D•One, the open banking services business from The ClearScore Group, has today announced a new partnership with social purpose lender Salad Money. D•One offers financial partners such as Salad Money the ability to use consumers’ transaction data to make a fairer assessment of their eligibility for loans.

D•One will be providing Salad Money with comprehensive and specialized open banking connectivity and transaction categorization intelligence. Salad Money has been at the forefront of open banking credit decisions since its inception in 2018 and this new partnership will allow it to enhance its real-world assessment of affordability further, both in terms of accuracy and speed. Not only does this support responsible lending, but can also offer consumers who have impaired or limited credit histories access to credit options they might otherwise have missed out on.

Tim Kelleway, Director at D•One, said: “We’re helping Salad Money to enhance its lending decision-making through comprehensive open banking connectivity and advanced deterministic categorization. As D•One scales and works with more forward-thinking lenders like Salad Money, we are advancing our mission of enabling lenders to make a truer and fairer assessment of how much credit a consumer can realistically afford to repay. Our highly scalable digital platform and proprietary credit decision-making capability are accelerating consumers’ bank data into mainstream lending and thereby opening up new lines of credit that people would not otherwise have had access to.

Through its two core services of open banking connection and categorization, D•One has successfully identified a range of financial behaviors (such as making deposits to a savings account) offering the ability to categorize the riskiness of borrowers more accurately. D•One provides the most comprehensive suite of Open Banking connectivity in the UK and has an advanced deterministic categorization model developed over 12 years and with over 5 billion transactions.

Tim Rooney, CEO at Salad Money, said: “We’re on a mission to give more people the affordable loan they deserve, and affordability assessments powered by open banking are the way to get there. We’re pleased to partner with D•One for its comprehensive transaction categorization intelligence which helps us accurately and fairly assess potential borrowers. Last year we helped more than thirty thousand people with affordable loans, and this partnership will enable us to help many more in 2024.

D•One open banking connection and categorization services are available to lenders and/or introducer partners to support credit brokering and application processes across the market - delivering consistent functionality and decisioning solutions across all channels.

Wolters Kluwer, the software solutions giant, has today announced the launch of an expert financial technology solution aimed at helping the nearly 33 million U.S. businesses impacted by the beneficial ownership reporting rule under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). This Wolters Kluwer solution spans its Financial & Corporate Compliance (FCC) and Tax & Accounting (TAA) divisions to serve the reporting and filing needs of corporate, financial, legal, tax, and accounting professionals across the U.S.

According to Wolters Kluwer, the CTA requires that small businesses and entities subject to the new rule collect, document, and submit previously unreported beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This BOI reporting requirement applies to a wide range of domestic and foreign entities registered in the U.S., as specified by FinCEN. The rule took effect on January 1, 2024. 

“Trust is foundational to a vibrant and inclusive economy. Wolters Kluwer is proud to introduce a solution to support industry-wide compliance with this critical new regulation to increase transparency of entities operating in the United States,” said Steven Meirink, CEO, Wolters Kluwer FCC. “Our expert solution uniquely supports businesses of all sizes and their professional advisors with a secure and seamless experience, drawing upon our deep expertise in compliance and technology.”

For small businesses, law firms, and corporations with qualifying entities, CT Corporation, a business of FCC, and its partners have introduced the Beneficial Ownership Platform, which contains a secure, streamlined workflow to simplify filing and compliance for both single entity as well as multiple entity filers. The intuitive, five-step workflow dramatically increases efficiency, reduces the risk of incorrect filings, and offers a secure hosting environment for uploading, storing, and updating beneficial ownership information.

For accounting firms and their clients, TAA has launched the CCH Axcess™ Beneficial Ownership solution, which automates the beneficial ownership information filing process for accounting firms that need to file large volumes of reports. By offering BOI compliance as part of a business advisory relationship, accounting firms can enhance their role as trusted advisors. 

Wolters Kluwer has already created a range of industry resources—such as an easy-to-use self-guided eligibility quiz, webinar presentations, and content—to ensure impacted entities can effectively prepare for and navigate the new requirements within the target timeframe to meet their initial and ongoing compliance obligations.

