Thanks to the substantial and continued advances in technology, modern consumers don’t have to do as much waiting as people have in the past. Not for a coffee order, a video to load, or a bank transaction to process. Thanks to the likes of Amazon, Netflix, and Uber, expectations for speed, personalization, and convenience have been permanently recalibrated. And now? Those expectations are knocking—loudly—on the doors of the banking industry. In this hyper-digital world, people want their finances to move as fast as their lives. It’s no longer enough for banks to be reliable; they must also be responsive, intuitive,…
Author: News Team
Specialist mortgage lender Pepper Money has enhanced its residential lending criteria by accepting income from UK visa holders on applications up to 75% LTV, providing broader access to its comprehensive range of residential mortgage products where at least one applicant holds permanent right to reside. Renowned for delivering fair lending solutions to customers with non-standard financial backgrounds, Pepper Money will now include income from UK visa holders across all residential purchase and remortgage products. This move reinforces the lender’s ongoing commitment to making homeownership more inclusive and accessible. To qualify, visa holders must demonstrate a minimum of two years’ employment…
Altery is currently working closely with the DFSA to operationalise the licence, ensuring all compliance, operational and technical components are aligned for a smooth go-to-market rollout. The granting of the DFSA licence represents a strategic milestone, affirming its adherence to international financial standards and its commitment to delivering secure, innovative solutions within a trusted regulatory framework. UK-based fintech startup Altery Ltd has announced that its subsidiary, Altery MENA Ltd, has received a regulatory licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). This licence allows the company to facilitate local currency transactions (AED/GCC) within the UAE, marking a significant milestone in…
As financial services increasingly shift toward digital channels, one concept has become central to customer retention and satisfaction: personalization. In an environment where convenience is no longer a differentiator but a baseline expectation, leading digital banks are turning to tailored experiences to meet users’ unique financial needs. Black Banx, a global digital banking platform, is setting a benchmark in this domain by offering highly customizable and inclusive services that redefine what personalization means in the context of global finance. The Role of Personalization in Digital Banking Modern banking customers demand services that adapt to their lifestyles, not the other way…
HMRC has reported £1.5 billion in Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts for April–May 2025, up £98 million year-on-year. Over the past 12 months, IHT revenue reached £8.35 billion—an increase from £7.68 billion the year prior. The continued rise reflects growing estate values and frozen thresholds amid inflation. Charlotte de Vries, director at EXE Capital Management, the Exeter-based wealth planning firm, said: “We shouldn’t be surprised that Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts keep rising. Freezes on thresholds over the past few years together with decades of house price rises have brought more and more estates into the tax band. The HMRC’s inheritance tax…
Meta’s $15B investment in Scale AI marks a pivotal shift in its AI strategy—and global tech positioning. On Bloomberg Live, Alina Timofeeva explored how Meta, unlike its Big Tech rivals, lacks a cloud arm and is now leaning into infrastructure via Scale AI’s vast structured datasets. This move aims to boost AI reliability in sensitive domains such as military and regulated sectors. Rather than building alone, Meta is leveraging Scale AI’s capabilities to accelerate safe and powerful AI deployments across its ecosystem. The emerging “Defense Llama” initiative signals Meta’s pivot toward national security, potentially to gain favor with regulators. But…
Looking ahead, 2025 marks a pivotal year for the Paysend Enterprise, as the company forges new partnerships and delivers tailored solutions for institutions requiring speed, scale, and reliability. A key milestone includes the recent enablement of real-time messaging and settlement to Mexico via the Open Payment Network (OPN), allowing Enterprise clients to move funds instantly. This capability will soon be extended to other high-priority markets around the world. Among the upcoming innovations is Instant Settlement Accounts, a solution designed to address the $400 billion challenge of trapped liquidity. By giving institutions greater visibility and the freedom to move money instantly…
As a principal member of VISA, Altery is introducing business cards for the first time, expanding its offering to better serve digital-first, globally active businesses. Companies will be able to issue and manage cards through the Altery portal or automate processes via Altery’s API solutions. For individuals, it means more access and less delays. «Becoming a principal member of VISA gives us the flexibility to build and manage card products directly. It’s a major step in shaping the kind of infrastructure that supports scale, speed, and a better customer experience. From multi-currency support to smarter spend controls, this opens up…
