Fingerprint Cards AB (Fingerprints™) and IN Groupe through SPS, its globally leading brand in contactless and dual interface card manufacturing technologies, have come together to collaborate on IN Groupe’s Smart Packaging Solutions (SPS). The partnership supports global card manufacturers in scaling up their production of contactless biometric cards.

The partnership between IN Groupe and Fingerprints will facilitate the manufacturing of biometric payment cards that incorporate Fingerprints’ biometric sensors, software and algorithm, offering ultra-low-power consumption and leading biometric performance. Additionally, the biometric payment card solution will further support smartcard manufacturers’ growth ambitions by improving reliability, reducing costs and significantly simplifying the manufacturing process for dual-interface and contactless cards. IN Groupe holds 25% of the dual interface market worldwide outside China with its SPS solutions.

Biometric technology brings both convenience and security to cardholders since they no longer need to remember a PIN to use their payment card. Biometric payment cards are gaining popularity and the growth of the market can be attributed to the rising technological advancement and global acceptance of the contactless payment method.

"Fingerprints is proud to work with IN Groupe and their SPS solutions. It is a company that has innovation at the heart of its operations and is a leader in the payment card ecosystem. This partnership will further reinforce Fingerprints’ position as the leading provider of biometric solutions for payment cards,” says Michel Roig, President of Payment and Access at Fingerprints.

"With this partnership with Fingerprints, the world leader in biometrics, we are expanding our offering to provide issuers with an even wider range of solutions to meet the most complex requirements of card issuers," says Jean-Baptiste Leos, Product Director for SPS Banking Products at IN Groupe.

IN Groupe and Fingerprints will be exhibiting at TRUSTECH on November 28-30 in Paris, France, showcasing the biometric card integrating biometrics by Fingerprints.

Axyon AI, the fintech company specializing in AI and deep learning predictive solutions for the Asset Management industry, has won two grants recognizing the value of its research and the ongoing development of its technology.

In particular, Axyon AI has secured the first grant to apply its AI-based financial modeling engine to Quantum computing. It is important because now research and development is moving from Quantum computing development to applications that can use Quantum computing itself.

The company has been granted this funding from ELISE, a network of artificial intelligence research hubs working in cooperation with ELLIS (the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems). The organization recognized Axyon AI as one of the best Artificial Intelligence SMEs in Europe for its project on Quantum and physics-based Machine Learning (ML).

The collaboration with ELLIS will allow the company to harness the power of Quantum computing technology to further improve one of the crucial phases of Axyon AI’s model-building pipeline. With the immense computational power of Quantum computing, Axyon AI will be able to explore the universe of available models and identify those with the best performance in the ensemble learning phase.

Currently, AI/ML model ensembling on High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure is limited to evaluating just a fraction of potential models. Quantum computing changes the game by scrutinizing each model comprehensively. While traditional AI/ML techniques are resource-intensive, by constraining the selection of a few, Quantum computing broadens the horizon. By harnessing this potential, Axyon AI aims to craft an even more robust ensemble, propelling its performance to unparalleled heights, and making the fintech one of the few AI-solution providers exploring the power of Quantum computing technology for investing.

This year, Axyon AI was also selected as a winner of the prestigious Research and Experimental Development Projects grant, awarded to local enterprises by the Emilia-Romagna Region. This second recognition will enable Axyon AI to undertake cutting-edge industrial AI research and experimental development projects.

Axyon AI’s ambitious project, in collaboration with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), will focus on integrating and enhancing its Machine Learning and Deep Learning models to optimise the investment strategies Axyon AI offers to its clients.

Daniele Grassi, CEO and Co-Founder of Axyon AI, said:

“These two recognitions highlight our ongoing commitment to innovation and technological research. It's an important milestone for us to be recognised for our dedication to AI research. We stand among a selected group of AI technology suppliers to bring a concrete Quantum computing application to the investment management sector. With Quantum computing’s unprecedented computational capabilities, we intend to redefine the efficiency and efficacy of AI-based model strategies even more. But, this is not just about innovation for its own sake; it's about setting new industry standards, offering unparalleled value to our clients and remaining at the forefront of the AI era.”

