Finovate Alumni News– October 31, 2012

  • Argos sees a record 79 mil of its online visitors engage in conversations about the brand since implementing Bazaarvoice’s Conversations.
  • IP Commerce Payment API Sample Code Now Available on Github.
  • Silver Tail Systems Acquired by Data Storage Giant, EMC.
  • Lendio.com ends Q3 adding record number of lenders to platform.
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.

FinovateAsia 2012 FinTech Innovation Themes Revealed

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On November 6 next week, Finovate will host the inaugural FinovateAsia conference in Singapore. Over the course of the action-packed day, 36 cutting-edge companies will take the stage to perform fast-paced demonstrations of their latest financial technology innovations to a packed auditorium of bankers, VCs, media, analysts, tech execs, and entrepreneurs.

We wanted to share a quick glimpse of the technology that will be debuted on stage so we compiled this word cloud to visually summarize the major themes of the new innovations. The bigger the word, the bigger the theme.

FA12ThemesWordCloud.jpg

Please note that there are only a limited number of tickets still remaining for the event. If you’re interested in watching the latest Asian financial technology innovations in these areas debut live, please be sure to register soon for your FinovateAsia 2012 ticket to guarantee your seat.

FinovateAsia 2012 is sponsored by: The Bancorp Inc., Citi Ventures, Financial Technology Partners, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Standard Chartered, & Visa

FinovateAsia 2012 is partners with: Asian Banking & Finance, BankInnovation, BankerStuff, BeSuccess, Celent, Finance on Windows, PYMNTS.com, The Emerging Finance & The Asian Banker

The Currency Cloud Raises $1.9 Million

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Last week, UK-based The Currency Cloud announced that it received $1.9 million (GBP 1.2 million) from XAnge Private Equity.

XAnge joins Atlas Venture, Notion Capital and Anthemis, former investors in The Currency Cloud’s $3.1 million (GBP 4.5 million) raised earlier this year.

As a part of this announcement, it disclosed that Hervé Schricke, CEO at XAnge Private Equity, was added to the board of directors.

Additionally, in unrelated news, The Currency Cloud was recently named one of the top 25 hottest fintech start-ups from around the world at SIBOS.

SIBOSTop252.jpgTo learn more about The Currency Cloud, watch its FinovateFall 2012 demo.

New Online Banking Report Published: Digital Overdraft Protection

clip_image002I’ve been wanting to write about overdraft protection for more than five years. It’s a $30 billion market (note 1) with a number of serious issues, but I wasn’t quite sure how it fit our mission of identifying opportunities in online and mobile banking. I finally realized the always-on digital connection to the customer fundamentally changes the overdraft equation. 

In the pre-digital age, a “bad check” was a labor-intensive process. Manually handling the item with slow snail-mail and/or phone calls to the customer was a hassle and a significant cost. The $8 NSF/OD fee in place when I started in banking (late 1980s) barely covered the variable costs, and certainly wasn’t a major profit center.

clip_image002[8]Fast-forward 25 years. With sophisticated balance forecasting ala Simple (note 3), real-time debit authorizations, and virtually free instant customer communications, not to mention a hostile political environment, the days of $30+ penalty fees are numbered.

The transition will not be an easy one for banks. But there are ways to create customer-friendly overdraft-protection services, primarily delivered digitally, that win back a good portion of the lost revenue while making customers MUCH, MUCH more satisfied.

Our new 36-page report includes:

  • 25 promising overdraft-protection enhancements for the digital age
  • Pricing overdrafts and overdraft-protection services
  • Gallery of overdraft-protection websites at banks and credit unions  
  • Profile: Bank of Internet’s OD-free checking account
  • Size of the U.S. market for overdrafts

__________________________________________________________________

About the report
__________________________________________________________________

Digital Overdraft Protection (link)
Making it a customer benefit again

Author: Jim Bruene, Editor & Founder

Published: 29 October 2012

Length: 36 pages, 12 tables, 7,600 words

Cost: No extra charge to OBR subscribers, US$395 for others here

—————————————-

Notes:
1. United States fee income to banks and credit unions
2. Graphic from Southwest Missouri Bank
3. For more on balance forecasting, see our recent PFM report (June 2012, subscription).

Finovate Alumni News– October 30, 2012

  • Cortera to open new office in Boston.
  • American Banker reports Mitek Plans Driver’s License Authentication, Mobile Pay Software.
  • The Next Web reports Braintree and LightSpeed team up to launch new payment plan for merchants.
  • Finovate takes an in-depth look at Manilla’s account management platform.
  • Emida partners with Global Business Services and The Mint Corporation.
  • The Currency Cloud raises $1.9 Million.
  • The WSJ takes LearnVest for a test drive.
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.