Boodil, an innovative payments fintech, has partnered with Aquilium Travel, a leading luxury travel agency in Cheshire known for its bespoke experiences. This partnership represents a major step forward in Boodil’s goal to revolutionize payment processing within the travel sector through its cutting-edge open banking platform. Launched last year, Boodil’s travel payments platform is tailored to the specific needs of travel merchants, offering a secure, cost-efficient, and seamless alternative to traditional card payments by harnessing Open Banking technology. Having already partnered with major industry players like The Advantage Travel Partnership and more than 150 travel companies, Boodil’s collaboration with Aquilium…
Press Ganey Forsta, a top provider of experience measurement, data analytics, and insights, has announced the acquisition of InMoment, a leading customer experience technology firm known for its expertise in AI, natural language processing, and cross-industry solutions. United by their mission to help organizations improve experiences and outcomes, the combined company will offer cutting-edge experience technology that integrates employee, customer, and operational data to transform insights into actionable results. “In today’s competitive landscape, understanding customer sentiment and experience is one of the most powerful levers organizations have to build loyalty, earn trust, and drive growth,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman…
The Urban Splash Residential Fund (USRF), advised by SURE Capital Partners LLP, has secured a new £50 million revolving credit facility (RCF) with Barclays. This replaces the previous £20 million facility agreed in 2023. The upgraded funding will enable USRF to expand its acquisition strategy as it continues building a large-scale portfolio of rental homes in key UK cities. This announcement follows USRF’s £200m agreement with sustainable single-family housing developer Citu in December, establishing a strategic partnership under a MoU for an initial 600 homes. Fund Manager Akeel Malik commented: “We are delighted to continue our recent growth, building on…
Finastra, a global financial software provider, and Apax Partners LLP have agreed that Finastra will sell its Treasury and Capital Markets (TCM) business unit to an Apax affiliate. After the deal closes, TCM will become a standalone company under new branding. With a client base of over 340 financial institutions, TCM is a trusted enabler of risk management, regulatory compliance, and capital markets operations. Its suite of software products – most notably Kondor, Summit, and Opics – supports front-to-back trade lifecycle management, risk, compliance, and operations. Built on decades of intellectual property and long-standing client relationships, TCM is deeply embedded…
Property finance specialist MSP Capital has secured a landmark £350 million funding facility with support from J.P. Morgan and Pollen Street Capital. The facility is aimed at accelerating MSP’s growth in the development and bridging finance sectors, empowering the firm to deliver more flexible and wide-ranging funding solutions to property developers focused on housing projects. The facility includes a senior-secured line from J.P. Morgan and will play a key role in expanding MSP’s support for UK real estate development. This, alongside the firm’s retained funding lines, with Pollen Street Capital and Shawbrook Bank, provides MSP Capital an increased total funding…
In a year characterized by regulatory uncertainty and geopolitical challenges, global Sustainable, Social, and Sustainability-Linked (GSS) bond issuances declined 25% year-over-year. US GSS bond issuance dropped to its lowest first-quarter level since 2017. Despite this slowdown, green bonds remain the foundation of sustainable finance, according to the latest GSS Bonds Market Trends Report by MainStreet Partners. Even amid shrinking volumes worldwide, green bonds continue to offer investors transparency, measurable impact, and strong regulatory alignment. Middle East and Asian Grow, Europe Stays Strong In recent years, the GSS Bond market in the Middle East has seen a significant increase in issuance,…
German expense management leader Circula has raised €15 million in a funding round backed by existing investors and strategic lender CIBC Innovation Banking. With a customer base of around 3,000 companies—including Aston Martin, DATEV, and Securitas—Circula continues to gain momentum in the mid-sized and enterprise space. Returning investors Capnamic Ventures, Alstin Capital, Peak, and Storm Ventures reaffirmed their support by increasing their commitments. This investment will accelerate the company’s path to solidify its position as the market leader in expense management. With a strong focus on advancing AI capabilities, Circula has been enhancing its product to reduce manual workload by…
Exol Lubricants has received the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category, one of the UK’s most esteemed business honours. The award highlights Exol’s exceptional international growth, driven by strategic planning, superior product quality, and a strong focus on customer service excellence. Exol is one of 197 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. With export markets spanning more than 45 countries, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, Exol has established itself as a trusted global supplier of high-performance lubricants for automotive, industrial, agricultural, off-highway and commercial applications for over…
