Terafina Teams Up with Alabama’s Listerhill Credit Union

Terafina Teams Up with Alabama’s Listerhill Credit Union

Turns out that President Trump isn’t the only one with Alabama on his mind these days. Cloud-based omnichannel sales solution provider Terafina announced this week that it is teaming up with Alabama-based Listerhill CU to power the 90,000+ member FI’s sales strategy as it continues its digital transformation.

“Terafina’s partnership allows us to deepen our existing member relationships and develop new ones, while also helping us to be proactive in meeting our members’ diverse financial needs,” Listerhill CEO Brad Green said. “Moreover, as we continue to expand our reach into new markets, we are excited about this partnership helping us meet and exceed our growth objectives for 2020 and beyond.”

With more than $841 million in assets, Listerhill Credit Union has embarked upon an effort to boost member engagement with a new, omnichannel experience. The goal is to make it easier for members to learn about, choose, and deploy new products and services to meet their financial needs. Named one of America’s Best Credit Unions in Alabama by Forbes and market research company Statista, Listerhill Credit Union was founded in 1952 and serves members in 13 counties in northwestern Alabama and Tennessee.

“Our entire team is delighted to help Listerhill grow organically and provide top notch services to its membership,” Terafina CEO Meheriar Hasan said. “We believe in the great value that Listerhill provides its communities and feel privileged to be a part of its rising story.”

Terafina demonstrated its omnichannel sales platform at FinovateSpring 2019. The technology delivers a seamless experience that aligns branches, call centers, and digital channels to help banks and credit unions improve customer engagement and increase sales. The company notes that its platform is core-agnostic and that it has built more than 30 connectors to core banking, loan origination, KYC, and CRM systems, as well as to data aggregation and data prefill providers.

Earlier this year, Terafina announced that it was partnering with PlainsCapital Bank to help the Texas-based institution fast track small business onboarding. PlainsCapital Bank is the fifth largest bank in Texas with $9.7 billion in total assets. In April, Terafina teamed up with Washington state’s Gesa Credit Union ($2+ billion in assets and more than 150,000 members), and in March, the company announced its collaboration with Silicon Valley-area credit union KeyPoint CU ($1.3 billion in assets; 63,000 members).

Founded in 2014, Terafina is headquartered in Fremont, California.

BNP Paribas to Deploy Dynamic Hedging Tech from Kantox

BNP Paribas to Deploy Dynamic Hedging Tech from Kantox

BNP Paribas has formed a partnership with Kantox, a fintech firm specializing in FX risk management solutions, reports Sharon Kimathi of Fintech Futures (Finovate’s sister publication).

The agreement enables BNP Paribas and Kantox to jointly offer Kantox’s Dynamic Hedging solution to BNP Paribas’ clients across EMEA.

Dynamic Hedging is a software solution developed by Kantox, which allows corporate treasurers to fully automate and streamline FX workflows. The solution will complement the product suite available on Centric, BNP Paribas’ leading digital banking platform.

Philippe Gelis, CEO and co-founder at Kantox, said: “We believe that our offering, combined with the financial strength of BNP Paribas as a banking partner, is an attractive value proposition for their existing corporate client base.”

Xavier Gallant, co-head of corporate rates, FX and local markets sales EMEA at BNP Paribas, said: “When it comes to managing foreign currency risk, we are seeing a real need for our corporate clients to improve efficiency in forecasting their future cash flows, formalizing hedging practices and optimizing execution through automation. BNP Paribas’ partnership with Kantox will offer corporate treasurers in EMEA the opportunity to access a fully automated hedging solution and ultimately improve their treasury processes. We look forward to a successful partnership.”

Kantox demonstrated its Peer FX, its peer-to-peer foreign exchange platform, at FinovateEurope 2013. The technology cuts out the middle man – the brokers and the banks – in the process by directly connecting two parties in an FX exchange. Earlier this year, the company announced that it had raised $5.7 million in a debt financing round.

Revolut Withdraws E-Banking License Application in Luxembourg

Revolut Withdraws E-Banking License Application in Luxembourg

Revolut has withdrawn its application for an e-banking license in the grand duchy in a shift towards Ireland, according to The Telegraph on Sunday, reports Sharon Kimathi of Fintech Futures (Finovate’s sister publication).

