Betterment Expands Portfolio Options by Adding International Investments

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Investment platform Betterment recently expanded portfolio options for users to include international investments. The New York Times blog, Bucks, reports:
“As of last month, Betterment’s portfolio includes international exposure through the addition of two new exchange-traded funds: Vanguard Europe Pacific and Vanguard Emerging Markets.”
New users will have immediate access to this while existing users will transition into the new options throughout the course of the next few months.
To learn more about Betterment, check out its FinovateFall 2010 demo.

Dwolla Announces New Proxi Service

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Payment startup Dwolla announced a new service called Proxi that will allow its 40,000 users to pay each other or a business via mobile device, based on proximity.
“The new tech will allow users to convert their Dwolla enabled devices into movable Spots to seamlessly take payments without additional hardware, like NFC or dongles.”
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This service uses GPS to enable consumers to locate nearby contacts (businesses or individuals) and pay them using nothing but their mobile device. 
To learn more about Dwolla, watch their demo from FinovateSpring 2011.

Bill.com Launches Invoice Mailing Service

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California-based Bill.com launched a billing feature that allows small businesses and accountants to invoice their customers via snail mail.

“Bill.com’s Accounts Receivable (AR) update enables users to send printed bills to their customers via U.S. mail at below the cost of what a typical company would spend printing, stuffing and mailing invoices.”

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This new service will benefit those who prefer paperless billing methods by allowing them to send invoices to customers who still use paper invoices.

It also includes new features such as:

  • The addition of a Quick Response (QR) code on the invoice that allows the recipient to scan the code and link directly to their Bill.com Payment Portal.
  • The ability to integrate with QuickBooks and Peachtree accounting software

To learn more about Bill.com, watch its FinovateSpring 2011 demo here.

Mint.com Adds Bill Payment Reminder Feature

MintLogo.jpgMint.com launched a new bill payment reminder feature today that provides one place where users can track upcoming bills. This timeline format lets users see their bills over time and allows them to set customized due date reminders.

“‘Juggling due dates and amounts owed, and jumping from websites to paper statements, is tedious and confusing. Busy people have better ways to spend their time and money, such as saving toward a goal,’ said Aaron Forth, VP and GM of Intuit’s Personal Finance Group”

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Mint.com will automatically recognize user’s bills based on prior bank statements and monthly patterns.

To learn more about Mint.com, check out its FinovateSpring 2011 demo here.

Xero Launches U.S. Version of Accounting Software

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Cloud-based accounting software company, Xero, announced this week that it has released a version of its software for the United States.
The update includes simple things like spelling differences, ability to generate 1099s, and regional reporting. Larger enhancements include: 
“The ability to print checks (cheques for the rest of you). Checks are still widely used in the US (the bigger the better) and while we’d love 

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to encourage electronic alternatives we accept that there’s still a strong demand for paper checks.”

Xero also mentions future plans of providing users with an automated way to receive and make payments. 
To see Xero’s online accounting system in use, check out its FinovateSpring 2011 demo.

Kashoo Releases Accounting App for iPad

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Yesterday, Canada-based Kashoo released a new iPad app called Kashoo Accounting.
“Kashoo’s iPad accounting app gives small businesses and entrepreneurs the flexibility to manage all aspects of their finances on the go, including monitoring key business metrics, creating and delivering invoices, recording expenses, tracking payments, and generating financial reports. 

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The new app, available for free in the Apple iTunes Store, allows users to access their accounting data on-the-go. 
“Business owners can take care of important tasks like sending an invoice, or entering an expense, or checking an account balance immediately wherever they are. We have created a tool that has the power to transform how small businesses operate-and thrive.”
To see Kashoo’s Accounting app in action, watch its FinovateFall 2010 demo here.

FinovateFall 2011 Sneak Peek: Part 1

FInFallLogo.jpgMore than 60 leading fintech innovators, both startups and established companies, are gearing up to present at the biggest Finovate ever, Sep. 20/21 in NYC.

