ClearScore, the UK’s leading credit checking service provider, is aiming to help millions of people improve their credit score with the launch of ‘Coaching’ available for free to all today. Coaching is the first bot-based programme in the world to help Brits refine their credit credibility and ability to get the best financial deals available.

Depending on whether someone has a thin credit file, has faced financial challenges in the past or just wants to fine tune their finances, ClearScore will automatically recommend the right Coaching programme for them, accessible through their free ClearScore account.

The Programmes:

• Build introduces young people, who have little experience with credit and therefore thin credit files, to their credit score and report, and provides practical steps to help build a file from scratch. These people would typically have had limited access to good credit products (such as phone contracts or low-interest credit cards) because of their ‘thin file’ status. 
• Repair helps people whose score has been damaged in the past, for example by bankruptcy or a CCJ.
• Shape Up is a programme for anybody in a healthy credit situation who is interested in coaching to improve their finances in general.

The Coaching programme uses the latest bot-based technology and popular ‘chat’ format to help people get to grips with their finances. Each programme uses simple language to boost confidence, before recommending easy steps and small changes people can make to boost their credit rating in the form of tailored ‘To Do’ lists. Interactivity, GIFs and emoticons are included to make the five minute programmes engaging and relevant for the user. 

When ClearScore tested Coaching with a beta trial, it revealed high demand and engagement from the users. Nearly two thirds (63%) of those inexperienced with credit completed their personalised programme. More than four in five (81%) say they’ll come back every month, with more than a third (36%) of those saying they will do so weekly. The majority (80%) of those who tried Build say they will come back to complete the recommended actions to improve their finances. 

Eagle Alpha has appointed Bosham Capital Advisors (BCA), Investment, Advisory and Capital Markets Specialists to drive sales across the UK investment management industry for their alternative data solution. The primary focus will come on asset management and hedge funds.

The alternative data industry has prospered against the background of a dramatic increase in obtainable data over the past decade, covering everything from mobile-phone data to consumer transaction data to job postings to traffic data. Moreover, a recent study by Greenwich Associates cited the fact that 80% of investors want greater access to alternative data sources.

Founded in September 2012, Eagle Alpha was born with the vision to be the ‘one stop shop’ for all the alternative data needs of asset managers. They are the only firm worldwide that offers a database of more than 500 of the most interesting datasets worldwide, 1-on-1 advice that links datasets to specific research questions and data showcase events in New York and London. They are also one of only two firms worldwide that offer actionable insights based exclusively on alternative data.

Through a combination of teach-ins, thought leadership and bespoke projects, Eagle Alpha educates investment professionals on the power of alternative data in this sector. Curated news, data insights and analytical tools enable clients to harness this power and do proprietary analyses.

Emmett Kilduff, CEO & Founder of Eagle Alpha commented: “Bespoke projects are a new offering for Eagle Alpha. With over 4 years of experience working with alternative data Eagle Alpha is uniquely placed to work with buyside firms to facilitate their individual needs.”

Entersekt is a leader in next-generation digital banking security, today has uncovered an original equipment manufacturing agreement with Global Kinetic, a specialist in transaction processing software. Global Kinetic secures its custom-built solutions and product line with Entersekt’s mobile app security and push-based authentication. Already securing billions of digital transactions a year, this proven, regulatory-compliant technology helps service providers protect their customers’ money and data, while freeing their product development teams to focus on product innovation.

Financial institutions across the world build Entersekt’s technology into their mobile apps by means of a software development kit. To do so, they may elect to use in-house developers or contract a third-party like Global Kinetic for up-to-the-minute technical expertise and a faster time to market. A one-stop enterprise software developer, Global Kinetic designs, engineers, and supports cloud, on-premise, and hybrid solutions that meet the financial services industry’s exacting requirements for high scalability, high availability, and security. Its fully integrated suite of services extends to user experience design and creative support.

Global Kinetic and Entersekt cooperated on several customer-specific projects in the United States and South Africa upon formalizing their partnership. Global Kinetic has also licensed Entersekt’s technology for use in its own products, including FutureBank Platform, a feature-rich, easily customized mobile banking or payments starter pack for regional banks, credit unions, and FinTech startups in the United States.

Entersekt's superb security solution is a natural fit for the FinTech software that Global Kinetic builds, emphasizing the strategic importance of the partnership.

Licensed as an OEM service within FutureBank Platform, the product is secured by the best enterprise-grade solution available with the most natural and convenient user experience. Strategically, the partnership with Entersekt spearheads expansion into international markets.

“Partnering with best-of-breed companies like Global Kinetic is crucial to making the most of the opportunities we see in the global market” noted Dewald Nolte, SVP partnerships and alliances at Entersekt.

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leading global provider of real-time electronic payment and banking solutions, today announced that PayPlug, a rapidly-growing French payment service provider (PSP) with a targeted offering for the SME market, will utilise the ACI PAY.ON Payments Gateway to power its international expansion efforts.