The news outlet notes that Revolut stopped its Luxembourg application after questions about its compliance systems were raised in the Chamber of Deputies by the MP Laurent Mosar (CSV) in April, which Revolut has refuted.

Without citing any company names, Moser stated in a parliamentary question to the finance minister, Pierre Gramegna (DP), that: “Fintech companies are subject to a host of national and international rules. However, it would seem that these rules are not always respected by fintech companies, so that some of them get their approval, even though they do not meet financial and banking regulatory requirements. According to my information, at least one major company that has recently applied for approval, would be flagged in its country of origin for non-compliance with existing regulations as well as for non-transparency.”

Mosar asked Gramegna what the finance ministry was doing to ensure compliance with fintech rules. Gramegna responded that the Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (CSSF) and not the finance ministry oversaw regulating financial institutions.

The Telegraph reported that the CSSF began conducting spot checks on financial technology firms headquartered in the country earlier this year to verify that board and staff members were truly located in the grand duchy.

The neobank needs regulatory approval from one of the EU27 in order to maintain its access to the single European market after Brexit.

Revolut told news outlets that it did not withdrawal its application due to questions about its compliance technology. Rather it took a “strategic decision” to focus on its license application in Ireland. A spokesman said the firm “had a very positive and open dialogue” with the CSSF, as well as the promotion body Luxembourg for Finance.

Founded in 2013, Revolut demonstrated its technology at FinovateEurope 2015. Nikolay Storonsky is CEO.

Twisto Raises $15 Million in Series B Funding

Twisto Raises $15 Million in Series B Funding

William Reeve, a co-founder of LOVEFiLM and Secret Escapes, is the latest investor in Czech payments innovator Twisto. Tech.eu reports that the company has raised $15 million (€14 million) in capital as a follow-on to the Series B that it completed in this spring. The company is also looking to bringing an additional $33 million to $44 million (€30 million to 40 million) in senior and venture debt financing to support expansion.

Twisto will use the funds to further build out its platform and to develop what it calls the first universal “debit-credit payment app.” The company’s goal is to have two million, “full-account” customers within the next five years.

Speaking of Reeve, Twisto CEO and founder Michal Smida called his fintech experience “an invaluable resource” and said Twisto would work closely with Reeve on “key strategic initiatives” including M&A and entry into new markets.

Founded in 2013, Twisto has grown into a major Central European fintech with more than 275,000 customers and more than 500,000 monthly visits. The company’s Nikita risk engine applies machine learning to non-traditional data to provide a credit assessment based on more than 400 data points per transaction – all in milliseconds.

Twisto demonstrated its Twisto Card at FinovateEurope 2018. The card, designed to support all of the daily financing needs of its users, provides access instant credit and notifications, a favorable foreign exchange rate, cashback and UNIQA insurance. The card also features a “Buy Now. Pay Later” solution that provides one-click instant financing. Twisto offers three tiers, including a free online version that includes many of the platforms key features including cashback from online purchases and Twisto Snap, which lets users pay bills and invoices by photo or email.

Headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, Twisto announced in July that it was opening an office in Poland, with an expansion into Romania expected soon. The company began the year with news that Wirecard would facilitate the integration of Apple Pay for users of Twisto’s digital Mastercard.

Mexican Fintech Minu Makes History; India’s Namaste Credit Becomes a Neobank

Join us in October as our annual Asia-Pacific fintech conference returns to Singapore! FinovateAsia is one of the best ways for fintech startups and innovative industry veterans from the region and around the world to showcase their latest technologies before an audience of C-level decision-makers, venture capitalists, all-star analysts, and more.

For information on how to participate in FinovateAsia as a demoing company, partner, or sponsor, send us an e-mail and we’ll tell you everything you need to know.

Central and Southern Asia

  • Indian online lending marketplace Namaste Credit becomes neobank for micro, small, and medium sized businesses (MSMEs).
  • Forbes profiles social entrepreneur and co-founder of Pakistan’s Tez Financial Services, Nauren Hyat.
  • India-based digital-only neobank YeLo picks up seed funding from Matrix Partners India, Omidyar Network India, Flourish, and Better Capital.

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • In one of the largest seed rounds in Mexico to date, a company called minu that provides Mexican workers with instant, 24/7 access to earned wages Mexican workers, has raised $6.5 million.
  • Wayra Peru, the open innovation hub of Telefonica, and Peruvian investment group, The Board, to invest in Colombian fintech, IMIX.
  • Ecuadorian-Colombian digital payments platform Kushki Pagos acquires Chilean fintech QVO.

