Experian’s Prequalification Tool Empowers Consumers While Bringing Value to FIs

Thumbnail image for ExperianLogoFF12.jpg

Last up in this session, Experian demonstrated its Premium Prequalification tool:
“Premium Prequalification is a powerful credit-screening tool that allows institutions to proactively utilize individual credit data online, in real time to:
        • Empower consumers with a snapshot of their credit health
        • Save consumers time and money by instantly providing them with their best options 
With Premium Prequalification, providers and lead generators have access to a powerful marketing tool that drives traffic; lowers online acquisition costs; and provides high-quality, credit-qualified leads. This best-in-class process also offers Prequalification Triggers, notifying consumers of recent changes to their credit while offering relevant products, and Credit Comparables, which compares individual credit to the neighborhood average. Experian encourages all online institutions to redefine their acquisition game with Premium Prequalification.”
Product Launched: January 2012
Headquarters Location: Dublin, Ireland
Company Founded: 1897
Website: experian.com
Twitter: @Experian
Finovate demo videofinovate.com/fall12vid/ (demo video will be posted next week)
Introducing Steve Wagner (President, Consumer Information Services) and Michele Pearson (VP, Prospecting & Acquisitions)
IMG_0164.JPG
IMG_0165.JPG

Finovate Report Published: Best New Products at FinovateSpring 2012

clip_image002Since we started the Finovate conference series we’ve spent considerable time before each show selecting the companies, walking through demos, and blogging/tweeting about each one. But we’ve never done a full wrap-up and analysis afterwards.

Until now. Introducing our latest report:

The Best New Products at
FinovateSpring 2012

This post-show wrap-up is designed to help those that weren’t there get a better understanding of the major themes. And for those that were in attendance, it’s a box score to compare with your own notes and impressions.

In the report, we looked at the three big trends that emerged at FinovateSpring:

  • Mobile 2.0: The feature set expands
  • Ad-supported banking gets real
  • Alt-banking: The rise of the “near bank” catering to the underserved

At Finovate, Personal Capital's CEO Bill Harris (right) and Jim Del Favero, VP Products, demo its new product And we profiled each of the seven companies voted Best of Show by the attendees at the event (note 1):

__________________________________________________________________

About the report
__________________________________________________________________

The Best New Products at FinovateSpring (link)
Includes a look at all seven Best of Show winners

Author: Jim Bruene, Editor & Founder

Published: 22 May 2012

Length: 48 pages, 12,000 words

Cost: No extra charge to OBR subscribers, US$195 for others here

The printed version will be mailed to subscribers next week

_________________________________________________________________

Notes:
1. See Best of Show methodology here.

2. Online Banking Report focuses on the future of financial and banking technology. The Report has been published monthly since 1995 and is read by financial services executives in more than 50 countries. In addition, we organize the groundbreaking Finovate conference series which showcases the most innovative new ideas and technologies in finance and banking. Learn more here.

New Online Banking Report Published: The Best of FinovateSpring 2012

clip_image002Since we started the Finovate conference series we’ve spent considerable time before each show selecting the companies, walking through demos, and blogging/tweeting about each one. But we’ve never done a full wrap-up and analysis afterwards.

Until now. Introducing our latest report:

The Best New Products at
FinovateSpring 2012

This post-show wrap-up is designed to help those that weren’t there get a better understanding of the major themes. And for those that were in attendance, it’s a box score to compare with your own notes and impressions.

In the report, we looked at the three big trends that emerged at FinovateSpring:

  • Mobile 2.0: The feature set expands
  • Ad-supported banking gets real
  • Alt-banking: The rise of the “near bank” catering to the underserved

At Finovate, Personal Capital's CEO Bill Harris (right) and Jim Del Favero, VP Products, demo its new product And we profiled each of the seven companies voted Best of Show by the attendees at the event (note 1):

__________________________________________________________________

About the report
__________________________________________________________________

The Best New Products at FinovateSpring (link)
Includes a look at all seven Best of Show winners

Author: Jim Bruene, Editor & Founder

Published: 22 May 2012

Length: 48 pages, 12,000 words

Cost: No extra charge to OBR subscribers, US$195 for others here

The printed version will be mailed to subscribers next week

_________________________________________________________________

Note:
1. See Best of Show methodology here.

FinovateSpring 2012 Live Twitter Transcript

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for FS2012IMG.jpgHere’s @Finovate’s live Twitter stream from FinovateSpring last week.