We are delighted to announce that BMLL has won “Best Buy-side Analytics Tool” at the Waters Technology Buy-Side Technology Awards 2023. These awards recognize market-leading technologies developed specifically for use by buy-side firms, as well as innovation and addressing the buy-side's most pressing business, regulatory, operational, and technology needs.

BMLL was awarded “Best Buy-side Analytics Tool'' for BMLL Vantage, a highly intuitive, no-code data and analytics visualization tool that makes quant insight available to a broader user base while freeing quants’ time to focus on deeper research.

BMLL Vantage is used by market participants to understand where liquidity lies, carry out venue comparisons, conduct auction analysis and optimize trading and execution. 

BMLL Vantage users include:   

• Sales traders - to understand market fragmentation, liquidity profiles, and how different trading mechanisms impact available liquidity

• Exchange analysts - to understand how their venue compares to their peers, analyze market share moves, order resting times and fill probabilities

• ETF issuers - to understand how their products are competing across different markets

• Quant researchers who need to derive valuable insights rapidly. They are empowered with a flexible exploratory tool that allows them to spot trends before using the BMLL Data Feed or the BMLL Data Lab to run queries on the relevant underlying data

BMLL Vantage users can look at daily, monthly, or annually aggregated data sets and correlations between them; compare how stocks performed on different markets; and sort and explore the data via simple and easy-to-use dashboards without requiring a quant analyst, data science, or cloud computing resource.

Paul Humphrey, CEO of BMLL, said: “We are delighted to win the ‘Best Buy-side Analytics Tool’ category at the Waters Technology Buy-Side Technology Awards 2023.  “BMLL Vantage is an out-of-the-box data science and visualization tool which continues our mission of democratizing access to the most granular Level 3 market data and analytics by removing the need to code in order to derive meaningful insights.”

BMLL Vantage provides all market practitioners with complete market transparency across the BMLL Equities, Futures and ETF universe from over 75+ execution venues and covering 485 metrics that are categorized in 14 groups: auction analysis; volatility; execution market impact; trade quality; trade prices; liquidation cost; OHLC bars; depth liquidity; spread; liquidity classification; venue price quality; order placement statistics; order fill behavior; and liquidity around BBO.

In today's competitive landscape of business, nothing speaks louder than seamless communication. But what if you could have more than just conversation?

Picture this: Every time you connect with a client, it feels like you're reading their mind.

Every call feels like a warm handshake and every chat, a friendly nod.

In a world where everyone is shouting to be heard, Atomix lets your voice sing out clearly, with advanced audio technology.

It's like having a secret door to their thoughts, wrapped up in a shield of top-tier security.

With a harmonious blend of cost-saving efficiency, fortress-like security, and pioneering AI insights, Atomix offers more than just features—it provides an edge.

Here's why Atomix is not just an upgrade but a game-changer:

Cost-Effective Brilliance

Who said world-class has to break the bank? Atomix shatters this myth, providing elite communication capabilities at prices that will have CFOs dancing with joy.

Unlimited Calls and Messaging

Enjoy unlimited crystal clear audio calls with noise suppression and echo cancellation from anywhere to anywhere without paying extra!

AI - Real-time Emotion Detection

This isn't just technology; it's almost telepathic. Imagine knowing your client's emotions in the middle of a conversation. Atomix's emotion detection isn't just groundbreaking; it's out-of-this-world. Now, businesses can not only respond but anticipate, turning every interaction from transactional to magical. This isn't just communication—it's connection on a deeper, unprecedented level.

AI-Powered Communication Oversight

Atomix uses AI to quickly scan voice and chat interactions, spotting keywords that might suggest policy breaches or unhappy clients. This real-time insight allows businesses to act immediately, ensuring client satisfaction and upholding company standards. In essence, Atomix transforms communication into a tool for proactive problem-solving.

Fort-Knox Level Security

Your conversations are your business, and Atomix ensures they stay that way. No phone numbers, no vulnerabilities—just bulletproof communication.

Whisper & Spy: Turbocharge Your Agents

Step into the future of training and quality assurance. Monitor calls like a ghost in the machine and give real-time guidance with the subtlety of a whisper and get immediately call recordings after the call ends. Your agents become super-agents, and every client interaction becomes a masterclass.

