PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

An Amazon Web Services outage affected the digital presence and operations of dozens of companies Wednesday (Nov 25) as one of the subsystems of the massive web operations platform failed. The support page for Amazon Web Services’ status page said it was experiencing problems with Kinesis, its service that processes large streams of data, causing “increased error rates” for a number of websites.

social media 283

social media New York California Regional 283

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

The Federal Ministry of Finance in Nigeria is said to be in discussions with the securities watchdog in the country to create a new digital currency and blockchain structure, Cointelegraph reported. The ministry is working with the Securities and Exchange Commission located in Abuja to offer a “regulatory environment for blockchain” and digital assets, Cointelegraph reported, citing local media.

Bitcoin 276

Bitcoin blockchain Groups Security 276

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

Record sales following a massive staff reduction prompted point-of-sale (POS) restaurant technology (ResTech) startup Toast to hold a share purchase offering on an $8 billion valuation. A Toast spokesperson told CNBC on Tuesday (Nov. 24) that, “in order to support our employees and former employees as they navigate the impact of Covid-19, we did complete a secondary offering recently.” .

Boston 231

Boston National Tools Cards 231

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

Digital banking platform HMBradley announced on Tuesday (Nov. 24) that it has raised $18.25 million in a Series A funding round to accelerate its credit program. The funding, which was led by Acrew Capital , will also be used to expand its customer offerings, the bank said in a press release emailed to PYMNTS. HMBradley, described as “a digital banking platform for savers,” rewards account holders based on how much of their deposits they save each month, paying up to 3 percent interest on saving

Digital Banking 141

Digital Banking Cards Capital Branding 141

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic shocked many small U.S. businesses when it hit in the early spring and sent them scrambling to continue reaching customers and generating revenues. These merchants have spent months considering their approaches and testing new ideas, and they are now better prepared to make the operational adjustments necessary to reduce the spread of the virus and to address weather-related challenges.

Innovation 211

Innovation social media Retail Online 211

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

Consumers were unwilling to give up their favorite restaurants during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this trend has continued eight months into the health crisis. Recent PYMNTS research found that 31.6 million U.S. consumers shifted from dining in to ordering out when the pandemic began and approximately 26 million of these customers plan to keep ordering food online once it ends. .

Online 142

Online Mobile Digital Strategies Strategy 142

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

The B2B Software-as-a-Service market has followed a fairy unique evolutionary path over the last few decades. Built with its foundations largely in the enterprise world, software first began being sold to organizations as more of a product, licensed one time to be used on-premise. But as the software ecosystem bled into the consumer world, new business models emerged that continue to shape the way the B2B space buys and pays for technology today.

Payments 151

Payments Software Strategy User Experience 151

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

U.S. Bank is shifting away from screen scraping in favor of direct data connectivity, but it's not the only financial institution (FI) embracing the data strategy. This week's look at the latest in bank-FinTech collaborations explores how a range of banks is turning to partners and API connectivity to enhance small business services, from lending to payments.

Data 151

Data Capital Lending Fintech 151

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

While the business-to-consumer (B2C) eCommerce boom has arguably already occurred, the global pandemic is introducing a second wave of digital commerce adoption. Thanks to social distancing and stay-at-home requirements, foot traffic at brick-and-mortar stores remains slumped, leaving businesses to embrace the eCommerce model like never before. But this isn't a trend reserved for the B2C space anymore.

Customer Experience 181

Customer Experience Meeting User Experience Examples 181

PYMNTS

NOVEMBER 24, 2020

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the healthcare space, altering routine services such as picking up prescriptions or consulting with physicians. More consumers are making the switch to telehealth services that enable them to speak with healthcare professionals via video chat to prevent the exposure risk that comes with in-person visits to hospitals or doctors’ offices. .

Data 162

Data Regulation California Security 162

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 15, 2020

A recent hack compromised around 2,000 Robinhood Markets accounts, suggesting the attacks were more widespread than previously realized, Bloomberg reported. After the attack last week, Robinhood only disclosed a few details, saying "a limited number" of customers had been affected and their emails outside of Robinhood had been the way they were hacked, Bloomberg reported.

