PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

In today’s top payments news around the world, Western Union has expanded its real-time digital payout capabilities, while Visa has wrapped up its acquisition of YellowPepper. Plus, the eurozone economy is backsliding amid a second lockdown. Western Union Expands Real-Time Digital Payments To 100 Countries. Western Union just took another large step in the direction of bolstering its expanding digital payments arsenal.

Payments 214

Payments Regional Strategy Analysis 214

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

In today’s top news in digital-first banking, online banking platform HMBradley has raised $18.25 million in a Series A round, while HSBC is introducing a new real-time payments offering. Plus, Spanish financial firm BBVA has created an offering that simplifies expense management. Digital Bank HMBradley Raises $18.25M to Accelerate Credit Program. HMBradley announced on Tuesday (Nov. 24) that it landed Series A funding of $18.25 million to accelerate its credit program.

Tools 141

Tools Payments Cards Digital Banking 141

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

Today in B2B payments, corporate acquirers get creative with technology in a pandemic world, while BBVA upgrades its expense management offering. Plus, Sleek raises $4 million, JAGGAER upgrades its treasury management tool and AWS teams with Orange Business Services to accelerate corporates' digital cloud migrations. Corporate Buyers Take On COVID World With Pandemic Technology.

Management 130

Management Cards Software Tools 130

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 16, 2020

Seven months into the worldwide pandemic, Americans are facing empty savings accounts, reduced unemployment benefits and no relief in sight, according to an Oct. 16 (Friday) J.P. Morgan Chase Institute analysis and media reports. “Eventually, without further government support or significant labor market improvements, jobless workers may exhaust their accumulated savings buffer, leaving them with a choice to further cut spending or fall behind on debt or rent payments,” the researchers wrote.

Study 262

Study Chicago New York Analysis 262

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 16, 2020

London's FinTech sector has been going strong this year, even in spite of the pandemic, with $3.6 billion in venture capital investments between January and September 2020, according to a press release from London & Partners emailed to PYMNTS. London is in second place globally with those numbers, the release stated, with first place going to San Francisco with $5.1 billion in investments.

San Francisco 265

San Francisco Fintech New York City Data 265

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 15, 2020

Call it silver linings — maybe not yet green shoots. But bank earnings are showing that loan loss reserves were more conservative than needed (at least for now) and that in some cases, consumer spending and card activity might be emerging from the most recent depths spurred by the pandemic. Here’s the earnings roundup … so far. . The state of the consumer, according to banks, per commentary and numbers in earnings season … is … resilient.

America 220

America Cards Mobile Management 220

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 15, 2020

European and American officials have arrested 20 people from numerous countries for belonging to an international ring called QQAAZZ that laundered millions of euros via malware schemes from cybercriminals, The Associated Press (AP) reported. The investigation involved an international police operation called 2BaGoldMule, which involved agents from Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Latvia who searched over 40 homes.

Georgia 192

Georgia National Survey Operations 192

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 15, 2020

U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler said she likely won't allow restrictions on WeChat while the U.S. government appeals her earlier decision to block them, Bloomberg reported. Beeler said Thursday (Oct. 15) she probably isn't going to grant the government a stay pending appeal on the case, as the evidence provided that WeChat poses national security concerns hasn't convinced her, according to Bloomberg.

social media 159

social media National Security Meeting 159

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

India-based financial solutions company Razorpay is rolling out a new solution for companies in need of business loans, helping them to instantly access capital, according to a press release. With its new Cash Advance solution, the company will let small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) borrow working capital in 10 seconds by using the Razorpay dashboard, the release stated, depending on the individual SMB's credit history.

Capital 178

Capital Tools Payments Cards 178

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

There are many wild stories in the annals of concert history: Ozzy Osbourne biting the head off a bat; Hells Angels handling security (with deadly results) at Altamont; or Jimi Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire on stage. Such expect-the-unexpected environments are a big part of the draw for some concert attendees. But Travis Scott managed a concert-first earlier this year when as he performed virtually for 12.3 million fans on video game platform Fortnite.

Los Angeles 174

Los Angeles Apple Google Cleveland 174

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

European crypto exchange Eterbase has announced a hack, affecting hot wallets for six of its listed cryptocurrencies and allowing hackers to make off with $1.6 billion in assorted cryptocurrencies, CoinDesk reported. The coins affected included bitcoin, ether, XRP, tezos, algorand and TRON, and the hackers transferred their stolen items into public wallets that have since been emptied, according to CoinDesk.

Bitcoin 131

Bitcoin cryptocurrency Fintech Software 131

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Progress has announced that it will purchase Chef for $220 million, with the transaction to be finalized in October, according to a press release. Chef works in providing software to let companies automate IT departments. Progress works in products to develop business software applications, and Chef will assist by providing "continuous delivery, application delivery, dependable compliance, remediation automation, desktop management and more," according to a Chef blog post , which also touted the

Resources 183

Resources Software Operations Compliance 183

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is looking into Intuit over its TurboTax product, as the company allegedly was tricking customers into paying for what they could've gotten for free, according to a ProPublica report. The investigation will look into whether Intuit engaged in deceptive or misdirecting practices when it marketed TurboTax's paid products to people eligible to file their taxes for free.