Asia-Pacific

  • Financial Services Authority for Indonesia (OJK) introduces online registry to spur fintech development.
  • Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) adjusts credit risk management guidelines to accommodate use of big data analysis.
  • Indonesian digital credit platform, Kredivo, secures $20 million line of credit.

Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Chipper Cash, a San Francisco, California-based cross-border payment startup with offices in Ghana and Kenya, begins operations in Nigeria.
  • South Africa’s AlphaCode invests $1.5 million in a trio of local fintechs: Bright On Capital, Zande Africa, and Livestock Wealth.
  • Nigerian fintech Carbon to expand to Kenya.

Central and Eastern Europe

  • Ukraine-based Chatbots.Studio teams up with Yozobi. See Chatbots.Studio live on stage at FinovateFall this month!
  • Russia’s Tinkoff goes live with its social network for investors, Pulse.
  • Eligma, a blockchain and AI technology company based in Slovenia, announces €4 million investment from Pangea Blockchain Fund and Bitcoin.com.

Middle East and Northern Africa

  • Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) partners with KPMG to launch the Abu Dhabi Fintech Awards.
  • Egyptian peer lending and savings platform MoneyFellows raises $1 million in new funding.
  • Dubai earns #7 spot in round up of the world’s “top fintech locations of the future” according to Gulf News.

Top image designed by Freepik

Credit Sesame Raises $43 Million in Advance of IPO

Credit Sesame Raises $43 Million in Advance of IPO

Credit score and loan management platform, Credit Sesame, has raised $43 million so far in its latest funding round, which is likely to be the last before the firm goes public, writes Jane Connolly of Fintech Futures (Finovate’s sister publication).

The round, led by ATW Partners with participation from previous investors, has not yet closed. TechCrunch reports CEO and founder, Adrian Nazari, believes the company is on track to achieve a $1 billion valuation when the round does close.

The funding is a combination of equity and debt for the profitable company, which has seen 90% annual revenue growth for the last five years. It will be spent on business expansion and developing Credit Sesame’s RoboCredit artificial intelligence algorithms, which enable consumers to see what actions they can take to improve their credit scores.

Nazari said this is likely to be the last funding round before launching an IPO and the company has no plans to look at mergers or acquisitions until after it goes public.

“Credit Sesame is revolutionizing how consumers manage their credit,” said Kerry Propper, co-founder and managing partner of ATW Partners. “What once was a mystery and black box is now distilled by Credit Sesame’s PCM platform into easy to digest actionable insights that can effortlessly and meaningfully change a consumer’s credit and financial health.”

Users of Credit Sesame, which coined the term “Personal Credit Management,” can check their initial credit score and look at debt rebalancing options for free, but pay fees to take up products referred through the engine.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, Credit Sesame demonstrated its credit-based PFM for a co-branded environment at FinovateSpring 2015.

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: College Aid Pro

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: College Aid Pro

A look at the companies demoing live at FinovateFall on September 23 through 25, 2019 in New York City. Register today and save your spot.

College Aid Pro (CAP) is an innovative, college planning technology for, and supported by, an engaged community of financial advisors. CAP is changing the way America shops for college.

Features

  • Demystifies financial aid, providing accurate net cost projections at thousands of schools
  • Provides a process for guiding families to better college outcomes
  • Supported by a community of professionals

Why it’s great
There is currently no such thing as a financial advocate for Gen-X families with college bound teens. CAP is growing a movement of professionals with the tools and resources to provide that service.

Presenters

Joe Messinger, Co-Founder
Messinger has helped hundreds of Gen X families navigate the college funding maze through his RIA Capstone Wealth Partners, while training thousands of advisors to replicate his process.
LinkedIn

Matt Carpenter, Co-Founder
Carpenter is a leading expert in the opaque process of higher education funding and financial aid. His firm, College Funding Services, has helped thousands of families cut the cost of college.
LinkedIn

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Edmit

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Edmit

A look at the companies demoing live at FinovateFall on September 23 through 25, 2019 in New York City. Register today and save your spot.

Founded by recognized university leaders, Edmit’s award-winning software provides personalized insights and advice to help families make smarter college financial decisions, leading to less debt.

