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Curated industry news and original merchant playbooks.
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general
industry-news
PayPal Pauses Venture Capital Portfolio Sale After Lowball Offers
PayPal halts the sale of its venture portfolio, including BNPL firm Tabby, after bidders offer just 60 cents on the dollar.
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technology
Yuno Fast-Tracks Merchant Access to Revolut Payment Stack
Yuno and Revolut Business partner to offer merchants biometric one-click checkout and streamlined global payment processing.
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technology
ECB explores link between Tips and Brazil's Pix
The ECB and Brazil explore interlinking instant payment systems, promising faster and cheaper cross-border transactions for global merchants.
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technology
PicPay Launches Anthropic Claude Integration for Banking Inquiries
PicPay integrates Anthropic’s Claude to give customers conversational access to their financial data and credit information.
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home-improvement
technology
Williams-Sonoma’s AI Assistant Triples Shopper Purchases
Williams-Sonoma sees a 620% revenue spike tied to its AI assistant, signaling a new standard for high-ticket retail conversion.
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technology
Bank ID vendor traced to a dark web license sale
A massive leak of driver’s license data puts retail financing programs at high risk for identity fraud and account takeovers.
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industry-news
Int'l banks plan stablecoin, OpenPayd enters US market
International banks eye stablecoin payments while fintech OpenPayd brings new embedded finance options to the U.S. market.
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technology
24/7 Money Means Treasury Needs to Figure Out Its Weekend Plans
The banking industry is moving toward 24/7 transaction processing, promising a future of instant merchant settlements and better weekend cash flow.
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technology
ECB Explores Instant Payment Link With Brazil’s Pix
The ECB and Brazil are testing a bridge between instant payment systems, promising faster and cheaper cross-border transactions for global merchants.
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industry-news
Ant International Secures Payment Institution License to Expand Capabilities in Brazil
Ant International secures a Brazilian license, clearing the path for advanced cross-border payment tools and merchant digital suites in the region.
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home-improvement
regulation
Pulte: 'cartel-like' bureaus should cut costs, eyes bi-merge
High-ticket retailers could see lower financing overhead as industry leaders push to end the three-bureau credit report monopoly.
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automotive
technology
Walmart-linked fintech's banking incursion reaches autos
Walmart-backed fintech One launches 'My Garage' to centralize auto payments and financial tracking for consumers.
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industry-news
MoneyLion alums take OpenReserve ‘out of stealth’
Former MoneyLion execs secure a national bank charter for OpenReserve, promising a real-time 'continuous' banking model for the fintech age.
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industry-news
Revolut nabs conditional OCC charter
Revolut secures a conditional U.S. banking charter, paving the way for direct consumer lending and new merchant financing competition.
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technology
77% of Merchants Are Ready to Share Data for Smarter Checkout
New research shows merchants are trading data for personalized checkout experiences that prioritize the right financing options for every customer.
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technology
OpenAI Subsidizes $1 Billion in Cybersecurity to Protect Community Banks and Essential Services
OpenAI's $1 billion security subsidy helps protect the community banks that power regional consumer financing programs.
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regulation
Banks without holding companies need better disclosure rules: GAO
Federal watchdogs call for stricter transparency rules for thousands of banks currently exempt from SEC oversight.
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pet
merchant-playbooks
Petco loses millions due to loyalty program
Petco's loyalty program backfires as high redemption rates lead to millions in losses, offering a vital lesson in margin protection for retailers.
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industry-news
Paymentology powers Maxim’s UK launch, expanding access to credit for the African diaspora
Maxim and Paymentology partner to launch a borderless credit card for the African diaspora in the UK, targeting underserved global citizens.
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technology
Freedom Credit Union taps Salus to help attract Gen Z and millennial members
Freedom Credit Union adopts Salus technology to offer automated microloans, helping local lenders compete with national BNPL providers.
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industry-news
Ant International secures payment institution licence from the Central Bank of Brazil
Ant International lands a Brazilian payment license, signaling a major expansion of AI-driven payment and financing tools into Latin America.
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technology
Anthropic launches AI commerce agents with Visa and Mastercard
Anthropic teams up with Visa and Mastercard to turn AI chatbots into fully functional sales agents that handle payments and checkouts.
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home-improvement
lender-updates
Gatehouse Bank launches refinance products for UK residents with no product or application fees
Gatehouse Bank slashes upfront costs by launching fee-free Shariah-compliant home refinance products for UK residents.
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technology
Bottomline Taps Chainlink to Bring 600 Banks On-Chain
A new partnership between Bottomline and Chainlink aims to modernize global banking for 600 institutions using blockchain tech.