Report 276

Report social media Fraud Tools 276

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 15, 2020

“The Crypto Cruise Ship” is getting ready to depart from the Mediterranean and anchor in the Gulf of Panama, according to an announcement. The “MS Satoshi,” as the ship is to be named, is 804 feet and was bought rom a cruise ship company, according to the announcement. It will function as a “gathering place” for those interested in digital currencies or those who start businesses in addition to researchers, expats and digital nomads.

National 299

National Bitcoin blockchain cryptocurrency 299

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 15, 2020

On-demand digital healthcare service 98point6 has come off a Series E funding round with $118 million, according to a press release. The company works to deliver personalized consultation, diagnoses and treatments to patients anywhere in the U.S. via a mobile app, and users can pick the times and schedules that work for them, the release stated. Through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), along with expertise from certified physicians, 98point6 enables a more acces

New Jersey 150

New Jersey Branding Regional America 150

PYMNTS

OCTOBER 15, 2020

Masayoshi Son , founder of SoftBank , is trying to forge a truce between rivals Grab and Gojek so the two companies can continue negotiating an acquisition, Bloomberg reported. Representatives of the two Southeast Asia-based ride-hailing companies have been speaking on Zoom calls recently to work the deal out. Son is ramping up the pressure on Grab Co-Founder and CEO Anthony Tan , according to Bloomberg.

Regional 193

Regional Report Company Operations 193

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Good Sam, which calls itself “the world’s largest organization of recreational vehicle owners,” unveiled a new digital platform and related online publication set for a January launch and said it is phasing out existing print magazines, according to a Tuesday (Sept. 8) announcement. The web-based platform can be reached via RV.com. The new digital magazine is called, predictably, “RV Magazine.”.

Innovation 143

Innovation Industry Community Online 143

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Mitek , which provides software and authentication services, said it has upped its game with its release of Mobile Deposit 4.8, a mobile banking app. The company said, in a press release , that the need for such a service is heightened in the COVID-19 era. The technology update “will help customers get access to funds securely and quickly,” the San Diego, California-based firm said, adding that the new release will give financial institutions (FIs) “even more control over” the mobile deposit fea

Mobile 130

Mobile San Diego California Survey 130

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Swedish FinTech Klarna is aiming to raise $500 million as it looks to fuel the expansion of its growing digital payments and online shopping business in the U.S. market, a new report states. The Stockholm-based company is currently in talks with investors. The new round of funding values Klarna at a hefty $10 billion, Reuters reports , citing three sources.

Fintech 141

Fintech Online Retail Capital 141

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Not that long ago you stood in front of the open fridge and waited hopefully for something appetizing to catch your eye. Now, we click on a mobile app and our favorite foods appear at the door. It’s a huge improvement, both in terms of meals eaten and fridge lightbulbs spared. PYMNTS September Provider Ranking of Mobile Order-Ahead (MOA) Apps shows that the nation’s appetite hasn’t shifted — we’re still keeping the same MOA brands at the top of the charts so far this year — but the procurement

Mobile 165

Mobile Tools Branding Data 165

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Apple has announced a digital-only event that is expected to include the unveiling of new products, but which new products is a matter of speculation. While Apple traditionally unveils new products at an annual September event at its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., that event may take place later this year, CNBC reports. Apple is on track to unveil its new and highly-anticipated 5G iPhones this year, but it’s not clear whether the company will be unveiling its latest smart phones at the digit

Apple 130

Apple Conference Report Company 130

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Six months after the Democrat-controlled House passed a $3.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, Senate Republicans say they are prepared to vote on their version as early as this week. CNBC reported that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) said the chamber will consider a targeted proposal focused on some economics, education and healthcare issues.

Kentucky 141

Kentucky New York California Report 141

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Apple Pay users may soon be able to use a feature in the Wallet app to make payments by scanning a QR code. AppleInsider reports the new method would no longer require near field communication (NFC), the wireless data transfer that enables nearby devices to communicate without an internet connection. Since its launch, Apple Pay transactions at brick-and-mortar retailers relied on NFC and an iPhone near the payment terminal to make a contactless purchase.

Apple 257

Apple Survey Study Retail 257

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

To assist businesses in automating their accounts payable (AP) expediently and cost-effectively, AvidXchange has rolled out its “ Boost your Business ” program. The program assists companies in moving to digital billing and payments in under 45 days, according to a Tuesday (Sept. 8) announcement. The program provides companies with support from an onboarding services workforce and doesn’t have "setup or configuration fees," according to the company.