Chetwood Bank has announced it has exceeded £4 billion in total customer deposits across its savings products and through its distribution partners. This significant milestone highlights the bank’s rapid growth and strong position as a challenger bank in the UK’s financial sector. Chetwood’s continued success reflects its strategy of offering competitive, dependable savings solutions tailored to the needs of modern savers. The bank remains focused on expanding its footprint and reinforcing its commitment to delivering value across its product range. The £4 billion figure, totalled from Chetwood Bank deposits, deposits to the bank’s SmartSave product and flows from distribution partners,…
Arbra Partners, the global asset management and wealth advisory firm, has launched its first High Conviction Private Markets Basket — a curated portfolio of high-growth private technology companies including SpaceX, Varda, and Ramp. Designed around Arbra’s proprietary investment thesis, the Basket targets breakthrough innovations and transformative tech trends expected to define the global economy of the future. Each investment undergoes rigorous due diligence, offering clients access to a diversified pool of tomorrow’s most impactful private market opportunities. The strategy is anchored in Arbra’s belief in core technology sectors — such as aerospace, AI, fintech, and next-gen manufacturing — that it…
Breathe Battery Technologies, a frontrunner in physics-driven battery software, has closed a $21 million Series B funding round. With this investment, Breathe is significantly broadening its offerings—transitioning from a singular embedded software solution to a robust suite that includes battery simulation tools, embedded systems, and end-to-end services. This expansion aims to support every stage of the battery development cycle and solidify Breathe’s role as a full-spectrum partner in energy innovation. The round brings in new investor Kinnevik AB, with continued backing from Lowercarbon Capital and Volvo Cars Tech Fund. The funding will accelerate Breathe’s growth, expand its physics-based battery software…
Birkett Long has announced the continued growth of its Commercial and Corporate Finance Team, now led by Tim Field, Head of Commercial. The team is enhancing its commitment to delivering bespoke legal solutions for clients ranging from entrepreneurs to global enterprises. Further strengthening the department, the firm has welcomed solicitors Dominic Lees and Sian Walker. Their combined experience boosts Birkett Long’s expertise in areas including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, private equity, and commercial transactions. Introduction of New Team Members Dominic Lees specialises in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, company reorganisations, joint ventures, and private equity investments. His expertise ensures…
With the global race for critical raw materials intensifying, this year’s World Circular Economy Forum is focused on highlighting circular solutions that reduce reliance on virgin resources. The event will spotlight how innovation in circular practices can support economic growth, promote environmental sustainability, and accelerate the global green transition. Thousands of experts and policymakers will attend to share strategies and best practices. “Adopting circular economy models can reduce dependency on finite resources and help avoid the exploitation risks tied to resource colonialism,” said Kari Herlevi, Director of the Circular Economy Programme at Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund and the forum’s…
South-West London property developer Harepath has seen impressive growth over the past three years, supported by a strong partnership with Cynergy Bank. Since April 2022, Cynergy Bank has played a key role in Harepath’s expansion, providing over £20 million in funding. The latest milestone in their collaboration came in February with a £7.5 million deal, led by Mitesh Hathi and Kathryn Lillis. This continued financial backing reflects the strength of the relationship and Harepath’s growing presence in the regional property development space. The funding provided by Cynergy Bank has played an important role in allowing Harepath to improve on its…
Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI), a leading global active investment manager, has announced its decision to vote against three items at Stellantis’ upcoming Annual General Meeting on April 15. These include item 2c, which concerns Stellantis’ remuneration report, and items 3a and 3f, related to the re-election of two Non-Executive Directors who are members of the Remuneration Committee. The remuneration report of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has faced notable dissent since the Fiat Chrysler and PSA merger, with opposition votes of 44% in 2021, 52% in 2022, 48% in 2023, and 30% in 2024.[1AllianzGI has consistently voted against the report, citing…
As the UK’s premier insurance industry gathering, the BIBA Conference stands as a key hub for networking, collaboration, and sharing market insights. Aspray’s participation at this high-profile event underscores its position as a leading name in property claims management and reaffirms its commitment to supporting insurance brokers across the country. Aspray specialises in supporting policyholders through successful building insurance claims. The company offers a comprehensive, end-to-end service that includes damage assessment, negotiations with insurers, and overseeing the repair work. With a dedicated network of skilled contractors, Aspray ensures that repairs are carried out to the highest standards, delivering quality results…