Entries appear in chronological order:

Day 1, Session 1
  • Dwolla launching newest iteration of FiSync, a payment system that allows banks to originate real-time transactions. Link
  • WattzOn launching its Personal Energy Management Platform, a service to rack energy usage and expense. Link
  • WattzOn announcing WattzOn Connect which can be integrated into online banking and PFMs.
  • Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for TwitterBird.jpgTaulia unveils Early Payment Network; tools for business, showing online invoicing with dynamic discounting. Link
  • BancBox is an infrastructure platform helping companies build web/mobile payment services. Link
  • BancBox showing how it built TweedlePay, a live payment service built for demo purposes in a few days.
  • Affinity Solutions launching Coupon-on-a-Card today; showing Sovereign implementation. Link
  • Affinity Solutions demoing user receiving discount real-time in the authorization stream via First Data integration at POS.
  • Social Money (aka SmartyPig) launching GoalSaver, social money system. Announced ICICI Bank program in India. Link
  • Social Money demoing the savings goal setup process for “new baby,” includes integrations with Facebook/Twitter.
  • Social Money showing how goal redemption process is fee opportunity for bank by putting on prepaid gift card.
  • Expensify is launching trip tracking with full itinerary management; making it a turnkey travel mgmt app. Link 
  • Expensify new trip tracking is automatically available to all users, no upgrade needed.
  • BillGuard anti-virus for credit cards has now saved users $640,000 in fraud charges; has 2 top-issuers in tests. Link
  • BillGuard launching BillGuardFI today; a card charge dispute management system banks can use to reduce dispute management costs.
  • BillGuard demoing social layer to identify charges, “the wikipedia of transactions” an open database of trans source info.
  • BillGuard showing how card transactions can be resolved without involving a bank in the process.
  • Actiance launching Socialite Engage to help financial advisors share relevant, preapproved & compliant content. Link
  • Actiance demoing library dashboard to select content, put into their own words, & schedule; Raymond James is using the system.
Day 1, Session 2

  • Personal Capital launching full “money remote control” via mobile app with full acct aggregation. Link
  • Personal Capital app has cool UI with iPod like dials; full-screen color; demoing interbank transfer between any FI accts.
  • Personal Capital demoing account enrollment using mobile image capture; closing with live $100 transfer.
  • BankersLab is launching CreditLab, simulation gaming system to train retail bank risk managers. Link
  • BankersLab credit training game focuses on risk management skills, pitting teams against each other to make portfolio choices.
  • edo Interactive introduces GeoCommerce, the ability for a purchase at one merchant to trigger offer at 2nd nearby. Link
  • edo Interactive demoing real-time delivery of 2nd offer in real-time over mobile. Focused not on “check-INs” but on “check-OUTs”
  • IP Commerce launching Multi-Party Payments Commerce Playlist for funds exchange based on exchanges rules. Link
  • IP Commerce demoing the creation of a campaign for a “Derby party” relying on the set of rules governing the exchanges.
  • iQuantifi launching automated & personalized financial advice platform with immediate advice implementation. Link
  • iQuantifi demoing financial planning wizards for goal creation and the immediate delivery of advice; like “financial GPS”.
  • Silver Tail Systems launching Parameter Injection threat score to determine when end user’s machine is infected. Link
  • PaySimple is launching platform for banks to offer cloud-based receivables automation to small biz clients. Link
  • PaySimple has Chase and Western Union distributing its small-biz solution.
  • Linkable Networks debuting “SKU level” offers, users served offers “in the wild” while shopping. Link
  • Linkable Networks demoing offer “coupons” being delivered via mobile; showing sharing capability via Facebook.
  • Mitek Systems launching mobile deposit tech for underbanked to load funds directly on prepaid card with camera. Link
  • MitekSystems demoing capture of drivers license via camera and extraction of data (works in all 50 states).
  • Mitek Systems also de
    moing Spanish version, in Spanish.
Day 1, Session 3

