Author: Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz)

NICE Systems Acquires inContact for $940 Million

NICE Systems Acquires inContact for $940 Million
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: NICE Systems

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Israel-based NICE Systems, a company that uses data to improve customer experience, has agreed to acquire inContact, a provider of contact center optimization tools.

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2016 for $940 million. inContact stockholders will receive $14 per share  in cash. This represents a 55% premium from inContact’s closing price on May 17 and a 49% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average price.

NICE is funding the deal with a combination of cash on hand and debt financing of up to $475 million from JPMorgan Chase and Royal Bank of Canada.

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NICE—known for its solutions that improve customer experience by guiding customers to the next best action—will combine its Workforce Optimization and Analytics offerings with inContact’s cloud-based services, offering a fully integrated cloud-contact-center solution.

NICE’s CEO Barak Eilam says the integration “creates the deepest and most talented R&D, services and support organization in our industry, allowing us to accelerate our roadmaps and deliver even greater value to our customers.”

NICE demoed its Real Time Authentication solution at FinovateEurope 2015 in London. Real Time Authentication uses voice biometrics to authenticate consumers in a natural conversation with an agent with minimal disruption to the customer experience.

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FinDEVr APIntelligence

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Currency Cloud, Fidor Bank, FinDEVr APIntelligence, i-exceed, Markit, OutsideIQ, PayNearMe, PayPal, Symbiont, TD Ameritrade

FinDEVrSV16-LogoV2(wdate)Our FinDEVr New York developer showcase last week was a success! FinDEVr Silicon Valley will be held October 18 & 19 in Santa Clara. Register today and save.

Developer news

  • The Financial Brand considers what is open banking and why does it matter?

On FinDEVr.com

  • “PIMCO Selects Markit and KYC.com to Bolster Onboarding”
  • “Symbiont to Help Delaware Embrace the Blockchain”

The latest from FinDEVr New York 2016 presenters

  • PYMNTS breaks down its discussion with PayPal CEO Dan Schulman.
  • “OutsideIQ Launches Real-Time Risk Monitoring Tool”
  • i-exceed Technology celebrates its fifth anniversary.
  • Technology from Fidor Bank to drive new mobile banking service from Telefonica Germany.

Alumni updates

  • Dallas Area Rapid Transit partners with PayNearMe to reduce cash handling by transit operators.
  • Entrepreneur profiles TD Ameritrade in a look at finalists for the Benzinga Fintech Awards 2016.
  • “Fiona Tee Takes the Helm as Currency Cloud’s New CFO”

Stay current on daily news from the fintech developer community! Follow FinDEVr on Twitter.

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TIO Networks Rebrands Consumer-Facing Billpay Site Chargesmart.com to TIO.com

TIO Networks Rebrands Consumer-Facing Billpay Site Chargesmart.com to TIO.com
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: TIO Networks

TIONetworksHomepage2016

Cloud-based bill payment processing company TIO Networks this week announced the rebranding of its consumer-facing billpay-site Chargesmart.com to TIO.com.

The new site marks the company’s first TIO-branded web payments site for consumers, enabling them to pay 9,000 U.S. household billers with credit, debit, or prepaid cards without needing to register. Additionally, users have the option to register to store their account information and payment history in the cloud.

chargesmart

TIO acquired Chargesmart in 2014 and Jake Cunningham, VP of consumer payments, describes the rebrand as a “natural progression” to improve the user experience across touchpoints. Since launching in 2008, Chargesmart has processed more than $1.2 billion in online payments. When coupled with TIO’s walk-in billpay service, which processes in excess of $8 billion annually, TIO expects to serve a significant number of people who pay bills outside of mainstream banking channels.

The Vancouver, B.C.-based company’s CEO Hamed Shahbazi highlighted his vision for TIO.com to “evolve into a direct-to-consumer financial leader with bill pay serving as a primary and fundamental service offering.” To further implement that vision, Shahbazi says the plan is “to add incremental and contextually relevant services and to expand to new geographies in the future.”

