As firms explore embedding artificial intelligence (AI) in investment research workflows, quantitative teams are also placing greater emphasis on sector-specific data to capture alpha that is concentrated within distinct industry verticals.

Interview by Tawney Kruger, Editor, Financial IT

Avelacom, the global provider of ultra-low latency network and infrastructure solutions, is expanding its presence in Argentina, enabling banks and other financial institutions to connect directly to Argentina’s equities and derivatives markets for real-time market data and order execution.

One in five small businesses (SMBs) would have dipped into their personal savings to keep operating without access to timely funding, according to recent research from Liberis, a leading embedded finance provider. 

The survey of more than 1.7k merchants across the UK and US, who received Liberis funding, found that 73% reported meaningful impact for their businesses by having access to capital at the moment they needed it most.  

Gatehouse Bank has today announced a rental rate* reduction of 0.18% across its full range of five-year fixed term Buy-to-Let (BTL) Purchase Plans for UK expats and international residents.

Today’s changes apply on all standard and green five-year products, including those for customers seeking finance for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUFBS). Gatehouse Bank accepts applications from individuals as well as UK-registered SPV** Limited Companies.

Paraglide, an agentic AI product for accounts receivable (AR), today announced it has raised a $5 million seed round co-led by Bessemer Venture Partners and DN Capital, with participation from Born Capital and The Nordic Web Ventures. The funding will support Paraglide’s expansion across Europe as demand for agentic automation in finance operations grows.

Leading regulated digital prime broker GCEX (GCEX Group) has appointed Carmen Tan to lead GCEX MENA. Based in Dubai, Carmen will focus on spearheading growth opportunities for the VARA regulated entity and delivering exceptional service to institutional clients. As a fluent Mandarin and Cantonese speaker, Carmen’s remit extends beyond Managing Director of the MENA region to also drive market expansion in Asia.

Castles Technology, a global leader in Android payment acceptance devices, has been selected by Loomis Pay, the POS and digital payment division of Loomis, to support its European expansion. Through this collaboration, Loomis Pay will strengthen its capacity to deliver flexible and secure POS and payment solutions tailored to merchant preferences. As well as empowering merchants and their customers to transact the way they prefer, cash, card and digital.

Vennre, a wealth creation platform enabling HENRYs (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) to access private market opportunities, today announced the successful close of its Pre-Series A funding round, raising USD 9.6 million through a hybrid equity and debt structure.

The round was co-led by Vision Ventures and anb seed Fund, with participation from Sanabil 500, Ace & Co, Plus VC, and strategic individual investors from the private banking, technology and entrepreneurship ecosystems.