PYMNTS
DECEMBER 15, 2016
Tokenization as a global standard for securing transactions in a digital world gets turbocharged today. In a mutual commitment to accelerating the adoption of an open digital wallet, global card networks Mastercard and Visa announce their agreement to allow each network to request tokenized credentials from the other when consumers are transacting across any digital medium — in app, online and in store.
Katz,Sapper&Miller
DECEMBER 16, 2016
On Dec. 13, 2016, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act, which exempts small employer health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) from the group health plan requirements. Prior to the 21st Century Cures Act, an HRA not integrated with another employer group plan was subject to a penalty of $100 per day, per employee.
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PYMNTS
DECEMBER 15, 2016
PayPal’s made it pretty clear that enabling consumer choice means giving consumers the ability to use their preferred method of payment inside of their PayPal wallet anywhere they’d like to shop — in-store, online and in-app. Its deals earlier this year with Mastercard and Visa underscored its commitment to giving issuers new tools to drive a co-branded experience inside of the payment app.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 16, 2016
The Internet of Things may be a burgeoning industry, but according to a new survey by IAB, nearly two-thirds of American consumers, or 62 percent, already own at least one IoT device. What’s more, 65 percent of those surveyed who own IoT devices said they are willing to receive ads on their IoT screens. In a press release highlighting the survey results, IAB said 62 percent of survey respondents said they already see ads on IoT -connected gadgets.
Advertiser: Paycor
Mid-year performance reviews aren’t just boxes for HR to check. Paycor’s toolkit empowers leaders to: Identify high-potential team members. Boost engagement with meaningful feedback. Support struggling employees. Nurture top talent to drive results. Learn how to ignite employee potential through meaningful feedback. When you nurture top talent, everybody wins.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 13, 2016
Millennials just aren’t buying homes — they are the first generation of Americans since World War II who will meaningfully move away from that vision of the American Dream. Millennial homeownership rates — for those 75.4 million or so young adults between the ages of 19 and 35 — was far below historical averages and about a fifth of home ownership rate in the same age group at the turn of the 21st century.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
IBM is getting into the blockchain game, announcing Friday (Dec. 9) it launched a blockchain ecosystem aimed at accelerating the creation of blockchain networks. In a press release , IBM touted blockchain, saying it has the potential to transform the way all sorts of industries conduct business transactions. In order for it to take off, IBM contends there needs to be a complete ecosystem of industrial players all working together.
Accountant Advocate brings together the best content for small business accounting professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
Just as businesses need to keep pace with the change of technology, the technology providers that help businesses remain successful need to stay ahead of the curve themselves. Corporations are scaling globally, integrating complex supply chains, working with small suppliers, ensuring international compliance and gaining access to more data than ever before.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 15, 2016
American fugitive Joshua Aaron, who is a suspect in the massive JPMorgan hack that took place back in 2014, arrived back in the U.S. from Russia this week. Aaron’s return to the U.S. and subsequent arrest comes after seven months of negotiations between U.S. authorities and a migrant detention center near Moscow, people close to the matter told Bloomberg.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
Retailers, already sweating bullets over the “ Amazon Effect ” on their business, now have one more reason to keep sweating. Amazon Go, Amazon’s new grocery store format in Seattle, opened last week. Right now, its only customers are Amazon employees, who are putting it through its paces, but that will change in early 2017, a spokesperson said. Few details have emerged as to how Amazon Go powers the experience that shoppers will find once they get inside the store, but the combination of the Ama
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 14, 2016
KFC is the latest company to report a hack , with the bad guys breaching its Colonel’s Club loyalty program. According to a report by Forbes , which cited U.K.’s ITV, the hackers were able to steal personally identifiable information of the members of the loyalty program. The report noted that KFC is hoping to limit the impact of the breach because it acted quickly to remedy the situation.