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technology
nCino Expands Buyback as AI Demand Supports Growth
nCino’s growth in AI-driven banking tech points toward faster, more automated financing experiences for retail customers.
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technology
ACI Worldwide to Add Microservices Card Switching Through Cranium Acquisition
ACI Worldwide acquires Cranium Ventures to modernize card processing with cloud-native microservices for improved retail transaction stability.
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technology
Payment Networks Hold the Key to Stablecoin Scale
Stablecoins move toward mainstream commerce as major payment networks and banks build the infrastructure for instant retail settlements.
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lender-updates
Revolut wins US charter with limits on four products
Fintech giant Revolut gains a conditional U.S. banking charter, signaling a new era of competition in consumer lending and digital payments.
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technology
M&T upgrades as banks seek closer ties to corporate clients
M&T Bank partners with FIS to embed payment and banking tools directly into the software platforms retailers use to run their daily operations.
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industry-news
OpenReserve Gets Nod to Launch ‘Bank That Never Closes’
A new digital-first national bank charter could lead to faster, frictionless consumer financing and 24/7 credit processing for merchants.
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general
regulation
Colorado AG takes on EWA provider EarnIn
Colorado's lawsuit against EarnIn signals a major regulatory shift that could redefine Earned Wage Access as traditional consumer lending.
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industry-news
Revolut Gets Conditional OCC OK for US Banking Charter
U.K. fintech giant Revolut secures conditional approval for a U.S. bank charter, signaling more competition for consumer credit and BNPL.
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technology
FIS Debuts Embedded Finance Platform Geared Toward Banks
FIS launches a new embedded finance platform, signaling a shift toward integrated banking tools inside the software retailers use every day.
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home-improvement
industry-news
GSE changes, Boxabl pact spur mortgage lending opportunities
New GSE guidelines and modular housing partnerships are making it easier for homeowners to finance ADUs and factory-built units through mortgages.
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general
industry-news
Revolut achieves conditional OCC approval for US national bank status
Fintech giant Revolut secures conditional U.S. banking charter, paving the way for expanded consumer credit and merchant financing options.
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general
regulation
Banks can question customer activity without disclosing SARs
New federal guidance allows lenders to investigate suspicious activity through direct communication without breaking confidentiality laws.
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technology
Finzly debuts AI assurance layer
Finzly’s new AI security layer aims to make bank-led financing faster and more reliable by preventing automated errors and security breaches.
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technology
FIS rolls out embedded banking platform
FIS launches a bridge for banks to offer point-of-sale financing and digital credit directly through merchant apps and websites.
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industry-news
Fiserv explores divestitures
Payment giant Fiserv weighs selling off business units, potentially impacting merchant processing and debit network stability.
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industry-news
TabaPay eyes bank charter
Payment platform TabaPay acquires Transact Bank to provide direct banking services and faster funding for merchant partners.
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technology
OpenPayd secures 43 money transmitter licences across the US
Global banking infrastructure provider OpenPayd enters the US market, promising more seamless embedded finance and payment options for businesses.
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technology
RateZip launches live US bank rate and mortgage rate app on ChatGPT
RateZip brings real-time mortgage and HELOC rate data to ChatGPT, changing how consumers research financing for major purchases.
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technology
Stripe taps new stablecoin executive
Stripe hires crypto veteran to lead stablecoin integration, signaling a push for digital currency cards in everyday retail.
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industry-news
TabaPay is seeking to buy a community bank for its charter
Fintech firm TabaPay moves to acquire a community bank, aiming to streamline payment processing and financing for merchants.
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technology
Incore Bank trials AI for customer onboarding with automated risk assessment
Incore Bank's successful AI trial signals a future of faster, automated credit approvals and reduced friction for consumer financing.
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technology
Financial firms are building new businesses from the layers beneath their products
Big lenders are turning their internal tech into plug-and-play tools, making it easier for merchants to offer sophisticated financing at the point of sale.
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general
regulation
For-profit settlement is the wrong answer for troubled borrowers
Retailers should beware of for-profit debt settlement services that encourage customers to default on financing to force negotiations.
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technology
RBA concludes no case for retail CBDC in Australia
Australia halts plans for a consumer digital dollar, opting to stick with existing electronic payment systems for the foreseeable future.
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regulation
As feds retreat, California boosts fair-lending enforcement
California's new fair-lending bill means stricter scrutiny for consumer financing programs and credit algorithms.
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technology
Nasdaq Verafin Takes the Fraud Fight to the Dark Web
Nasdaq Verafin’s new dark web monitoring tool helps lenders stop identity theft and application fraud before the transaction occurs.