No App, No Problem

Your clients don't need to download yet another app to communicate with you. Atomix has eliminated this often cumbersome step, making client interaction as hassle-free as possible.

Super Easy API Connection

Atomix offers seamless integration with your existing systems through their user-friendly API. Their platform boasts full cross-platform support, ensuring that whether you're on iOS, Android, or any browser, the Atomix experience remains unmatched. 

24/7 Dedicated Support

The Atomix team is at your service around the clock. With our specialized support and tech teams available 24/7, you're never alone. We're committed to ensuring a seamless experience and continuous learning for your business.

Atomix offers an intuitive interface, ensuring effortless usability for clients, agents, managers, and technical teams alike!

In the end, the math is simple. If you're seeking a communication method that maximizes quality while minimizing costs, Atomix is the resounding answer. In a world where smart financial decisions drive success, making the switch isn't just a good idea—it's a business imperative. Why pay more for less when the future of cost-effective communication beckons? Make the change now and watch your savings grow.

Ready to start this transformative journey? Visit the Atomix website now to explore the limitless possibilities that await!

Chipper Cash, a financial services company serving over five million customers across Africa and the US, has announced a strategic partnership with Visa to drive growth and financial inclusion across the African continent.

Chipper Cash has an established partnership with Visa, having worked with the company since 2021 to bring its popular Chipper Card to market, where Chipper customers use the Visa network to make payments globally. Having recently issued one million cards and become the largest provider of virtual cards in Africa, this expanded deal will see Chipper harness Visa’s vast experience and investment across more areas of its business. 

The arrangement will see the two firms continuing to collaborate on card issuance, while also joining forces across regulatory and functional areas such as Visa licensing and marketing to leverage both Chipper’s expertise and Visa’s capabilities.

Brett Macgrath, Chief Product Officer, Chipper Cash said: “We are proud to have a strong relationship with Visa and are excited to strengthen these ties even further. Today’s announcement means we can deliver on our priorities at a faster pace than we could do alone; harnessing Visa’s global reach to enable us to continue to bring the very best products and services to customers.”

“We are thrilled to announce our expanded collaboration with Chipper Cash. This deepens our support in the growing demand for digital financial services in Africa and driving meaningful impact across the continent,” said Meagan Rabe, Senior Director of Fintechs for Visa Sub-Saharan Africa. “We look forward to continuing our work with Chipper Cash to redefine and expand the boundaries of financial accessibility and convenience."

Tefiro Serunjogi, Head of Consumer Products, Chipper Cash added: “Bringing trusted and reliable products to market at pace - such as the Chipper Card - are not just business wins, they’re enablers for growth and opportunity. Our data shows that for 21% of customers, getting a Chipper Card is their first time accessing a payment card. We are ambitious in our pursuits, and the continued backing of a world-class partner such as Visa allows us to not only scale our card program but to do even more to drive financial inclusivity to millions.”

The announcement of the strategic partnership with Visa represents another step in Chipper meeting its mission to provide the most trusted and reliable financial services to people living in Africa and beyond. It also comes just two months after Chipper announced the launch of Chipper ID, the AI-driven verification and onboarding tool built specifically for the African continent.

XS.com, the global FinTech and financial services provider, has today announced that it will be the Global Partner of the sixth edition of Smart vision Investment Expo which is taking place in November 2023 in Cairo & Alexandria in Egypt.

The event – which is being organized by Smart Vision – will be held this year on the 11th & 12th of November at the Nile Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Cairo and will resume on the 15th of November at the Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza in Alexandria.

The Global Multi-Asset Broker will also be conducting multiple seminars across the three days of the event, held by team members Shadi Salloum (Regional Director – MENA), Ahmed Negm (Head of Research – MENA), and Elie Nachawaty (Senior Business Development Manager – MENA) who will also be participating in multiple panels throughout the event.

Shadi Salloum, the Regional Director – MENA at XS.com, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership:

“The Smart Vision Investment Expo Egypt 2023 represents a unique opportunity for XS.com to engage with the dynamic and diverse Egyptian market. As a leader in the financial industry, XS.com is committed to providing innovative financial solutions that empower traders and investors. Our partnership with Smart Vision underscores our dedication to offering valuable insights, fostering connections with industry professionals, and supporting the growth of the financial community in Egypt. We eagerly anticipate this opportunity to meet with traders, investors, and industry peers in both Cairo and Alexandria”.