Each company provided a sneak peek of what they’ll be demoing on stage next month. Below is the first installment of these teasers. We’ll have more next week. 
Don’t miss your chance to see the live demo from each company and meet the execs responsible. Get your FinovateFall ticket here
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Backbase is launching “Retail Bank of the Future,” representing the e-banking engagement experience of tomorrow. It embodies the newest User Experience (UX) patterns based on input gathered from customer research, industry thought leaders and UX specialists.
Innovation type: Mobile UI, online UI

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Personal finance is a chore and not too high on any To-Do list. Life is busy and finance stresses people out. 
At Balance, we manage your personal financial chores for you. We combine professional service (your own bookkeeper!) with all of your financial accounts and bills in one place for a fully managed experience that is personalized for you.
At Finovate we will show how you can now connect your financial accounts to Balance and power our newest expense tracking, budgeting and custom reporting tools. Also, look for a demo of our photo bill pay app and some other surprises!
Innovation type: Banking, payments, PFM

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Saving for a house? And retirement? And that dream vacation? No problem with Betterment.com! We’ve created the simplest, fastest, and most efficient way for consumers to invest for their goals and the future.
Innovation type: Banking, investing, PFM

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Banks need to re-define the relationship they have with consumers if they want to succeed in today’s market. StatementRewards has introduced an effective way for financial institutions to inexpensively reward their consumers for banking with them, which in turn increases loyalty and customer satisfaction. 
At Finovate, BillShrink announces a new innovation that harnesses the intelligence of aggregated transactional data and applies it to customers’ social networking and purchase management activities. By utilizing advanced analytics to present the most personalized offers and other services to customers, StatementRewards gives financial institutions a unique, competitive edge.
Innovation type: Cards, PFM, rewards

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Want to see the definitive search engine for tackling today’s banking issues? cbanc Network has created a revolutionary online collaborative platform for financial institutions to share best practices. This secure online community contains the largest repository of peer-authored, board-approved, exam-tested content anywhere. Here, banking professionals trade real, practical work — including policies, procedures, agreements, vendor reviews and more from every department of a bank or credit union. 
This network
  1. Motivates people to share their best work 
  2. Uses points as currency to incentivize users 
  3. Helps FIs prepare for exams
  4. Protects users around legal and competitive concerns of sharing
Innovation type: Back office, online UI, security

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The technology of the CLX.SentinelDisplay, a Class 4 reader with a hardened browser, hardened middleware, an integrated smart card and a high-resolution display,  ensures extremely high, comprehensive security in e-banking applications. 
Along with the reader’s extremely secure customer authentication and transaction signing mechanisms, the advanced concepts for application authentication and pro-active security updates is unique. The hardened browser (CLX.SecureBrowser) onboard the reader ensures full confidentiality of customer data – a security aspect that is often entirely ignored.
Innovation type: Identity, payments, security

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DeMystData’s new web-based modeling platform helps lenders grow thin file portfolios without increasing their risk level. With minimal inputs, our tool leverages the vast amounts of data accumulated online, applies advanced statistical techniques, and configures a bespoke predictive API that captures additional customer information without adding underwriting complexity.  
The DeMystData platform has application in variety of commercial environments incl
uding credit issuance, risk assessment, segment identification, and offer customization.
Innovation type: Identity, lending, marketing

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Credit unions, banks, financial advisors, financial institutions: How are you delivering youth financial education to your client families? How are you connecting with your next generation client? How are you fulfilling Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) responsibilities for financial literacy programs that progress in complexity as students get older? 
You’ve tried online content and even interactive online games, but the results are disappointing. Neither can hold a child’s attention for long or keep them coming back over the years. We have a better way. It’s no game. It’s real experience. It works. We can’t wait to show you at FinovateFall 2011.
Innovation type: Online UI, PFM

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Fuze Network provides innovative ways for financial companies and their customers to work together. Learn how we help billers to build brand loyalty, aid in collection efforts, reduce fees, boost your customer service efforts and help to eliminate misdirected funds.
With Fuze at your back we can help to boost your store traffic, drive sales, increase revenues and simplify the hassle of payment processing all while creating a better customer service experience.
Fuze helps connect customers with the closest payment locations, online bill payments, simple cash payment solutions, and easy utility bill payment all while saving them fees and the hassle and stress of paying bills.
Innovation type: Back office, cards, payments

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Ready to have your financial mind blown away? Lighter Capital is combining light-hearted irreverence PLUS a light-weight and flexible funding structure PLUS a social-based investment decision analysis to make it easier, faster and more fun for small businesses to access capital than ever before! Get ready!
Innovation type: Investing, lending, small business

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KulaX is a cross-sell engine that enables financial institutions to leverage their online banking platform to generate more leads faster without interfering with core banking functions. 
Online banking customers are targeted with the “next best product” where they are invited, at logout, to engage in an automated one-on-one microinterview with their financial institution about their financial products needs and preferences. Upon interview completion, customers are presented with special offers for the FI’s products and services that have been tailored based on interview responses; requested offers are emailed to customers.
Innovation type: Marketing, rewards

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Modo converts redemptions to payments, and makes payments mobile.  Our demo will show how easy it is to onboard consumers and merchants, as well as the simplicity of paying with modo.  
And of course, most importantly, why you should GET modo and PAY with modo, in the first place: MORE!

