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Date – 13-Aug-2024 Mbanq introduces AI-driven credit evaluation for financial platforms, streamlining and enhancing the accuracy of credit decisions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Baker Hill, a prominent provider of financial technology solutions for loan origination, risk management, and analytics, has appointed Andy Ivankovich as its new Chief Executive Officer. In his role as CEO, Andy Ivankovich will leverage his extensive experience in lending technology to drive innovation and enhance Baker Hill’s product offerings. His leadership is expected to help financial institutions modernize and optimize their lending operations, solidifying Baker Hill’s position as a market leader. With a strong entrepreneurial background and a product-focused approach, Andy is poised to lead the company in delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower clients to grow and better serve their communities. Andy brings over two decades of experience in the financial services industry to Baker Hill, with a proven track record in developing customer-centric software solutions for digital lending. He previously founded iLendx, a pioneer in cloud-native lending origination products, which was later acquired by Fiserv. At Fiserv, Andy oversaw the lending and deposit software products and services division. Before his career in software, Andy managed a $14 billion lending portfolio as a product executive with USAA, where he also developed and holds patents for lending technology. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Andy’s diverse background positions him well to lead Baker Hill into its next phase of growth. “I am deeply honored to be named CEO of Baker Hill and excited to build on the strong foundation established over the company’s 40-year history,” said Ivankovich. “Baker Hill is a recognized leader in fintech with top-tier products, and the team has a strong reputation for driving innovation in lending. I look forward to leading Baker Hill into its next stage of growth and ushering in new innovations for our clients.” Brian Longe, Chairman of the Board for Baker Hill and former CEO of Wolters Kluwer Financial and Compliance Services, stated, “Andy has shown visionary leadership throughout his career and has a deep understanding of Baker Hill’s mission. His client-focused approach, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative mindset make him the ideal leader to guide Baker Hill forward.”

Date – 13-Aug-2024 The expansion will focus on acquiring new customers, pursuing license applications, and forming strategic partnerships in the region. Nium, a global leader in real-time cross-border payments, is significantly enhancing its presence in Latin America through strategic initiatives, including the pursuit of key licenses, active participation in fintech associations, and expanding its workforce and customer base. This expansion underscores Nium’s commitment to revolutionizing the global payments landscape in this vital region. In a recent move, Nium applied for a Payment Institution License in Brazil, which will allow the company to offer comprehensive payment services, including local fund management in BRL and real-time payments via Pix. Additionally, Nium is seeking FX authorization in Brazil to strengthen its foreign exchange transaction capabilities. These licenses are set to reinforce client confidence in Nium’s robust risk and compliance processes, ensuring secure and efficient transactions. “Latin America has become a leader in various cross-border payment scenarios, especially within global marketplaces where its e-commerce economy thrives in trade corridors with Asia and Europe,” said Prajit Nanu, Founder and CEO of Nium. “Recognizing this potential, we have strategically invested in Latin America for years, securing key clients and expanding our operations. This ongoing growth enables us to further enhance the region’s vibrant and dynamic landscape.” Nium continues to expand its customer and partner network in Latin America. The company recently partnered with BS2, a digital bank in Brazil specializing in fintech solutions for businesses. BS2 utilizes Nium’s Global FX product to reduce FX costs and facilitate real-time payouts between Brazil and major trading corridors like China and the UAE. Additionally, BS2 has joined Nium’s network of partner banks, serving as Nium’s Brazilian Real (BRL) Correspondent Bank to assist in real-time payment settlements for cross-border Pix transfers. Nium’s presence in the region dates back to 2017, with recent customer acquisitions including Ouribank, Treviso, OZ Cambio, and Frente. Nium also expanded its partnership with Ebury, a leading fintech company specializing in SME transactions, to launch an innovative global remittance service in Brazil. This collaboration allows businesses to send and receive fast, reliable, and cost-effective cross-border payments to and from Brazil. Furthermore, Nium has joined ABRACAM (Associação Brasileira de Câmbio – Brazilian Exchange Association), representing institutions authorized by the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB) to conduct foreign exchange operations. This membership reflects Nium’s commitment to contributing to the Brazilian financial and cross-border market, offering benefits such as regulatory advocacy, knowledge sharing, and enhanced market credibility. Nium now has access to industry insights, exclusive resources, and collaboration opportunities with key stakeholders, allowing the company to influence policies and foster a supportive ecosystem for banking in Brazil. “We’ve made significant progress this year in expanding our footprint in LATAM,” said Christina Hutchinson, VP of Business Development LATAM at Nium. “Nium is rapidly building and scaling local payout rails across the entire region to better serve our target verticals, which include banks, financial institutions, and platforms. We’re also preparing to introduce our travel offerings and card issuance capabilities to the region once our new licenses are in place. Brazil, in particular, has the potential to be a global leader in digital payment innovation, and our advancements in cross-border payment solutions are making a meaningful impact on millions of lives worldwide.” Nium also plans to increase its physical presence in the region by hiring strategic roles in business development and partnerships.

