Sat.Dec 16, 2017 - Fri.Dec 22, 2017

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Passport, the technology business for city transit systems, raises $43 million

PYMNTS

Passport, company that’s managing much of the technical aspects of how people pay to use public transportation resources in cities like London, Miami and Los Angeles, has just raised $43 million. The money, from Bain Capital Ventures, will go to help the company expand its payment and transaction services nationally and internationally. Read More.

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Top 10 Posts from 2017

Katz,Sapper&Miller

We could not say goodbye to 2017 without revisiting the year’s most popular content. We believe these posts illustrate the depth and varied experience of our firm as well as our commitment to helping our clients further their growth and success.

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Big Data For Big Returns At Retailers Big And Small?

PYMNTS

“Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is, I don’t know which half.”. That’s a quote from department store maven John Wanamaker, illustrating a conundrum for retailers (and merchants in general): Namely, you’ve got to reach out to consumers if you are going to convince them to buy your wares. But reaching out involves time and money — both precious commodities.

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Using AI And Machine Learning To Make Payments Faster, Safer

PYMNTS

What do track and field stars, NASCAR drivers and millions of businesses owners around the United States have in common? They all have an appreciation for speed. While more speed may mean more endorsement money for athletes, it means faster settlements and more efficient business for commercial banking customers. With a growth in demand, banks and FinTechs are working to give business owners the speed they need.

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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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Holiday Tunes with a T1D Spin

PYMNTS

We asked our readers to give their favorite holiday tunes a T1D spin. Here are some lyrics for all to enjoy: The Night Before Christmas with Type 1 Diabetes. ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, till the CGM alarm did rouse; The testing supplies were stocked by the bedside with care, In hopes that a finger prick soon would be there.

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How The Subscription Boom Can Detail Expense Management

PYMNTS

Employee fraud is a monumental issue, especially for small businesses (SMBs) without resources to track every penny workers spend. But that fraud is only part of the problem stemming from a lack of visibility into corporate spend. In addition to employee expenses, another key challenge for companies is the money they spend, and sometimes waste, on subscription services.

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IKEA Gamifies Store Openings With VR

PYMNTS

IKEA has already done some early work to embrace augmented reality in its brick-and-mortar stores. Through a recent design collaboration with Wavemaker, the company is taking the next step by using virtual reality (VR) to help shoppers more fully experience IKEA and learn more about what they’re buying. IKEA’s newest retail concept got its first test run at a Dallas store opening.

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One City Plans To Run Entirely On Blockchain

PYMNTS

As more businesses join collaborative groups and invest in internal research and development (R&D) to explore using blockchain for new services, some firms have begun to use the technology themselves. This week, news from Citigroup, UPS and Vanguard signal interest in using the distributed ledger technology in the back office. Plus, in this week’s Blockchain Tracker, PYMNTS takes a look at how governments continue to consider the tool, with one city aiming to be the first government that run

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EU Court To Rule On Uber’s Status This Week

PYMNTS

A European Union court is slated to decide later this week if ridesharing firm Uber is a digital company or one that provides transport services. According to a report in Reuters, a ruling in the case is expected Wednesday (Dec. 20). If the court decides Uber is a transportation company, that decision should not have an immediate impact on the company’s operations.

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Cryptocurrency Holding Company Integrated Ventures Launches Blockchain Lending Solution

PYMNTS

Cryptocurrency holding company Integrated Ventures wants to disrupt the lending industry with blockchain. The company announced news on Monday (Dec. 18) of the launch of CryptoFunder, a blockchain platform that provides lenders with a way to store and manage lending information. “The CryptoFunder blockchain will be focused on qualifying, initiating, underwriting and processing funding transactions, including tracking … digitally mined assets and using them as [a] main mode of payment for

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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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Sources Say Amazon Is Planning Investment In India Alt Lender

PYMNTS

Reports Monday (Dec. 18) said unnamed sources suggest Amazon is planning to invest in alternative lender Capital Float, based in India. According to The Economic Times , three unnamed sources confirmed the news, which separate reports in VCCircle said would likely be a top-up to the $45 million in Series C funding Capital Float raised earlier this year.