What We Learned About Manilla’s Account Management Platform

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Earlier this month, I opened a free account with online account management and organization service, Manilla. After spending some time in the platform, I was impressed with the capabilities of the clean UI and its easy functionality. The company offers both a desktop and a mobile version.

Company overview

    • Headquartered in New York, NY and San Francisco, CA
    • Founded March 2010
    • Over 50 employees

Awards & recognitions

    • Named one of Time’s Top 10 NYC Startups to Watch in 2011
    • Won the DEMO God Award at the DEMO conference in Spring 2011
    • Won the Webby and the People’s Voice Award in the 16th Annual Webby Awards in 2012
How it works
1. Sign up with:
    1. Name
    2. Zip code
    3. Email address and password
    4. Two security questions
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2. Add accounts such as utility bills, bank accounts, travel and rewards memberships, and even magazine subscriptions.

Select a pre-listed provider (Manilla integrates with over 3500), then enter your username and password. More secure accounts, like online banking, require additional security questions and verification information.

I uploaded 5 accounts, ranging from Alaska Air mileage plan to my Verizon account. The average number of accounts a typical user maintains is between 7 and 10; some have up to 20.

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BillsIMG.jpg

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3. Use it to manage bills and payments:

    • Select how and when to be reminded (pictured right) of an upcoming bill due date
    • Store PDF versions of bills forever
    • Login directly to biller websites through your single Manilla password
With the accounts dashboard (pictured below), users can see an overview of all their uploaded accounts, including bill payment reminders and items that need attention.

ManillaDashboard.jpg

In the documents tab (pictured below), users see an overview of all documents, such as a bill, associated with their accounts.

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Mobile app

The mobile experience parallells the full web experience. Just like the web experience, it has dashboards for reminders, documents, and accounts. It allows you to view your bills on-the-go, email them, and go directly to the biller’s site to pay the bill.

In addition, you can set up push notifications on your phone to be reminded of upcoming bill payments.

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To learn more about Manilla, watch its FinovateFall 2012 demo.

Finovate Alumni News– October 29, 2012

  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgDiversinet upgrades mobile health security platform.
  • Forbes reports: FreeMonee Makes Gift Incentives Pay.
  • Killer Startups interviews Nick Hungerford, Nutmeg CEO.
  • DemystData blogs about what it will show in Singapore at FinovateAsia next week. Come to see its latest tech on Nov. 6.
  • Crowdsourcing.org interviews Candace Klein, CEO of SoMoLend.
  • Business Insider reports: PayNearMe has beaten PayPal to the cash market.
  • ChartIQ integrates With StockTwits Unveiling First-of-Its-Kind Social Stock Charting iPad App.
  • Online mortgage applications continue to soar as Mortgagebot clients’ loan volume advances toward 1 million mark.
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.

The Rise of Asia in Financial & Banking Technology Innovation

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In the process of organizing our inaugural FinovateAsia (November 6th in Singapore, a limited number of tickets are still for sale), I’m spending a ton of time interacting with technology companies, investors and financial executives from across the region.

With each passing day, I find at least one new data point that makes me ever more optimistic and excited about the rise of Asia in financial and banking technology innovation.

Here’s a small sampling of what is making me so excited: 

First, the new innovations that our presenters will be demonstrating at FinovateAsia. Leveraging cutting-edge trends like big data, mobile, biometrics, gamification, aggregation, crowdsourcing and intelligent analytics, these companies (many of which are based throughout Asia) are pushing the boundaries of fintech.

Second, the growth of high-quality venture capital across the region, with some specific players like Citi Ventures and Arbor Advisors Asia being focused on the opportunities in financial technology.

Third, the efforts of government agencies (like Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority) and large technology companies (like VisaLabs’ new office in Singapore) to foster innovation in the region.

Fourth, the strong growth of mobile banking across the region (e.g., Citibank’s recent passing of the 1 million user mark) and the innovative technology ideas coming from within large banks (e.g., Standard Chartered Bank’s Breeze).

Fifth, the high quality of the audience that will be attending the inaugural FinovateAsia. From leading banks (e.g., Standard Chartered, OCBC, Citibank, Barclays), research firms (e.g., Celent, Gartner), top tech companies (e.g., Microsoft, PayPal), venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, it’s amazing to see the high level of interest in innovative financial technology ideas.

