PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

There is no shortage of headlines about the partial government shutdown that is now on its 27th day, and no shortage of articles speculating how long it will go on, what will be affected and (most often) what it will take to finally bring it to an end. There is, yet, one simple takeaway from all of them: So far, there is no end in sight. While that can — and hopefully will — change any day now, the reality is that the longer the government remains partially closed for business, the longer 800,00

Government 105

Government North Dakota Michigan Illinois 105

Katz,Sapper&Miller

JANUARY 18, 2019

Under a specific set of facts, a C corporation sale to an ESOP may be able to utilize the tax provision benefits of combining Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and Code Section 1042. If those facts are present, a seller of stock in a leveraged ESOP transaction may be able to receive some proceeds tax-free while deferring the remaining tax on the sale.

Sales 40

Sales Tax 40

PYMNTS

JANUARY 14, 2019

Africa as next great eCommerce frontier? The ingredients for a revolution in payments across the region, fueled by demographics and technology, seem to be there. In an interview with PYMNTs’ Karen Webster, Saqib Nazir, managing director of Africa at Emergent Technology delved into the ways the payments landscape across Africa is ripe for digital and mobile conduits, and a “cash light” mentality that focuses on the needs and desires of a burgeoning and youthful population.

Technology 85

Technology Account accountant accounted 85

PYMNTS

JANUARY 16, 2019

In Asia, blockchain continues to get a boost from government and regulatory efforts, especially in the realm of trade finance done across borders. In one example from the past several days, the China Banking Association (CBA) — the regulatory agency tied to the sector — has launched a new blockchain-underpinned initiative focused on trade finance.

Government 82

Government Finance Tax Technology 82

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.

Account

PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

The rapid rise of smart cities promises to connect citizens with a wide range of municipal services. By some accounts , approximately 70 percent of the world’s population will reside in smart cities by 2050. Citizens in this type of environment will find a host of connected devices designed to enhance their daily routines, such as smart parking meters that help drivers find and pay for parking.

Transportation 79

Transportation Healthcare Technology Wyoming 79

PYMNTS

JANUARY 14, 2019

It looks like we can finally have a serious conversation about the impending collapse of physical retail in the U.S. All it took was a 160-year old retailer and a $34 billion kick in the stomach to the retail sector to get everyone’s attention. News last week that Macy’s profits would take an unexpected Q4 nosedive set off a retail stock market shock wave that wiped $34 billion in value from the sector.

Retail 79

Retail Sports Sales E-commerce 79

PYMNTS

JANUARY 15, 2019

Online retail and mobile commerce had their shining moments over the 2018 holiday shopping season — the latest evidence of that comes from Adobe Analytics , which said that U.S. consumers spent a record $126 billion online during that period, above the company’s earlier projection. The new figure comes amid fresh questions coming out of that holiday season about the viability of brick-and-mortar retail sales.

Retail 78

Retail Sales Sports 78

PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

The complexities and demands of B2B eCommerce can be significantly greater than those of the consumer digital shopping realm. While that characteristic can be an argument for why it is imperative that B2B commerce goes digital, it’s also one of the biggest reasons why the industry is struggling to make progress. Procurement officials and business professionals may prefer to shop online for their companies today, but only about 10 percent of B2B sales of products and services are online, ac

B2B 78

B2B B2C Technology Sales 78

PYMNTS

JANUARY 17, 2019

Apple Pay, in a move that will let users in Australia skip credit card fees at places that support EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer), now has support for dual-network debit cards, according to reports. Previously, the default Visa payment option had users pay a fee they otherwise wouldn’t have had to fork out if they were using a physical card. The feature, called “Choose Payment Option,” allows an Apple Pay user to decide whether they want to use Visa or EFTPOS on a dual-network card.

Retail 78

Retail 78

PYMNTS

JANUARY 17, 2019

Traditional eCommerce and brick-and-mortar merchants aren’t the only organizations that market luxury goods like handbags. ShopGoodwill.com , an eCommerce auction platform that was created by Goodwill of Orange County and is still operated by the organization, offers the same kinds of items on its site. Over 120 Goodwill organizations nationwide put items on the site.

