Sat.May 25, 2019 - Fri.May 31, 2019

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PayPal Hits $10B SMB Lending Milestone

PYMNTS

Businesses of a certain size — and in industries as varied as construction and restaurants — know the pain of wondering if they will have enough capital to fund operations, inventory, expansion and other mission-critical business activities. They know the uncertainty of going to traditional financial institutions (FIs), even those rooted in their communities, that might not want to take on the risks or economics of extending smaller lines of credit to small businesses (SMBs), with fortunes that

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Investment Management Fees: Beware the Cobra Effect

CFA Institute

Bad incentives lead to bad results, Daniel Brocklebank, CFA, observed at the 72nd CFA Institute Annual Conference.

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Internet Of Things, A Thing Gone Global

PYMNTS

Digital assistants. Smart fridges and thermostats. Security devices, too. The Internet of Things (IoT) has gone global, an ever-expanding ecosystem that touches consumers in every facet of their daily lives. The latest Intelligence of Things Tracker shows some pretty big numbers in terms of the billions of devices already out in the field, and the billions of dollars already being spent on those devices … and it seems like things are just getting started.

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Visa: EMV Rollout Continues; Counterfeit Fraud Down 76 Pct.

PYMNTS

Visa said this week that as acceptance of EMV cards has gained traction in the U.S., counterfeit fraud, measured in dollars for these card present transactions, has dropped precipitously. The latest stats show that the continued upgrade to chip card acceptance – which began in 2015 – has led to a decrease in counterfeit fraud dollars on the order of 76 percent, as measured in December of 2018 vs.

Sales 79
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Your Guide to Creating a Travel Policy

Navigating travel expenses can be challenging, but our workbook offers a clear path forward. Learn to craft a travel policy that fits your budget and makes travel management simple. This self-guided workbook offers: Practical advice on choosing airlines, setting booking time frames, and managing travel costs effectively. Insights into selecting the right class of service for each employee, ensuring everyone travels comfortably and within policy.

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ECB Supports Central Bank Digital Currencies

PYMNTS

A European Central Bank ( ECB ) official is throwing his support towards wholesale central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). In fact, Vitas Vasiliauskas, a member of the Governing Council of the ECB and chairman of the board of the Bank of Lithuania, said the real issue at play is whether CBDCs should be retail, wholesale, or a combination of both. While a retail CBDC would be available for the general public, wholesale would serve a limited circle, primarily banks.

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US Places Nine Countries On A Watch List Over Currency Practices

PYMNTS

The Treasury Department announced Wednesday (May 29) in a report to Congress that of the 21 major U.S. trading partners, only nine need further scrutiny because of their currency practices. Reuters, citing the semi-annual report, reported that the Treasury Department added Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam to a watch list that already includes China, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

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Legal Cannabis Retail Gets Big, Feminine And Luxurious

PYMNTS

It’s not often that one gets to see a new form of retail emerge, but that’s what’s happening with, of all things, legal recreational cannabis. So far, this retail is taking a form that is big, feminine and even a bit luxurious. The big comes from the apparent rise of the so-called cannabis “superstore,” the hotbed of which is reportedly — and understandably — Las Vegas, one of the world’s main adult playgrounds.

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Goldman Sachs Seeks To Win Business From Mid-Sized Firms

PYMNTS

As part of its strategic plan, investment firm Goldman Sachs aims to win the business of more mid-sized companies. It also plans to spend $4 billion technology this year per John Waldron, the bank’s president, who made the remarks at a Bernstein conference in New York, the Financial Times reported. Companies with a worth of under $2 billion are one of the major focus areas for the company.

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Is Sweden Proof There Is Such A Thing As Too Much Digital Payment Success?

PYMNTS

Usually when we’re telling a story at PYMNTS about expectations for a product being radically divergent from its actual performance, it is a story about underperformance. Something comes in on a cloud of extravagant hype only to end up with merely so-so reaction from the intended audience. In more serious misalignments, something briefly billed as the next big thing in payments and commerce will fizzle out shortly thereafter , mostly unnoticed.