Marketing 150

Marketing Taxes Tools Report 150

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

We’re all doing, well, everything from home, so it makes sense that home should be a bit easier to deal with. In what might be a roadmap drawn at least in part by Big Tech — with, specifically Apple, Amazon, Google among those names — the Zigbee Alliance is getting closer to bringing smart home (and tech automation) a bit closer to your doorstep. And the kitchen.

Google 213

Google Apple Industry Software 213

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Virtual Kitchen , a startup founded by ex- Uber employees, has raised $20 million in fresh capital in a bid to capitalize on the need for food delivery amid the pandemic, according to CNBC. Virtual Kitchen works to provide technology for others to set up commercial kitchens for food delivery. The company helps restaurants to deliver food to expecting customers without the costlier parts of operating a dining room or whole store at the same time, which has become necessary amid the pandemic.

Capital 163

Capital Report Data Branding 163

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

Palantir Technologies , the Palo Alto, California-based Big Data analytics company, is planning to go public soon and could be trading as early as this fall, sources told Bloomberg News. Two weeks ago, CEO Alex Karp told Axios on HBO that his Silicon Valley company took its time to seek an initial public offering (IPO) because it wanted to build confidence in its products.

Technology 131

Technology Analytics Big Data Software 131

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

Facebook is drawing scrutiny from U.K. regulators. The United Kingdom’s competition watchdog is investigating Facebook’s recent purchase of Giphy, the animated picture platform. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced Friday (June 12) the probe will determine whether the transaction will reduce competition and raise prices for goods or services.

Regulation 151

Regulation Video Community Marketing 151

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

If you’re expecting a refund from Virgin Atlantic, the British airline owned by billionaire Richard Branson, be patient. The Guardian reported customers have been told they will have to wait up to four months to receive refunds for canceled flights. In May, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Britain’s industry regulator, instructed airlines to issue cash refunds after customers complained they were being offered vouchers.

Las Vegas 133

Las Vegas Training Industry Capital 133

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

As the nation reopens in phases, Wall Street’s “fear gauge” surged Thursday (June 11) as fears of a second economic shutdown in the face of more coronavirus outbreaks fueled market anxiety, Reuters reported. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), a gauge of the market’s volatility for the next 30 days, reached its highest level in more than a month as concerns over a resurgence of COVID-19 caused U.S. stocks to fall.

Atlanta 130

Atlanta National Resources Marketing 130

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

U.S. restaurants and retailers are starting to reopen as authorities lift COVID-19 restrictions and consumers contemplate returning to life as usual, or at least life adjusted for a post-pandemic world of things like people wearing face masks in public. But worries about getting to year’s end without further economic damage are growing, which helped push the Dow Jones Industrial Average down more than 1,800 points on Thursday (June 11).

US 141

US Maine Taxes Survey 141

PYMNTS

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Small businesses continue to embrace digital banking. At the same time, digital banks are looking to capitalize on their growing small and medium-sized business (SMB) customer base, with open banking and bank-FinTech collaborations an important part of that strategy. Such data sharing and partnerships enable service providers to augment their products for better user experiences, and increasingly, small businesses aren’t keeping quiet about their demands for richer banking services.

Fintech 192

Fintech Fraud Data Lending 192

PYMNTS

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Hand sanitizer shortages. Face mask counterfeiting. And some of the most dramatic disruptions in supply chains around the world. The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the markets in more ways than one. The healthcare supply chain is unsurprisingly facing particularly acute disruptions amid the global health crisis, with significant impacts to how hospitals and other facilities source, procure and manage inventory of necessary medical equipment to combat the virus.

Puerto Rico 132

Puerto Rico Cards Industry Management 132

PYMNTS

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems began as a mid 20th century answer to increasingly complex inventory control and supply chain management issues. It could do a lot more though, and over time ERP has been endlessly adapted to many other data-intensive duties. For its manifold uses, ERP is particularly valuable as an accounting solution. In the latest Next-Gen AP Automation Tracker , a PYMNTS and Bottomline Technologies collaboration, we provide an informative deep dive into how ERP and

User Experience 141

User Experience Strategy System Technology 141

PYMNTS

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

Mercedes-Benz has upgraded its subscription service to include high-performance AMG models, according to a report by The Verge. People who subscribe to this new tier of the service will get access to 11 car models, which include coupes, sedans, roadsters and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) that are “powered by AMG’s signature handcrafted V8 engines.”.