Technology 76

Technology Sales Retail 76

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PYMNTS

JANUARY 15, 2019

If knowledge is power, then shared knowledge is … shared power. To that end, Visa said on Tuesday (Jan. 15) that it has launched a global initiative, She’s Next, Empowered by Visa, which seeks to support the advancement of women-owned small businesses around the world through shared research, experience and technologies. The announcement comes as, since 2014, more than 163 million women have launched businesses across the globe, at a rate that outpaces that of businesses launched by men.

New York 75

New York Education Technology Retail 75

PYMNTS

JANUARY 13, 2019

All India Online Vendors Association, a trade group representing online merchants in India, vowed to appeal a ruling by the Competition Commission of India that favored Flipkart , the eCommerce company owned by Walmart. According to a report in Reuters citing the association that speaks for more than 3,500 Internet merchants, the group contended Flipkart was using its leading position to favor some merchants over others.

Government 75

Government Account accountant accounted 75

PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

For certain sports fans, it’s one of best times of the year, a weeks-long period of anticipation, anxiety and hope. That’s because after a long fall, and after enduring what winter has thrown at us so far, the big day is approaching — Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers report to spring training in less than a month. Ha! Just kidding. The big sports news for the new few weeks is professional (U.S.) football, of course, and that means big news for payments and commerce as the Feb. 3 Supe

Gaming 74

Gaming Sports Technology Education 74

PYMNTS

JANUARY 16, 2019

Luxury department stores are borrowing from the past to bring customers into their stores in the digital age. That is, retailers are taking a page out of a playbook set by retailers like the now-closed B. Altman, which served tea sandwiches in its Charleston Garden, and opening their own restaurants. Saks Fifth Avenue is one of the retailers falling into this trend with a new eatery called L’Avenue at Saks in New York City, which is the same locale where Lord & Taylor is closing to make way

Entertainment 74

Entertainment Retail New York 74

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.

PYMNTS

JANUARY 17, 2019

Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive who has emerged as a powerful privacy advocate, has called on the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to put in place a new framework to increase the transparency of companies that handle user data. According to a report in CNBC , in an op-ed piece for Time Magazine published Wednesday (Jan. 17), Cook said consumers should be able to track where their data is going and delete any information on demand.

Technology 74

Technology 74

PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

Momo, a Vietnam-based FinTech company that provides users with digital payment options, has reportedly received a very large Series C investment from American private equity firm Warburg Pincus. The exact size of the investment isn’t being released, but Pham Thanh Duc, CEO of M-Service, which is Momo’s parent company, said the amount sets a new record for funding.

Maine 73

Maine Start-ups 73

PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

Fossil Group has announced that it is selling $40 million of intellectual property (IP) related to smartwatch technology to Google. As a result of the news, Fossil’s shares jumped about 8 percent on Thursday (January 17), according to CNBC. In recent years, smartwatches have become Fossil’s fastest growing category — it launched smartwatches across 14 of its owned and licensed brands.

Technology 73

Technology 73

PYMNTS

JANUARY 15, 2019

Bitcoin investors took a massive hit in 2018 – and, according to personal finance company Credit Karma, most of them don’t realize they can write off the losses on their tax returns. According to a report in MarketWatch , citing Jagjit Chawla, general manager of tax at Credit Karma, U.S. investors lost $1.7 billion in bitcoin investments last year and had unrealized losses of more than $5 billion.

tax return 71

tax return Tax accounting and finance Education 71

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

Technology

PYMNTS

JANUARY 12, 2019

There was a lot about CES in Las Vegas last week that was predictable. Google and Amazon competed for voice-activated mindshare. There seemed to be as many new smart devices as show attendees. Robots were everywhere. Then, there was the eccentric. Last year, the world met the its first talking toilet – and this year, the Numi 2.0 Intelligent Toilet promised not just to talk, but to listen.

E-commerce 71

E-commerce Technology Retail Healthcare 71

PYMNTS

JANUARY 17, 2019

You know your stature by the enemies you make, right? That’s the old saying at least. Well, “enemy” might be too strong a term — business is not war — but Square this week found itself a target of First Data and Fiserv , two big payments players merging in a $22 billion deal that will result in a consolidated organization called Fiserv. When talking about the deal, Fiserv CEO Jeffery Yabuki described Square as a threat to traditional banks.

payroll 70

payroll Technology Sales Retail 70

PYMNTS

JANUARY 17, 2019

Netflix, which recently announced its largest price increase in more than a decade, said Thursday (Jan. 17) that it added 8.8 million memberships in the fourth quarter of 2018 — 1.5 million in the U.S. and 7.3 million internationally. Those additions came as the streaming content service severs sign-up ties with the Apple App Store — a move that promises to add to Netflix’s coffers while dealing a significant blow to the iPhone maker.

