated in its omni-channel digital banking platform. Its clients can select the authentication solution that “best meets their needs”. Dewald Nolte, Entersekt’s SVP partners and alliances, […]

B1NK bot brings payments “first” to Kazakhstan

Digital-only B1NK, part of Capital Bank Kazakhstan, has unveiled the region’s “first” chat and payments bot – using Telegram Messenger. The bank says its customers can send money to friends and manage their cards all via the messenger service. Gani Uzbekov, CEO, Capital Bank Kazakhstan (B1NK), says: “Today only a couple of tier-2 banks in […]

Windsor Family Credit Union launches Eva banking solution

Canada-based Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) has unveiled its new line of everyday accounts – Eva – for “unlimited” daily banking. WFCU says Eva provides “unlimited” deposits, withdrawals, transfers, electronic and cheque debits, point-of-sale transactions, ATM transactions worldwide and “unlimited” bill payments online, by phone, in-branch or at an ATM. Account access through online, mobile […]

Who will win the battle for millennials – Zelle or Venmo?

As a Gen Xer, I have always had difficulty relating to the obsessive appeal social media has to millennials. Tweeting and Facebook posting of mundane daily events seemed like over-sharing and just a little narcissistic to me. This is not an intellectual problem of understanding the concepts or technologies, but a kind of generational disparity […]

Randolph Savings Bank in early contract renewal with Fiserv

Massachusetts-based community bank, Randolph Savings Bank, has renewed its long-term contract with Fiserv for a host of back and front office solutions. The renewal was spurred on by the bank’s IPO. Randolph Savings Bank floated its shares in July. It also completed the integration of its earlier acquisition – First Eastern Bankshares Corporation and its […]

Playing games with Mondo’s name change

Changing your name from Mondo to Monzo does not warrant a news story –  unless a rival challenger bank makes some fun out of it. A trademark dispute with another Mondo entailed the new moniker and much unnecessary fanfare. While Monzo revelled in its new name and ignored media queries, Starling Bank decided to do […]

Fintech funding round-up: 26 August 2016

They said it. We read it. We edit. A round-up of some key events in funding. Singapore-based MC Payment has raised SGD $6 million ($4.5 million) in a Series B round. The funds will be used to “drive market expansion” into Australia and in southeast Asia, as well as “enhance” its product offerings, including Xaavan, […]

Top ten lending sites in the US – July 2016

Who is leading the digital way among the lending companies in the US? We have put together some nifty stats for the US top ten online lending sites for the past month (data courtesy of SimilarWeb). We’ll be publishing regular updates on a monthly basis, to track the changes, developments and trends – to bring you a fuller […]

Top ten lending sites in the UK – July 2016

With digital financial services sharply on the rise in the UK, who is leading among the UK lenders? We have put together some nifty stats for the top ten online lending sites in the UK for the past month (data courtesy of SimilarWeb). We’ll be publishing regular updates on a monthly basis, to track the changes, […]

First National Bank launches smartphones for mobile banking boost

Welcome to the bundle. South Africa’s First National Bank has launched its own-branded smartphones as it looks to mobile banking growth. The ConeXis X1 and A1 phones will be available from 380 branches around the country and come bundled with FNB’s smartphone banking app. Jan Kleynhans, CEO of the FNB Consumer Segment, says the initiative […]

Qatar Islamic Bank launches mobile app for banking training

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has launched a mobile app to identify and train people in the country to work in the private banking sector. Khalefa Al Mesalam, head of QIB Human Capital Group, says: “Through this mobile application, QIB aims to reach out to young talents and encourage them to work in Qatar’s banking sector. […]

Top ten lending sites in India – July 2016

Who is leading the digital way among the lending companies in India? We have put together some nifty stats for India’s top ten online lending sites for the past month (data courtesy of SimilarWeb). We’ll be publishing regular updates on a monthly basis, to track the changes, developments and trends – to bring you a fuller picture […]