PayPlug has grown quickly to become a leading PSP used by thousands of eCommerce businesses across France and Europe. Founded in 2012 to provide financial technologies that simplify online commerce, PayPlug chose ACI to power its expansion because of the strong international reach offered via its network of more than 350 card acquirers and alternative payment methods. Through a single technical integration with ACI’s eCommerce payments gateway, PayPlug can easily access the wide range of locally-preferred payment methods that are necessary in both traditional desktop and growing mobile channels.

“After carefully evaluating the competitive landscape, we ultimately selected the ACI PAY.ON Payments Gateway because of ACI’s vast network of payment methods and acquirers, as well as the flexibility of its RESTful open API. This complements our own REST API, ensuring fast go-live and reliable transaction processing for our merchants,” said Antoine Grimaud, co-founder and COO, PayPlug. “With ACI, we are in a strong position to rapidly expand into new markets across Europe, supporting small and medium merchants eager to capitalise on the growing eCommerce and mCommerce opportunities.”

“PayPlug supports merchants with a set of tools that are simple, efficient, and secure; with ACI, the payment provider is now bringing its PCI DSS Level 1 compliant solutions to a broader range of merchants across Europe,” added Andy McDonald, vice president, Europe, ACI Worldwide. “Our strong international reach gives PayPlug the ability to maximise conversion rates across all channels as they expand into new geographies now and in the future.”

The ACI PAY.ON Payments Gateway, combined with integrated ACI ReD Shield real-time fraud prevention, forms the UP eCommerce Payments solution. The white-label solution powers simple, global and secure payments for payment providers globally, utilising flexible, open API architecture.

Payment Cloud Technologies (PCT), London based FinTech business, has today announced the renewal of a long-term partnership with cloud-based payments software provider AccessPay to delivery its ‘next generation’ payments gateway.

Utilizing APIs and flexible cloud-based technologies, the new gateway is set to deliver significant business efficiencies for PCT and its clients.

Allowing the rapid creation of additional accounts on a new multi-tenanted platform, the latest collaboration between the two organizations eliminates the need to build further, bespoke systems when new users join the service.

The removal of the time and resource barriers means a friction-free model for growth has been established.

And building on the businesses’ existing solution, enables PCT to offer its clients a fully scalable platform, with real-time connectivity to the Faster Payments Direct Corporate Access, BACs, Direct Debit and BACs Credit services, for the delivery of next-generation digital bank accounts.

PCT and AccessPay had previously enabled this by delivering a ‘conditional gateway’ for Faster Payments access in 2014. The renewed partnership now enables this existing proposition to be developed into a full multi-tenanted solution, allowing new accounts to be established and connected within hours.

The new gateway will utilize APIs to maximize business efficiencies and save significant time and money for prospective financial service providers. It will feature improved exception handling, strengthened AML control, and enhanced systems resilience.

CEO of AccessPay, Anish Kapoor notices that since 2012, AccessPay has sought to drive positive, innovative, and rapid change in the financial services industry to redefine modern banking practices. Working with a like-minded organization, and with detailed expertise, PCT has accelerated that process tenfold in the past 18 months. The Faster Payments Service is a fantastic initiative, and the more providers that can be connected to that service, the better. Our ability to embed the AccessPay platform into a compelling and scalable proposition from PCT is key to delivering success for our joint clients going forward.

Kofax announced the availability of Kofax Perceptive AP Invoice Approval 2.0, an invoice approval solution designed to better automate end-to-end accounts payable processes. The solution streamlines the invoice approval process via a mobile-optimised interface usable on any device via responsive web design. With this release, the AP Invoice Approval app now includes GL (general ledger) coding which enables users to easily allocate and validate costs outside the ERP and accelerate approval routing. 

 AP Invoice Approval features a zero-footprint HTML5 interface that adapts to any mobile or desktop device with equivalent functionality and integrates seamlessly with Perceptive AP Automation. The addition of GL coding allows users to select or edit GL codes and receive real-time validation and feedback to ensure fewer workflow errors. It also reduces approval times, enhances cost tracking, and preserves an audit trail.

Additional features include Single Sign On (SSO) to simplify the authentication process, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for providing a secure connection for end users outside the network, and integration of “Out of Office” status updates to reroute requests for alternative approval and decreased processing times.

"Perceptive AP Invoice Approval 2.0 demonstrates our continued commitment to automating end-to-end accounts payable operations. With AP Invoice Approval, we are transforming the standard, yet often frustrating, act of approving invoices into an effortless experience that adds tremendous value to finance and accounting teams," said Reynolds C. Bish, Chief Executive Officer of Kofax. “Additional functionality, including the mobile-optimised interface, gives users and IT the tools they need to perform their jobs more productively, leading to improved vendor relations and organisational efficiency.”