  • Dynamics launching payment card with choice of pmt “experience” by selecting buttons that rewrite mag strip. Link
  • Dynamics demoing ePlate payment experience management; showing gamified payments; revenue sharing 25 BP to developers.
  • Dynamics showing payments API, live today.
  • Bill.com launching CashView for biz customers, dashboard control over cash flow, payables & receivables. Link
  • Bill.com demoing collaboration features; showing mobile app that recreates desktop dashboard.
  • Kabbage has loaned $20 mil to small merchants; launching K-Leaf for Kabbage acct integration with others. Link
  • Kabbage showing integration with Bill.com; increases data going to Kabbage for better underwriting.
  • Kabbage showing email integration, users can email documents into Kabbage for automatic import into user’s acct.
  • Cachet Financial Solutions launching Select Business tablet solution for managing check deposits. Link
  • Cachet demoing mobile check deposit, then integration into backend tablet-based sm biz management app.
  • TASCET launching Financial ICONN to ID customers without SSNs; simplify compliance & reduce fraud. Link
  • TASCET is showing ICONN activation, grabs fingerprints & takes facial scan, then match with database to deliver financial security number.
  • Nomis Solutions showing “better living through math” ie its Pricing and Profitability Management platform. Link 
  • Nomis Solutions showing “price optimizer” to help FI’s with pricing; marries data streams, predictive analytics & user behavior.
  • Experian launching Business IQ Express, service for sm biz to manage customers to get paid faster. Link
  • Experian showing dashboard to help a biz evaluate customers’ credit, incl owner’s credit; includes alerts to changes, collections.
  • Experian makes good point, customer credit management can have MORE impact on small biz than larger biz better able to absorb losses.
Day 1, Session 4

  • SaveUp launching a gamification program to reward financial behavior. Link <full disclosure, i won $5>
  • SaveUp has seen signup rate of 44% of users coming from FIs; high engagement from giveaways = 30% visit daily, 60% weekly.
  • SaveUp’s largest FI is Bank of the West, also being used by a number of CUs.
  • TIO Networks has 60,000 walk-up locations for billpay; launching its first mobile app for billpay. Link
  • TIO Networks processes bill payments for Pageonce; showing how it can get bill paid and account credited via mobile on same day.
  • TIO Networks also launching TIO mobile wallet.
  • ProfitStars launching new system to simplify internal budgeting process; aim to kill the static spreadsheet. Link
  • ProfitStars (from Jack Henry) demoing budget collaboration process.
  • MShift launching mobile banking 2.0, connecting FIs to local merchants with direct transaction. Link 
  • MShft is demoing mobile gift card via Air Force FCU account; has iPhone contacts integration; includes running balance of card.
  • eDeposit is “showing us the money” with launch of its new web/mobile payment app. Link 
  • eDeposit showing “buyer authentication” so payment trans are 100% guaranteed; dashboard displays all transactions in process.
  • eDeopsit showing iPad app for real-time payment system.
  • Concur is launching Smart Expense, expense mgr that integrates with TripIt, a travel app w/ 5 million users. Link
  • Concur “your expense report prepares itself;” showing Tripit mobile with “expense trip” button at bottom of the app.
  • Concur used by 18 mil people w/ 0.5 bill items last yr; demoing import into desktop dashboard including photos of receipts.
  • NICE Systems launching today it’s Mobile Reach solution for mobile-based self-service customer service. Link
  • NICE Systems demoing service options offered via mobile app: user can call in and agent can solve & send details to user’s app.
  • That’s it for the day 1 demos, adjourn to networking hall. Thanks everyone for your attention and tweets.
Day 2, Session 1

  • Wipit starts off day 2 of FinovateSpring; launching mobile payments for “cash preferred” users. Link 
  • Wipit demoing cash taken over the counter, loaded into acct with immediate availability for use at Wipit-enabled site.
  • Wipit working with Ria for cash-based mobile bill pay; replaces walk-up billpay for cash preferred; is live today.
  • BehavioSec launching “behavioral biometrics” adding extra security to remote banking via user behavior. Link
  • BehavioSec demoing on iPad how keyboarding speed/style can positively ID user; can even ID a specific fraudster’s “signature”.
  • BehavioSec ID app is available in app store to test yourself.
  • Keynote DeviceAnywhere launching HTML5 mobile web testing app for developers. Link 
  • Keynote DeviceAnywhere demoing a live test of mobile app which is in the right panel (hosted), with diagnostics on left.
  • Flint Mobile launching new company today to accept cards on the go; also announced series A funding. Link
  • Flint Mobile showing capture of ca
    rd details via phone cam, then enter card security number, email address for receipt & then user signs on app.
  • Flint Mobile has social integrations; also has merchant friendly “Durbin pricing” 1.95% + $0.20 for debit; 2.95% + $0.20 credit
  • Cardlytics launching new merchant tools to show where revenues are being generated via mapping. Link 
  • Cardlytics demoing mobile capabilities as integrated into Associated Credit Union mobile banking app.
  • Transparency Labs launching tool to provide more transparency around 401k and retirement acct. Link 
  • MoneyDesktop launching Deals function, integrated into its PFM app; announcing that Visa is using them. Link
  • MoneyDesktop demoing deals implementation in its mobile phone app.
  • Bazaarvoice launching tools for FIs to better leverage word-of-mouth and its customers social connections. Link
  • Bazaarvoice demoing a user product review; then how it appears on FI dashboard used to see consumer sentiment & segment reviews.
  • Bazaarvoice showing tool for FI to respond to comments which is posted online AND emailed to consumer who made the comment.
  • Kuspit (from Mexico) is launching new trading solution; showing consumer dashboard and data visualization. Link
  • Kuspit demoing community features to follow other investors; has learning tools where each step has to be passed before trade.
Day 2, Session 2