Entertainment 69

Entertainment Retail 69

PYMNTS

JANUARY 14, 2019

It’s almost burnt rubber time. The ecosystem for connected cars and trucks — and the retail and payment tasks they do and will support — is rapidly taking shape. Just look at the recent CES conference in Las Vegas. Among the announcements was a new partnership between Visa and SiriusXM Connected Vehicle Services, a subsidiary of Sirius XM Holdings, to launch an in-vehicle payment solution.

Technology 69

Technology Retail Manufacturing Start-ups 69

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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.

Finance

PYMNTS

JANUARY 17, 2019

The evolution of payroll is all about pushing back against the notion of one-size-fits-all. As innovative technologies move down stream, small and medium-sized businesses are poised to benefit significantly from being able to customize a flexible payroll and human capital management (HCM) program. Employees and a shifting talent landscape have introduced the demand for payroll flexibility.

payroll 69

payroll Technology Tax Account 69

PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

New year, new reason to fear fraud — especially through digital means? A pair of studies have shown that companies are increasingly being targeted through methods both sophisticated and decidedly mundane. As reported late this week in Dark Reading , and as estimated by security research firm Agari , efforts are “ramping up” wherein criminals look to “divert payrolls” of senior executives.

Gambling 69

Gambling payroll audit Start-ups 69

PYMNTS

JANUARY 15, 2019

From hardware to software, from cash registers to digital wallets, the way commerce is done at smaller firms (SMBs) is changing, especially as mobile makes inroads into the way we pay. In an interview that springboarded the findings of the Retail Innovation Readiness Index , published late last year, Nicky Koopman, vice president of content and value-added services at AEVI , stated that when it comes to apps, one maxim holds true: One size does not fit all.

Technology 69

Technology Sales Retail Start-ups 69

PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

Microsoft is taking its digital assistant Cortana in a new direction as it has fallen behind Google Assistant and Alexa in the past year, according to reports. CEO Satya Nadella, while speaking to a group of journalists earlier this week, said that the hardware giant no longer views Cortana as a direct competitor to Alexa or Google Assistant. “Cortana needs to be that skill for anybody who’s a Microsoft 365 subscriber,” he said, in reference to Microsoft’s recent push for consumer subscriptions.

Account 69

Account accountant accounted 69

Advertiser: Paycor

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PYMNTS

JANUARY 17, 2019

Chief executives across the globe are bracing for a recession on the horizon, but when it comes to CEOs in the U.S., cybersecurity ranks higher as a concern. According to a new survey by The Conference Board, U.S.-based CEOs ranked cybersecurity as their No.1 external concern for this year. That compares to China, where it ranked 10th in terms of external worries.

Start-ups 68

Start-ups 68

PYMNTS

JANUARY 14, 2019

PayPal appointed Allison Johnson , a marketing veteran with over two decades of experience in her field, as the company’s new executive VP and chief marketing officer (CMO) on Monday (Jan. 14), according to a release by the company. Johnson will lead strategic marketing for PayPal and its associated brands, to help build on transformational work that the company says is already underway.

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67

PYMNTS

JANUARY 17, 2019

Square announced Thursday (Jan. 17) the Square Card, a business debit Mastercard aimed at helping businesses manage cash flow. In a press release , the payments company said Square Card users get a 2.75 percent instant discount on purchases made at other Square sellers. “As sellers make crucial spending decisions, we know that fast access to funds – and the ability to put proceeds from sales to use immediately – can help with overall cash flow management,” said Alyssa Henry, seller lead at Squar

Illinois 66

Illinois Sales Account accountant 66

PYMNTS

JANUARY 18, 2019

Dining out can be a jarring experience for customers used to the speed and convenience of mobile ordering. Increasingly, sit-down restaurants are looking to serve diners on a tight schedule by introducing mobile order- and pay-ahead services. The January Mobile Order-Ahead Tracker examines how table-service restaurants and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) alike are leveraging mobile ordering to better serve customers, as well as introducing new upgrades to keep their apps compelling.

New York 65

New York Maine 65

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"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.

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