Sat.Feb 02, 2019 - Fri.Feb 08, 2019

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Mastercard, Brex Pair On Biz Travel Rewards

PYMNTS

Brex has announced that it is partnering with Mastercard to issue the World Elite Mastercard for Business, offering an enhanced rewards structure and expanded suite of travel benefits. Started in 2017 by the founders of Brazilian payments processor Pagar.me , Brex’s investors include Y Combinator Continuity, Ribbit Capital, Greenoaks, DST Global, Peter Thiel and Max Levchin.

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North to Present at 2019 National Vehicle Leasing Association Conference

Katz,Sapper&Miller

Mike North, partner in Katz, Sapper & Miller’s (KSM) Buy Here – Pay Here and Dealership Services Groups will speak at the 2019 National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA) Conference, “Drive the Future.” Taking place March 27-29 at One Ocean Resort in Atlantic Beach FL, the event will focus on issues that will shape the future of the vehicle leasing industry.

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Twitter CEO Supports Bitcoin, Faster Payments

PYMNTS

Jack Dorsey, billionaire tech founder and current CEO of Twitter, said he only owns bitcoin and that he supports the Lightning Network , a bitcoin network update that could make bitcoin payments speedier and less expensive, according to reports. Dorsey tweeted on Tuesday (Feb. 5): “I only have bitcoin.” Dorsey also founded payment company Square , which allows users to buy and sell bitcoin through the Cash app.

Gaming 81
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Good Healthcare Requires Good Data — And Blockchain And Biometrics, Too?

PYMNTS

This isn’t some cheap dose of “ Little House on the Prairie ” nostalgia, but rather a shot of truth: We are a long way from small-town doctors treating patients for decades and lifetimes — after treating their parents, and perhaps even grandparents as well. Not only that, but healthcare is infinitely more complicated than it was in the 19th-century Doc Baker days — thanks to scientific advances and the collection, analysis and use of sophisticated patient data.

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Elevating Accounting Practices: The Power of Outsourcing and Automation in the Digital Age

Speaker: Nancy Wu, Head of Sales and Customer Success at SkyStem

Join us for an enlightening webinar as we delve into the transformative realm of modern accounting practices. In today's digital age, the convergence of outsourcing and automation has revolutionized how businesses manage their financial operations. In this webinar we will explore the synergistic potential of these two strategies to streamline processes, enhance accuracy, save cost and drive strategic decision-making.

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Artificial Intelligence Innovation Steered By U.S. and China

PYMNTS

Artificial intelligence has started — slowly — to make its presence felt in payments and commerce, including in fraud prevention, via early deployments of the technology and cutting-edge AI algorithms. And with those deployments comes increasing awareness of what AI can really do, how it can improve upon less sophisticated machine learning technology, and why it promises to play a vital role in the daily lives of consumers in the coming decades.

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Why Airlines Need To Get Their Wheels Up On Alt Payments

PYMNTS

Time is up. That — according to CEO Kristian Gjerding of CellPoint Mobile and CEO Ralph Kaiser of Universal Air Travel Plan (UATP) — is the reality that airlines and other travel vertical players must wrap their minds around when it comes to thinking beyond card payments from leisure customers. Players can either get on board — and start leveling up their systems quickly — or risk watching their market share shrink fast.

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Blockchain Gets A Nod In The Isle Of Man

PYMNTS

In regulatory efforts tied to blockchain, the British dependency Isle of Man has debuted a hub focused on blockchain development. The advisory for the self-governing dependency has established the Blockchain Office, reported Cointelegraph , and has set up a sandbox that looks toward future regulatory frameworks. FinTech firms can join the sandbox beginning next month.

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IBM Puts $2B In NY AI Research Center

PYMNTS

IBM is planning to invest over $2 billion to help establish an “AI Hardware Center” at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus in Albany, as well as boost its high-tech footprint throughout New York State. The Center will be set up for artificial intelligence-focused computer chip research, development, prototyping, testing and simulation, and help solidify the region as a global hub for research and development.

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Mastercard Names New Payment Platforms President

PYMNTS

Mastercard has named Paul Stoddart its new president of New Payment Platforms. Stoddart, who begins his new position on March 1, will oversee the development and integration of the company’s real-time payments capabilities beyond card-based solutions, including Vocalink account-based payments, the Homesend joint venture and Mastercard Send. “Paul’s industry experience and deep immersion in the business makes him the ideal choice to drive the growth of our account-based payment activities,” Micha

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Whitepages Pro On PSD2’s Roadmap To September

PYMNTS

September approaches, of course (as it always does) – but this time, with a red-letter day on the 13 th as PSD2 takes effect. As readers of these digital pages know, the European Union directive mandates that bank customers can use third-party providers for financial services. The latest PSD2 Tracker , via joint efforts of PYMNTS and Whitepages Pro, found that though PSD2 looms, confusion reigns amid enterprises about what the rules mean, much less how to follow them.

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How to Build the Ideal HR Team

HR doesn’t exist in a vacuum. This work impacts everyone: from the C-Suite to your newest hire. It also drives results. Learn how to make it all happen in Paycor’s latest guide.