  • Giftly “reinventing the gift card,” launching mobile service to make them personal, social, fun, interactive. Link
  • Giftly demoing mobile app w/ friend list, gifting options, event reminders (eg birthday); shows previous history incl photos.
  • Giftly has redemption innovation; recipient uses gift simply by linking the value to their existing credit card & using anywhere.
  • Portfolio Football launches football-inspired gamification of personal finance & investing. Link
  • Portfolio Football demoing the finance/football game, with scoreboard, teams, and so on; mimics fantasy football interfaces.
  • Portfolio Football demoing how to add an asset to portfolio; the new asset (eg ETF) is a new team member.
  • Wall Street Survivor launching social investing platform, to learn investing through games, missions, simulator. Link
  • Wall Street Survivor demoing “portfolio basics” quiz, includes email of the lesson; create branded game w partners, eg Motley Fool.
  • Virtual Piggy launching payment service to enable kids to buy real or virtual goods online. Link
  • Virtual Piggy demoing “parental controls” for online shopping w/ dollar limits, merchant limits, savings hurdles, charity allocations.
  • Virtual Piggy demoing purchase from the K”Nex website in COPPA compliant manner; platform includes social wish list feature.
  • CSI globalVCard launching virtual MasterCard app for businesses to create single-use acct number. Link
  • CSI globalVcard shows how biz creates num via iPad app, sends to mobile phone for immediate use by recipient; has batch create.
  • CoverHound debuting insurance “storefront” an FI-branded turnkey platform to sell insurance via bank site. Link
  • Coverhound demoing process to select car insurance; includes Facebook profile integration to prefill insurance application form.
  • Coverhound gathers “real” prices from carrier partners & presents accurate price comparisons for better transparency.
  • Swipely launching new payment marketing platform; now adding “card processing” to offers & analytics. Link 
  • Swipely shows typical “printout style” merchant processing statement (yep..ours looks like that), compares to Swipely dashboard.
  • Swipely aims to help small merchants put successful mkt campaigns on “auto pilot”; & “turn cash register into marketing machine”.
  • On Deck Capital launching new “Connect” service to integrate its lending platform with partners such as AEO. Link
  • On Deck Capital has AEO exec on stage to explain partnership; demoing wizard that matches biz applicant with local lender.
  • On Deck Capital, had originated $250 mil on its own, but now looking to power sm biz lending through FIs.
  • DeviceFidelity launch moneto mobile wallet; showing “regular phone” payment via microSD card, swap to iphone. Link
  • DeviceFidelity showing mobile app with locater for PayPass enabled merchants; has “vibrate on payment” option.
  • DeviceFidelity offering full white-label platform for FIs and issuers.
Day 2, Session 3

