Global

January 16, 2025 @ 5:15 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) latest research finds “shifting preferences” in communication channels and increased investments in AI tools Utilizing data to drive the right approach in a rapidly changing environment is becoming “more impactful to recovery and collections performance than ever.” Those that do will be… Read More

January 16, 2025 @ 1:43 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

From a 7-year low in dealmaking to M&A gaining steam, industry researchers break down key changes in the fintech landscape using CBInsights data. Fintech funding and dealmaking declined again year-over-year (YoY) in 2024, hitting their “lowest levels in 7 years,” the report from CBInsights revealed…. Read More

January 16, 2025 @ 12:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

Blackrock (NASDAQ:BLK), the world’s largest asset manager, reported over $11.6 trillion in assets as of the fourth quarter – a record amount. The growth in assets fueled a rise in earnings of $1.67 billion, or an EPS of $10.63, from $1.38 billion, or an EPS… Read More

January 16, 2025 @ 11:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

CoinGecko noted in a report that Bitcoin’s fourth halving in 2024 marked the start of the cryptocurrency market’s fourth bull cycle, though “not in ways many had anticipated.” CoinGecko pointed out that the web3 and digital assets market’s momentum was significantly driven by macroeconomic policy… Read More

January 16, 2025 @ 10:57 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In the Web3 space, new tokens are constantly emerging, the team at CertiK noted while pointing out that these new tokens may not be safe and could pose certain (serious) risks for holders and traders. CertiK revealed that in the past few months, their security… Read More

January 16, 2025 @ 9:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

European investment platform Bondora noted recently that the year 2024 ended with growth. According to a blog post by Bondora, December marked another month of sustainable increases, with loans issued by Bondora AS, part of the Bondora Group, increasing by “11.2% month-on-month, reaching a total… Read More

January 16, 2025 @ 8:17 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES), a global alternative investment manager, announced today the final closing of its sixth commingled European direct lending fund, Ares Capital Europe VI. With total commitments of €17.1 billion, the Fund closed above its €15 billion target and reached its hard… Read More

January 16, 2025 @ 8:15 am By Omar Faridi  |  

DARAG Group, a legacy acquirer with a focus on the European and UK market, and wefox Insurance AG, the Liechtenstein-domiciled insurance carrier of wefox Group, announced the transfer of a run-off “portfolio including Motor Damage and Third Party Liability, Private Liability and Property business across… Read More

January 16, 2025 @ 8:13 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Zilch, a fintech payments innovator of the “ad-subsidized” payments network (ASPN), announces the launch of Zilch Travel. This partnership will reportedly make booking and paying for holidays “easier and more rewarding.” Powered by lastminute.com, a European Travel-Tech firm, the partnership aims to enhance Zilch customers’… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 11:32 pm By JD Alois  |  

Juno Technologies says it has raised $1 million to pursue its artificial intelligence service that aims to improve loan processing for small firms. Fuel Ventures led the funding round with contributions from Zinc and other Angel investors. Juno AI is described as a generative AI… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 11:07 pm By JD Alois  |  

UK inflation (Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs – CPIH) declined slightly in an unexpected development. Inflation was measured at an annual rate of 2.5% in December, down from November at 2.6%. On a monthly basis, the consumer price index rose by 0.3%… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 4:55 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Ramirez Asset Management, Inc., a fixed income and equity investment manager serving institutional investors and high net worth investors, has reportedly acquired the private credit opportunities strategy team and their assets from hedge fund manager Avenue Capital Group. The acquisition, which closed on Oct 1,… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 4:49 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) Index fell by 1.8 per cent in December 2024 after a “strong” Black Friday sales spending boost in November of last year. As noted in the latest report from Australia‘s CommBank, the fall was driven by an “8.3 percent… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 12:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

It’s been a tough few years with challenging inflation, high interest rates, and tepid capital markets. While there are many indications the world has turned the corner, for Fintechs and access to capital, 2024 was a dismal year. Innovate Finance, a UK association that advocates… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 12:05 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

The North East and London were once again the two “standout performers” in terms of regional business activity growth in December, according to the latest NatWest UK Regional Growth Tracker. Higher business activity was recorded in “three of the 12 nations and regions in December.”… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 12:04 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Dr. Sean Dawson, Head of Research at the “decentralized” on-chain options AI-powered platform, Derive.xyz (TVL $128M, $12.3B trade volume), has shared key insights focused on Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) markets. Dr. Sean Dawson, Head of Research at Derive.xyz noted that in the last 24… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 10:49 am By JD Alois  |  

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a report addressing crowdfunding in the EU. Not too long ago, the EU approved new rules addressing online capital formation. European Crowdfunding Service Provider regulation (ECSPR) allows a platform approved by the relevant authority in its home… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 8:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

The UK’s small and medium-sized businesses are bracing for cost increases this year, according to new research from iwoca – one of Europe’s SME lenders. iwoca’s SME Outlook, based on a survey of SME owners, shows that mounting business running costs tops the list of… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 8:05 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Analysis of Bank of Ireland customer behavior between 14 and 24 December has shown “record” Christmas digital banking usage. On Thursday, 19 Dec 2024, close to 1.6 million digital banking logins were recorded across Bank of Ireland’s iOS and Android mobile apps, “as well as… Read More

January 15, 2025 @ 8:04 am By Omar Faridi  |  

CaixaBank has exceeded 250,000 instant bill collection transactions for companies via the SEPA Request To Pay system. The bank, which in June 2023 became the first in Europe to be approved to operate with this system, has now “activated the first commercial service created under… Read More