Date – 13-Aug-2024 LendingPoint will integrate FairPlay’s Fairness-as-a-Service™ solutions to advance its mission of delivering comprehensive financing options for both consumers and lending institutions. FairPlay, the pioneer in Fairness-as-a-Service™, is partnering with LendingPoint, an award-winning online loan and servicing originator, to enhance its algorithmic qualification and automated funding decisions. Established in 2020, FairPlay specializes in algorithmic debiasing, offering real-time fairness monitoring and optimization solutions. These tools are designed to drive growth, mitigate risk, comply with evolving regulations, and improve consumer outcomes. “LendingPoint’s approach to credit is modern and inclusive, assessing a broader range of factors to evaluate creditworthiness and focusing on the applicant’s complete financial picture,” said Shawn Stone, Chief Executive Officer of LendingPoint. “We are excited to leverage FairPlay’s solutions to ensure our models deliver financing options fairly.” Kareem Saleh, Founder and CEO of FairPlay, added, “LendingPoint has long been an innovator in utilizing machine learning and alternative data to assess creditworthiness. We are thrilled to partner with them to further their mission of providing accessible, straightforward financial solutions that meet individual needs.”

Date – 13-Aug-2024 Jatheon Technologies, a leader in data archiving solutions for regulated industries, is unveiling several new features for its flagship product. With the latest updates, Jatheon Cloud now features advanced email threading capabilities, enabling users to view email threads in a unified, easily navigable format. This enhancement greatly aids in the review stages of open data requests and eDiscovery, where precise and timely information retrieval is crucial. Additionally, Jatheon has revamped the presentation of highlighted terms in search results. The new, intuitive system enhances the visibility of key terms and phrases in archived data, streamlining searches and boosting accuracy. In response to the growing use of Microsoft Teams and Zoom for communication, Jatheon has introduced support for voice message archiving. This new feature includes automatic audio transcription, which converts voice messages into text, making it easier to search and review voice communications. “We are excited to unveil these enhancements to our Jatheon Cloud platform,” said Jelena Popovic, Product Owner at Jatheon. “These updates reflect our commitment to innovation and excellence, ensuring our platform meets the evolving needs of our clients in enterprise data archiving and compliance.” The updates are now live and accessible to all Jatheon Cloud users. Existing customers can use the new features through their current platform interface, while new customers can explore these capabilities by signing up for Jatheon Cloud.

Date – 13-Aug-2024 Hivello and Zulu Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Decentralized Infrastructure and Bitcoin Ecosystem Hivello Holdings Ltd., a leading decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) aggregator, has announced a strategic partnership with Zulu Network, a pioneer in Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions. This collaboration aims to accelerate growth and innovation within the Bitcoin ecosystem and beyond. The alliance grants Hivello access to Zulu Network’s extensive global infrastructure and international audience, significantly extending Hivello’s reach to potential users interested in generating passive income through unused computing resources. This partnership is also expected to bolster Hivello’s position within the Bitcoin ecosystem, with future integrations of Bitcoin and DePIN on the horizon. Justin Rosenberg, CEO of Blockmate Ventures, commented, “Our partnership with Zulu opens new avenues for Hivello to integrate into the expanding Bitcoin ecosystem. Zulu’s network of over 755,000 users underscores the growing demand for Hivello’s innovative DePIN solutions.” Hivello Holdings, which Blockmate Ventures owns a 67% stake in, recently completed a successful $2.5 million funding round, valuing the company at $9 million as of February 2024. The strategic partnership will leverage Hivello’s DePIN expertise and Zulu’s advanced blockchain technology to drive innovation in the Web3 space. The collaboration is set to enhance transparency, accessibility, and interoperability within the blockchain ecosystem and boost the adoption of decentralized applications (dApps) and DePIN technologies. Eric Lifson, Co-Founder of Zulu, stated, “Partnering with Hivello allows us to broaden our platform’s capabilities into the DePIN sector, providing users with enhanced opportunities to engage with decentralized infrastructure projects.” Domeninc Carosa, Chairman & Co-founder of Hivello, added, “Our collaboration with Zulu opens up new possibilities for our users, connecting them with the Bitcoin ecosystem and expanding our footprint within the blockchain space.” Additionally, Hivello Holdings has clarified that the previously announced token launch will be managed by the Swiss-based HVLO Association, with Hivello Holdings serving in an advisory capacity.

