PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

There’s another digital currency in town, and its name is YoCoin. The question is: Can YoCoin give bitcoin a run for its money? We’ll have to wait and see. But YoCoin is pitching itself as a “new cryptocurrency with mainstream appeal.” “Unlike most of the alternative cryptocurrencies, YoCoin is a decentralized, peer-to-peer digital currency based on the Scrypt mining algorithm, making it far more accessible than bitcoin is when it comes to mining.

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Katz,Sapper&Miller

JULY 11, 2016

Katz, Sapper & Miller’s Mark Flinchum and Andy Manchir will serve as panelists at the National Center for Employee Ownership’s (NCEO) upcoming conference entitled, “Get the Most Out of Your ESOP: An ESOP Communication and Culture Forum.” Taking place on Sept. 27-28 at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown, the conference will feature presentations by ESOP experts, experienced trainers, organizational development experts, and insiders from successful companies.

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PYMNTS

JULY 13, 2016

Amazon knows better than any retailer that sometimes a groundbreaking idea just needs to get its feet under itself before really taking off. It looks like that was the steady hand behind Prime Day’s start back in 2015 – and its phenomenal sophomore showing in 2016. Amazon released figures Wednesday (July 13) on its Prime Day sales, and the company is already calling it “the biggest day ever for Amazon.” Globally, orders were up 60 percent over Prime Day’s first iter

Start-ups 55

Start-ups Sales Retail 55

PYMNTS

JULY 14, 2016

Bitcoin may be a preferred method of payment for a slew of tech-savvy people, but it has yet to take off with the masses, or even micro-masses. iPayYou, the bitcoin wallet, is aiming to change that with a new service launched today (July 14). Dubbed Pay-by-Twitter, iPayYou is the first bitcoin wallet that enables Twitter’s 310 million monthly active users to make peer-to-peer payments over Twitter.

Technology 51

Technology Account accounted accountant 51

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.

Account

PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

Big companies like PayPal have been dominating the digital payments world for many years. And then came Apple, along with the other tech companies, like Google and Samsung. And for years, banks have caught flack for not offering digital and mobile payments options that are up to snuff with what the tech giants have brought to market. Now, however, big banks are dusting off their old-fashioned ways and getting up to speed.

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PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

Will the wonders of artificial intelligence ever cease? In the last decade or so, artificial intelligence has been increasing at a dramatic clip, and software developers and programmers have developed AIs that can do everything from beating a world class chess champion to diagnosing medical conditions to moving and stacking heavy objects on a factory floor.

Retail 49

Retail 49

PYMNTS

JULY 15, 2016

It looks like StubHub is getting an upgrade – care of parent company eBay’s latest acquisition. eBay has snatched up Ticket Utils , a firm that specializes in the software that manages ticket distribution to multiple services. That technology will now be folded into StubHub – though StubHub was already integrated into the system.

Technology 47

Technology Sales Retail 47

PYMNTS

JULY 12, 2016

For years, retailers have lamented the fact that mobile traffic so rarely translates in equal numbers to in-store traffic. An entire industry has even sprung up around leveraging digital engagement into visits to brick-and-mortar store fronts. Retailers spend millions — and would gladly spend millions more — if there was some sure-fire way to turn consumers’ phones into magnets that pull toward their stores.

Retail 47

Retail Gaming 47

PYMNTS

JULY 14, 2016

Your mother was right: You should always wear sunscreen. And it’s an axiom that the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) keeps repeating over and over again as a way to ward off skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. According to its website, the AAD says that one in every five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.

Retail 47

Retail Sales Maine Technology 47

PYMNTS

JULY 14, 2016

Mastercard CIO Ed McLaughlin was often heard describing mastercard’s vision for commerce as one that would take it anywhere the consumer wanted to take it, including “to any connected device on the edge of the network.”. Today, we’re seeing that vision made reality. Network giant mastercard said on Thursday (July 14) that it is enhancing its digital payments service, masterpass, and making it available across a number of commerce channels and devices in an effort to bring true omnichannel shoppi

Account 46

Account accounted accountant 46

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.

Finance

PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

Earlier this year, Visa announced the start of its second annual Everywhere Initiative , where startups go head-to-head to imagine the future of commerce. Three real-life business challenges gave 15 competing companies the chance to flex their commerce chops. Participants could use Visa’s APIs to create a payment solution, leverage social media channels to engage people at Visa-sponsored events or persuade Visa cardholders to go cardless.

