General News

December 16, 2023 @ 5:45 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The e-commerce enablement startup ecosystem has reportedly experienced a modest contraction in both deal value and count in Q3, “totaling $1.6 billion across 93 deals, decreases of 16.3% and 17.0%, respectively,” according to a recent update from Pitchbook. Pitchbook noted that both figures “reflect more… Read More

December 15, 2023 @ 6:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Deloitte announced expanded collaborations with academic institutions, including MIT Sloan School of Management, NYU Stern Executive Education and Center for Sustainable Business, and most recently, Arizona State University, to “create a differentiated, integrated learning program intended to enhance Deloitte professionals’ ability to help guide clients… Read More

December 15, 2023 @ 3:20 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

ClearBank announced that it is appointing former Starling Bank and Barclays executive Megan Cooper as Chief Product Officer. Cooper will reportedly “lead ClearBank’s product management team and develop product strategy.” ClearBank, the enabler of real-time clearing and embedded banking for financial institutions, recently confirmed in… Read More

December 15, 2023 @ 3:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The British Business Bank has launched an asset-based lending variant of the Recovery Loan Scheme. The asset-based lending variant aims to “broaden the support available for small businesses in the UK to access finance through the Recovery Loan Scheme, making use of a broad range… Read More

December 14, 2023 @ 9:25 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

One in five are not confident that their organizations are well-positioned to “take advantage of the potential benefits AI might bring,” according to an update from Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) which released its 2023 Financial Services GenAI Survey. Nearly all (99%) of the financial… Read More

December 14, 2023 @ 8:14 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

KPMG has recently commented on the one year anniversary of the launch of the Edinburgh Reforms Commenting on 12 months from the launch of the Edinburgh Reforms, Karim Haji, global and UK head of financial services at KPMG said: “One year on from the launch… Read More

December 14, 2023 @ 8:43 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The team at CBInsights has identified some of the most successful startup accelerators like Y Combinator, Techstars, and 500 Global based on “the strength of their portfolios.” As stated in the update from CBInsights, despite the economic slowdown, startup accelerators continue to play “a crucial… Read More

December 14, 2023 @ 6:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Climate finance was central to discussions at COP28 in Dubai and funding to reach net-zero and restore biodiversity is still falling short, according to an update shared by the World Economic Forum (WEF). New research published by WEF highlights priorities “for action and shows how… Read More

December 13, 2023 @ 10:10 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the ever-changing landscape of economic uncertainties, the third quarter of 2023 brought both challenges and glimpses of recovery in household finances. UK Finance‘s Household Finance Review, published recently, delves into “the key trends and indicators that shaped consumer behavior during this period.” Q3 witnessed… Read More

December 13, 2023 @ 1:20 pm By JD Alois  |  

Rising interest rates, banking trauma, government spending, and geopolitical strife have caused private money to hit the pause button when it comes to investing. CI has reported repeatedly that private equity and venture capital have cratered in the last year. And it makes sense. Why… Read More

December 13, 2023 @ 9:41 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Growth of the UK economy in November was reportedly centered on London, according to the latest NatWest Regional PMI survey. Inflationary pressures were also strongest in the capital, “with firms there recording the steepest rises in both input costs and average prices charged for goods… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 11:33 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The top-5 identity fraud types in 2023 are: AI-powered fraud, money muling networks, fake IDs, account takeovers and forced verification. This, according to an update from Sumsub. Sumsub recently released its third annual Identity Fraud Report of the year. The report provides a comprehensive analysis… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 5:38 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Policymakers need a “fuller view” of consequences of illicit flows, including tallies of the fiscal, monetary, financial, and structural costs, according to an update from the IMF. The fight against financial crime isn’t lost, but the world “needs to do more to limit the economic… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 5:02 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Mortgage rates falling from a 23-year high have brought some early “holiday cheer for home shoppers and sellers,” according to a recent US market update. The latest Zillow (NASDAQ: Z and ZG) market report shows monthly costs “for a new mortgage are falling, inventory is… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 12:42 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Thousands of people hunting for tickets, cars, pets, and much more were tricked into handing money over to fraudsters this year, “with purchase scams rising by more than two fifths (42%), compared to last year,” according to an update from Lloyds Banking Group. Last month,… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:22 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The British Business Bank, the UK’s economic development bank, has appointed Ian Connatty as its first Deputy Chief Investment Officer. This is in addition to his role “as Managing Director, Direct and Co-investment, British Patient Capital, a commercial subsidiary of the Bank.” The Deputy Chief… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The latest Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs survey pointed to a renewed rise in hiring activity across Scotland in November. As mentioned in a blog post, mild expansions were signaled for “both permanent placements and temp billings amid reports of successful recruitment campaigns… Read More

December 12, 2023 @ 8:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The European Central Bank (ECB) has shared its latest Consumer Expectations Survey results. As noted in an update posted by the ECB, when compared with September 2023: median consumer inflation expectations for the next 12 months and for three years ahead remained unchanged; expectations for… Read More

December 11, 2023 @ 9:43 pm By Michael Wong  |  

Mumbai-based Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Ashv Finance, part of the Aavishkaar Group, has announced raising $10 million in fresh funding from Encourage Capital. This round of funding marks a pivotal step for the company in expanding its services across India. Intellecap served as the exclusive… Read More

December 11, 2023 @ 9:29 pm By JD Alois  |  

Elizabeth Gorz, a former Legislative Aide in the Michigan State Senate, Senior Policy Advisor to former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (from 2011 to 2019), has been selected as the American Fintech Council as Head of Legislative Affairs and Chief Strategy Officer. Gorz was most recently… Read More