This news comes on the heels of TIO’s acquisition of Softgate Systems in April which expanded the company’s geographical footprint from 15 U.S. states to 46. The company launched TIO Mobile Pay at FinovateSpring 2012.

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Finovate Alumni News

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Backbase, Capriza, Credit Karma, CSI globalVCard, CurrencyFair, Fastacash, FIS, Fiserv, Hip Money, NICE Systems, PayNearMe, PayPal, Scalable Capital, TIO Networks

On Finovate.com

  • “TIO Networks Rebrands Consumer-Facing Billpay Site Chargesmart.com to TIO.com”
  • Check out today’s FinDEVr APIntelligence.
  • “Hip Money Launches Kickstarter Campaign”
  • “Finovate Debuts: Scalable Capital Brings Advanced Risk Management to Robo-Advisory.

Around the web

  • PYMNTS breaks down its discussion with PayPal CEO Dan Schulman.
  • Dallas Area Rapid Transit partners with PayNearMe to reduce cash handling by transit operators.
  • CSI globalVCard partners with MacNair Travel Management to bring virtual card payment solution to travel managers and procurement professionals.
  • Bangkok Bank’s mobile P2P service is powered by Mobiliti Edge from Fiserv.
  • FIS earns top honors at 2016 PYMNTS Innovator Awards and 2016 Pay Awards.
  • Credit Karma to deploy Anodot’s automated analytics and anomaly-detection technology.
  • Capriza names Lance Walter as its new chief marketing officer.
  • Payments Journal features Jorgen Nordin, CIO of Fastacash.
  • The Maven’s SME column interviews Ben Geoghegan, Currency Fair co-founder.

This post will be updated throughout the day as news and developments emerge. You can also follow all the alumni news headlines on the Finovate Twitter account.

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Fenergo Moves into Middle Eastern Market

Fenergo Moves into Middle Eastern Market
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Fenergo

fenergohomepage

Ireland-based Fenergo has opened up a new office in Abu Dhabi as a foothold to begin offering its regulatory onboarding and client lifecycle management software solutions to the Middle Eastern market.

During an event celebrating the new opening, Fenergo CEO Marc Murphy referred to a “perfect storm” in which stringent regulations have increased the time and cost of onboarding clients, leading to a poor client experience and increased cost for banks. Murphy says Fenergo’s solution presents “a unified approach to solving regulation across the world, delivering enhanced operational efficiencies and an improved client onboarding experience.”

Fenergo was founded in 2009 and for the past four years has grown 100% YOY on average. Last year the company pulled in $96 million in funding which it has used to expand to Singapore, Japan, and now the Middle East.

At FinovateEurope 2012 the company launched Deal Manager, a solution for client onboarding and account opening that integrates policy, document and regulatory requirements. Earlier this month Fenergo won Best Compliance Product at the Sell-Side Technology Awards in New York.

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Finovate Alumni News

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Azimo, Bleu, Fenergo, Green Dot, Guardian Analytics, Insuritas, Markit, Misys, Sberbank, SigFig, SuiteBox, WePay

On Finovate.com

  • “SuiteBox Teams Up with Midwinter to Ease Compliance Burdens for Investment Advisers”
  • “SigFig Partnership with UBS Features Equity Investment, Tools for Wealth Managers”

On FinDEVr.com

  • “PIMCO Selects Markit and KYC.com to Bolster Onboarding”

Around the web

  • PaymentEye interviews Azimo CEO Michael Kent in discussion with Ricky Knox, Tandem CEO.
  • Sberbank introduces fundraising function in mobile application.
  • Guardian Analytics partners with the Norman Group.
  • WePay unveils its white-label mPOS solution.
  • Misys wins awards for its work with Bank of Beijing and Vietnam Technological & Commercial Joint Stock Bank.
  • Green Dot announces plans to divide chairman and CEO roles.
  • Michigan First FCU leverages Insuritas to power Michigan First Insurance Agency for its members.
  • Bleu selected for VC Fintech Accelerator in Little Rock, Arkansas.

This post will be updated throughout the day as news and developments emerge. You can also follow all the alumni news headlines on the Finovate Twitter account.