Innovation type: Mobile, payments, rewards


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When your brand is in the palm of your customer’s hand: make the most of mobile technology. Mootwin helps your business enhance the mobile customer experience, re-enforce loyalty, and accelerate revenue growth.

Innovation type: Communications, marketing, mobile


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MShift and ACI Worldwide formed an alliance in 2010 to offer mobile delivery of ACI Enterprise Banker, the industry leading business banking solution.  
They are now partnering to create a ground-breaking mobile business banking native application for the tablet. The application is focused on robust and graphically rich presentations of financial data as well operational tasks like ACH, wire release and bill payment, all with access from anywhere at anytime.
Innovation type: Banking, mobile, payments

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MyCyberTwin will demo its Artificial Intelligence solutions, called virtual agents
, and give a detailed explanation about how current leading financial institutions are using the technology today and will use the technology in the future.
It is a powerful demo to show an audience how a computer thinks and answers questions in real-time, helping customers get the answers they need while helping companies garner the intelligence of the customers visiting their websites. This demo will also showcase an emotionally responsive AI virtual agent able to capture emotion including smiling, frowning, and expressing gratitude.
Innovation type: Communications, marketing, sales

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The oFlows paperless loan and deposit originations system has expanded beyond financial institutions.  Because oFlows has seamlessly integrated credit, fraud and payment systems, now anyone can use oFlows for just about any transaction.
Think of the last time you were handed a clipboard with a paper form on it. Next time it might be a tablet computer running oFlows.
Innovation type: Banking, lending, mobile

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Consumers have plans, life plans, and want to understand how those plans affect their finances in the future, so they can make better decisions.
Planwise is launching tools that will help any consumer, from the teen buying a laptop, the 20-something buying a car, the couple buying their first home to the astute property investor, to better understand how their decisions today might look in the future financially.
The consumer can then connect with the lender or adviser of choice to quote, get advice or apply.
Innovation type: Lending, marketing, PFM

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Putting money aside for a rainy day is easier said than done. Many Americans do not have any money saved for emergencies. 
Plastyc aims to change this by introducing automated savings built into prepaid card accounts. Setting aside a few dollars every day, week or month will be just a single click away. Money accumulated in the savings purse of the card account will reward savers with cash at unprecedented rates.
Innovation type: Banking, cards, online UI

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ReadyForZero is an online program for the 77% of American families who are paying down debt. For individuals and families, ReadyForZero facilitates the management and reduction of debt. 
For financial institutions, the program is a low-touch and consumer-friendly alternative that reduces net credit loss and improves customer retention.
Innovation type: Online UI, payments, PFM

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Rebirth Financial, noted by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco as a company to “change the US finance system,” is shaking up the small business lending game again! 
In February, Rebirth launched the nation’s first peer-to-business lending platform. Shortly after, Rebirth uniquely integrated SBA and CRA lending into the P2B mix. 
Now, Rebirth is introducing the JAS Rating System! It’s a system that will redefine the way we analyze small business and a must-see for financial institutions lending to small businesses and companies wondering whether they should extend credit to a new client. It’s just another game changer from Rebirth Financial.
Innovation type: Back office, lending, small business

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T8 Webware is bringing native mobile services to the masses by giving consumers real-time access to their financial purchase capabilities. Grip, a financial decision-making tool supports consumers’ daily needs, empowering them to understand their money flow simply and without clutter. 
Grip enables financial institutions to provide convenient information on the go; addressing consumers’ mobile needs through a highly secured mobile and tablet app. With no reliance on core integration, financial institutions can offer Grip almost immediately and without any upfront fees. It can be deployed in three weeks and costs 99 cents each month for customers who use the app.

Innovation type: Communications, mobile, PFM


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The Transecq solution, powered by ENTERSECT ITA, has revolutionized two-factor authentications by utilizing the power of the end user’s mobile device, fully encrypting the device and creating a multi-factor authentication tool. 
Strong 2-Factor authentication delivered ubiquitously across the globe puts the power of approval in the appropriate hands.Thus providing protection and security way beyond passwords and account challenges.
Transecq is the industry leading innovator and developer of mobile security sol
utions for the financial services market.  All the services leverage the security of Digital Fingerprint technology which uniquely ties a user and his/her mobile phone to an encryption key.