As a renowned multinational global FinTech and financial services provider, XS.com is dedicated to fostering industry growth, nurturing valuable connections, and advancing global trading innovation. This strategic partnership underscores XS.com's unwavering support for the global financial community and commitment to these significant goals. XS.com will actively participate in both Cairo and Alexandria, ensuring that attendees from different regions can access the company's expertise and insights.

Dr. Mohammed Elnozamy, Chairman and Managing Director at Smart Vision, expressed his anticipation and gratitude for the collaboration: 

“As the Chairman of Smart Vision, I am thrilled to announce XS.com as the Global Partner for the sixth edition of Smart Vision Investment Expo Egypt 2023. Their dedication to reshaping and revolutionizing the investment landscape aligns perfectly with the goals of our event. XS.com's support adds immense value to our exhibition, providing attendees with opportunities to explore the latest developments in the financial industry. We're excited to have them join us in both Cairo and Alexandria, and we extend our sincere appreciation for their unwavering support”.

As the Global Partner, XS.com will have a prominent presence throughout the Smart Vision Investment Expo Egypt 2023, showcasing their comprehensive suite of services and expertise in the Financial Services industry.

Additionally, the award winning broker is proud to feature distinguished speakers who will share their insights and expertise during the event.

Shadi Salloum, Regional Director - MENA at XS.com, will be holding an educational and informative presentation about the “The Importance of Domain Name for Modern Business -  The Example of Elon Musk & X.com”

Moreover, Ahmed Negm, Head of Research – MENA, and Elie Nachawaty, Senior Business Development Manager – MENA, com will captivate the audience with their presentations about the latest market updates.

Amidst the dynamic growth of Egypt's financial sector, the XS.com MENA team eagerly anticipates the chance to engage in face-to-face conversations with Egyptian traders, investors, and financial partners at the "Smart Vision Investment Expo Egypt 2023."

This direct interaction provides a platform for personalized discussions, enabling attendees to ask questions, seek guidance, and gain valuable insights tailored to their specific needs.

XS.com is committed to fostering enduring relationships and offering dedicated support, affirming our dedication to the success of Egypt's financial community.

XS.com has been joining exhibitions around the world since the start of the year including in the UAE, Mexico, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Bahrain, and Jordan – the team will continue its global road trip to Vietnam.

The online investment landscape in the MENA region has seen remarkable growth and transformation in recent years. XS.com recognizes the importance of these exhibitions as platforms to engage with industry professionals, share insights, and support the growth of digital investments.

Security, openness and inclusion are the most crucial factors that women look for when obtaining financial services in their daily lives, a report produced by Futura, Solaris’s network for women in fintech has discovered.

The study, titled ‘Finance for Everyone’ aimed to discover the key influencers that women look for when taking out financial services. The research collected responses of 221 women through a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. The average respondent age was 33 and typically had an above average level of knowledge and comfort with financial services products due to working in the fintech sector. 

When it came to evaluating what women typically want from financial services, building financial security was the main factor noted by 77% of respondents ahead of wanting to grow their money in the long term. Saving for retirement was third most popular at 68% with protecting themselves from inflation and other crises being acknowledged by 47%.

By contrast, just 8% of respondents said they’re motivated by increasing social status (8%). The low number of respondents who are interested in increasing their social status is especially significant because it demonstrates how, despite assurances that their products are gender-neutral, financial services businesses often miss the mark completely, even when it comes to marketing.

Alicia Close, Senior Manager, Cards Business at Solaris said: “There is at least $330 billion annual global revenue waiting to be unlocked by giving women better access to finance. It's time to ask the question, 'Where are the products that serve them?' This research reveals refreshingly simple yet powerful solutions that providers can start turning to in order to remove the barriers for women within current financial services products.”

When Futura analyzed the factors that appeal most for women to use financial products, simplicity was the most important factor – noted by a huge 88% of respondents, ahead of accessibility (77%), flexibility (63%), and security (58%).