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technology
72% of UAE Shoppers Used AI for Their Latest Purchase
AI is reshaping how consumers discover products and financing offers, with 72% of shoppers already using the technology to guide their purchases.
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merchant-playbooks
Quickbooks Capital Originated $1.9B in Business Loans Last Quarter
Intuit’s lending arm hits $1.9B in quarterly originations as small businesses ditch traditional banks for integrated fintech loans.
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technology
Most Banks Wait Six Years for AI Payback. Discovery Didn’t.
AI is transforming consumer lending from generic offers to real-time, personalized credit solutions that drive higher conversion and lower risk.
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industry-news
TabaPay closes $155m financing; agrees to buy a bank
TabaPay secures $155M and a bank charter to streamline instant payments and loan disbursements for the consumer finance industry.
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lender-updates
Shopline Taps Splitit for Card-Linked Installment Payments
Shopline merchants can now offer seamless, credit card-linked installments through a new partnership with Splitit.
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industry-news
Credit unions have an AI risk gap: American Banker research
New research reveals banks are more wary of AI lending risks than credit unions, potentially impacting how your customers get approved for credit.
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technology
Benchmarking AI adoption: What U.S. Bank's playbook tells us
U.S. Bank’s AI strategy signals a shift toward faster, more automated credit approvals and enhanced consumer financing tools.
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general
regulation
Agencies clarify banks may contact customers tied to SARs
New federal guidance allows lenders to discuss suspicious transaction details with customers, potentially reducing friction for high-ticket financing.
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technology
How Block added 30,000 merchants to its new network
Block connects Square merchants with millions of Cash App users through its new 'Neighborhoods' network to drive local foot traffic.
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industry-news
Jack Henry refuses to pay extortionists after data theft
A data breach at core provider Jack Henry highlights security risks for the financial institutions powering consumer credit programs.
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industry-news
FNBO Expands Westward by Buying Denver’s InBank
FNBO’s acquisition of InBank scales its presence in Colorado, potentially bringing new consumer financing tools to Denver-area retailers.
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industry-news
TD pushes US branch expansion amid AML reform
TD Bank commits to a 100-branch U.S. expansion despite regulatory hurdles and a looming asset cap.
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technology
OpenPayd secures US state money transmitter licences
Global banking-as-a-service provider OpenPayd enters the U.S. market, offering new possibilities for embedded retail payments and financial tools.
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general
technology
Nymbus signs Sagehaven Bank
Sagehaven Bank selects Nymbus to power a new digital-first national bank, signaling more tech-driven competition in the consumer lending space.
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industry-news
TabaPay Aims to Become TabaBank After Raising $155 Million
Payment platform TabaPay raises $155M to acquire a bank, promising faster funding and streamlined financial tools for merchants.
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general
regulation
Fed Governor Points Lenders Toward Second-Chance Borrowers
Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr urges lenders to use AI and cash-flow data to approve more 'second-chance' consumers.
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industry-news
OpenPayd Secures 43 US Licenses Ahead of Nasdaq Listing
OpenPayd clears a major regulatory hurdle in the U.S., offering retailers new possibilities for embedded finance and seamless global payments.
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general
regulation
The FTC Is Coming for AI’s Honesty Problem
The FTC is targeting AI systems that steer consumers toward specific financial products under the guise of neutral advice.
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industry-news
TabaPay eyes OCC charter with Denver bank deal
Payments platform TabaPay acquires Transact Bank, aiming to streamline the backend infrastructure for consumer lending and digital payments.
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regulation
Republicans unveil bill to change CFPB funding structure
A new House bill seeks to strip the CFPB of its independent funding and curb its broad authority to penalize lenders for 'deceptive' practices.
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general
lender-updates
Fifth Third issues consolidated debt card
Fifth Third's new Truly Simple card offers 0% intro APR and no late fees, helping consumers consolidate debt and increase their shopping budget.
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industry-news
Mollie completes acquisition of GoCardless
Mollie’s acquisition of GoCardless unites card processing and bank payments to simplify recurring billing and lower transaction costs for merchants.
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technology
Stablecoins lose ground to tokenized deposits
Banks are prioritizing tokenized deposits over stablecoins, signaling a shift toward faster, regulated, and more secure instant payment settlements for retailers.
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technology
Banks undertake stablecoin effort
Top U.S. banks are launching a regulated stablecoin that could eventually enable instant settlement for retail transactions and financing.
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general
technology
ACI buys UK payments tech firm
ACI Worldwide acquires Cranium Ventures to modernize payment infrastructure and improve cloud-based transaction processing for global merchants.