Features

  • Build brand trust and provide insights and expertise in a high anxiety major investment
  • Become a “one stop shop” for holistic financial wellness
  • Introduce a differentiated college-related product

Why it’s great
Families that use Edmit make smarter college financial choices leading to less debt and better life outcomes.

Presenters

Nick Ducoff, Co-Founder and CEO
Ducoff was previously Northeastern University’s VP for New Ventures. He previously co-founded Infochimps, acquired by DXC, and was a VP at Boundless, acquired by Follett. He started his career in law.
LinkedIn

Sabrina Manville, Co-Founder
Manville was previously AVP at Southern New Hampshire University and previously worked at Pearson and Coursera. She has an MBA from Stanford and a BA in Religious Studies from Yale.
LinkedIn

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Insuritas

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Insuritas

A look at the companies demoing live at FinovateFall on September 23 through 25, 2019 in New York City. Register today and save your spot.

Insuritas is debuting the world’s first end-to-end quote and buy platform for business insurance to be fully integrated via API within a digital banking ecosystem.

Features

  • Revenue from digital banking
  • Seamless insurance for small businesses
  • Fully integrated solution allowing the bank to own the customer journey

Why it’s great
iInsure for Businesses empowers banks to transform their digital banking platforms and investments into platforms that drive non-interest income, customer wallet share, and retention.

Presenter

Matt Chesky, President
Chesky was recognized by Hartford Business Journal and Connecticut Magazine in 2018 as a “40 Under 40” recipient. He graduated from Yale University in 2012 with a degree in Economics.
LinkedIn

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Andes Wealth Technologies

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Andes Wealth Technologies

A look at the companies demoing live at FinovateFall on September 23 through 25, 2019 in New York City. Register today and save your spot.

Founded by an award-winning fintech veteran, Andes Wealth Technologies offers the “Google Maps for Financial Advisors,” a set of unique, modern tools to transform the wealth management experience.

Features

  • Risk Tolerance Test: The best ever.
  • Real-Time Risk Monitor: 360° risk visualization for markets and portfolios.
  • Practical Behavioral Finance, including a special tool for baby boomers.

Why it’s great
Unique ideas and visualizations. Beautiful yet practical tools backed by rigorous research and robust data analytics. It will indeed revolutionize the advisor and client experience.

Presenter

Helen Yang, Founder and CEO
A winner of the prestigious Harry Markowitz Award in 2011, Yang has 20+ years of leadership in Fintech and holds an MBA from MIT.
LinkedIn

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Trulioo

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: Trulioo

A look at the companies demoing live at FinovateFall on September 23 through 25, 2019 in New York City. Register today and save your spot.

Trulioo presents EmbedID, a fast and simple way for startups and developers to verify customers across borders while supporting AML/KYC compliance requirements.

Features

  • Integrate and test Trulioo’s identity verification API in minutes
  • Fully customize onboarding fields and forms
  • Verify customers in real time

Why it’s great
With only a snippet of code embedded into any website, Trulioo’s EmbedID enables organizations to verify over 5 billion identities worldwide.

Presenters

Anatoly Kvitnitsky
Kvitnitsky has a wealth of experience working in fintech and identity markets, and is committed to helping solve identity challenges that organizations face in scaling their products for global use.
LinkedIn

Marat Asadurian
A software engineering manager at Trulioo, Asadurian enjoys building new products as well as new teams. In his current role, he is managing a team that generates new business lines for GlobalGateway.
LinkedIn

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: JSOL Corporation

FinovateFall Sneak Peek: JSOL Corporation

A look at the companies demoing live at FinovateFall on September 23 through 25, 2019 in New York City. Register today and save your spot.

JSOL Corporation provides IT consulting and digital transformation related services to clients from various industries by leveraging its technology and know-how developed over the years.

Features

  • Predict growth/deterioration of business partners
  • Visualize transactional networks of businesses and assess spillover effects
  • Monitor/analyze up-to-date financial conditions of business partners

Why it’s great
Use JSOL Corporation’s tool to gain insight into your business partners’ projected financial performance and to make informed financing decisions.

Presenters

Kimitaka Honma, Deputy Unit Director
Honma is a Deputy Unit Director of the Digital Innovation Business Unit and has ample experience assisting financial institutions with their digital transformation efforts.

Andrew Ogata, Sales and Strategic Partnerships
Ogata is a sales specialist in the Digital Innovation Business Unit and focuses on domestic/overseas sales and strategic partnerships.