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Zenmonics and Geezeo Form Partnership

Zenmonics and Geezeo Form Partnership
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Geezeo, Zenmonics

Core banking specialist Zenmonics today partnered with Geezeo. The North Carolina-based company will integrate Geezeo’s PFM features into its channelUNITED platform to offer users enhanced budgeting and spending analysis across web, tablet, and mobile interfaces. Financial institutions using DigitalBANKING, mobileBANKER, and Kiosk solutions from Zenmonics will have access to the new PFM capabilities.

Tracey Dunlap, director of digital channels at Zenmonics, noted the value of moving PFM from a separate, standalone tab in an application into a concept that is integrated throughout the entire experience. Dunlop noted that Geezeo “gives us the ability to bring PFM content throughout the application to provide a more natural financial relationship to the user.”

Founded in 2007, Zenmonics debuted its mobileBANKER at FinovateFall 2013. The tablet app offers branch employees access to sales tools, service features, and product information both in and out of the branch location. The company’s recent partnerships include IBERIABANK and BBVA. Zenmonics was featured as a Top Workplace in 2015 and was recently highlighted in the Charlotte Observer for its office renovations.

Geezeo demoed at the first Finovate, held in 2007. The company’s last demo was at FinovateFall 2014 where it debuted TruBusiness financial management software.

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FinovateSpring 2016 in the Press

FinovateSpring 2016 in the Press
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: FinovateSpring 2016

FSPressEven if you attended FinovateSpring in San Jose last week, it’s likely you need a recap of the 72 demos from companies across a range of fintech industries. We saw everything from using the blockchain to create an identity for underserved populations to checking your net worth on VR.

Fortunately, we had plenty of press representatives on the ground to offer us a full report:

ABA Bank Marketing
On the Floor at Finovate
by Grace Dinn

Australian Financial Review
Blockchain is over-hyped but still part of the solution
by David Rowe

Bank Innovation

Barron’s 
Two New Employee Benefits Aimed at Millennials
by Theresa W. Carey

Beyond the Arc Blog

Business Weekly
Adams Hub investment still showing promise

The Cointelegraph
Russia’s Largest Bank Adopts Blockchain, Develops App for Conversational Commerce
by Alisa Tciriulnikova

Crowdfund Insider
OurCrowd Launches Social Investor App. Invest in Equity Crowdfunding Offers on Your Smartphone
by JD Alois

Cryptonoticias
Los Finovates del 2016 han sido Conquistados por la Blockchain
by Mariano Puigvert

Earnix blog
Fresh Focus From FinTech During FinovateSpring 2016
by Marc Trudeau

The Financial Brand
Using Digital Lending Solutions to Fuel Growth
by David Gerbino

Fintech Business
Fintech’s Woodstock
by Aleks Vickovich

FP Pad
FPPad Bits and Bytes for May 13
by Bill Winterberg

Handelsblatt
Wie Banken sich selbst überflüssig machen
by Axel Postinett

Ignition Wealth

Javelin
What to Look for at Finovate in Silicon Valley
by Mark Schwanhausser

Members Development Company
FinovateSpring 2016– MDC and Owner Insights

Kofax blog
Finovate Spring 2016: 4 Ways to KYC with Robotic Process Automation
by Darren Collins

LinkedIn Pulse
My Finovate State of Mind
by Sandhya Krishnamurthy

meetinvest blog
meetinvest report from Silicon Valley

OurCrowd blog
Introducing the new OurCrowd social investor app!

PayActiv Blog
PayActiv Awarded Best of Show at FinovateSpring 2016

Roboadvisor Pros

Sezzle blog
Sezzle’s Fintastic Finovate Experience
by Mia Bernad

Student Loan Genius blog
Finovate, 401(k)’s, and the Future of Student Loans
by Tony Aguilar

William Mills Agency Blog

Thanks to everyone who attended and covered the show. Check out our other FinovateSpring coverage, Tales from the Tweet Side and Best of Show Winners Announced.

