Latest Innovation News: Finextra Research

Thousands of private companies will access instant valuation after Scots tech breakthrough

The U.K.’s thousands of private companies and entrepreneur-led businesses will soon be able to access an instant valuation in real-time and at the touch of a button after the development of breakthrough technology by Listings Ledger Plc, a start-up at Scotland’s University of Strathclyde. The company has just filed for a patent in the US.

19 February 2019

News/Innovation

Estonia maps out plans to create regulatory sandbox

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is working with Estonia's Ministry of Finance on a technical assistance fintech project to support the creation of a regulatory sandbox in the Baltic state.

19 February 2019

News/Innovation

FSB: Banks should be worried about BigTech not fintech

The Financial Stability Board has warned that banks have more to fear from the competitive impact of Big Tech firms in financial services than the disruptive threat posed by cherry-picking fintech startups.

15 February 2019

News/startups

Rabobank puts EUR80m into tech venture fund

Rabobank is pumping another EUR80 million into its venture fund investing in early-stage fintech and agritech companies.

15 February 2019

News/inclusion

UN report dismisses fintech sandboxes in developing economies

The rise of fintech has the potential to extend the benefits of financial inclusion to millions of people but also poses complex regulatory challenges, says a new UN-backed report which also questions the value of the increasingly popular sandbox approach.

15 February 2019

Company update/Innovation

UK and Canada forge closer fintech ties

TheCityUK and Toronto Finance International, two of the world’s leading advocates for financial and related professional services, today renewed their landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), facilitating increased access and co-operation between the UK and Canada.

14 February 2019

Company update/inclusion

MetLife and Visa to rank top 50 early-stage fintechs contributing to financial inclusion

MetLife Foundation and Visa Inc., with global nonprofit Accion and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, announced a new initiative to recognize the top 50 early-stage fintechs contributing to financial inclusion around the globe.

14 February 2019

News/security

CaixaBank rolls out facial recognition at the ATM

CaixaBank is offering customers the opportunity to use facial recognition technology rather than PIN codes to withdraw cash from ATMs.

14 February 2019

Company update/Innovation

Financial Venture Studio selects next class of seed-stage fintech startups

The Financial Venture Studio (FVS) is now accepting applications for its next class. Interested U.S.-based companies should apply today for the chance to be part of the nation’s premier program for seed-stage fintech startups.

14 February 2019

Company update/startups

Global fintech investment rockets to a record $111.8B in 2018, driven by mega deals

Global fintech funding rose to $111.8B* in 2018, up 120 percent from $50.8B in 2017, fueled by mega M&A and buyout deals, according to the KPMG Pulse of Fintech report.

14 February 2019

Company update/startups

Barclays partners Avenue HQ for Leeds Eagle Labs location

Barclays has been revealed as the major new partner at Avenue HQ, a new, flexible workspace which recently opened in Leeds to support the city’s growing entrepreneurial business community.

13 February 2019

News/Innovation

Akamai and MUFG to roll out blockchain-based payment network in 2020

Mitsubishi UFJ has formed a joint venture with Akamai for the roll out of a new blockchain-based online payment network.

13 February 2019

News/startups

VC Finch Capital to invest EUR20m in Irish fintech startups

VC firm Finch Capital has earmarked EUR20 million for investment in Irish fintech-focussed startups after scoring EUR10 million from State agency Enterprise Ireland.

13 February 2019

Company update/Innovation

Sberbank to create human science and behaviour laboratory

Sberbank actively develops the activities of its laboratories, which include: AI, robotics, VR and AR, and other laboratories.

12 February 2019

News/startups

UK retains top three spot for fintech investment

UK fintech investment increased by 18% to $3.3 billion in 2018, retaining the country's top three profile for deal-making behind the US and China.

12 February 2019

Finextra TV/Innovation

Industry challenges around IBOR Transition

Andrew Kouloumbrides, CEO, Xceptor and Bruce Laing, Partner, IBOR Transition lead, Baringa, speaks about the industry challenges around IBOR Transition, what Financial Institutions have done up to date to meet these challenges and what to expect next.

11 February 2019

Company update/startups

Scotiabank invites applications for Mexican accelerator

Scotiabank and The Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), commonly referred to as Tec de Monterrey, today announced the launch of Factory A in Mexico City, the bank's first accelerator.

08 February 2019

Company update/startups

Assetz Capital co-founder Andrew Holgate sets up fintech advisory service

Equitivo, Europe’s first full service fintech consultancy, launches today in London and Manchester.

08 February 2019

Finextra TV/Innovation

FinTech, RegTech & The Role of Compliance

Stacey English, Head of Regulatory Intelligence, Thomson Reuters, speaks about how regtech is changing compliance, the challenges firms need to overcome to be able to implement new technology like regtech, what impact regtech will have on compliance functions in practice and how engaged compliance and boards are in the assessment and adoption of new technology.

08 February 2019

News/Innovation

Mastercard seeks good vibrations with new sonic identity

Mastercard is heading to the Grammys and the Brit Awards to debut a new sonic brand identity scored with the help of Mike Shinoda of US rock band Linkin Park.

08 February 2019