Latest Innovation News: Finextra Research

Rabobank introduces QR code-based online banking authentication

Rabobank is tapping Vasco Data Security technology for a new security system that authenticates online customers through high definition QR codes.

19 September 2014

News/Innovation

MasterCard envisions biometric future

MasterCard is claiming a 98% success rate for pilot trials of a biometric verification system combining both voice and facial recognition.

18 September 2014

News/Innovation

Westpac launches innovation challenge

Westpac has teamed up with venture technology accelerator BlueChilli to challenge Australia's startups to develop ways to help the bank's business customers.

18 September 2014

News/Innovation

Simple adds support for TouchID and Android Wear

US neo-bank Simple has added support for Apple's TouchID and Android-powered wearable devices, as it bids to reclaim its credentials as an innovator in financial services following complaints from customers about buggy software issues on its platform.

18 September 2014

News/Innovation

Gates Foundation launches challenge to boost mobile money acceptance

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is aiming to accelerate the adoption of digital payments in the developing world by offering grants to firms that make it easy for small merchants to accept mobile money.

18 September 2014

News/Innovation

TransferWise makes push for the mainstream with TV ad mocking banks

With an overhauled website and mobile app to show off, London-based currency exchange startup TransferWise has stepped up its assault on the banking industry in its first TV ad.

17 September 2014

News/Innovation

Bangladesh threatens jail time for bitcoin users

Bangladesh's central bank has warned that anyone using bitcoin in the country could face a jail term of up to 12 years.

16 September 2014

News/Innovation

Contactless cards set to further displace cash on London Tube

Commuters using the London tube network can now tap their contactless bank cards on the ticket barriers to pay for their journeys, further displacing cash on the capital's transit system.

16 September 2014

News/Innovation

ING adds voice controls to mobile app

Holland's ING has become the first bank in Europe to add a voice control mode to its mobile app, enabling customers to issue commands by speaking.

15 September 2014

News/Innovation

Amex invites applications for financial inclusion innovation lab

American Express is inviting academics and non-profit groups dealing with financial inclusion to submit ideas for commercial testing at a new 'Financial Innovation Lab'.

15 September 2014

News/Innovation

French bank preps Twitter-based P2P payments service

French banking group Banque Populaire Caisse d'Epargne (BPCE) has teamed up with Twitter to let customers tweet money to each other.

15 September 2014

News/Innovation

Blockstock bitcoin festival gets ready to rock

A ten-day festival promoting the use of bitcoin kicks off with a round of drinks at the Old Shoreditch Station pub in London on Friday evening.

12 September 2014

News/Innovation

Tink personal finance app raises $4 million

Swedish personal finance app outfit Tink has raised $4 million in Series A funding to expand internationally and recruit new staff.

12 September 2014

News/Innovation

BBVA to invest $1.2 billion to become South America's leading digital bank

Spain's BBVA is to invest $1.2 billion on technology projects in South America over the next two years as it looks to grow the number of customers using digital and mobile channels to access the bank.

12 September 2014

News/Innovation

Bank of England takes a closer look at bitcoin potential

Digital currencies do not currently pose a material risk to monetary or financial stability in the United Kingdom, says the Bank of England, but the underlying technology does have the potential to transform the financial system more generally.

11 September 2014

News/Innovation

Bitcoin ATM network introduces palm vein authentication

Bitcoin ATM manufacturer Robocoin is to use PalmSecure biometric technology from Fujitu to strengthen authentication in its worldwide network of kiosks.

11 September 2014

News/Innovation

Sabadell opens API to developers in first hackathon

Spain's Banco Sabadell is hosting its first hackathon, providing competing teams of developers with open access to its bank service API to generate fresh ideas and innovative financial applications.

10 September 2014

News/Innovation

Surprise! Apple makes payments play

After weeks of rumour, hype and speculation, Apple has made its long-awaited entry into the payments business with a compelling mix of NFC technology, tokenisation, biometrics and must-have mobile form factors, including the new iPhone 6 and forthcoming Apple Watch.

10 September 2014

News/Innovation

PayPal pips Apple with One Touch mobile and bitcoin payments

With the Apple juggernaut about to steamroller all other payments-related news, PayPal has pushed the innovation bar a little higher by announcing plans to enable 'One Touch' transactions on iOS and Android phones and adding support for bitcoin purchasing.

09 September 2014

News/Innovation

Twitter starts testing 'buy' button

Twitter has begun testing a 'buy' button that merchants can embed in tweets so that shoppers are able to make purchases from within the social network.

08 September 2014