Speaker: Victor C. Barnes, CPA, MBA
In the climb from contributor to leader, the rules quietly change. But if you’re aiming for the summit, the air gets thinner, and what got you here won’t be enough to get you to the top. 🗻 What made you successful early in your finance career—technical accuracy, sharp analysis, flawless execution—won’t be what carries you to the next level. The higher you go, the more your effectiveness depends on how you connect, adapt, and communicate.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 14, 2016
New insight into eCommerce growth in the third quarter of 2016 has found that publicly traded online retailers outperformed even the overall well-performing eCommerce market — with gains largely due to Amazon. The Department of Commerce released data in November that showed that eCommerce in the U.S. continued to see growth in the third quarter of 2016.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
No small business is an island. SME owners need help to be successful, and that aid can come from nearly anywhere — from close friends and family members, to financial institutions, to government agencies. And we’re not just talking about financing. The latest research finds SMEs need support in cybersecurity, employee management and technology.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 16, 2016
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… especially if you’re a hacker. As consumers race to catch the shopping deals and retailers battle it out for their attention and dollars, hackers lurk in the shadows, ready for a chance to strike. This year, they have their eyes on the point-of-sale (POS) system prize. Carolyn Crandall, CMO of Attivo Networks , joined this week’s Hacker Tracker to share the vulnerabilities impacting POS systems and discuss whether massive data breaches are on the horizon
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 16, 2016
Atom Tickets, the mobile-first movie ticketing platform, announced Thursday (Dec. 15) it will integrate Chase Pay as a preferred method of payment in 2017. In a press release , Atom Tickets said customers will be able to use Chase Pay in the Atom Tickets app and on the website to pay for tickets and pre-order concessions from over 15,000 U.S. screens, as well as purchase movie-related merchandise.
Speaker: Kim Beynon, CPA, CGMA, PMP
The most overlooked, yet most critical, element of transformation is preparing people for change. Automation and AI aren't just technical upgrades, they’re cultural shifts which can challenge identities. That’s why change management isn’t a side project—it’s the foundation. In finance, where precision and process rule, navigating change can feel especially disruptive.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 15, 2016
[link]. When it comes to payments innovation, the problem with banks and other large financial institutions (FIs) isn’t a lack of interest or aspiration. The modern consumer is digital in many ways: in how they shop, pay, interact with brands and manage their finances. FIs that want to hold onto these customers have every reason to eagerly embrace the digital future — because, as go the consumers, so go those who serve them.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 13, 2016
Headlines dissecting the U.S. labor market remain focused on full employment, where all who wish to work are pretty much gainfully employed. But within one subsector — that is, tech — there’s a different trend afoot. The war for talent is escalating — so much so that the casualties may include the tech firms themselves. In announcing the recent findings of a survey spanning more than 1,000 tech human resources and recruiting professionals, Indeed, the job site, noted that almost nine of 10 respo
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 13, 2016
Whether it’s while watching actress Taylor Schilling play Piper Chapman as she navigates Litchfield Penitentiary in Orange is the New Black or Kyle Chandler become John Rayburn in his attempt to keep the family’s dark secrets quiet within his Floridian paradise in Bloodline , Netflix has a better plan to enhance its content. This time, however, it’s with a 360-degree view, specifically through virtual reality (VR).
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 15, 2016
Silicon Valley adjacent AI innovator Conversica recently announced it had raised $34 million in a Series B venture capital funding round led by Providence Strategic Growth Capital Partners, along with Toba Capital, Wellington Financial LP and Recruit Holdings, with additional funding from existing investor Kennet Partners and Founder Ben Brigham. The company’s flagship product, the Conversica AI Sales Assistant, is used by more than 1,000 companies worldwide, including at IBM and Epson,
Speaker: Mark Gilham, FCCA, CPP
Finance used to be the function that counted, now it's the one that’s counted on. 📊 For accounting firms, controllers, and finance leaders, expectations are rising faster than headcount. Businesses want agile forecasts, granular analysis, seamless reporting, and smart automation—often without added resources while demanding uncompromised accuracy and compliance.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
Time is money — especially when a business needs a point-of-sale (POS) solution up and running. For many independent software vendors (ISVs), the pressure is on to deliver solutions that not only work but can facilitate various merchant industries operating in-store or on-the-go. While fast installation and a simplified payment experience, all within a single installation, may sound too good to be true, Vantiv is out to prove otherwise.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
On Friday of last week (Dec. 9), Michigan became the first state in the union to pass statewide, comprehensive self-driving vehicle regulations that allow autonomous vehicles to drive … well, autonomously. Michigan, the legacy home of the nation’s auto industry, now leads the nation in autonomous vehicle policy, says Recode — ahead of Florida, California and a few others with some current legislation.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 15, 2016
Thinking about adding a chatbot to your business? You’re not alone. In fact, 80 percent of businesses reported already incorporating or planning on adding chatbots by the year 2020. That’s according to a study pulled together by Oracle, surveying more than 800 decision makers at companies in France, the Netherlands, South Africa and the U.K. Most were in the C-suite — chief strategy officers and marketing officers; others were senior sales and marketing executives.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
The holiday shopping season is well upon us, and the eternal question remains: How does a gift giver make sure that the gift receiver feels as though they have received the perfect gift? Gift cards may seem a logical answer. They can be picked up in a hurry and can be used at the recipient’s choosing in terms of time and place. But not brand. Therein lies a conundrum.