  • ZipZap launching CashCade, a cash transaction solutions for online/mobile merchants worldwide. Link 
  • ZipZap demoing case where credit card is declined, then its cash option is offered; user then pays cash at local store such as CVS.
  • ZipZap showing how it can be shown at checkout as a payment option like PayPal, MC/Visa.
  • Applause Learning launching Coindexter Club, multiplayer-based virtual world of Econopolis, targeted to kids. Link
  • Applause Learning game includes virtual representation of real-world chores such as washing dishes, or running lemonade stand.
  • Applause Learning game includes virtual bank branches, ATMs; includes stock exchange to learn investing.
  • Applause Learning is licensing to banks/CUs for private-brand; showing Georgia’s Own Credit Union version.
  • inStream Solutions launching financial planning software & marketplace for financial products. Link
  • inStream Solutions showing advisor dashboard, includes cool “mind map,” showing how it’s use to suggest and then sell insurance.
  • Clover Network launching the “Clover OS,” and “open POS” system Link
  • Clover showing how a FI or developer could add a feature (send a bill) to a client’s POS.
  • Serverside Group launching system so FI customers can design a card using an image from their Facebook photos. Link
  • Serverside Group working with BBVA Compass Bank, which has seen good lift; users can share designs with friends on Facebook.
  • Serverside system can be used to have a “card design competition” via Facebook.
  • Pindrop Security launching phone verification, Phone Fraud Call Analyzer; ID callers even w/ spoofed CallerID. Link
  • Pindrop Security demoing caller risk score and dashboard to monitor likely fraud with “anomaly detection engine”.
Day 2, Session 4

  • FutureAdvisor launching “free web service to replace your financial advisor;” after 1 month tracking $1 Bil. Link 
  • FutureAdvisor shows personalized recommendations to improve entire portfolio including retirement & 401(k) plans.
  • FutureAdvisor launching premium service today, which MANAGES the portfolio, automatically making asset adjustments.
  • SoMoLend, “social mobile local lending” launching P2P lending platform for small biz. Link 
  • Key Bank is lending on SoMoLend platform, showing how lenders look at potential borrowers, includes map view.
  • SoMoLend launched in Ohio in November, rolling out nationwide today and looking for partners.
  • Klarna “fastest growing payment co. you’ve never heard of;” trade platform to take risk out of ecommerce transfers. Link
  • Klarna demoing trade experience; takes the fraud/default risk and has experienced under 1% in losses.
  • Thomson Reuters launching App Store solution for buying market data, records & other info. Link
  • Thompson Reuters showing creation of SmartStops widget that can be placed into FI website.
  • Access Development launching “power deals, a micro-redemption product” for daily deals offered via FIs. Link 
  • Access Development showing online deal search & redemption process.
  • DCisions investment info service aggregates 1.5 mil portfolios (in UK) & tracks performance like DJIA. Link
  • DCisions service operates under InvestorBee brand, but can be private labeled for FIs; allows comparison to similar investors.
  • BalanceStreet launching “Priceline for debt settlement” to make collection/settlement more user friendly. Link 
  • BalanceStreet showing debt settlement process; user sees options & debtor can make offers to creditors.

FinovateSpring Best of Show Winners Named

Our fifth annual FinovateSpring in San Francisco concluded a few hours ago. After seeing 63 demos over two packed days, the audience voted for their three favorites each day. The top seven overall were named Best of Show (see notes).

The winners (in alphabetic order):

  • BehavioSec for its new security layer based on user typing/swiping patterns
  • BillGuard for its card charge dispute platform, BillGuard FI
  • Dwolla for its FISync service to enable banks to originate real-time payments
  • iQuantifi for its new financial planning & advice tools
  • MoneyDesktop for its PFM platform and integrated “deals”
  • Personal Capital for its iPhone app and interbank funds transfer
  • SoMoLend for its P2P lending platform

We’ll have videos of all 63 demos posted at Finovate.com as fast as possible (probably 2 weeks out).

Thanks to everyone who presented, attended, tweeted, swapped biz cards, schmoozed and helped push fintech forward. You are the greatest! 

———-

Notes on methodology
1. Only audience members NOT associated with demoing companies were eligible to vote. Finovate employees did not vote.    
2. Attendees were encouraged to note their favorites as the day went on and choose three favorites from just the demos of that day. Ballots were turned in at the end of the last demo session each day.  
3. The exact written instructions given to attendees: “Please rate (the companies) on the basis of demo quality and potential impact of the innovation demoed. Note: Ballots with more than three companies circled will not be counted.”  
4. The seven companies appearing on the highest percentage of submitted ballots were named Best of Show. 
5. Go here for a list of previous Best of Show winners.

FinovateSpring 2012 Best of Show Winners Named

image Our fifth annual FinovateSpring in San Francisco concluded a few hours ago. After seeing 63 demos over two packed days, the audience voted for their three favorites each day. The top seven overall were named Best of Show (see notes).