If you’re interested in learning more about these trends, The Asian Banker is hosting a free teleconsultation on Tuesday, October 30th,  from 4-5 PM, Singapore time. Representatives from Citi Ventures and Arbor Advisors and I will discuss emerging financial technology trends in Asia.

Beyond that, I hope you’ll consider attending FinovateAsia next week to watch the future of Asian fintech unfold live on stage via our signature demo-only format. There are tickets remaining but time is running out so please register soon.

FinovateAsia 2012 is sponsored by: The Bancorp Inc., Citi Ventures, Financial Technology Partners, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Standard Chartered, & Visa

FinovateAsia 2012 is partners with: Asian Banking & Finance, BankInnovation, BankerStuff, BeSuccess, Celent, Finance on Windows, PYMNTS.com, The Emerging Finance & The Asian Banker

The Rise of Asia in Financial & Banking Technology Innovation

FinovateAsiaLogo.png

In the process of organizing our inaugural FinovateAsia (November 6th in Singapore, a limited number of tickets are still for sale), I’m spending a ton of time interacting with technology companies, investors and financial executives from across the region.

With each passing day, I find at least one new data point that makes me ever more optimistic and excited about the rise of Asia in financial and banking technology innovation.

Here’s a small sampling of what is making me so excited: 

First, the new innovations that our presenters will be demonstrating at FinovateAsia. Leveraging cutting-edge trends like big data, mobile, biometrics, gamification, aggregation, crowdsourcing and intelligent analytics, these companies (many of which are based throughout Asia) are pushing the boundaries of fintech.

Second, the growth of high-quality venture capital across the region, with some specific players like Citi Ventures and Arbor Advisors Asia being focused on the opportunities in financial technology.

Third, the efforts of government agencies (like Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority) and large technology companies (like VisaLabs’ new office in Singapore) to foster innovation in the region.

Fourth, the strong growth of mobile banking across the region (e.g. Citibank’s recent passing of the 1 million user mark) and the innovative technology ideas coming from within large banks (e.g. Standard Chartered Bank’s Breeze).

Fifth, the high quality of the audience that will be attending the inaugural FinovateAsia. From leading banks (e.g. Standard Chartered, OCBC, Citibank, Barclays), research firms (e.g. Celent, Gartner), top tech companies (e.g. Microsoft, PayPal), venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, it’s amazing to see the high level of interest in innovative financial technology ideas.

If you’re interested in learning more about these trends, The Asian Banker is hosting a free teleconsultation on Tuesday October 30th
from 4-5pm Singapore time with myself and representatives from Citi Ventures and Arbor Advisors to discuss emerging financial technology trends in Asia.

Beyond that, I hope you’ll consider attending FinovateAsia next week to watch the future of Asian fintech unfold live on stage via our signature demo-only format. There are tickets remaining but time is running out so please register soon.

FinovateAsia 2012 is sponsored by: The Bancorp Inc., Citi Ventures, Financial Technology Partners, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Standard Chartered, & Visa

FinovateAsia 2012 is partners with: Asian Banking & Finance, BankInnovation, BankerStuff, BeSuccess, Celent, Finance on Windows, PYMNTS.com, The Emerging Finance & The Asian Banker

Finovate Alumni News– October 25, 2012

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  • TIBCO Software named to Software Magazine’s 500 Largest Software Companies in the World.
  • SoMoLend and GATE Global Impact make a deal that will facilitate investing in business expansion and job growth.
  • Goodwill to provide HelloWallet subscription to employees as well as community members with disabilities and unemployed.
  • Metaforic announces partnership with Appthority to reduce mobile app risks and enhance security.
  • Microsoft’s new Windows 8-style UI now supported by the KonyOne Platform.
  • MSM Media awards eToro Best Social Media Trading Product for its OpenBook platform.
  • Ping Identity recognized as 1 of 5 high-growth businesses at Denver Startup Week.
  • National Gift Card Corp partners with InComm to offer gaming & music eGift cards for businesses.
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.

Alt-Biz-Lenders Kabbage, On Deck Capital and Capital Access Network Disrupting Business Loan Underwriting

image My favorite session at Money2020 Expo, the massive new trade show organized by Google Payments execs(see note 1), was about as far away from the buzzy mobile wallet and payment schemes as one could get.

I was struck by the potential of alt-business lending. The technology could have a more lasting economic benefit, at least in developed countries, than the transition from plastic to mobile payments (note 2).

