The insurance industry is in a state of flux. For one, it's adapting to a new era of risk, in which a cyber attack could be as economically damaging as a hurricane. On top of this, the modern tools of big data, mobile phones and advanced analytics are ushering in a new generation of products that can be tailored to each individual customer. Meanwhile, the usual pressures relating to digital developments are exacerbating the 'commoditisation' of insurance, which has been brought on by internet comparison sites and the like.

F-Secure reports a security issue affecting most corporate laptops that allows an attacker with physical access to backdoor a device in less than 30 seconds. The issue allows the attacker to bypass the need to enter credentials, including BIOS and Bitlocker passwords and TPM pins, and to gain remote access for later exploitation. It exists within Intel’s Active Management Technology (AMT) and potentially affects millions of laptops globally.

The UK’s largest account providers are making it possible for customers to make the most of their financial data and easily and securely access services from a wide range of companies that better meet their needs.

This is the first major milestone in a multi-year programme to open all payment products to a vibrant, innovative new market for financial services

Open Banking for current accounts begins on 13 January with a managed roll-out which will complete in March 2018

Coupa Software, a leader in business spend management (BSM), was named a leader in the inaugural IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Procurement Applications 2018 Vendor Assessment. Among the 13 vendors evaluated, Coupa is recognised as a Leader for capabilities and strategies.

As a next step in the company’s transformation into an integrated service provider, Avaloq strengthens its organisational structure and welcomes three new members to its Group Executive Board. Chris Beukers has been appointed Regional Manager Asia Pacific, Tobias Unger has been appointed Regional Manager Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and Brian Hurdis has been appointed Chief Service Delivery Officer.

The mass-affluent segment in Europe is expanding. Far from being a homogenous group, the demographic profile of the mass-affluent includes baby boomers as well as millennials. Similarly, their liquid investable assets range from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Hamidreza Ghanbari, CEO of Pilatus Bank, believes that to assume that this group would have the same financial behaviours and goals would be a mistake.

Worldpay, a global leader in payments, has partnered with iyzico, the fastest growing payments provider in Eastern Europe and Turkey, to extend its payment services into Turkey. 

LendingPoint, the company working to revolutionize access to consumer credit, today announced that it has acquired LoanHero, a leading fintech platform for point of sale finance.

Retailers are looking for ways to enhance the shopping experience and attract more of the approximately 3 million Chinese tourists who visit the U.S. each year. 

Ingenico Group, the global leader in seamless payment, is pleased to welcome Jennifer Miles as Executive Vice President North America. Jennifer reports to Philippe Lazare, Chairman and CEO, and is a member of the company’s Executive Committee.