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technology
ACI Worldwide to add microservices card switching via Cranium Ventures acquisition
ACI Worldwide’s acquisition of Cranium Ventures signals a move toward faster, cloud-based payment routing and easier financing integrations for merchants.
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technology
Juspay pilots offering that enables brand discovery across AI platforms
Juspay’s new pilot aims to bridge the gap between AI conversations and retail transactions, streamlining brand discovery for the next generation of shoppers.
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lender-updates
Citizens targets gap between consumer, commercial banking
Citizens Bank expands its business banking reach, targeting mid-sized merchants with personalized service and better digital tools.
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technology
Sumsub releases fraud prevention starter kit
Sumsub's new AI-powered toolkit helps growing merchants automate fraud detection and secure their consumer financing workflows.
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technology
Orange becomes first merchant in France to offer Wero for bill payments
Orange adopts the bank-backed Wero wallet, signaling a major move toward account-to-account payments for European retailers.
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industry-news
Ingenico strengthens global leadership team
Ingenico's new executive team signals a shift toward smarter payment terminals and easier financing integrations for brick-and-mortar retailers.
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technology
Interoperability Now Drives Asia-Pacific’s Real-Time Payments Agenda
Asia-Pacific's push for cross-border real-time payment interoperability is setting the stage for faster, automated global commerce.
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technology
Spreedly Sees Good Bots Becoming an Agentic Commerce Channel
AI agents are becoming the new shoppers; retailers must adapt checkout flows and financing options for machine-led commerce.
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technology
56% of Consumers Have Faced a False Payment Decline
New data shows that overly strict fraud controls are driving away honest customers and hurting retail conversion rates.
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technology
Why Modern Issuing Platforms Will Determine Which AI Strategies Succeed
Discover why your financing partner's underlying technology stack determines the speed and success of AI-driven checkout tools.
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technology
How 23% of Merchants Captured Retail’s Next Agentic Commerce Advantage
AI shopping agents are beginning to dictate payment choices, but most retailers aren't yet equipped to track or influence these automated decisions.
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industry-news
Jack Henry falls victim to ransomware attack
A major ransomware attack on banking tech giant Jack Henry puts the spotlight on the security of the consumer financing supply chain.
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technology
Block opens up its Cash App Score to other lenders
Block partners with Nova Credit to share its internal credit scoring data, potentially boosting approval rates for fintech-savvy shoppers.
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industry-news
Félix raises $200m in equity and debt to expand beyond remittances
WhatsApp-based payment platform Félix raises $200m to launch consumer credit and financing products for the U.S. Latino community.
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technology
Incore Bank’s AI Hits 99% Accuracy on KYC Checks
High-accuracy AI in KYC checks promises to streamline consumer financing approvals and reduce friction at the point of sale.
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industry-news
California bank ends waiting game, sells low-yielding bonds
A major California bank is offloading $1 billion in bonds to free up capital for new, higher-yielding consumer and business loans.
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technology
Block Lets Lenders Access Cash App Credit Insights
Block partners with Nova Credit to share Cash App’s proprietary credit scores, potentially boosting approval rates for millions of digital wallet users.
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technology
How a cross-border fintech manages the geopolitical storm
Global fintechs are navigating geopolitical shifts to help merchants offer localized payment and financing options in emerging markets.
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general
regulation
House Republicans debut CFPB reform package
New House Republican bill targets the CFPB’s funding and enforcement power, potentially easing oversight on consumer lenders and retailers.
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technology
Digital Onboarding launches AI-native business intelligence agent for banks
New AI-native tools help banks keep customers engaged, potentially boosting conversion rates for merchants offering consumer financing.
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technology
Ethena Debuts Crypto-Centric Neobank Ethena Pay
Ethena Pay launches with a 'Buy Now Pay Never' feature that uses savings rewards to fund consumer purchases.
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technology
Visa boosts A2A fraud prevention tech
Visa integrates new AI technology to secure direct bank payments, paving the way for safer, low-cost Pay-by-Bank options at checkout.
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technology
FIS and Ericsson Team to Improve Wallet-Led Financial Services
FIS and Ericsson join forces to scale digital wallet technology, making it easier for businesses to offer seamless mobile payment experiences.
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industry-news
YouTube’s Amazon Deal Pushes Social Commerce Closer to Checkout
YouTube integrates Amazon into its shopping program, bringing seamless checkout and BNPL options directly to social media feeds.
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technology
Vertice AI launches growth engine for financial institutions
Vertice AI's new platform helps community lenders use predictive data to deliver more personalized financing offers to your customers.