Top ten retail banking sites in India – July 2016

Who is leading the digital way among the retail banks in India? We have put together some nifty stats for India’s top ten online banking sites for the past month (data courtesy of SimilarWeb). We’ll be publishing regular updates on a monthly basis, to track the changes, developments and trends – to bring you a fuller picture of […]

IoT and the banking revolution

It’s no secret that the financial services industry has tended to lag behind when it comes to adopting digital technology. Far from being leaders of innovation, banks are often stifled by lumbering IT systems and an inherent sense of caution when it comes to challenging the status-quo. With growing investment in the internet of things […]

CustomerXPs releases real-time intraday liquidity monitoring solution for UAE banks

Banking analytics vendor CustomerXPs has unveiled its new Clari5 Intraday Liquidity Monitoring Solution. This “real-time, packaged and ready-to-deploy” solution aims to help banks in the UAE to comply with BCBS 248 requirements for intraday liquidity risk management, says CustomerXPs. The deadline for compliance with the BCBS 248 regulations is January 2017. CustomerXPs’ offering promises data […]

Top ten retail banking sites in the US – July 2016

Who is leading the digital way among the US retail banks? We have put together some nifty stats for the top ten online banking sites in the US for the past month (data courtesy of SimilarWeb). We’ll be publishing regular updates on a monthly basis, to track the changes, developments and trends – to bring you a fuller […]

Top ten retail banking sites in the UK – July 2016

With digital banking sharply on the rise in the UK – according to the latest figures released by the British Bankers Association – who is leading among the UK retail banks? We have put together some nifty stats for the top ten online banking sites in the UK for the past month (data courtesy of SimilarWeb). […]

Digital games banks got to play – part 2

Today, most banks want to be digital leaders because that is where the customers are! This has brought in a change in the attitude of many traditional banks. Arun S. Padaki, a seasoned corporate banker, credit risk and business process management consultant, explores what it takes to become a digital leader and who is already […]

SK Telecom and Hana Financial team for mobile platform launch

South Korea’s SK Telecom and Hana Financial Group have formed a joint venture (JV) agreement to develop and launch a mobile financial services platform. The firms say the deal combines SK Telecom’s mobile technologies and big data analytics with Hana Financial Group’s experience in financial products and mobile financial services. Kim Jung-tae, chairman of Hana […]

Lunar Way gets new investor and banking partner, Nykredit

Nykredit, Denmark’s largest mortgage provider, has invested in a minority stake in a new mobile banking service, Lunar Way, and has become its banking partner. In two months’ time Nykredit will replace Københavns Andelskasse (Copenhagen Cooperative Bank), the start-up’s initial banking partner. Mark Dissing Bækgaard, head of marketing and communications at Lunar Way, tells Banking […]

Discovery in core banking system selection mode for new bank

One of South Africa’s largest health insurers, Discovery, is a step closer to selecting a core banking system for its new bank, Banking Technology understands. Discovery went public on its plans to launch a brand new full-service retail bank in South Africa last year. As part of this ambition, it acquired the majority stake in […]

Meridian Credit Union plans to take on top Canadian banks by launching own bank

One of Canada’s ten largest credit unions, Meridian CU, is looking to launch a new digital bank and has applied for a banking licence. “We believe, and our research shows, that there is a clear desire in the marketplace for an innovative digital bank that offers a true full-service alternative to the big banks,” states […]

IDFC Bank deploys customer experience and digital banking platforms from Backbase

Digital banking software specialist Backbase is implementing its omnichannel banking platform at IDFC Bank. India-based IDFC Bank will be able to service its customers “through multiple channels synchronously, creating a single multimodal touch point”, according to the vendor. The goal is to “quicken response time and improve efficiencies”. Dr Rajiv Lall, MD and CEO of IDFC Bank, […]