The session included the three key alt-biz lenders who are leading the way in disrupting the massive global market in commercial credit (note 3):

  • Glen Goldman, CEO, Capital Access Network (FinovateFall 2010 demo)
  • Kathryn Petralia, Co-founder & COO, Kabbage (FinovateSpring 2012 demo)
  • Noah Breslow, CEO, On Deck Capital (FinovateSpring 2012 demo)
  • image  image   image

    Like most disrupters, the three are gaining traction in a narrow niche largely avoided by legacy players: sub-$250k non-asset-backed commercial lending. In total, the three are on track to do roughly $2 billion in total lending next year. While impressive, that’s not the big story. The disruptive piece is the technology the three use to underwrite the loans.

    They are redefining the borrower-lender relationship with real-time, ongoing electronic monitoring. Instead of borrowers providing static financials after the fact, these lenders have been granted access to the daily receipts of the business (via online banking), so the lenders know every day whether they should expand or contract the loan amount authorized. The lenders also get repayments frequently, sometimes daily, which helps reduce risk. 

    The result is that these companies are able to provide credit to businesses that are unable to get a loan elsewhere because they are just too small and/or the entrepreneurs don’t have the necessary personal FICO scores (note 4).

    Capital Access shared an interesting story on stage. Apparently, they were pitching their service to a very large U.S. bank. Capital Access had extended $245 million in loans to the bank’s customers which came as quite a surprise to the bank. However, when they found out the FICO scores of the biz owners were terrible (in the 500s), the bank said those could not be good loans. But it turns out the Capital Access loans had a 2.2% charge-off rate, bettering the bank’s rate on its “lower-risk” borrowers.

    Given that the short-term loans were made at rates of 15% and up, that is one massive chunk of lost revenue.

    I talked to Noah Breslow, CEO of On Deck Capital, later that night, and he said they are seeing huge upticks in demand, which they are now able to meet with much cheaper capital recently acquired from Goldman and others. He said their 10-month-old program looking at US Bank business-card declines was showing great dividends for all parties. And they continue to actively seek more bank partners which can participate in a variety of ways.

    Bottom line: I believe that eventually most business credit (from banks and others) will be managed with this real-time transparency into the borrower’s finances. It allows the lender to better price the risk, which assuming sufficient competition, allows more credit to be granted, at better overall prices. Banks, you don’t have to do this all at once. But at least start working with one or more of these companies to give your loan declines a second look (note 5).

    ———
    Notes:
    1. Money2020 organizers, Anil Aggarwal and Jonathan Weiner, are serial entrepreneurs behind payments startup TxVia which Google acquired this spring. Money2020 (v1) attracted more than 2,000 attendees to its inaugural 3-day event held in Las Vegas. It was an amazing turnout, which speaks to the interest in Google Wallet, mobile payments, and Finance 2.0 in general. Kudos to the team that pulled together a mind-boggling 300+ speakers across 5 tracks over 2 and a half days.
    2. And I’m not downplaying the impact of the mobile-payments revolution, which has the potential to save billions in fraud and waste while creating enormous opportunities with card issuers large and small in advertising, loyalty, and so on.  
    3. I should also commend moderator Nick Holland (Yankee Group) who fed the participants great questions.
    4. The lenders all addressed the small-business owner “credit catch 22.” Certain things that can lead to business growth, such as quitting your day job and maxing out your credit cards, kill personal FICO scores, even though they are exactly what the entrepreneur should do to maximize business results.
    5. According to CEO Glen Goldman, Wells Fargo is currently referring customers it can’t help to Capital Access Network.   
    6. For more info on small biz online/mobile banking and lending, see our Online Banking Report on micro and small businesses (subscription, published Oct 2009).

    Dynamics ePlate Card Now Available to Public Through UMB Financial Corp.

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    Intelligent payment card company Dynamics, announced yesterday at the Money2020 Expo in Las Vegas that its ePlate payment card is now publicly available. Missouri-based UMB Financial Corp. will offer the card for a $99 annual fee.

    Dynamics first announced the ePlate card in April of this year.

    On its website, Dynamics offers a “test drive” experience of the card. The test drive allows consumers to choose their payment experience as they would on the app, push a button on the virtual card to select between two experiences, and virtually swipe the ePlate card.

    To get a card, consumers register with Dynamics, choose between an ePlate card and a Black Gold card (limited to 5,000 devices), and is redirected to UMB to fill out a credit application. Contingent upon approval, they will be sent the card within 1 to 2 weeks.

    To learn more about Dynamics, watch its FinovateFall 2012 demo.