While FinTech start-ups have been showcasing their rapid dynamism and proving themselves to represent a real threat to traditional financial institutions, in recent years, and even months, it has become increasingly difficult not to address the elephant in the room. Big tech companies such as Amazon and Google, have been dipping their toes into the financial services space and showcasing their ability to launch a range of financial products.

In just the past few years we can pinpoint several moves by tech giants which reinforce their intentions:

With the 2022 Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB) deadline looming, banks are fast coming to grips with the amount of work still to be done to achieve a successful implementation. In this Q&A, the experts at Wolters Kluwer Finance, Risk & Reporting examine what’s yet to be done.

 State Street Corporation today announced a new digital asset  pilot in collaboration with Gemini Trust Company, LLC (Gemini), a cryptocurrency exchange and custodian. The pilot builds on ongoing research and development in the digital asset space to combine Gemini Custody^TM with State Street’s back office reporting.

The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a call for input on proposals to extend open banking rules to a wider range of products, under a new model billed as 'open finance'.

Online global fashion destination ASOS today announced an extension of its partnership with leading payments provider Klarna. ASOS will be offering customers in the UK the option to pay in 3 monthly instalments, completely interest and fee-free. Adding to the existing option of Pay later in 30 days first introduced in 2017.

SteelEye, the compliance technology and data analytics firm, has announced the release of its new Insights solution for enhanced analytics.

Insights transforms how firms interact with and use their financial and regulatory information by allowing them to easily bring together data, build insightful visualisations and export any report for continued analysis.

Jump forward a year and NatWest called biometric payment cards “the biggest development in card technology in recent years” when announcing its pilot of the technology.

It is staggering how far the market has come in only one year as banks, retailers and consumers recognize the value the technology can bring to our daily lives. Pilots are in progress around the world, commercial roll outs are happening and some of the biggest companies and organizations around the world are backing the technology.

Deutsche Bank’s guide to Instant Payments shows global trends in their development and sets out how corporates can prepare for the future of payments and treasury.

Over the past five years, Instant Payment schemes have been developed across the world, gaining the attention of consumers, banks, corporates and regulators. While initially making waves in the consumer-to-consumer space, Instant Payments have grown in global prominence for consumer-to-business and business-to-business payments, with participation in some schemes even mandatory in several countries.

Mastercard today announces a new partnership with sync. as it prepares to launch a new all in one smart banking service across the UK and Europe.

Worldline, the European market leader in payment and transaction services and the escrow payment services provider CashSentinel have combined their expertise in order to provide a payment solution tailored to meet the complex requirements of Swiss and European online marketplaces.

Worldline and CashSentinel have joined forces to offer a payment solution that fits the requirements of a wide variety of online marketplaces including traditional online marketplaces for physical products, franchise systems, self-checkout solutions and smart city apps.