Volksbank eG pioneers NCR Innovation Experience Room

NCR Corporation has introduced “a completely new concept” – NCR Innovation Experience Room – an “experimental playground” for financial institutions to “build digital literacy among employees and customers”. Germany-based Volksbank eG Schwarzwald Baar Hegau has become the first taker. It has introduced an experiential room where customers and employees can discover and experience new technologies. […]

Apple Pay the way for UK’s CYBG banking group

UK-based Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank – which together form CYBG – have introduced Apple Pay to its customers. The payments service is also available to its “B” customers. In May, CYBG unveiled a new digital banking platform, called B, as it gets ready to become a standalone challenger bank. Helen Page, chief marketing officer […]

UK challenger Mondo looks to fund full bank launch

UK-based challenger Mondo is looking for another £15-20 million in funding as it looks to launch as a “full bank”. Last week, Mondo got its banking licence from the Bank of England. However, Tom Blomfield, CEO at Mondo, say that “authorisation comes with restrictions”. It can only hold a maximum of £50,000 of deposits in […]

Cutover start-up passes Nationwide digital banking test

Nationwide Building Society has “successfully” tested UK start-up Cutover’s release management software during digital banking maintenance releases this month. Cutover’s software provides a platform for teams to plan, rehearse and execute events and gives real-time communications to those involved. Matt Cox, head of insight and innovation, Nationwide Building Society, says Cutover’s prototype “clearly demonstrated the […]

Digital games banks got to play – part 1

Today, most banks want to be digital leaders because that is where the customers are! This has brought in a change in the attitude of many traditional banks. Arun S. Padaki, a seasoned corporate banker, credit risk and business process management consultant, explores what it takes to become a digital leader and who is already ahead in […]

Payments round-up: 12 August 2016

It’s probably not farfetched to say you’re time-stretched. To save time here’s a round-up of some events in the (Asian) world of payments. Payments firm Mozido has revealed that 14 banks within the Taiwan Mobile Payment Co (TWMP) consortium have adopted its HCE technology. The remaining 12 banks will launch later this year. Mozido says […]

Top fintech stories this week – 12 August 2016

Catch up on Banking Technology’s top five fintech stories of the week – all in one place! Apple bites back over Australian banks’ “cartel” Don’t team up on them. Thieves steal $72m from Hong Kong Bitcoin exchange Now looking for new funding to compensate its customers. UK challenger Mondo gets banking licence It also needs […]

UK challenger bank Mondo gets banking licence

UK-based challenger bank Mondo has got its banking licence. The bank kindly passed the news to the Financial Times first rather than informing anybody else. It then issued a tweet saying it’s an “exciting day” which caused some confusion to its followers. According to the Financial Times, Mondo’s founder Tom Blomfield (formerly chief technology officer […]

Mobile on the cards for Union Bank of India

Union Bank of India has launched Ucontrol, a solution which lets customers control credit card usage with a mobile application. The solution is powered by payments provider Worldline, and Union Bank cardholders can manage usage of all their Union Bank of India credit cards from a single mobile application. Shri Arun Tiwari, chairman and managing […]

Emirates NBD launches mobile contactless payments solution

Emirates NBD has unveiled Emirates NBD Pay, an NFC-based mobile contactless payment solution. The UAE-based bank says it is the “first” in the Central Europe, Middle East and Africa region (CEMEA) to incorporate Visa’s Token Service technology to launch a contactless payment solution. Suvo Sarkar, senior EVP and group head – retail banking and wealth […]

Cambodia’s Prasac launches remote banking with Compass Plus

Prasac, the largest microfinance institution (MFI) in Cambodia, has launched internet and mobile banking services using the TranzWare multi-card processing solution from Compass Plus. Its customers can now transfer money between their accounts, pay bills, top-up their mobile phones, manage their cards, check their balances and get a mini-statement by logging on to their internet […]

UK watchdog pushes for open banking revolution

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has unveiled its plans to make banks “work harder for customers” and ensure the “benefits of new technology are fully exploited”. The CMA’s final report on its retail banking market investigation concludes that “older and larger banks do not have to compete hard enough for customers’ business, and […]