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Elevating Accounting Practices: The Power of Outsourcing and Automation in the Digital Age

Speaker: Nancy Wu, Head of Sales and Customer Success at SkyStem

Join us for an enlightening webinar as we delve into the transformative realm of modern accounting practices. In today's digital age, the convergence of outsourcing and automation has revolutionized how businesses manage their financial operations. In this webinar we will explore the synergistic potential of these two strategies to streamline processes, enhance accuracy, save cost and drive strategic decision-making.

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Helping Merchants Play To Win In The $500B Subscription Space

PYMNTS

More than half of all Americans now subscribe to digital news or entertainment streaming services, and such offerings are already beginning to crop up in new industries, like cars and financial services. Companies are developing new subscription boxes, tiers and perks to retain customers’ loyalty in the face of rising competition, too. Retailers, like Walmart , are using related retail packages to compete with rivals such as Amazon , while digital services like Spotify and Apple Music continue t

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Citigroup Opted Not To Partner With Apple On Its Credit Card

PYMNTS

Citigroup was reportedly in advanced talks with Apple to partner on its new credit card but decided not to move forward, according to CNBC. Citing people with knowledge of the talks, CNBC reported that Citigroup bailed over concerns that it wouldn’t earn enough of a profit from the partnership. The report noted that JPMorgan Chase, Barclays and Synchrony were also in the running to partner with Apple on the credit card.

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Data Leak Discovered In Marriott’s Management Company

PYMNTS

A cybersecurity research team at vpnMentor has discovered that The Pyramid Hotel Group, which manages Marriott and other hotel brands, underwent a data leak exposing vulnerabilities that could potentially be used by criminals, the company said in a report. The researchers, Noam Rotem and Ran Locar, found a breach that exposed 85.4GB of security audit logs.

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New York Commuters Can Use Apple Pay On Subways, Select Buses

PYMNTS

Apple Pay is coming to New York City thanks to a partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or MTA. The Verge , citing Apple Pay, reported that on May 31st, people can use Apple Pay for public transportation in the sprawling metropolis. According to TheVerge, the rollout of Apple Pay is part of the MTA’s One Metro New York initiative in which it’s testing new payment methods for fares.

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How to Build the Ideal HR Team

HR doesn’t exist in a vacuum. This work impacts everyone: from the C-Suite to your newest hire. It also drives results. Learn how to make it all happen in Paycor’s latest guide.

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5G Starts To Power Better Robots

PYMNTS

So much starts with coffee – mornings, political ads, artistic movements, advances in QSR retail – and that dictum could hold true with robots, at least the next generation of robots that promise to be powered by 5G technology. The world is waking up to the fact that emerging 5G technology could bring significant, widespread change to not only business and economics, but also to many parts of civilization.

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TSYS And Global Payments: Details Of The $21B Deal

PYMNTS

For Total System Services (TSYS) and Global Payments, it’s official. To that end, the companies said they would enter into a merger valued about $21.5 billion, marking the latest in a string of multi-billion dollar deals among global players offering a range of services and products across the payments landscape. The merger follows the $34 billion deal between FIS and Worldpay that came in March and the $22 billion announcement between Fiserv and First Data that was announced in January of this

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DICK’S Sporting Goods eCommerce Sales Rise 15 Pct In Q1

PYMNTS

With better-than-expected revenues and earnings, DICK’S Sporting Goods ’ eCommerce sales jumped 15 percent in the first quarter. The company’s overall reported quarterly earnings beat estimates of analysts as the company increased its outlook for the full year, CNBC reported. The retailer reported net income of $57.5 million or 61 cents for each share.

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5G Starts Adding Fuel To Healthcare Payments And Innovation

PYMNTS

As 5G deployments start, the people who run hospitals and medical offices, along with companies that supply healthcare devices and payment services, are starting to figure out what the quicker speed and other features of the new mobile network technology will do for them. These early moves are yet another sign of the wide and deep impact that 5G promises to have.

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Planning Your Restaurant's Path to Profitability

Speaker: James Kahler, COO of Full Course

Ever wondered where to splurge and where to safely conserve when it comes to operating and growing your restaurant? 🤔 Join James Kahler, COO of Full Course and industry visionary, in this new webinar where he'll talk all about best practices to invest in your restaurant's success! Whether you're a new business or an established restaurant, a seasoned pro or a rookie, you'll learn the keys to sustainable success in this competitive industry.