Axway announced the all-cash acquisition of Syncplicity, a leading enterprise file sync and share (EFSS) solution that provides users with the experience and tools they need for secure collaboration. With the acquisition of Syncplicity, Axway will be able to further enhance the Axway AMPLIFY™ platform to transform the way modern enterprises collaborate and innovate across digital ecosystems and further heighten engagement with customers, employees and partners

Syncplicity, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, was founded in 2007 and was owned by global investment firm Skyview Capital. More than 25,000 businesses and individuals across a wide variety of verticals rely on Syncplicity’s enterprise-grade file sync and share solutions to get more business value from their data within applications, databases or files, whether stored on-premise or in private or public clouds. 

“As businesses continue to collaborate using cloud-based tools, it’s imperative that file exchanges and synchronization between individuals is a secure and seamless experience,” said Jean-Marc Lazzari, CEO at Axway. “Together, Axway and Syncplicity will create a one stop shop for digital shared services.”

“Syncplicity’s EFSS expertise and product excellence will complement Axway MFT solutions perfectly by encouraging and supporting greater collaboration among employees, partners and customers,” said Jonathan Huberman, CEO at Syncplicity. “The Syncplicity team is proud to join Axway to create the best possible outcomes for our customers.”

The details of the transaction are not made public.

Moneyfarm, one of the leading digital wealth management companies, today reports a 16% month-on-month average increase. As well as, another new senior hire, as it celebrates its one-year anniversary of launching in the UK.

After having arrived in the UK, Moneyfarm has doubled its number of employees and now boasts an 80-strong team. Most recently, Scott Gallacher joins the team as Moneyfarm’s Chief Commercial Officer, following December’s announcement of both Paolo Savini Nicci as Chief Financial Officer and Richard Flax as Chief Investment Officer.

Gallacher joins Moneyfarm with over 20 years of experience - working with the likes of Facebook, Sky and American Express, Scott has helped to grow some of the world’s best-known brands. At the Department of Work and Pensions, he saw first-hand the power that strong financial services products can have over the willingness of individuals to save more and provide for their future. At Moneyfarm, Gallacher is responsible for ensuring that the consumer remains at the heart of everything as the company enters its next phase of growth.

Moneyfarm’s customers, which have grown by close to 150% over the last year, are each aligned with an investment portfolio based on their investor profile. The model portfolios on which these are based have all enjoyed positive performance since launch - ranging from 4.7%-21.5%. The balanced portfolio achieved 15.7% compared to the ARC benchmark which achieved 10.9% with a comparable risk profile.

In September 2016, Moneyfarm also announced a strategic investment from Allianz - testament to the progress the company has made in the fast-growing digital wealth management sector.

Moneyfarm has since worked with global money app Revolut, creating an offer that activated users across both platforms. And just last week it announced a new partnership with ride-hailing app Uber which will provide its partner-drivers access to pension and ISA products for the first time in the UK.

Euclid Opportunities, NEX Group’s financial technology investment entity, unveils today that it has made a strategic investment in RSRCHXchange. This is a cloud-based marketplace and MiFID II workflow solution for accessing institutional research. The investment will enable RSRCHXchange to continue to extend its global footprint and accelerate growth. Terms of the investment are not disclosed. 

RSRCHXchange launched RSRCHX, its marketplace, and MiFID II workflow solution for institutional research in 2014, in anticipation of the unbundling rules, which come into force in January 2018. A technology driven solution, RSRCHX dramatically improves the way financial institutions manage and consume research, and is used by more than 1,000 asset management firms and around 190 bank, broker and boutique research providers. The marketplace enables asset managers to consume, purchase and monitor research in one purpose-built solution, which tracks firm-wide consumption, improves the procurement process and ultimately ensures MiFID II compliance.  

RSRCHXchange is the latest company to join the Euclid Opportunities portfolio. Through Euclid Opportunities, NEX strategically invests in exceptional financial technology companies that are transforming capital markets. Other Euclid Opportunities investments include: Abide Financial, ENSO Financial, OpenFin, Duco and OpenGamma.

Michael McFadgen, Managing Director at Euclid Opportunities, comments that MiFID II research unbundling is a key challenge for our clients and the wider market in 2017. RSRCHXchange is bringing next generation technology to solve a complex regulatory challenge while allowing both providers and consumers of research to extract greater value from content. The business has made amazing progress thus far and we’re delighted to bring our capital, operational expertise, and networks to help scale the business globally. 

Vicky Sanders, Co-Founder, RSRCHXchange also expressed her excitement to have received investment from Euclid Opportunities, who have a proven track record of investing and growing innovative FinTech firms. Their investment is testament to our business model and comes at a time of great momentum for our RSRCHX platform. We look forward to Euclid’s support well beyond the implementation of MiFID II, to achieve our growth ambitions for the future.