Advertiser: Paycor
Great leadership development is the key to sustainable business growth. Are you ready to design an effective program? HR can use Paycor’s framework to: Set achievable goals. Align employee and company needs. Support different learning styles. Empower the next generation of leaders. Invest in your company’s future with a strong leadership development program.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 13, 2016
Merchants are capitalizing on the power of deals more than ever before. According to DynamicAction’s Retail Index: Holiday 2016 , retailers have increasing their promotions and offers by 52 percent this holiday season. By analyzing more than $8 billion in consumer transactions globally, the index found that more retailers are turning to deals, discounts and rewards than in previous years.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 16, 2016
A key part of business life is getting the books closed on time, with clean financial reporting that allows a high-level and granular view of what needs to be done next. Yet, in this most crucial of processes, inefficiencies exist, so much so that timeliness lags. In a survey conducted by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and sponsored by Blackline, titled “Process Automation in Accounting and Finance,” examining the attitudes and concerns of 750 financial professionals surroundin
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
New data collected in a survey by online and mobile publishing and advertising company Opera Mediaworks back in September reveals interesting trends among mobile users as they shop in-store. Here are some of the key findings. Perhaps the most striking result is that 47 percent of mobile users ages 14 and older will use their mobile device to research competitor store pricing in-store when shopping for the holidays.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 12, 2016
Startup Sixa wants developers to go deeper into the cloud and has just secured new investment to help with its efforts. Reports Friday (Dec. 9) said the startup raised $3.5 million in seed funding from Tandem Capital. Sixa has developed virtual machines to help developers move their computers into the cloud, and only a few months after its launch, reports said, the company already has a waiting list for its solution.
Speaker: Cheryl J. Muldrew-McMurtry
Distributed finance teams are rewriting how the back-office runs, and attackers are taking notes. Disconnected workflows, process blind spots, and rising cyber threats are more than just growing pains—they’re liabilities. The challenge isn’t just going remote. It’s building resilient systems that protect accuracy, control, and speed across every transaction and touchpoint.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 10, 2016
Two years ago today, Lending Club was ringing the bell on an IPO that one early investor called “a no-brainer.”. “The consumer credit market has huge potential — trillions and trillions of dollars — and I wanted to ride that winner. Lending Club’s model does not need bank branches on each street corner, and it can turn around in minutes and hours, not days.
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 13, 2016
Hackers targeting the SWIFT interbank system are getting more sophisticated, according to a previously undisclosed letter the organization sent to banks worldwide. The letter warns banks around the world of an increasing threat to their systems since a February hack of Bangladesh’s central bank sent $81 million into the ether. The success of the big hack — and the ongoing war increasingly advanced attackers are waging on the system — is turning up heretofore unknown vulnerabilities in the
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 14, 2016
CommLoan, an early stage commercial mortgage lending technology company, announced Tuesday (Dec. 13) it received $2.25 million in venture capital seed funding from Social Leverage and ViaWest Group. In a press release , the company said the funding will be used to accelerate sales and strengthen the company’s position in the market. “CommLoan has built a distinctive platform designed specifically for the commercial real estate finance setting, improving the overall lender-borrower experience,” s
PYMNTS
DECEMBER 14, 2016
As the band Europe famously sang — we have reached the final countdown when it comes to the holiday retail season. The early shoppers are sitting home, drinking cocoa and feeling superior. The truly professional procrastinators doggedly refuse to so much think about it until next Friday when the heat is really on (and the sales will be particularly aggressive).
Speaker: Frank Taliano
Documents are the backbone of enterprise operations, but they are also a common source of inefficiency. From buried insights to manual handoffs, document-based workflows can quietly stall decision-making and drain resources. For large, complex organizations, legacy systems and siloed processes create friction that AI is uniquely positioned to resolve.
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