Innovation type: Communications, identity, security


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Weemba revolutionizes the way borrowers and lenders find each other and interact in a social-network-like online format. Borrowers create a profile and post a loan project under a nickname. 
Profiles may include everything from the Borrower’s income and education level (individuals) to their number of employees and annual sales (businesses). Lenders search projects by credit score, amount needed, purpose and more. 
When a Lender finds an interesting project, the Lender then may ask the Borrower for access to their real identity. If the Borrower grants access to the Lender, all further contact and any negotiations take place outside Weemba.
Innovation type: Lending, marketing

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At FinovateFall 2011, Yodlee will demonstrate customization without effort. The company has developed a way for banks to automatically tailor a consumer’s initial experience with personal financial management.
Or, as the company likes to say:
    Online banking can be such a chore
    Checking balances is often a bore
    With new customization
    You’ll cause a sensation
    Yodlee FinApps offers MUCH more
    All new at Finovate
    Banking that will motivate
    Inspire and personalize
    You’ll see how to stylize
    Your customers will tell you you’re so GREAT

Jwaala & eWise Partner to Offer Online Payment Alternative

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Online banking platform provider, Jwaala, and payments solution startup, eWise, announced the 
formation of a partnership today. 

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“Through this partnership, the Secure Vault Payments solution has been integrated into Jwaala’s Better Online Banking platform (BOB) allowing users to make payments to online merchants and billers through simple, secure and immediate ACH transactions.”
This new payments solution will be available to members of Utah-based Mountain America Credit Union, who have been offering Jwaala’s Better Online Banking Platform since May.
To learn more about the two, watch Jwaala’s FinovateStartup 2009 demo and eWise’s FinovateSpring 2011 demo.

Kabbage Receives $17 Million in Series B Funding, Secures Patent

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Kabbage, a startup that provides working capital to online businesses, revealed two big announcements today. 
First, it received $17 million in funding from Mohr Davidow Ventures, BlueRun Ventures, David Bonderman, Warren Stephens and UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund. With this funding, Kabbage says:
“We’re able to explore new territories; we can pursue additional marketplaces, new financial products and expand our model even further now.”
Second, it has been awarded a US patent:
“The US Patent is an ‘apparatus to provide liquid funds in the online auction and marketplace environment.’ Basically, it’s a system that lets use an online merchant’s shop and selling history to best determine how dire a need there is of funds.”
To check out how Kabbage works, watch its FinovateSpring 2011 demo.

Xero Receives $4M R&D Grant from New Zealand Government

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New Zealand-based accounting software company, Xero, received a Technology Development Grant from its government yesterday. The $4 million will be doled out over the next three years to speed up the startup’s research and development. Xero hopes this will, in turn, increase exports.
“Xero contributes significantly to New Zealand exports,” says Rod Drury. “The majority of our future growth will come from customers in Australia, the UK, USA and new territories. This grant helps speed up our export drive into these territories and beyond.”
For more information on Xero’s cloud-based accounting software, check out its FinovateSpring 2011 demo.

peerTransfer Receives $7.5 Million in Series A Financing

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International education payment startup, peerTransfer, announced a round of $7.5 million in Series A funding from Spark Capital, Accel Partners, Maveron, and Boston Seed Capital.
“The funding will be used to increase headcount and infrastructure across functional areas to support growth as it expands the number of colleges and universities it works with. peerTransfer already works with over 30 leading institutions…”
This round, when added to the $1.1 million in seed money received last October, brings the startup’s total funding to $8.6 million.
To learn more about peerTransfer’s international education payments processing, watch its FinovateSpring 2011 demo.

ActivePath & Cardlytics Partner to Offer Transaction-based Marketing in Email Statements

Last week, ActivePath and Cardlytics announced a joint marketing agreement that will combine

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ActivePath’s email banking technology with Cardlytics’ transaction marketing platform.
“With this partnership, banking customers can 
receive enhanced offer-carrying eStatements

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 directly into their inbox to be viewed and transacted from within in the email message at their convenience without the need to log on to the bank’s website or download the statement. Additionally, this partnership will provide banks and retailers with the ability to utilize transaction-based marketing in the eStatement, a win-win solution that can help increase transaction volume, enhance customer relationships and generate new revenue.”
To learn more, watch ActivePath’s FinovateFall 2010 demo and the FinovateEurope demo from Cardlytics in 2011.