Payments 142

Payments Tools Technology Company 142

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

In today’s top news, B2B cross-border payments network Thunes raised $60 million, and Klarna debuted a redesigned app for its U.K. users. Plus, Epic Games has again asked a California judge to reinstate Fortnite to Apple’s devices. B2B Cross-Border Payments Network Thunes Raises $60M. Thunes, the FinTech startup that operates a global cross-border payments network for emerging economies, announced on Tuesday (Sept. 8) that it has raised $60 million in Series B funding.

Payments 141

Payments California Apple Video 141

PYMNTS

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

Dutch FinTech Mollie has just closed on $100 million in new financing, as the startup looks to expand internationally and pump additional money into product development and engineering. TCV, a major equity investor with a focus on technology, led the Series B round of funding, Mollie said in a press release. The $100 million in investment capital marks the second time Mollie has cut a major financing deal, following a $29.5 million injection of capital last year.

Capital 141

Capital Fintech Online Technology 141

PYMNTS

JULY 19, 2020

Equity crowdfunding program Equifund CFP is launching a Regulation Crowfunding offering to help cannabis tech company Drop Delivery raise money for its all-in-one delivery system for cannabis products, according to a press release. Drop Delivery is touted as the first all-in-one system for cannabis retailers to use for developing a business in a safe and compliant manner.

System 218

System Capital Payments Regulation 218

PYMNTS

JULY 19, 2020

Utah officials estimate that new vehicle-to-everything, or V2X, technology could reduce the severity of traffic crashes by 80 percent, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports. Motor vehicle crashes claimed the lives of around 36,120 people in 2019, WSJ reported, and the V2X technology has been touted as a possibility for reducing that number. According to WSJ, V2X works through a stream of anonymized data such as speed, traction, tire level, windshield-wiper status and more, which roadside sensors

Utah 159

Utah Technology America Report 159

PYMNTS

JULY 19, 2020

A joint venture for an advisory partnership between Vanguard and Ant Financial in China has hooked 200,000 clients in in its first 100 days, Financial Times (FT) reported. Vanguard, based in Pennsylvania, has over 30 million clients globally and plans to work with Ant Financial’s 900 million users in China to offer low-cost financial advice. The partnership is a government-backed scheme to help people adopt mutual funds, FT wrote.

Pennsylvania 160

Pennsylvania Management Industry Regulation 160

PYMNTS

JULY 19, 2020

Plaid is facing a lawsuit which alleges that it has violated users’ privacy and used customers’ private data in inappropriate manners for years, affecting over 200 million individual accounts, according to a court filing with the northern district of California. The California-based financial services company, founded in 2012, works to build products to power digital finance and FinTech issues through its own data transfer network.

California 207

California Data Software Report 207

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

AML/KYC conventions that rely on paper documents and face-to-face meetings in offices are so last year. In fact, their time may have passed, it seems, as the touchless revolution takes over and remote onboarding becomes routine. But wait?

Meeting 141

Meeting 141

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

To provide parents, teachers, owners of small companies and telecommuters with an additional avenue to shop, Staples US Retail teamed with Instacart to roll out same-day delivery from over 1,000 U.S. stores. The tie-up lets customers choose between an array of products such as back-to-school products and home office items as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, according to an announcement.

US 141

US Retail Company 141

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

As it shuttered stores and decreased operating hours due to the coronavirus pandemic, Lululemon Athletica said, direct-to-consumer (DTC) net revenue jumped 68 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The activewear company reported gross margin of 51.3 percent, which marked a 260 basis point decline compared to the same quarter the previous year, according to an announcement.

Report 131

Report Operations Company Retail 131

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

Michael Kanter and his wife and have owned and operated Cambridge Naturals near Harvard Square since 1974.

Maine 151

Maine Groups Operations Retail 151

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

California became the first state in the country to declare a lockdown 11 weeks ago to slow the spread of the

Retail 144

Retail California Data Payments 144

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

The harsh realities of the pandemic

Branding 130

Branding Retail 130

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

When the world

Retail 144

Retail 144

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

In girding for battle, it

US 130

US National 130

PYMNTS

JUNE 12, 2020

Dining out is coming back slowly but surely as authorities nationwide lift lockdowns. The question is whether U.S.

Retail 151

Retail 151