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Metro Bank Hit By More Fraud Probes

PYMNTS

Two U.S. law firms have launched investigations into the U.K.’s Metro Bank on behalf of investors concerned that the institution committed securities fraud. Reports in The Guardian on Thursday (May 30) said Pomerantz and Levi & Korsinsky, both based in New York, have opened these investigations, joining Glancy Prongay & Murray, which confirmed it launched a probe earlier this month.

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Goldman Sachs COO Teases New Money Management Product

PYMNTS

The chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs said the bank is working on a digital money management tool in an attempt to attract more customers from Main Street, according to a report by Reuters. “We are developing a digitally empowered mass affluent capability that will leverage our Marcus platform and customer base,” said John Waldron at a bank conference in New York.

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Sureswipe Acquisition Aims To Cash In On Card Machine Growth

PYMNTS

A group of investors has acquired Sureswipe , a South African payments company, for an undisclosed amount. The investors were led by Apis Partners LLP and FinTech investor Crossfin Technology Holdings. Sureswipe will be consolidated under the newly-formed Crossfin Transactional Services (CTS), along with Innervation Pan African Payments and Emerge Mobile’s iKhokha.

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Stepping Into 21st Century Hospitality With Apartments And Technology

PYMNTS

Some entrepreneurs are inspired to start companies because they spot unmet needs in the market: Frontdesk Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer Jesse DePinto, for instance, saw the amateur nature of home shares but the opportunity for something better than a hotel. The company saw the need for the best of both worlds and, to tackle this challenge, it is “evolving into a 21st-century tech-enabled hospitality brand,” DePinto told PYMNTS in an interview.

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How Automation is Driving Efficiency Through the Last Mile of Reporting

Speaker: Jamie Eagan

As organizations strive for agility and efficiency, it's imperative for finance leaders to embrace innovative technologies and redefine traditional processes. Join us as we explore the pivotal role of digitalization and automation in reshaping what is commonly referred to as the “last mile of reporting”. We’ll deep-dive into why digitalization is no longer a choice, but a necessity for finance departments to stay competitive in a fast-paced environment touching on: 2024 trends for the Office of

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Robinhood Nearing A Valuation Of At Least $7 Billion

PYMNTS

Robinhood Markets , the operator of a free mobile trading app, is close to garnering a valuation of $7 billion or more. CNBC , citing two people familiar with the deal, reported Robinhood has raised a minimum of $200 million in a recent late-stage fundraising round that will give it a valuation of between $7 billion and $8 billion. The round, which includes mainly existing investors, hasn’t closed yet — which means it could raise more than $200 million.

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Why Digital Marketplaces Must Anticipate Shoppers’ Needs

PYMNTS

With abundant choices in many aspects of their lives, consumers expect a range of options when it comes to online shopping, ranging from picking out clothes to making travel plans. And, to meet their day-to-day needs, more consumers are tapping into digital platforms seeking top-notch customer support and seamless service. By 2021, close to 90 million – or 86.5 million – consumers will be participating in the digital platform ecosystem, per the PYMNTS and the Platform Economy Playbook.

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Amazon Shakes Up Relationships With Smaller Suppliers

PYMNTS

Call it the great purge of 2019? Amazon is reportedly in the midst of reshaping relationships with several of its longtime vendors, according to Bloomberg. The lasting effect will be that bulk orders “dry up” for many suppliers, most of them classified as smaller firms. The latest actions come after an initial halt, the news outlet reported, that occurred months ago.

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Connecting The Procurement Dots, From Purchase Order To Payment

PYMNTS

Driving efficiency in accounts payable (AP) can stem from an array of efforts. Adopting electronic payments and getting rid of paper checks is certainly one way to boost AP efficiency. In addition, adopting a digital accounts payable platform can streamline operations, as well as open access to digital data for analytical and process automation purposes.

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Accounting Software and ERP Readiness Guide

In this white paper, we explore the factors to consider in deciding whether the time is right for your Company to consider a new ERP or accounting software, the total cost of ownership and plans necessary to make the potential leap to these systems.