Sports 45

Sports Retail Maine Technology 45

PYMNTS

JULY 12, 2016

In a perfect future, drones would zip through the sky carrying packages containing everything from pet food to baby diapers over our heads in the most efficient, affordable and expedient manner of delivery possible, while we all went about our daily lives (and we’d all have robot butlers, too). But alas, we don’t live in a perfect world, and although the technology is increasing each and every day, it still appears as though it will be some time before the flying drone is the preferred, practica

Technology 44

Technology Retail 44

PYMNTS

JULY 13, 2016

For a while there, it really did look like fast fashion was actually reshaping the fashion retail business , because if millennials want anything, it’s ever more options. But as sales at some of the more popular fast-fashion brands begin to cool off or slow down and retailers increasingly shift their gaze to the coveted generation after millennials — we’re calling them Gen Z now — it appears more and more as though the fast fashion craze was just that — a fad with no real staying power.

accounting and finance 44

accounting and finance Retail New York Manufacturing 44

PYMNTS

JULY 15, 2016

One of Canada’s largest banks has sent one of the world’s first real-time cross-border payments, it claimed this week. ATB Financial announced on Thursday (July 14) that it successfully sent a payment of CA$1,000 to Germany using blockchain-based technology supported by the SAP HANA Cloud Platform. The payment was also fueled by SAP Payment Engine, reports said, as well as blockchain FinTech firm Ripple.

Technology 43

Technology B2B 43

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.

Finance

PYMNTS

JULY 15, 2016

Amazon has displaced many traditional retailers, leading everyone to wonder how anyone can compete. According to Shopify Cofounder and CEO Tobias Lütke, they really can’t. Speaking at Startupfest in Montreal, Lütke said Amazon is creating the industry standards in retail instead of following them, making it harder for traditional retailers to compete.

Retail 43

Retail Sales Technology 43

PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

Sometimes, a box is just a box. And then, sometimes, a box is so much more than just a box that it can charge your phone while you eat , inspire you to create a work of art or just look really cool and colorful so that your kids will love it (and want to learn about birds). You’re probably saying to yourself now — unless you clicked on some of those hyperlinks — what the heck are they talking about?

Retail 42

Retail Gaming Start-ups Technology 42

PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

Cybersecurity firm BAE System and Fox-It are working with SWIFT to shore up the interbank messaging system that has recently become the target of hackers worldwide. The jointly created Forensics and Customer Security Intelligence Team is reportedly designed to provide additional support and enhanced expertise as SWIFT pushed out its information sharing and threat intelligence program for its banking members.

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PYMNTS

JULY 15, 2016

While talking about money is awkward in most parts of the world, talking about money in the U.K. is particularly uncomfortable, if recent data can be believed. Apparently about a third of U.K. citizens would rather remain unpaid on a debt than actually have to ask a friend or family member to pay them back. Faced with this situation, the people of the U.K. had a choice – or at least a third of them did.

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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

JULY 15, 2016

In this week’s edition of PYMNTS’ Weekly Tech Center Roundup , we travel to Hong Kong to explore the fast-growing tech ecosystem and see why, despite its potential, it still seems to be a tech center underdog. Before we jump into the post, here are a few quick facts about Hong Kong and its tech scene: . Hong Kong is estimated to have a population of 7.3 million.

Technology 42

Technology Manufacturing Legal Start-ups 42

PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

Pop quiz on this Monday morning, so grab your coffee and look alive. True or false: Thanks to mobile devices and apps, American consumers spend more time today shopping than they did in 2003. If you said false, pat yourself on the back, tell everyone in the office you’re a genius and make them buy you lunch. In 2003, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that American consumers spent roughly 48 minutes a day shopping offline and online.

Retail 42

Retail Sales Entertainment Gaming 42

PYMNTS

JULY 15, 2016

“Consumer expectations are changing, and they’re getting higher. Consumers don’t think about technology as technology; it just is,” said mastercard Chief Innovation Officer Garry Lyons at the unveiling of mastercard’s new digital payments strategy yesterday (July 14). That strategy is one designed to enable commerce anywhere that a consumer and a connected device happen to be.