Atlanta 130

Atlanta Nashville Millennials Company 130

PYMNTS

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

PayPal said that after thoroughly analyzing the evolving Coronavirus effect, it is anticipating about a 1 percent drop in its first-quarter 2020 revenue, closer to the lower end of the forecasted range of $4.78 to $4.84 billion. “We currently estimate the negative impact from COVID-19 to be an approximate one percentage point reduction, on both a spot and foreign currency-neutral basis, to PayPal’s year-over-year revenue growth for the first quarter, as compared to the revenue guidance pro

Regional 131

Regional Community Trends Report 131

PYMNTS

JANUARY 3, 2020

Shoppers are reportedly disappointed that British supermarket Tesco won’t take cash payments any longer on its “scan as you shop” system. The system lets shoppers pack as they shop and is said to be “exclusive” for the store’s Clubcard members. It reportedly makes for an easier shopping experience, the Manchester Evening News reported. The supermarket chain has been putting a message on receipts for shoppers that says, “Scan as you shop is changing.

System 130

System Maine Cards Report 130

PYMNTS

JANUARY 3, 2020

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, has acquired a Ukraine-based company called AI Factory, to help the social media app provide a new type of video service that uses a person’s face to play short clips, according to a report by TechCrunch. Snap made the acquisition for around $166 million. . The video feature is called Cameos, and it lets a person take a selfie and then it gets animated and put into a short video.

San Francisco 130

San Francisco Video social media Analysis 130

PYMNTS

JANUARY 3, 2020

California has passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), a sweeping law that forces companies to tell customers about the data they gather about them, and to allow customers to opt out of those practices. However, the final details of the law are being worked out, and many companies are unsure exactly what they need to do to be compliant. Even the attorney general is still figuring out specifics and probably won’t start enforcing the law until July.

Compliance 131

Compliance CA California Data 131

PYMNTS

JANUARY 3, 2020

A large number of senior government officials will visit the International Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ), an annual tech industry event held in Las Vegas, according to a report by Reuters. The officials will visit in the midst of an interesting time for tech, when many government agencies are investigating the big four tech companies — Apple , Google , Facebook and Amazon — over potential antitrust and anti-competition practices.

Policies 130

Policies Las Vegas Leadership National 130

PYMNTS

JANUARY 5, 2020

Digital bookkeeping platform Receipt Bank notched approximately $73 million in equity and debt in a Series C funding round, according to an announcement by global investment bank Harris Williams. The funding round was led by Insight Partners, which was joined by Augmentum Fintech, with participation from existing investors Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) and Kennet Partners.

Fintech 131

Fintech Cards America Management 131

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development claims that Uber owes the state around $650 million in unemployment and disability insurance taxes because it has been wrongly classifying its drivers as independent contractors. The department recently sent letters to Uber and its subsidiary Rasier, informing the companies that they owe $523 million in past-due taxes over the last four years, as well as $119 million in interest and penalties on the money owed.

Taxes 142

Taxes NJ New Jersey California 142

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that Berkshire Hathaway now owns 1.2 million shares of furniture retailer RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware. As a result, shares of RH soared 7.5 percent in after-hours trading on Thursday (Nove. 14), rising 41 percent so far this year, according to CNBC. The filing includes investments by Warren Buffett and his portfolio managers, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler.

Apple 108

Apple New York America Meeting 108

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 15, 2019

Dutch global payments platform Adyen announced it is launching card-issuing services to its customers. Adyen Issuing will enable clients to provide customers with virtual and/or physical cards that can be used online, in-app or in-store. The cards can also be integrated into mobile wallets. “Adyen Issuing gives our clients the ultimate in flexibility,” said Adyen Co-founder and CEO Pieter van der Does in a press release.

Cards 123

Cards Fraud Online Payments 123

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

PayPal Holdings has ended its payment support to PornHub’s models after the adult entertainment site made certain payments without permission. “Following a review, we have discovered that PornHub has made certain business payments through PayPal without seeking our permission. We have taken action to stop these transactions from occurring,” PayPal said in an email statement, according to Reuters.

Payments 153

Payments cryptocurrency Mobile Company 153

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

The antitrust investigation into Google will be expanded to include the tech giant’s search and Android businesses. In September, 50 attorneys general announced that they were launching an investigation into whether Google has abused its position in the online advertising market. The probe is being led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and involves 48 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Google 128

Google Puerto Rico Alabama Texas 128

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

When Walmart reported earnings Thursday (Nov. 14), it managed to extend one of retail’s more impressive growth streak — 21 consecutive quarters. It was one element of an earnings report that, by and large, indicated continued strength from the nation’s largest retailer by sales. Net income, as noted, was once again a beat — coming in at $3.26 billion or an earning per share (EPS) of $1.15 — comfortable beat on analysts’ expectations of $1.09.

Retail 125

Retail Apple Report Fintech 125

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 18, 2019

Plans are afoot at Google to make the consumer experience better – and while that happens, millennials are increasingly turning to debit , which could have wide implications. Opportunities also abound in integrated payments , and we have the secret behind better merchant rewards and the payments wave of the future. Data: 1-5%: Card-authorization rate increase via pre-authorization risk checks. $2,225: Average annual retail spending of consumers between the ages of 30 and 40. 20%: Portion o

Millennials 104

Millennials Payments Google Retail 104