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Toyota’s Going Electric By 2025

PYMNTS

Tokyo-based car manufacturer Toyota led the clean cars movement with its release of the hybrid Prius a little more than a decade ago, but it has since fallen behind as the market has moved toward full electrification and eco-friendly automobile options. That looks to be changing, though, as the car company has announced that it plans to offer more than 10 purely battery-powered vehicles from 2020 on — with every car it sells available in an electric or hybrid model by 2025, TechCrunch reported M

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Why The Future Of Payments Is Interoperable (Not Integrated)

PYMNTS

[link]. When one person is thinking about sending an email to another, there are all kinds of things to think about: how long or short to make it; whether or not to include pictures; whether an emoji is cute or will make them look immature. But what no one wonders about as they tap out an email on an iPhone is whether or not the receiver also has an iOS-enabled phone.

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Citi Begins Using Distributed Ledger Tech In Its Own Back Office

PYMNTS

Citi has implemented what it calls a “blockchain-inspired” distributed ledger technology in its back-office to manage collateral in its ledger and send cash or securities, the financial institution (FI) announced Friday (Dec. 15) in a press release. The bank implemented the distributed ledger platform with CME Group in an effort to accelerate settlement of collateral.

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No-Code Technology: The Key to Unlock the Future of Your Business

Global economies are reeling from recent upheavals—pandemic aftershocks, geopolitical conflicts, and a tech sector crunch. Mark Zuckerberg's 2023 "Year of Efficiency" ethos extends into 2024, with leaders seeking cost reductions without stunting growth. No-code technology emerges as a beacon of hope, fostering resilience and adaptability. Platforms like Make.com and Zapier empower even non-technical staff to automate and innovate, freeing IT for strategic tasks.

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Global Exchange Expands Payments, Invoicing Services

PYMNTS

Global Exchange is expanding its global payments services designed for the professional services space and broadening its customer scope, the company announced on Tuesday (Dec. 19). Along with its parent company, Cambridge Global Payments, Global Exchange is introducing Invoice Automation Solutions, a new service for businesses across industries that will be added into the Cambridge Global Payments offering.

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Small Firms Say Banks Haven’t Changed Since Financial Crisis

PYMNTS

Nearly a quarter of U.K. small businesses (SMBs) believe banks have changed their ways since the global financial crisis, according to a new survey by CivilisedBank. The data, according to a report by Asset Finance International , also found that most SMBs believe banks do not prioritize acting in a “civilized” manner with their customers. Small businesses said they feel employees at banks are more concerned with short-term sales instead of building long-lasting client relationships.

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Canada Economic Growth Slows, SMB Lending Cools

PYMNTS

Data is expected to show slower economic growth across Canada for the second half of 2017 and, along with it, a slowdown in small- and medium-sized business (SMB) lending, according to new research from small business credit data and analysis firm PayNet. In its “Small Business Lending Index,” released Tuesday (Dec. 19), PayNet found a downturn in borrowing among medium-sized businesses for the month of September, with the index itself declining to 111.4 points from its previous 115.2.

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NEW DATA: Behind Germany’s Obsession With Cash

PYMNTS

Geld stinkt nicht. Germany might be an economic powerhouse, its citizens are rather old fashioned but when it comes to payment preferences — and happily so. According to research inside the new PYMNTS Global Cash Index Germany Analysis, the country has a cash share of 20 percent as of 2016. That’s the sixth-highest cash share of countries in Western Europe, higher than that of neighboring nations like Belgium (15.4 percent), France (7 percent) and the Netherlands (7.1 percent).

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Register Now: Sneak Peek Into Close Automation SkyStem Web Demo

Technology is rapidly changing the way accountants perform and manage month-end activities. Spreadsheets, email, and shared drives no longer have to slow us down. Join us as we present a "sneak peek" recorded demo of SkyStem's month-end close solution – ART. In under four weeks, your team can start reaping the benefits of month-end close automation by vastly reducing spreadsheets, cut down on reconciliation work, speed up the month-end close, and better manage your remote team.

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Crypto Exchange Youbit Bites Dust After Second Hack

PYMNTS

Youbit, which operated as a cryptocurrency exchange in South Korea, announced news on Tuesday that it would file for bankruptcy following a hack that stole 17 percent of the company’s crypto “assets.”. The Telegraph reported this morning, via a statement signed by “all employees” at the company, that the company is working to minimize customer losses, with upcoming details on refunds to be provided via “additional notice.”.

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Logistics Startup Serving HelloFresh Lands $4.3M

PYMNTS

A logistics startup that is already servicing some big names has announced $4.3 million in new venture capital (VC) funding. Monday (Dec. 18) reports from TechCrunch said AxleHire — which facilitates last-mile logistics and delivery for subscription commerce and consumer packaged goods (CPG) firms like HelloFresh and La Boulangerie — has secured the new funding from contributors like Acorn Pacific, RGA Ventures and other backers.