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Finovate Alumni News

By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Avalara, ayondo, Banno, Bazaarvoice, Check Point, FutureAdvisor, Geezeo, Matchi, NuData Security, OutsideIQ, SayPay, Symbiont, Tagit, Zenmonics

On Finovate.com

  • “Tagit Locks in More than $8 Million in New Funding”

On FinDEVr.com

  • “Symbiont to Help Delaware Embrace the Blockchain”

Around the web

  • “OutsideIQ Launches Real-Time Risk Monitoring Tool”
  • Check Point launches free Security Checkups for Australian and New Zealand enterprises.
  • Business Insider covers the birth of BlackRock’s FutureAdvisor.
  • NuData Security more than doubles behavioral transaction volume in the past year, following rapid adoption of its NuDetect solution.
  • Ayondo doubles Revenues in 2015 to £7.3 million.
  • Jack Henry extends Banno platform to Windows 10.
  • Avalara discusses plans to use blockchain technology to track asset ownership.
  • Matchi to host the Liberty Fintech Challenge 2016.
  • CIO.com quotes Bazaarvoice CMO Sara Spivey on marketing to millennials with user-generated content.

This post will be updated throughout the day as news and developments emerge. You can also follow all the alumni news headlines on the Finovate Twitter account.

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Welcome to FinovateSpring 2016: Day 1

Welcome to FinovateSpring 2016: Day 1
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: FinovateSpring 2016

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You made it to FinovateSpring! Now what?

We have a full show today packed with plenty of fintech to explore. Tickets are still available at the registration desk. If you can’t make it today but want to come tomorrow we have special one-day tickets available (ask at the registration desk).

Here’s today’s lineup:

Registration opens at 8:00 a.m.

8:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Intermission & refreshments

10:45 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.

Lunch 12:05 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.

2:20 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. Intermission & refreshments

2:50 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.

4:10 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Networking, open bar & appetizers
Best of Show winners will be announced on day two.

All demo videos will be available for free in a few weeks in our video archives.

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Behind-the-Scenes Look: Rehearsals Underway at FinovateSpring 2016

Behind-the-Scenes Look: Rehearsals Underway at FinovateSpring 2016
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: FinovateSpring 2016

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It’s the eve of what’s shaping up to be the biggest FinovateSpring in history and we’re watching the presenting companies polish their demos for their seven minutes of stage time.

While they’re prepping their tech, you can prep your schedule. Here are a few things to know:

  • When: The first demo session begins at 8:45 AM and you won’t want to be late. We’re opening registration at 8:00 AM so you can check in, grab a coffee and some breakfast before the fun begins.
  • Who: We’ll feature 72 presenters as they demo their newest tech live on stage. No slides. No canned videos.
  • Mobile app: We’re set up to host our largest audience yet. The best way to connect with others is to use our official event app. Download the Bizzabo app and search Finovate. From there you can connect with other attendees, find out more about the presenting companies and presenters, and more. Available on Android and iOS.

For all you need to know, visit the FinovateSpring website and check out the FAQ section. Still need help? Contact spring@finovate.com.

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Nexmo Acquired by Vonage for $230 Million

Nexmo Acquired by Vonage for $230 Million
By Julie Muhn (@julieschicktanz) Posted on
Categories: Mergers & Acquisitions, Nexmo

NexmoHomepage

Cloud communications startup Nexmo is now Nexmo, a Vonage company, after being acquired by communications giant Vonage for $230 million.

The company’s CEO Tony Jamous is now president of the newly acquired entity. CTO Eric Nadalin and Nexmo’s 170-person team are also moving over to Vonage.

Nexmo brings 350 enterprise customers from across the globe, which marks Vonage’s first expansion outside of the United States.

Vonage CEO Alan Masarek comments on the acquisition, “By combining Vonage’s rapidly growing, unified communications-as-a-service business with Nexmo, we are creating the future of cloud communications. These companies represent a set of strategic, technology and human resources assets that deliver the broadest services offering in our industry.”

Nexmo demoed its Verify SDK at FinovateEurope 2016 and presented on using the crowd to decrease fraud at FinDEVr New York 2016.

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