HSBC is announcing a new programme to introduce sustainable payment cards across all its global locations. By the end of 2026 it will eliminate single-use PVC plastic, in favour of recycled PVC plastic (rPVC).

The programme - which includes HSBC’s debit, credit and commercial cards - is part of the bank’s strategy to reduce its carbon emissions and achieve net zero in its operations and supply chain by 2030 or sooner.

Adviscent, a Zurich-based fintech, is connecting with the recently launched Avaloq Wealth Platform to accelerate the transformation of established financial institutions’ advisory business by means of an innovative content hub.

Worldline, the European leader in the payments and transactional services industry, today announces that it has completed the second phase of development of its new “Payments Platform as a Service” (PPaaS) solution. The commercial launch of PPaaS is scheduled for the second half of 2021, supporting the Group’s Terminals, Solutions & Services division’s (TSS) transformation towards being an ecosystem enabler and trusted technology partner in the new world of cloud-based payments acceptance.

LenDenClub, India’s fastest growing peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform recently announced that they have scaled up their hiring by threefold vis-à-vis last year, offering employment to approximately 45 new candidates including both lateral and campus hires. The company is eyeing to triple its current team size from a headcount of 60 to approximately 180 by the end of the financial year.  

Fast-growing bank challenger Rocker chooses to partner with Vilja when expanding its business to offer consumer savings accounts with a deposit guarantee.

Swedish fintech Rocker, formerly known as Bynk, is expanding its mobile services offering to include savings accounts for its customers as part of its ambition to help consumers optimize their spending and finances.

Liberis, a leading global embedded business finance provider, has today announced a shift in strategy: it will only fund SMEs through partnerships with ecommerce and payments companies, rather than direct to SMEs. 

TransferGo, one of the world’s fastest growing money transfer companies, today showcases the strength and importance of digital remittances by hitting new milestones in total transactions and in cross-border payment flows. It has now recorded over £3billion in international money flows and over 10 million customer transactions, demonstrating both its resilience and value in keeping its global migrant customers connected with loved ones during a turbulent year. 

Remaining competitive in payments is the key to future relevance and profitability for incumbent banks.

Kennet Partners Limited (“Kennet”), a leading European technology growth equity investor focused on bootstrapped and capital efficient companies, has agreed to sell its stake in Dext (formerly ReceiptBank), the digital, multi-product platform for accountants and bookkeepers, to Hg, a leading global software and services investor. The sale will provide Kennet with a 4.4 times return on its investment. 

On April 21^st a new accelerator programme is being launched in the UK to help organisations around the world succeed in the new economy after lockdown in ways that are both good for people and good for the planet.

The Build Back Better Accelerator will support leaders of financial services organisations launch new and more sustainable products at a rapid pace, as well as investing in new start-ups and ideas independently.