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Entrepreneurs Eagerly Await Real-Time Payments For Payroll

PYMNTS

Paychecks can be confusing for employees — and often wrong. Understanding how much you’re being paid, and how much goes to taxes, can be easily misunderstood. According to The Workforce Institute at Kronos, most Americans have experienced some type of problem with their paycheck. More than a quarter said they were paid too little, and 15 percent said they’ve received a paycheck late.

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Blockchain Boosts Longfin Shares From $5 To $126 In A Week

PYMNTS

Longfin , a small startup focused on financial tech, has seen its stock price skyrocket since it started trading last week. According to Fortune , New York-based Longfin started trading on the NASDAQ last week at $5. But after announcing on Friday that it acquired startup Ziddu.com , which uses the blockchain ledger accounting technology from digital currencies to make small loans, Longfin saw its stock price more than quadruple to almost $24 a share.

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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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Weak Holiday Sales Pressure Toys R Us To Close 100 Stores

PYMNTS

Embattled toy and game retailer Toys R Us may close 100 U.S. storefronts following weaker-than-expected holiday sales , Bloomberg reported Monday (Dec. 18). Store sales for the Wayne, New Jersey-based firm have declined 15 percent this holiday shopping season compared to last, and the number of brick-and-mortar toy stores shuttering after the holidays could reach as high as 200.

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With no pricing and a release date of sometime in 2018, Magic Leap continues to disrupt our tech news feeds.

PYMNTS

World, meet Magic Leap One. Magic Leap One, meet the world. More at: [link] pic.twitter.com/2iXgyPs21K — Magic Leap (@magicleap) December 20, 2017. So here are the pictures of the new Magic Leap goggles coming soon. Also here is some early prototype pics via Rolling Stone who Magic Leap CEO Rony Abovitz shared the new Magic Leap news with. [link].

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Consumers Turn To Package Lockers To Combat Porch Pirates

PYMNTS

With home security firm Ring reporting that nearly one in five homeowners in the U.S. have experienced package theft in the last year, companies like Sacramento, California-based package delivery locker system Luxer One are setting up package delivery systems to prevent porch pirates, CNBC reported Monday (Dec. 18). With the rise in eCommerce and online spending in 2017, most shipping and logistics firms are expecting record delivery numbers, and Adobe Analytics is predicting the first $100 bill

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Regulatory Concerns Ease For The World’s CFOs

PYMNTS

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) have more on their plates than ever before. Financial management and strategy is now only part of the job description, which has come to include guiding their organizations’ tech adoption, cybersecurity efforts and growth strategy as well. Amid these changes is a world of regulatory shifts, from tax reform in the U.S. to financial reform in China and Brexit in the U.K.

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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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SoftBank Plows $120M Into Alt Insurer Lemonade

PYMNTS

Japanese tech giant SoftBank is leading a $120 million investment round in home insurance startup Lemonade. According to Bloomberg Technology , New York-based Lemonade uses artificial intelligence and bots to minimize paperwork and speed up the claims process for renters and homeowners. The company raised $60 million before this recent announcement.

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The Power Of Platforms To Make Rental Income A Sure Thing

PYMNTS

Inspiration for innovators often comes out of the blue. In the case of Rented.com CEO Andrew McConnell, that unexpected moment happened over lunch several years ago as he and two family friends discussed the emerging wonder of renting out their vacation homes on VRBO.com. At the time, McConnell was confused because he had never heard of VBRO, but he was intrigued by his friends’ excitement about how “easy” it was to just list their Atlanta condo and Vermont ski house online — and reap the

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Airwallex Tops Up Series A Funding With Square Peg

PYMNTS

Following a $13 million Series A venture capital round this year, international payments company Airwallex has announced more funding. The firm said it added $6 million to the Series A funding, bringing the total raised this round to $19 million, according to news from Dynamic Business. Square Peg led the investment for the Australian company. Last month, Airwallex made its debut on the FinTech 100 list consolidated by KPMG and H2 Ventures.

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Holiday Cheer Isn’t Enough To Aid SMBs Through Cash Flow Issues

PYMNTS

Between Small Business Saturday and the gift-giving holidays, this time of year is one many assume to be lucrative for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). But not every small business will benefit from a sales bump during the pre-holiday shopping season, and even those that do see a surge in sales will have their own cash flow challenges to consider as they invest in inventory and staff to keep up with demand.

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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.