The push for digital transformation is now coming right from the top in banking, as CEOs want their organisations to forge ahead of the competition.

The pressures are building up on all sides. On one flank, established banks are under attack from leaner Fintechs and challenger banks that are unencumbered by legacy systems and can use data and automation to interact with customers more snappily and imaginatively.

Cloud computing is a topic which has been at the heart of IT discussions in recent years across the market. Industries of all shapes and sizes have made strides into using public cloud to benefit from greater access from different devices, lower costs and improved collaboration. Yet in financial services (FS), the challenges presented by using public cloud services are still a major barrier to benefitting from its promise. In fact, at a recent meeting with IT leaders at UK and international banks, we discovered that the use of public cloud is being held back by a variety of reasons.

HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global IT services company, has been positioned as a “LEADER” in Everest Group PEAK Matrix™ for Global Banking IT Outsourcing Services. As per the report “IT Outsourcing in Global Banking – Service Provider Landscape with PEAK Matrix™ Assessment 2016”, HCL’s strong digital vision and high focus on innovation are some of the strengths cited by its clients.

 XOR Data Exchange, an Austin-based startup which helps companies leverage data to mitigate fraud and credit risk, has built and deployed a Dark Web and Internet intelligence platform called Lumen.

An odd paradox exists in the way capital moves around the world — or doesn’t — from developed to developing countries.

A few specific technology hurdles halt the flow of money, at the personal level, from transferring wealth to and investing in emerging markets. Issues with ledgers of exchange, unique identifiers, transfer costs and points of access all impact capital flows across borders.

Innovative firms have made strides developing solutions for each, but a comprehensive technology answer still remains to be found.

 Federated Wireless, Inc., a developer of cloud-based wireless infrastructure solutions to extend the access of wireless cellular networks, today announced that its agreement with Google, Intel, Nokia, Qualcomm and Ruckus Wireless to develop, market and promote solutions using the 3.5 GHZ Citizens Radio Broadband Service (CBRS) band has been formalized with the official incorporation of the CBRS Alliance.

Blockchain Foundry Inc. ("Blockchain Foundry" or the "Company") announces its establishment as a leading developer of blockchain solutions for businesses and individual consumers. The Company provides blockchain solutions using several of the most developed and robust blockchain technologies, with plans for its product offerings to be interoperable between these different blockchain technologies.

OpenMarket, a leader in enterprise mobile engagement, today announced the launch of its new Global SMS Dashboards and Reporting Service. Designed to allow enterprise customers to easily measure and track business outcomes and make data-driven decisions, OpenMarket's web-based reporting service allows enterprises to manage, develop and grow successful SMS messaging programs globally.

Today, Scoro, the work management software solution for professional and creative services, announces that it has closed a $1.9 million seed funding round from SmartCap, Inventure, and Alchemist Accelerator.

Scoro will use the funding to accelerate the development of its automation features and integrations with other business tools. It will also help Scoro to expand its sales and support teams across its five international offices.

SimCorp announced that it has signed a license agreement with Belfius, a large banking and insurance group fully owned by the Belgian federal state. Belfius is among the top four leading banks in Belgium and serves approximately 3.5 million customers, offering commercial activities in three main fields: retail and commercial banking, the public and corporate sector, financial services and insurance.