As community-based trading becomes increasingly popular in Africa and around the world, Kwakol Markets puts expertise at investors’ fingertips with their innovative copy trading model. 

As the payments industry continues to undergo transformative shifts, financial strategies play a pivotal role in driving innovation, expansion, and adaptability. A key question that arises is whether industry players anticipate changes in their budgets over the next 12 months. This topic was explored in our recent State of the Industry Survey, revealing intriguing insights into the financial outlook of payments professionals.

Budget Flexibility in the Payments Sector

Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has been named a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Functions-As-A-Service Platforms, Q2 2023. 

Beyond Capital Ventures (BCV), an esteemed venture capital firm focusing on emerging markets, has made a strategic investment in Zanifu. Zanifu is an innovative financial services platform that champions small retailers across Africa.

IDEX Biometrics has successfully completed the full Mastercard certification and received Conformity Compliance Statement (CCS) for its IDEX Biometrics Payment Card solution¹. The complete and certified biometric card solution includes the IDEX biometric sensor, a Linxens EMV² module including Infineon’s SLC38B secure element, card inlay with antenna, and the IDEX card operating system with payment applets.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has now begun its phased introduction of the New Consumer Duty guidelines, designed to enhance customer protection throughout their lifetime engagement with financial products and services. The FCA aims to drive improved outcomes by urging companies to offer fairer products, enhance support and communication, and stay attuned to evolving customer needs.

AccountsIQ, the award-winning accountancy SaaS provider, today announces that its client-centric learning hub, AIQ Academy, is now officially CPD certified. The certification marks one of the first instances of an online education provider offering CPD accreditation options in the finance industry.

Ashman, the bank being built to make better happen, has appointed Ella Keyes as Chief People Officer, as the business enters its next phase of development.

Customers of global software provider Civica will benefit from enhanced payroll information thanks to a new partnership with Experian.

Through Experian’s interactive digital platform, PayDashboard, Civica users will be empowered to better engage with, and understand their payslip information, helping them to take control of their finances and improve their financial wellbeing.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are finding it increasingly hard to access funding from high street banks, new data out today reveals.

According to data from fintech firm iwoca, 84 per cent of finance brokers said high street banks were increasingly reluctant to lend to SMEs. This was seven percentage points more than the quarter before.