General News

UK VC Report: Performance Declined in 2023-2024, Matching Europe, US

The British Business Bank has published a report on venture capital activity in the UK. The research states that the performance of UK VC funds declined slightly during the 2023/24 period, matching the US and the rest of Europe. While conditions are said to be… Read More

Small Businesses Happier With Banking: Report

According to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Small Business Banking Satisfaction Study released this week, overall customer satisfaction among small business owners has surged 20 points (on a 1,000-point scale) this year as economic outlooks continue to improve, and banks have stepped up their game… Read More

Brazilians’ Financial Health Index Average Rose to Highest Score in Past Three Years – Report

Brazilians’ financial health index average rose to 56.7 points in 2024, the highest score in the past three years (an increase of 0.5 points compared to 2023). This data comes from the fourth survey round calculating the Brazilian Financial Health Index (I-SFB). The Brazilian Federation… Read More

Saudi and Hong Kong Strengthen Economic Link with New $1bn Joint Investment Fund

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) 8th Edition in Riyadh to jointly anchor a proposed $1 billion investment fund. The initiative, announced on October 31, is… Read More

Capital Group and KKR File Registration Statements with SEC for Public-Private Fixed Income Funds

Investment firms Capital Group and KKR filed registration statements with the SEC for two public-private fixed income funds, Capital Group KKR Core Plus+ and Capital Group KKR Multi-Sector+ (which are expected to launch in the U.S. in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approval)…. Read More

UK Financial Services Professionals See Value in Hybrid Working Model – Research Study

More than three quarters (76%) of financial services professionals across the UK are planning to increase office attendance in the next 12 months, according to new research from KPMG UK. The survey, shared by KPMG UK, of 150 executives working across banking, insurance, asset and… Read More

AI Integrations at Self-Checkouts in Germany Resulting in More Frictionless Commerce and Payments Experiences – Report

Innovative tech in stationary retail optimizes processes and has a positive impact on the shopping experience for consumers in Germany, according to a new report. One example of this is self-checkout tills (SCO tills). While they are still used more frequently by younger customers, the… Read More

Venture Capital Funding in Information Security Is in Midst of Rebound in North America and Europe – Report

Infosec VC (venture capital) funding in North America and Europe is in the midst of a “rebound,” according to a report from PitchBook which noted that that the ecosystem is driven primarily by late-stage rounds. PitchBook pointed out that they have tracked $8.8 billion in… Read More

Retail Alliance Foundation Launches to Modernize Gift Card, Loyalty Industries

The Retail Alliance Foundation has  announced its official launch as a non-profit coalition committed to reshaping the future of a transparent and equitable gift card and loyalty economy. In partnership with BFG Labs, the organization will launch and govern the Retail Alliance Network, which aims… Read More

Alternative Investment Management Business (IAIM) Teams Up with Holtara to Embed Sustainable Lending Best Practice

IAIM has partnered with Holtara in order to further embed sustainable lending best practice. Investec Bank plc recently announced that its Alternative Investment Management business (IAIM) has entered a partnership with sustainability services provider Holtara, part of the Apex Group. The partnership will seek to… Read More

US Private Credit Defaults Declined During Q3 2024 – Research Report

International law firm Proskauer revealed the results of its Q3 2024 Private Credit Default Index, with an overall default rate of 1.95%. As mentioned in the latest update from Proskauer, the Q3 default rate is a decrease from 2.71% in the prior quarter. However, Proskauer… Read More

BNPL Fintech Affirm Predicts Increased Consumer Spending During Upcoming Holiday Season

Consumers are not holding back on holiday spending this year – but they are taking a “more deliberate approach” to the purchases they make, according to  research from Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM), the payment network that empowers consumers and helps merchants drive growth. The research study,… Read More

Financial Crime Report: Criminals Reverting to Old-School Tactics with Twists as Emerging Scams Increasingly Target Consumers and FIs

Criminals appear to be reverting to old-school tactics but with certain new twists, according to payments company Visa’s (NYSE: V) State of Scams Report. The latest Visa Threats Report highlights “emerging” scams targeting consumers, merchants and financial institutions. Ahead of Money20/20 US, Visa, a global… Read More

Consumer Spending Report: Higher Cost of Living Leading to Cancellation of Subscriptions with Recurring Payments

Research and key insights released by Adyen (ADYEN:AMS), the global financial technology platform of for international businesses, reveals 40% of consumers have already, or are planning to, “unsubscribe” from services and products they’ve set up recurring payments with over the “next 12 months.” The data… Read More

Consumers Pay the Price of “Policy Abuse Epidemic” As Retailers Tighten Return and Refund Policies – Report

Research has revealed that so-called era of generous return and refund policies is over. This, according to an update from Riksified (NYSE:RSKD), which revealed that 84% of merchants find abuse harder to detect, driven by new Dark Web “Robin Hoods” and GenAI. Riskified, a key player… Read More

Global M&A Activity Charges Ahead by 27.6% in Deal Value and 13.3% by Count YoY During First 9 Months of 2024 – Report

Tim Clarke, Lead Analyst, Private Equity at PitchBook, noted that the M&A recovery that commenced in Q4 2023 is now “gaining steam.” Tim Clarke from PitchBook pointed out in an extensive research study that with the first nine months of the year now in the… Read More

UK’s NatWest to Support European Energy Transition with €450M Financing of Solar Power Initiatives

NatWest continues to support the European energy transition with €450 million financing of solar power projects in Southern Europe. NatWest has recently teamed up with Glennmont Partners in order to finance the construction of 17 solar photovoltaic projects across Spain, Italy and Portugal with a… Read More

Crowdfunding Professionals Association Kicks Off Summit in Washington D.C.

The Crowdfunding Professionals Association (CfPA) has commenced its highly anticipated 2024 Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Industry and Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., signaling a pivotal moment for the crowdfunding sector. The two-day event, held from October 22 to 23, aims to unite industry experts, business leaders,… Read More

US Elections Outcome to Impact AI Regulation, IPO Activity, Innovation, Global Competitiveness – Research Study

Three in four business professionals in the tech sector (74%) believe that the results of the upcoming US election will have a significant impact on the US tech industry’s ability to stay ahead or relevant when compare to their international competitors. Ernst & Young LLP… Read More

Business Professionals in Germany Remain Tense About Economic Situation But AI and ESG Could Lead to Medium-Term Returns – Report

The mood or overall sentiments among Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Germany based firms regarding the economic situation remains tense. This, according to an extensive update from KPMG. Only a good three out of four (77%) company leaders still have “confidence in their firm’s overall… Read More

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