The news comes as American firms face a plethora of regulatory pressures. In December a Wolters Kluwer survey showed a notable increase in concerns over risk management and regulatory compliance issues facing U.S. banks, credit unions, and other lenders. The 2023 Regulatory & Risk Management Indicator survey conducted by Wolters Kluwer showed the Indicator Main Score rising from an index level of 94 in the 2022 survey results to 119 in 2023, a 25-point index increase. Notably, the survey results underscore the increasing role of technology in managing workflows, recordkeeping, and regulatory change management. 69% of respondents identify technology as a crucial factor in addressing these challenges, marking a seven percent increase from the 2022 survey. Speed (44%) and analysis (38%) are identified as the most important aspects of automation.

Form3, the cloud-native account-to-account platform, today announces that it has strengthened its Board of Directors by appointing Anil Arora as an independent Non-Executive Director.

Based in San Francisco, Anil will bring to Form3 his significant experience in founding fintechs and scaling these into established US enterprises. Anil will help Form3 on its expansion journey, drawing on his experience of managing and understanding scaled Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) focused on financial institutions.

In addition to Anil’s knowledge of fintech companies, he will draw on his broader experiences of expanding companies across both public and private sectors. Anil will work closely with Form3’s US Chief Executive, Dave Scola, as part of the company’s strong commitment to expand the US business as a key market.

Anil is a successful businessman and CEO. He took Yodlee, then a small tech company, to an initial public offering (IPO), before it was sold to Envestnet. He currently focuses on executive board and advisory positions across several public and private companies like ON24, Conagra Brands, and Water.org. He has previously held senior corporate roles at Gateway and Kraft Foods and worked in various business sectors including fintech, personal computing, and consumer-packaged goods.

Commenting on his new role with Form3, Anil says: “I am very much looking forward to working with the Form3 leadership team and the Board of Directors to help it to scale up globally. Form3 is an emerging leader in the payment technology business, so it is great to be on board at this very interesting and important time in its evolution.”

Michael Mueller, Executive Chair, Form3, adds: “Anil is a very well-known and respected businessman and entrepreneur, having worked across many business sectors. We are very pleased he has joined Form3. His significant experience in scaling enterprise technology companies will not only help us to strengthen the governance of the business, but also drive growth in Form3’s key markets, including the US. Welcome on board, Anil.”

Ambitious payments solutions provider exactly. has secured a major partnership by adding Apple Pay to its list of integrated payment systems - empowering merchants to process transactions via one of the most popular mobile payment systems worldwide. 

The integration of Apple Pay offers exactly. customers an even more convenient and secure way to manage their finances and payment methods - enabling purchases through Apple Wallet apps. 

Digital wallets have become an increasingly preferred option among buyers as they allow for fast, online payments from smartphones without repeatedly inputting personal card details. 

The speed and ease of Apple Pay mean exactly. merchants will not only increase their customer reach - but also reduce cart abandonment rates and improve their checkout conversions. 

Elene Bazhenova, Business and Sales Operations Manager at exactly., says: “We have been working extremely hard to build a payment solutions company that makes things easy for our customers - and that process involves taking steps to work with payment services that are popular among the public. 

“Customer experience should be a number one priority, and this collaboration provides our users with the ability to combine the best features of Apple Pay and exactly.’s payment platform. 

“Merchants can integrate their loyalty programs to further incentivize customers, and faster hassle-free checkouts through easily accessible devices lead to fewer abandoned carts. 

“The partnership will also allow for increased security across all payments; with Apple’s tokenization to protect sensitive card information limiting the actual card data that is shared, therefore reducing data breach risks. 

“The partnership between Apple and exactly. represents a significant step forward in simplifying the way consumers handle their finances, and proves exactly.’s commitment to providing innovative, user-centric solutions within the world of open banking.” 

This is another big announcement for exactly. - with the financial firm sealing a partnership with Google Pay in 2023. 

Leading global intelligence and cyber security consultancy S-RM has today announced the appointment of Belén Satorre as Associate Director in its growing ESG division. 

In her new role, Satorre will help to grow and develop ESG’s dedicated human rights practice, with a focus on providing strategic and practical support for clients as they navigate and implement human rights legislation, regulation, and best practices. 

Satorre joins S-RM from Positive Luxury, a sustainability consultancy focused on the luxury sector, where she worked as a Sustainability Client Services Director, advising clients on diverse ESG reporting frameworks and how to mitigate risk across their value chains. She has extensive experience in conducting human rights assessments, building and implementing human rights methodologies and remediation and conducting on-the-ground fieldwork. 