When it comes to the barriers that women feel are holding them back from using financial products, lack of knowledge was the overwhelming primary factor for 71% - a figure that would likely be hired among respondents that had lesser familiarity with financial services sector. Fear of making wrong decisions was noted by 55% and too much complexity by 40%.

The study also discovered that a lack of knowledge and a fear of discrimination are key factors in hindering trans women and non-binary individuals’ financial well-being. Only 60% of trans respondents told Futura they use a bank account or a debit card, while even fewer used credit cards. Fear of discrimination proves to be a continual barrier, with the trans* women we interviewed reporting they feel uncomfortable seeking financial advice because they worry they won’t be taken seriously, be misgendered, or be called by their dead name.

Fintech is an abbreviation for financial technology. Auto-investors, payment apps like Stripe or Venmo, and stock market apps like Robinhood are all considered to be fintech enterprises. Essentially, they’re tools or services that provide more efficient and informed online money management capabilities to digital consumers. That might mean securing your business credit card transactions, or enabling investment of stagnant corporate funds.

Whatever sector your business is in, there are likely to be fintech solutions that allow you to maintain a sleeker business model. And that’s exactly the benefit that fintech companies aim to provide.

Here’s how small business owners could leverage the power of fintech to future-proof their own company's financial management methodologies.

     1. Use fintech services for processing card payments

Cash has become a fringe fiduciary. Card payments are just more convenient for both consumers and business owners alike. Thankfully, there are a wide range of different fintech companies that provide POS technologies that allow business owners to process card payments faster and easier.

But with digital payments becoming such a big business, everyone wants a slice of the pie and competition is fierce. Stripe, PayPal, Mastercard, Payoneer, and more are tightening their screws, and greasing their wheels in hopes of being number one.

What does that mean for business owners? Well, besides bolstering convenience and customer service, you’ll likely get to enjoy lower merchant fees as well. Many fintech services also allow for convenient auto-billing, international customers, and transforming your phone into a point-of-service device.

     2. Secure loans and business credit cards from non-bank lenders

Broadly speaking, banks and credit cards are everyone's main hub for money. If you want a seasonal loan, you talk to your bank manager first. But the digital sphere is fast moving, and becoming increasingly complex by the minute, if not faster.

And non-bank fintech service providers are beginning to offer financial products that may even offer features or services that banks simply can’t. This includes services like microloans, more competitive interest rates on business credit cards, BNPL (or ‘buy now, pay later’) options, and an array of digital banking functionalities that are faster and perhaps even more intuitive or user-friendly than your traditional banking apps.

Fintech solutions and digital non-bank lenders can generally also provide a more dynamic array of financing options for business owners. So the next time you want to take out a business loan or even secure a business credit card, why not opt for a fintech company rather than go directly to your bank? These non-bank business credit and loan options may be a valuable asset for your company as we progress further into the digital age.

     3. Take advantage of analytics features in fintech apps

Beyond transaction lists and monthly statements, fintech companies aim to out-do banks by providing different user-friendly features and financial monitoring technologies. This includes the ability to generate automated analyses of your business’s financials.

On top of integrated financial analytics features in fintech apps, there’s also a growing number of dedicated accounting software that streamlines the invoicing and calculation processes for your company. Xero, Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and Neat are just a couple of these. And what’s especially useful about these fintech solutions is that they often readily integrate with any other financial management software that you may already be using. So do a little research and experimentation to see how the fintech landscape can provide dynamic financial management and analytics solutions for your unique enterprise.

     4. Boost your company’s financial cybersecurity

Cybercrime has quickly become a billion-dollar global issue. And small businesses are often the most vulnerable targets. Ransomware, compromised emails, and password attacks are growing increasingly common, so it’s worth taking time to shore up your cybersecurity systems.

Thankfully, virtually all fintech companies across the globe have taken cybersecurity very seriously when developing their digital products. Fintech companies aim to provide cost-effective solutions that include:

Protecting your online banking and payment accounts with multi-factor authentication (things like email confirmation codes, face ID, and authenticator apps).
Encrypted, tokenized digital data usage. This puts your payment data, or communications under lock & key so hacking highwaymen can’t get at it during transit.
Proactive security updates. Fintech companies must comply with various standards, like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). So, while the information age is still in its infancy, it’ll be a relief to have someone working to secure your systems.
Anchor5. Streamline collating your performance statistics
What elevates modern fintech offerings are their readiness to recommend improvements for your business. Besides the many tutorials and guides for learning and using fintech programs, many use statistical analysis to suggest market movements, provide personalized strategies, and to identify internal inefficiencies in your enterprise.