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B2B FinTech Firms Brace For Growth With New VC

PYMNTS

Growth of FinTech funding seems unstoppable, with the latest analysis from Hampleton Partners finding enterprise financial services and integration, online financial services, enterprise financial software and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) risk management as some of the hottest spots for investors this year. However, venture capitalists are urging caution on the tech startup community.

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Accountants Emerge At The Intersection Of Corporate Finance And IT

PYMNTS

From fears that automation and technology will replace the need for human accountants, what has emerged instead is an understanding that technology is forcing the accounting and corporate finance professions to adjust to a new reality: technology can handle the manual number-crunching, leaving professionals to provide more valuable, strategic advisory services to their firms.

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Deep Dive: Weighing The Federal Reserve’s Faster Payments Proposal

PYMNTS

Real-time payment systems are quickly cropping up across the globe. Twenty-five of them were operational worldwide in 2017, and that number had swelled to 40 by September 2018, with 16 more expected to debut by 2020. This rapid expansion is fueling predictions that the global real-time payments market will rise from a value of $6.8 billion in 2018 to $26.9 billion by 2023 — a CAGR of 30.9 percent, according to a Markets and Markets Research report. .

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New Paths And Pressures For Payments

PYMNTS

The payments landscape in Europe is set to change later this year, with PSD2 joining GDPR in a kind of early 21 st -century digital balancing act. Meanwhile, airlines and other travel vertical players face fresh pressures on alternative payments , and new payday loan regulations are looming. Meanwhile, the luxury retail ecosystem could change via another online operation that offers relatively easy access to designer goods.

Retail 73
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Planning Your Restaurant's Path to Profitability

Speaker: James Kahler, COO of Full Course

Ever wondered where to splurge and where to safely conserve when it comes to operating and growing your restaurant? 🤔 Join James Kahler, COO of Full Course and industry visionary, in this new webinar where he'll talk all about best practices to invest in your restaurant's success! Whether you're a new business or an established restaurant, a seasoned pro or a rookie, you'll learn the keys to sustainable success in this competitive industry.

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CoverHound Raises $58M For Expansion Of Insurance Platform

PYMNTS

CoverHound, the online property and casualty insurance platform operator, announced Tuesday (Feb. 5) that it raised $58 million in venture funding. In a press release , the San Francisco startup that has sold more than 200,000 policies online said the Series D funding round was led by global insurer Hiscox and included participation from Chubb, Aflac Ventures, MS&AD of Japan.

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Bank Of America Rolls Out Digital Tool For Entrepreneurs

PYMNTS

Bank of America announced on Wednesday (Feb. 6) the launch of Business Advantage 360, a digital dashboard aimed at helping entrepreneurs manage their business finances. In a press release , Bank of America said the new dashboard is available to business banking customers, giving them a view of their cash flow. It also offers access to real-time advice in one tool with new functionality.

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Barclays Invests $12.9M In Loyalty Startup Bink

PYMNTS

British financial institution Barclays has invested $12.9 million in Bink, a startup that lets customers store and view all their loyalty cards on a phone, and also links payment cards to get points and rewards automatically, according to reports. The two companies said they’re looking forward to the results of the partnership, and that they will “work in collaboration to deliver a ground-breaking experience for customers.”.

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Onward Financial’s Employer-Backed Payday Loan Alternative

PYMNTS

You know the story. Critics say that short-term, small-dollar loans push consumers into the hamster wheel of a never-ending debt cycle – one that turns a two-day bridge to cover a shortfall into a six-month mosh pit of fees that can become hard to dig out from under. “I think it is pretty obvious when you read stories about the payday lending industry – and how it goes wrong for customers – that consumers need a better alternative,” Onward Financial Founder Ronnie Washington said.

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How Automation is Driving Efficiency Through the Last Mile of Reporting

Speaker: Jamie Eagan

As organizations strive for agility and efficiency, it's imperative for finance leaders to embrace innovative technologies and redefine traditional processes. Join us as we explore the pivotal role of digitalization and automation in reshaping what is commonly referred to as the “last mile of reporting”. We’ll deep-dive into why digitalization is no longer a choice, but a necessity for finance departments to stay competitive in a fast-paced environment touching on: 2024 trends for the Office of

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Walmart India Head Upbeat About eCommerce Prospects

PYMNTS

Walmart India President and CEO Krish Iyer expects the eCommerce market in India to explode during the next decade. According to a report in Money Control citing Iyer, the executive expects the online retailing market to see growth of six times to reach 12 percent during the next decade. As it stands, eCommerce represents only 2 percent of the market.

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Giving Health And Beauty Merchants A POS Makeover

PYMNTS

Consumers have thousands of health and beauty brands to choose from, and that pool has only grown larger as the global economy expands. To keep up with the competition, merchants recognize the need to innovate both online and in their physical stores. What’s more, 61 percent of health and beauty merchants stated that “they would not survive” without innovation, according to the latest version of the Retail Innovation Readiness Index.

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Carvana, BOA Team Up For Online Car Sales

PYMNTS

In an effort to bring customers an easier and more streamlined online car buying experience, Carvana, an online-only used car dealer, has teamed up with Bank of America, according to a release from the companies. “We always want to give our customers an exceptional experience, whether they finance with Carvana or work with their own banks,” said Ernie Garcia, Carvana founder and CEO.

