OppenheimerFunds, a leading global asset manager, is expanding its Beta Solutions client offerings into the environmental, social and governance (ESG) space. The firm launched Oppenheimer ESG Revenue ETF, which focuses on U.S. large-cap equities with highly rated ESG practices, and Oppenheimer Global ESG Revenue ETF, which focuses on global large- and mid-cap equities with highly rated ESG practices.

Oddup their expansion into South East Asia commencing with the launch of its data analysis and services in Manila, Philippines.  Manila is the first of many ASEAN cities Oddup has earmarked to launch in through the rest of 2016. This launch extends its startup coverage to 9 major cities globally.

The financial industry is increasingly in need of reliable sources of data and expertise for startups as a new kind of asset class. Oddup is the go-to rating system that rates startups from a score of zero to 100, based on the company's product, team, competitors and growth potential.

With the new Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary standards set to take action in less than six months, financial services organizations are taking major steps to comply. Advicent, a leading financial technology firm, provides a product suite that empowers firms and advisors with tools that can greatly improve the effectiveness of compliance strategies in anticipation of the rule. In an effort to continue the enhancement of these products and services, Advicent continues to invest in high-caliber talent.

Wells Fargo & Company announced that Monica Cole has succeeded Laura Oberst to head Middle Market Banking for the North Region. Oberst was tapped in September to lead the company’s Business Banking Group.

QMA announced today that Andrew Dyson has been appointed chief executive officer of QMA, effective April 2017.

Black Box Corporation, a leading technology solutions provider, announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Ms. Cynthia J. Comparin to the Board. As with all directors, her term will expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders at which time it is expected that she will stand for election by the stockholders.

Customers Bank and its BankMobile division have selected FIS™, a global leader in financial services technology, to provide leading financial technology support that will assist the bank in its strategic digital and commercial growth.

I know I talk about banking and technology most of the time, but I also have other topics of interest.  Art, history, travel, fine wine … although I obviously look at them all from a banker’s point of view and wonder what it’s worth.

All that said, one of the biggest areas of surprise in my life is how science fiction has so rapidly become science fact.  I’ve blogged about this before, and the fact that Star Trek invented the mobile telephone …

This article was written by Kevin Wang and Ali Safavi.