Today’s bank-to-consumer relationship is not what it used to be, and the way we bank has become more fragmented. It’s common for us to change banks or use multiple different providers for mortgages, loans and so on. This is typically because there is a sense of distrust towards the financial sector, and the days of consumers using one bank for absolutely everything have long gone. 

National Settlement Depository (NSD), Russia’s central securities depository, and ARQA Technologies have successfully completed the process of integration of NSD’s centralized system for record keeping of mutual fund units (Mutual Fund Distribution Platform) with QUIK software (electronic trading system), allowing investors to conduct transactions with mutual fund units on the primary market. Currently, 20 market participants are connected to the Mutual Fund Distribution Platform.

Singapore-based cross-border payments company TranSwap has launched its proprietary platform to help SMEs streamline their payment processes and seamlessly make FX payments at the most competitive rates. 

Delta Capita, the international business & technology consulting and managed services firm, has announced its acquisition of Pall Mall Risk Reduction a London-based consultancy specialising in non-financial and conduct risk management for Banks and Investment firms.

Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the region, today announced that its debit and credit card customers can now pay via Google Pay.

Elavon, a leading global payments provider and subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) today announced a strategic deal with bpost, Belgium’s leading postal operator, to provide payment services across over 650 locations. 

NEXT Biometrics (Oslo Bors: NEXT), a global leader in fingerprint sensor technology, today announced the company is joining with MK Group to launch an R&D program for biometric smart cards for banking and other applications. 

Leading global payment technology providers Worldpay, Inc. (NYSE: WP;LSE: WPY) and Paysafe Group (Paysafe) announced today a new strategic partnership, with sights set on establishing an industry-leading standard in iGaming and Sports Betting digital payments acceptance and security in the United States (U.S.).

Lendingblock, the securities lending platform for digital assets, today announces the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) has made an in-principle decision to grant the firm authorisation as a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) provider.

Hogan Lovells has advised Monzo, the UK's digital, mobile-only bank, on its biggest ever crowdfunding round. Monzo has just published a prospectus in connection with a £20 million raise from its existing customers. This follows the close of £85m of funding in October this year from General Catalyst, Accel and existing investors, which Taylor Wessing advised on.