Doner Shack is continuing its expansion in Scotland with a new multi-unit franchise deal in Glasgow. Entrepreneur Abrar Khaliq has secured a three-site agreement, introducing the brand’s Berlin-inspired kebabs to one of the UK’s most vibrant food markets. This development marks a significant step forward in Doner Shack’s nationwide growth strategy. “Even though Doner Shack is now growing across four continents, there’s something deeply personal about expanding here in Glasgow. It’s our home city, where so much of our journey began, and seeing the brand grow locally means a lot. Abrar understands what we’re about which is great food, high…
XConnect, a Somos Company and leader in numbering intelligence solutions, has acquired the business of Sekura.id, a global provider of mobile identity, authentication, and fraud prevention services. This acquisition combines XConnect’s trusted expertise in telephone number intelligence with Sekura.id’s cutting-edge innovations in mobile ID verification and authentication, strengthening their position in the growing digital identity and fraud prevention market. Sekura.id’s seamless provision of mobile subscriber information will enhance XConnect’s portfolio of risk and identity services with APIs such as Know Your Customer (KYC), Number Verify and the growing list of authentication APIs being offered by MNOs. The acquisition provides Sekura.id with deeper levels of resources…
PXP, a leading global omnichannel payment platform, has entered a strategic partnership with PayXpert Ltd., a prominent provider of omnichannel payment solutions for both online and in-store transactions. This collaboration will empower UK merchants to accept QR-based payments, including Alipay+ and WeChat Pay—two of the most widely used mobile payment platforms among Chinese consumers. The partnership enhances payment flexibility for international shoppers, boosting accessibility and customer experience, especially for visitors from China. Simon Brayshaw, VP Solutions Ecosystem & Innovation of PXP, commented: “This partnership enables UK merchants to instantly tap into the £30 billion Chinese tourist market through familiar payment methods…
Key stakeholders from businesses, training providers, local authorities, and educators gathered at Kingston College this week to support the South London Employment and Skills Charter. Spearheaded by the South London Skills and Employment Alliance, the Charter amplifies the voice of businesses in shaping the future workforce. By signing the agreement, attendees demonstrated a unified commitment to aligning skills training with industry demands. A call to action for South London’s workforce Sarah Ireland, Chief Executive, Royal Borough Kingston upon Thames, emphasised the importance of collaboration: “It’s vitally important that we invest in the skills, talent and employment opportunities in South London.…
The independent accountancy and advisory business, officially separating from Evelyn Partners, has unveiled its new brand – S&W. This rebranding marks a fresh chapter for the firm, building on its heritage while signaling a new, client-focused organization that is well-invested and committed to delivering top-tier advice. S&W is positioned as a leader in the accountancy mid-market, ready to offer exceptional service and expertise to clients. With new investment from the Apax Funds, they will invest behind and grow its strong talent base, further develop its technology offering to be at the forefront of delivery and continue to strengthen S&W’s offerings…
Juspay, a global leader in payment infrastructure solutions for enterprises and banks, has launched Hyperswitch, the world’s first open-source modular payments platform. Now available across the US, European, and UK markets, Hyperswitch is designed to give merchants and brands complete control and transparency over their payment processes. With an Apache 2.0 license and PCI certification, the platform provides payment architects and product managers with a fully customizable payments stack, free from the limitations of proprietary systems. The global payments sector is undergoing rapid innovation, with growing diversity of payment methods, fraud-prevention tools, and authentication protocols—all complicated by evolving regulatory requirements.…
Deal activity in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has faced challenges in early 2025, marked by an 8% decrease in total deal volume compared to the same period in 2024. This decline highlights the ongoing complexities in the market, driven by a combination of economic factors and evolving market dynamics. Despite this overall downturn, certain countries within the APAC region have experienced a rise in deal volume, demonstrating that there are still areas of growth and funding opportunities, as indicated by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics firm. Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Analyzing the trend across various deal types…
Financielle, a personal finance brand focused on empowering individuals to regain control of their finances, eliminate debt, boost savings, and invest in their future, has announced an exciting new partnership with LifeSearch, one of the UK’s leading brokers. This collaboration aims to encourage more women to think about their protection needs and financial security. Founded in 2021 by sisters Laura Pomfret and Holly Holland, Financielle is dedicated to building women’s financial confidence and inspiring interest in savings and investments. With a community of 200,000 women through its website and app, Financielle shares practical content on various financial topics, including a…