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Rover180 Acquires Vemity To Boost AI Capabilities

PYMNTS

Rover180 has acquired Vemity , an Indiana-based company that specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) automation and machine learning. Located in Indianapolis, Rover180 provides alternative supply chain finance and factoring programs. The company will now use Vemity’s technology to cut costs related to invoicing and accelerated payments for the transportation industry.

Indiana 69
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Join the Instant Payment Revolution: Read 7 Must-Know Facts for Small Businesses

Technology evolves at lightning speed, and as finance keeps changing, instant payments emerge as a game-changer for small businesses. By 2030, instant payments are projected to surge by 289% and will become the new norm in financial transactions. Our whitepaper reveals seven must-know facts about instant payments, offering to help you navigate this financial revolution effectively.

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Car Tech Startup Aurora Snags $530M From Amazon, Others

PYMNTS

Aurora, a self-driving car technology company, has raised upwards of $530 million in a series B financing round led by Sequoia Capital, with a large investment from Amazon and T. Rowe Price Associates, according to reports. The announcement follows a $90 million funding round in February of 2018 from Index Ventures and Greylock Partners, bringing the total amount raised to around $620 million.

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Fleet Cards Caught In Crosshairs Of Corporate Card Fee Debate

PYMNTS

Fleet payments company FLEETCOR is facing criticism over fees associated with its fleet cards, according to reports in Bloomberg last week, which small businesses (SMBs) say are too high. The issue mirrors the debate over payroll card fees, and raises new concerns over fees linked to card products for businesses, including interchange fees. The publication reported late last month that FLEETCOR charges “more than a dozen fees” for professionals to use the card, including a $.10-per-

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Facebook Hires Team From Chainspace Amid Blockchain Push

PYMNTS

Facebook is making a big push into blockchain technology with some new hires, according to reports. The company recently hired four people who were instrumental in the blockchain startup Chainspace , and has also been investing a lot of money and resources in the technology. Chainspace is a “planetary scale smart contracts platform,” according to its website, and in a note, it said that its team was “moving on to something new.”. “Chainspace code and documentation will still be

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Amazon Launches Live Streaming Video Shopping Service

PYMNTS

Amazon has launched a brand new video streaming service called Amazon Live , according to reports. The service features live shows from Amazon’s talent pool and also from brands through an app called the Amazon Live Creator. Shows on the service operate much like QVC does, with hosts talking about and demonstrating Amazon products. Under the video, customers can view product details and buy things.

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Recruit and Retain New Blue-Collar Talent

Blue-collar jobs have a branding problem. One company, GEON, partnered with Paycor to find the solution. Learn how to attract, engage, and retain blue-collar employees, helping them build meaningful careers – and support your company’s goals.

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Pakistan Central Bank Warns PayPal Absence A ‘Major Concern’

PYMNTS

A new report from the State Bank of Pakistan says a lack of electronic payment services like PayPal in the country has led the nation to lose out on as much as $2 billion in payments related to the information and communication technology sector. Reports in the Express Tribune on Wednesday (Feb. 6) said the central bank’s report has pointed to PayPal’s absence for the reason why the country has missed out on as much as $2 billion in payments related to information and communication t

Tax 66
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Western Union Digs Into Its Digital, Powered-By Platform Future

PYMNTS

Western Union shares took a slight dip in after-hours trading yesterday (Feb. 7) when its Q4 earnings met analyst expectations on adjusted earnings per share (EPS), but came in slightly below estimates on revenue. Revenue hiccup aside, however, Western Union CEO Hikmet Ersek remained positive and forward-focused on the result. “In 2018, we made important strategic progress.

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Why Smart Pet Toy Startups Are Adopting Subscriptions

PYMNTS

Entrepreneurs can sometimes find inspiration for their next projects from their pets. The founder of Internet of Things (IoT)-based pet subscription service PupPod was inspired to start his company after observing his dog. “He would react to things on TV that you wouldn’t expect,” PupPod CEO Erick Eidus told PYMNTS in an interview. Eidus said his dog wouldn’t bark at cartoons playing on the TV, but he would recognize a cartoon dog – and other cartoon animals – over the other characters.

Gaming 64
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Why Voice Authentication’s Doing Prison Time

PYMNTS

What eventually becomes cutting-edge in retail and payments often originates in places that are dedicated to security, not commerce. New technology often starts out at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) or NATO , for instance. Former Israeli intelligence agents or military members have taken the knowledge they gained during their service and contributed to artificial intelligence (AI), fraud prevention and other efforts that do make — or can end up making — a difference in the daily lives o

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How CPA Firms Can Profit From Payroll Services Without the Extra Work

"Offer payroll and do it yourself,” they said. “It’ll be fun!” Spoiler alert: It was not fun. Most CPA firms know that they need to offer payroll services to their clients or risk losing them to another firm that will. However, many don’t really want to. It is often time-consuming and complex due to changing tax laws and regulations, and with the growing staffing shortages, most just don’t have the resources.