Date – 13-Aug-2024 Beneficient Enhances AltAccess Platform with Advanced Machine-Automated Pricing System Beneficient, a leader in technology-enabled financial services, is thrilled to announce significant advancements to its fintech platform, AltAccess®. The latest update introduces the Machine-Automated Pricing System (MAPS), an innovative tool designed to streamline the pricing and valuation of alternative assets, enhancing the efficiency of liquidity transactions. Technical Enhancements and Accelerated Processing The integration of MAPS into AltAccess® represents a major upgrade. This advanced system uses a formula-based pricing model to optimize dynamic pricing and real-time net asset valuations. By leveraging current private market metrics and public market conditions, MAPS enables quicker and more accurate pricing of fiduciary financings. The result is faster liquidity for alternative asset holders and improved primary capital solutions for fundraisers. With MAPS, Beneficient expects to reduce transaction processing times from the industry standard of up to 15 months to potentially as little as 15 days. Advanced Capabilities of MAPS MAPS incorporates a new formula-based pricing system that adjusts dynamically based on a wide range of inputs, including the latest market data. This provides customers with up-to-date and precise valuations, facilitating more informed decision-making. Strategic Implementation and Market Impact The initial rollout of MAPS will focus on Beneficient’s General Partner (GP) Solutions group, particularly the GP Primary Commitment Program. This program aims to enhance the delivery of primary capital solutions and streamline liquidity transactions for GPs. Beneficient’s new capabilities are set to address the $400 billion market demand for liquidity restructuring and primary capital, reinforcing its position as an innovator in the alternative asset market. Following the initial deployment, Beneficient plans to expand MAPS across additional markets, targeting high-net-worth individuals, small-to-midsized institutions, and their advisors. This expansion aims to enhance the platform’s offerings, providing greater value to customers and stockholders while meeting the growing demand for efficient, technology-driven investment solutions. “By leveraging machine-automated processes and extensive market data, MAPS is designed to simplify and accelerate previously complex processes, offering greater transparency and accessibility for alternative asset holders and GPs seeking capital solutions,” said the Company.

Date – 13-Aug-2024 360factors, a leader in integrated risk and compliance software, has announced a strategic partnership with Prevalent, a specialist in third-party risk management (TPRM). This collaboration will enhance 360factors’ offerings, providing banks, credit unions, financial services, and insurance companies with advanced risk and compliance management solutions. Carl L. McCauley, CEO of 360factors, said, “In today’s financial landscape, effective third-party and vendor risk programs are essential for stakeholder success. We are excited to integrate Prevalent’s leading software and comprehensive vendor and third-party lifecycle management services into our solutions. This partnership addresses a critical need for mid-market organizations seeking to scale their TPRM programs efficiently.” 360factors’ Predict360 suite offers an integrated risk and compliance management platform, featuring robust applications for regulatory change management, enterprise risk assessments, key risk indicators, and compliance monitoring. This partnership allows 360factors to provide community and regional banks with top-tier solutions for enterprise risk management, TPRM, and regulatory compliance. Prevalent’s Third Party Risk Management Platform is a SaaS solution designed to automate essential tasks related to onboarding, assessing, managing, monitoring, and remediating third-party risks across the vendor lifecycle. Brett Whiteman, Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Corporate Business Development at Prevalent, commented, “360factors’ extensive experience in risk and compliance management for mid-market financial organizations presents exciting opportunities for both Prevalent and our clients. We are thrilled to partner with a company that is committed to addressing the unique challenges in this sector and look forward to the benefits of this collaboration.”