If you’re the type of online business who provides customer support, you’ll be pleased to know that Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems readily integrate with accounting and payment processing fintech programs. With this, you’ll be able to see your company’s fiscal interactions, communications, and transactions visualised concurrently, which will no doubt better inform your financial decision-making as a small business owner.

Are your customers most active during the evening? Then you can target those hours with limited time sales, news updates, or by tailoring your company’s digital marketing strategy in other ways. By understanding the internal mechanisms and movements of your company and its customer base, however, you can provide better service or a better product, and your sales will benefit as well.

     6. Invest Your Interests

Finally, if you’re not well-versed in the vibrations of the stock market, you may have never considered investing your equity. But many investment funds enjoy steady returns of about 7% per year. Now, fintech companies like Vanguard aim to provide this benefit to people and small businesses by providing investment opportunities into managed funds and ETFs.

Using these, you’ll invest a portion of your returns each month, and the fund managers will steadily grow your equity in exchange for your buying power and small yearly fees. So, even if your bank provides competitive interest rates, by portioning your profits towards investments like ETFs, you could be able to enjoy an improved annual income.

Be sure to look into the auto-investment fintech services that are available to you in order to find one that’s the right fit for you and your enterprise.

Of all the many ways that fintech can support small business owners, the most prominent benefit to leveraging these services and products is likely to be their ease of use. Alongside providing you with greater financial freedom, fintech providers design their products and services to ensure that they make your job easier and assist in streamlining your company’s financial operations.

Take the time to identify fintech solutions (be it accounting software, non-bank credit providers, POS systems, or all the other products and services available) in order to find the right digital investments for your business today.

• 03.11.2023 -- 06:02 pm

Today, Amazon and Affirm announced an expanded partnership that makes Affirm the first pay-over-time option available at checkout on Amazon Business, a business-to-business (B2B) store that helps businesses of all sizes digitize and automate procurement with powerful management controls and analytic tools—all within the familiar experience of Amazon. Now, these Amazon Business customers can split the total cost of eligible purchases and pay over time with Affirm without late or hidden fees. Amazon Business will start to roll out Affirm today to eligible sole proprietor businesses, and the new payment option will be available at checkout to all eligible Amazon Business sole proprietor customers by Black Friday.

“We’re constantly striving to make Amazon Business the best place for small businesses to fulfill their buying needs. Integrating Affirm as a payment option helps us do just that, while providing more flexibility and convenience to our customers,” said Todd Heimes, director of Amazon Business Worldwide. “The technology, ease of integration, and ability to support a broad range of transactions—especially as Affirm is already used by millions of Amazon customers today—make this a natural extension of our larger partnership.”

This marks the launch of Affirm’s new B2B pay-over-time solution dedicated to serving sole proprietors. By selecting Affirm at checkout on Amazon Business and entering a few simple pieces of information, such as registered business name and business address, small business owners will receive an instant credit decision. If approved, they can select from customized pay-over-time options of three to 48 months with the confidence that they will never pay more than the amount agreed to upfront. For example, a $200 purchase at 15% APR would cost a customer $34.81 per month for six months, totaling $208.84.

“According to the IRS, more than 28 million sole proprietorships do business in the United States. By offering these business owners a transparent and flexible way to pay over time for the items they need, we can help them increase their purchasing power, better manage their cash flow, and accelerate their growth,” said Wayne Pommen, Affirm’s Chief Revenue Officer. “We’re incredibly proud to be bringing this buy now, pay later payment option to the millions of sole proprietors shopping on Amazon Business.”

AnchorSince first launching on Amazon.com and the Amazon mobile app in 2021, Affirm expanded to Amazon.ca in 2022, and was directly integrated as a payment option on Amazon Pay earlier this year. Customers looking to use Affirm through Amazon Business can do so using the Amazon Business website and Amazon Business mobile app.