BPI, a leading online asset disposal and auction specialist, is excited to announce the appointment of Helen Carling as its new Commercial Strategy and Marketing Director. With extensive experience in commercial strategy and marketing leadership, Helen’s appointment will further strengthen BPI’s commitment to driving growth and innovation. With a track record of driving strategic business development and enhancing brand visibility within the auction industry, Helen has managed large-scale strategic projects, including acquisitions and the merging of four businesses into one. Her expertise in marketing, customer engagement and commercial strategy will play a crucial role in expanding BPI’s market presence and…
Simply Asset Finance has been awarded the Fair Payment Code Gold Award, recognizing its commitment to best-in-class payment practices. This achievement highlights the company’s dedication to supporting SMEs by ensuring fair and timely payments, reinforcing its role in driving business growth. The Fair Payment Code, introduced in December 2024 as a replacement for the Prompt Payment Code, sets new standards for ethical payment practices. Its goal is to address the widespread issue of late payments, which disproportionately affects small- and medium-sized businesses. According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), 52% of UK SMEs struggle with overdue payments and unfavorable…
As the end of the tax year approaches, it’s the perfect time to top up your stocks and shares ISA. Remember, the ISA allowance is a “use or lose it” benefit, meaning any unused portion can’t be carried over into the following year. Charlie Huggins, the manager of the Quality Shares Portfolio at Wealth Club, highlights three stocks he currently holds in his portfolio. Huggins believes that while most companies are mediocre, there are those that stand out as truly exceptional. He seeks investments in durable, adaptable, and resilient businesses—companies that provide critical goods and services with high levels of…
Development finance lender Magnet Capital has secured additional financial support from its long-time funding partner, Shawbrook, to extend its services to more customers and fuel further growth. Magnet Capital, which specializes in supporting smaller UK builders and developers often underserved by mainstream lenders, initially partnered with Shawbrook in 2018, when a £5 million facility was provided. Since then, the partnership has flourished, with the facility increasing fivefold to £25 million. Over the course of their seven-year relationship, Magnet Capital has redeemed over £60 million in loans, consistently demonstrating excellent lending practices and financial management even amid challenges such as the…
In the face of a fragile economy, WalletHub’s latest Credit Card Debt Study reveals that consumers accumulated $74 billion in credit card debt during 2024. This marks a slowdown compared to 2023, where the increase was higher. It’s important to note that the Federal Reserve’s recent methodology update could lead to some misleading conclusions, but WalletHub has accounted for this change in its findings. 2024 Debt Surge Smaller Than 2023:The $74 billion rise in debt in 2024 represents a 33% smaller increase than the previous year. Despite the increase, it shows a positive sign compared to the steep rise in…
The fintech industry, once a powerhouse for investment, has experienced a significant downturn over the past three years. Since 2010, the sector has attracted a total of $1.4 trillion in funding, driving rapid innovation and growth. However, despite this long-term success, recent figures indicate a sharp decline in annual investments. According to a report from AltIndex.com, global fintech investments have fallen to just $95 billion in 2024—a dramatic 60% decrease since 2021. This marks the lowest funding level in seven years, signaling potential challenges for the industry as investors shift their focus. Over the past years, the financial services industry…
Since 2020, global internet usage has surged by over a billion people, reaching 5.56 billion—68% of the world’s population—by January this year. While it’s often assumed that nations with lower internet adoption face the highest costs, the reality is quite different. Some of the world’s wealthiest countries rank among the most expensive for internet access, highlighting surprising disparities in global pricing. According to data from TechGaged.com, the UAE tops the list, charging a staggering $4.31 per Mbps—nearly 12 times the cost in the UK, where internet access averages just $0.36 per Mbps. Switzerland’s internet costs are twice as high as…
Ocorian, a leader in asset servicing for private markets and corporate and fiduciary administration, has announced a new partnership with Next Matter, the only enterprise-grade workflow platform specifically designed for financial services and fintech. This collaboration seeks to establish a new industry standard for managing complex processes within financial services. The partnership aims to enhance the digital client experience, improve operational controls, ensure reliability and efficiency, and boost regulatory confidence. Working with Next Matter will enable Ocorian to further enhance operational excellence and accelerate its service delivery. The powerful, easy to deploy platform for developers and end users is purpose…