Date – 13-Aug-2024 Over 65% of consumers are comfortable with their financial institutions using their data to personalize banking experiences and leverage AI technology for fraud protection. Q2 Holdings Inc., a leader in digital transformation solutions for financial services, has released a new Harris Poll consumer report titled The Personal Bank: Delivering Personalized Experiences Across Generations. The report highlights that consumers from all age groups share similar perspectives, behaviors, and preferences regarding banking. “The digital landscape for banks and credit unions is continually shifting and evolving,” The study, commissioned by Q2 and conducted by The Harris Poll, offers insights into consumer banking preferences across generations, including Gen Z (ages 18-26), Millennials (ages 27-42), and Gen X/Baby Boomers (ages 43 and up). It explores various topics such as digital banking usage, preferences for AI, and concerns related to fraud and security. According to the survey, 74% of respondents across all generations expressed a desire for more personalized banking experiences and are comfortable with their financial institutions using their data to meet these needs. Additionally, 70% of consumers are open to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for fraud protection. Other key findings from the survey include: “The digital landscape is continuing to shift and evolve for banks and credit unions,” said Anthony Ianniciello, VP of Product Management at Q2. “This survey aims to help financial institutions better understand consumer needs, highlighting that despite generational differences, there is a common demand for personalized experiences, enhanced security, and increased AI usage.” “Understanding these needs is crucial for developing banking products that cater to consumers at every life stage and for helping banks and credit unions enhance their account holder relationships,” Ianniciello added.

Date – 13-Aug-2024 Blue J, a pioneer in generative AI for tax professionals, is excited to announce an expanded partnership with RSM US LLP (“RSM”), a leading provider of assurance, tax, and consulting services for the middle market. RSM will integrate Blue J’s Ask Blue J into its tax practice, further enhancing its capabilities. “Ask Blue J is a groundbreaking technology because it empowers practitioners to stay in control of their analysis.” “By adopting this generative AI tool, RSM reinforces its position as a leader in generative AI within tax practices across North America,” said Sean Erjavec, Chief Revenue Officer of Blue J. “We are excited to deepen our collaboration with RSM. They are leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver significant benefits to their clients and practitioners. Their insights have been instrumental in refining Ask Blue J, enhancing its effectiveness in research and drafting workflows. We look forward to scaling these impactful use cases through our expanded partnership.” “Ask Blue J is a groundbreaking technology because it keeps practitioners in control of their analysis,” said Matt Talcoff, Partner and Leader of RSM’s Washington National Tax practice. “Its thoughtful features are designed to enhance and support deeper analysis, rather than replace or diminish it. We will continue to explore impactful ways to leverage this technology, which has already proven beneficial for both our clients and staff. At RSM, we are committed to delivering value to our clients and advancing our digital capabilities through the adoption of innovative technologies.” Launched in 2023, Ask Blue J speeds up the integration of generative AI into tax practices by offering a comprehensive, curated database of current US tax content, including news and commentary from Tax Notes.

Date – 13-Aug-2024 New Partnership Enhances Lockbox Services and Remittance Processing, Delivering a Comprehensive Solution to End Users ibml and RT Lawrence Partner to Deliver Integrated Payment Processing Solutions ibml, a global leader in high-volume, mission-critical intelligent document processing (IDP) solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with RT Lawrence, a prominent provider of payment processing solutions. This collaboration aims to offer robust integrated payment processing solutions and services to U.S. customers. Through this partnership, RT Lawrence customers will have access to a comprehensive solution that integrates digitization, remittance solutions, and payment processing lockbox services. The partnership ensures seamless integration of these products, providing reliable and consistent results with minimal downtime for end users. By utilizing the FUSiON HD, RT Lawrence clients will benefit from consolidated infrastructure, accelerated processes, and enhanced performance through digital transformation. This solution enables businesses to digitize paper-based documents such as invoices, checks, purchase orders, and loan agreements, streamlining large volumes of documents into a single, efficient workflow. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with RT Lawrence to enhance business operations, improve data extraction efficiency, and broaden service capabilities for our customers,” said Newt Higman, Chief Revenue Officer at ibml. “This partnership aligns with our mission to replace outdated legacy systems with modern, efficient lockbox and remittance processing solutions. Together, we will continue to innovate and extend our reach to new customers.” ibml is renowned for its high-volume, mission-critical intelligent document processing solutions. Leveraging speed, intelligence, and extensive experience, ibml helps organizations extract valuable information from complex documents and accelerate it for immediate business use. Trusted by major enterprises across banking, financial services, insurance, healthcare, government, and BPO sectors, ibml’s products are deployed in over 80% of the world’s top mailrooms and in more than 46 countries.