The torrent of regulations designed to manage risk in the international banking system shows no sight of slowing down, and threatens to overwhelm banks and regulators alike.

While once considered the stuff of science fiction, biometric technology is becoming part of our everyday lives. Biometrics use human characteristics – voice, fingerprints, palm or iris vein patterns – for purposes ranging from identification to task initiation. Smartphones, such as the iPhone® 6, put fingerprint authentication into people's pockets, while devices like the Amazon Echo bring voice command technology into homes.  
 

 Powa Technologies has formed a 10-year strategic alliance with “limitless” potential to create a ubiquitous new standard in mobile commerce for China UnionPay’s (CUP) 1.3b credit and debit card users.  

Atom will be pioneering the use of biometrics in the UK banking industry, leading the way with face and voice biometrics as core credentials to log-in to your bank. Atom is the UK’s first bank designed for digital, offering easy and convenient banking via an app, due to launch in 2016.

A personalised approach is at the heart of what Atom will offer, starting at the very first step of opening the ‘virtual doors’ of the bank. Face and voice recognition will be two key ways in which customers will be able to identify themselves to access their money and make financial transactions.

Emergent Payments, a global payments company specializing in providing a total solution for emerging markets around the world, today announced the launch of its office in India and Jumpstart India -- a complete local solution to help global businesses capitalize on a $19 billion eCommerce opportunity.

Financial IT speaks to Tom Robinson, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder, Elliptic at Sibos 2015

Bloomberg L.P. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Barclays Risk Analytics and Index Solutions Ltd. ("BRAIS"), a leading provider of benchmark and strategy indices, portfolio analytics, risk and attribution models, and portfolio construction tools.

Kount Inc. (“Kount”) and CVC Capital Partners (“CVC”) announced today that the CVC Growth Fund will provide an $80 million growth equity investment to Kount, a leading provider of online and mobile fraud detection and prevention solutions. The investment will enable Kount to accelerate product innovation, expand its global footprint, and enhance customer support services.

Fiserv, Inc., a leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, announced today that 13 credit unions implemented the Portico(R) core account processing platform with integrated solutions from Fiserv in 2015. Consistent with previous years, credit unions continue to rate Fiserv highly on post-implementation surveys, demonstrating strong appreciation for the efficiency and flexibility that Portico delivers.

Global Payments, a leading worldwide provider of payment technology services, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (NYSE: HPY), one of the nation's largest payment companies.