Satorre holds an MSc in International Migration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics, an MA in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development from the United Nations University for Peace, and a first-class Journalism degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and the University of California Los Angeles. 

Belén Satorre, Associate Director, ESG at S-RM, comments: “I am thrilled to have joined this fantastic, global organization, and to have the opportunity to work alongside such a talented group of professionals. Human rights is a critical subject and one I am extremely passionate about, so I am beyond pleased to be able to help S-RM deliver advisory support to clients. This is an exciting new challenge and I cannot wait to get started.” 

Natalie Stafford, Head of ESG Advisory at S-RM, added: “I am delighted to welcome Belén to S-RM’s growing ESG practice, where her human rights expertise will support our work with clients facing growing regulatory, legislative, and reputational pressures to make sure they have strong human rights standards across their working practices and supply chains. Belén has a fantastic track record both with NGOs and corporates globally and I’m looking forward to our clients benefitting from her human rights expertise.”  

Tarabut, MENA’s first and leading open banking platform, announces the appointment of Munthir Alsheddie as the company’s Country Manager in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Munthir Alsheddie brings over a decade of Saudi Arabian banking experience, with a focus on digital transformation, digital products, and innovation to enhance the customer experience. His background includes key roles with some of the Kingdom’s leading banks, namely SAB, Riyad Bank, and ANB.

Munthir joins Tarabut from Arab National Bank, where he served as Head of Digital Business, overseeing the development of the bank's diverse digital products portfolio. Additionally, his professional journey includes pivotal roles at stc pay and Mastercard, marking a career that has truly covered the digital banking landscape.

His extensive background, combined with his entrepreneurial mindset, establishes him as an expert in digital banking, fintech, emerging technology, and retail banking in Saudi Arabia.

Abdulla Almoayed, Founder and CEO of Tarabut, added:

“We extend a warm welcome to Munthir, our new Country Manager for Saudi Arabia. Munthir’s entrepreneurial zest and experience in the Kingdom’s banking sector is a testament to his capabilities. His experience at esteemed financial institutions aligns perfectly with our focus on supporting financial institutions in their new digital offerings in the Kingdom. Munthir will be a guiding force for Tarabut's next chapter of growth, investment, and development in the Kingdom as we continue to support the critically important Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP) pillar of Vision 2030. ”

Munthir Alsheddie, Country Manager – Saudi Arabia, at Tarabut, said:

“I am delighted to join Tarabut, the leader in open banking in the MENA. Open banking will be, without a doubt, one of the most impactful technology solutions to transform how people bank. Having worked across Saudi Arabia’s banking sector for over a decade, I’m excited for the opportunity to scale Tarabut’s Open Banking propositions – connecting banks, data, and customers like never before, to fuel the Kingdom’s growth and maturity in the new ‘Oil Data’ boom ahead.”

"Tarabut has undertaken this challenging task, and with great leadership, a differentiating technology stack, and strong investors, it has shown its unparalleled capabilities. The company's network of partners and access to the region's widest financial data network position it perfectly to achieve this goal."

1. Financial goals to take center stage: A staggering 84% of surveyed Loqbox members express their intent to establish financial goals as part of their New Year’s resolutions, highlighting a shared commitment of UK people to fostering future financial stability.
2. Proactive approach to credit scores: An impressive 75% of respondents outline specific goals for improving their credit scores in the next year, showcasing a proactive stance toward overall financial health.
3. Festive spending realities: Despite a majority refraining from setting a budget during the Christmas holidays in 2023, 63% of members admit to cutting back in other areas to accommodate festive spending. The areas most affected include dining out (64%), shopping (50%), social events (46%), and recreation (31%).

Tom Eyre, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Loqbox, comments: “As we embark on a new year, the insights gathered from our recent survey paint a compelling picture of the financial aspirations and resilience of our members in 2024. Financial goals are being listed as a key part of many people’s New Year’s resolutions, and this dedication speaks volumes about the drive of UK individuals toward achieving financial stability.”

Tom added: “Our commitment at Loqbox is evident in the transformative impact on our members’ financial lives. While a significant percentage of UK adults express low confidence and knowledge in financial matters, our members showcase a remarkable contrast. Loqbox members are not only setting optimistic savings goals but actively improving their overall financial health. We’re proud to be at the forefront of this positive shift, helping our members take charge of their financial futures.”