Technology 42

Technology Account accounted accountant 42

PYMNTS

JULY 14, 2016

For most retailers, the name of the game is convenience. It doesn’t matter what they sell or what channel they do it through; the maxim holds that, if the checkout process is free from as much friction as possible, shoppers will hit fewer speed bumps and take fewer U-turns along the way. But what’s convenient for a retailer doesn’t always align with what’s convenient for its consumers, as Amazon so gently reminded shoppers in May when it stopped processing refunds for all

Retail 42

Retail Gaming Start-ups 42

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.

Finance

PYMNTS

JULY 14, 2016

Payments security is usually not a wellspring for belly laughs. But Vantiv Integrated Payments, which offers payments technology to small and mid-sized businesses, has been moving forward with its campaign to stir business owners to action, with sobering stats and a little humor. In June, the company said that it is launching the next phase of its Security Pays initiative , which traces its genesis to August of last year and, at present, includes more than 1,000 of Vantiv’s partners around the U

Education 42

Education Technology Maine 42

PYMNTS

JULY 13, 2016

It took a while for the average retailer to reach a level of competency dealing with online orders. That’s not to belittle the feat of turning an entire network of in-store inventory into shoppable links on a digital marketplace; rather, it’s a testament to how difficult the task was in the first place. Unfortunately, it looks like the growing number of online returns is forcing retailers to grapple with an equally confounding problem: the reverse supply chain.

Transportation 42

Transportation Retail 42

PYMNTS

JULY 13, 2016

Is it possible that a bank may someday be referred to as “beloved?” Mobile apps like Uber and Airbnb have changed the way mobile-centric users do practically everything, from getting a ride to finding a place to stay on vacation. So, it follows that a company looking to build a digital bank would turn to those apps, and others like them, for inspiration.

Technology 42

Technology Gaming Maine 42

PYMNTS

JULY 12, 2016

Gone are the days when a Macy’s, JCPenney or Sears “anchored” a mall and served as the primary reason so many people wanted to go to it. Instead, more and more malls are ditching those type of large “anchor stores” that chew up a lot of valuable space and real estate for a mix of restaurants, lifestyle and specialty retail brands, entertainment options and fast fashion, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal.

Real Estate 41

Real Estate Entertainment Florida Sports 41

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.

Technology

PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

While baby boomers are worried about the economic end times, their youthful counterparts in their 20’s and 30’s are feeling better about this. And while that phenomenon is not uncommon – the enthusiasm gap between generations has been particularly notable in recent years. According to The Wall Street Journal , index after index is showing a similar result – among younger consumers, confidence is back at pre-recession levels, while for older consumers (55 and up), optimism

Retail 41

Retail 41

PYMNTS

JULY 14, 2016

Expensify really doesn’t like paper receipts, and chances are, companies and their corporate travelers don’t either. The expense management firm revealed on Wednesday (July 13) the rollout of a new service, ReceiptBurner. The platform integrates into travel service providers, like Uber, HotelTonight, Revel Systems and more, enabling travelers to have data from a purchase sent directly to the Expensify platform, without the need for issuing a receipt. “Our dream is for receipts

Expense Management 41

Expense Management Travel Expense Management Technology B2B 41

PYMNTS

JULY 13, 2016

[link]. All investors have their own vetting criteria when assessing the potential of a startup and run wannabe unicorns through their paces using that criteria when they come calling. But suppose those wannabe unicorns are a particular type of business — a matchmaker — the next “Uber of X.” Karen Webster and economist and author of “ Matchmakers: The New Economics of Multisided Platforms ,” David Evans , say that those investors need a whole new set of questions.

Technology 41

Technology Maine 41

PYMNTS

JULY 11, 2016

“Children are our future” is one of popular culture’s more favored cliches. Whitney Houston sang a song about it, and “ The Simpsons ” has spent the better part of 30 years parodying the sentiment. But when most people or organizations say the children are our future, they are speaking more broadly and descriptively than anything else, not so much laying out a strategy.

Real Estate 41

Real Estate Retail New York Sales 41

Speaker: Claire Grosjean, Global Finance & Operations Executive

Finance teams are drowning in data—but is it actually helping them spend smarter? Without the right approach, excess spending, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities continue to drain profitability. While analytics offers powerful insights, financial intelligence requires more than just numbers—it takes the right blend of automation, strategy, and human expertise.

Spend Management