The winners (in alphabetic order):

  • BehavioSec for its new security layer based on user typing/swiping patterns
  • BillGuard for its card charge dispute platform, BillGuard FI
  • Dwolla for its FISync service to enable banks to originate real-time payments
  • iQuantifi for its new financial planning & advice tools
  • MoneyDesktop for its PFM platform and integrated "deals"
  • Personal Capital for its iPhone app and interbank funds transfer
  • SoMoLend for its P2P lending platform

We’ll have videos of all 63 demos posted at Finovate.com as fast as possible (probably 2 weeks out).

Thanks to everyone who presented, attended, tweeted, swapped biz cards, schmoozed and helped push fintech forward. You are the greatest! 

———-

Notes on methodology:
1. Only audience members NOT associated with demoing companies were eligible to vote. Finovate employees did not vote.   
2. Attendees were encouraged to note their favorites as the day went on and choose three favorites from just the demos of that day. Ballots were turned in at the end of the last demo session each day. 
3. The exact written instructions given to attendees: "Please rate (the companies) on the basis of demo quality and potential impact of the innovation demoed. Note: Ballots with more than three companies circled will not be counted." 
4. The seven companies appearing on the highest percentage of submitted ballots were named Best of Show.
5. Go here for a list of previous Best of Show winners.

Balance Street Helps Consumers Settle Delinquent Debt

BalanceStreetLogo.jpg

The final demo to take the FinovateSpring 2012 stage was Balance Street, who demonstrated how it helps consumers and creditors benefit from delinquent debt settlements:
“Balance Street shows consumers how much their debt costs them (as well as the high costs of debt settlement companies), then provides an easy way for them to enter delinquent credit card debt, save money for settlement, and make, accept, and counter offers from creditors. It’s a free, secure and easy way for consumers to settle delinquent debt that also provides creditors with critical information to help them recover more debt faster. 
Creditors can also benefit from making large, lump sum settlements with blocks of consumers, saving millions in customer service, mail, fax, email and money transfer costs. Furthermore, Balance Street will introduce and sell diverse metrics to the credit industry, derived from the unique transaction engine it built to help struggling consumers and overburdened creditors.”
Product Launched: May 2012
HQ Location: Los Angeles, CA
Company Founded: January 2011
Metrics: Raised $250,000, 3 employees, pre-revenue, 3 registered users, 2 successful settlements. Patent filed for online consumer debt transaction engine.
Introducing Johnny Simon (Founder and CEO) and Michael Lees (Corporate Development)

IMG_1826.JPG
IMG_1827.JPG

InvestorBee Uses Wisdom from the Crowd to Help Users Make Smart Investment Decisions

DCisionsLogo.jpg

Next, DCisions took the stage to demo InvestorBee:
“InvestorBee puts data at consumers’ fingertips so they can make smart, confident investments.
        • It’s fact, not opinion. Users can tap into the database to learn from the experiences of other investors.
        • It’s an investment health check. Users can compare their portfolios and multi-asset products with fact-based, relevant benchmarks to understand whether they receive fair value.
        • It’s simple investing without guesswork. Users can choose an objective risk-based strategy to track what’s right for them in a few easy steps.
Our users extract wisdom from the crowd to make better, simpler investment decisions – all for free at InvestorBee.”
Product Launched: December 2011
HQ Location: London, UK
Company Founded: 2005
Metrics: 15 employees, holds data on approximately 1.5 million investors
Website: dcisions.com
Introducing Graham Mannion (Managing Director & Founder) and Maya Kuzalti (Director, Product & Analytics)

IMG_1823.JPG

IMG_1825.JPG

Access Development Launches PowerDeals

AccessDevelopmentLogo.jpg

Afterwards, Access Development unveiled PowerDeals, a loyalty rewards program, for the first time:

“Access is proud to debut PowerDeals, a micro-redemption rewards engine that increases engagement and loyalty while lowering the cost per point for financial institutions. Studies show that the more frequently consumers transact with rewards programs, the more loyal they become. However, the costs associated with driving this behavior have led many FIs to implement lower earn rates, higher redemption hurdles, and expiration strategies. 

PowerDeals allows consumers to redeem their loyalty currency for deals at thousands of in-store and online merchants for a fraction of the face value. By presenting highly attractive, relevant offers with low redemption hurdles, PowerDeals produces more transactions – thereby boosting the program’s impact on loyalty – while the low cost per offer to administrators can help to dramatically reduce program costs and accrual liability.”

Product Launched: May 9, 2012
HQ Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Company Founded: 1984
Metrics: Access has nearly 300,000 merchant partners, including 115,000 on the Access Mobile Network, over 300 clients who collectively represent more than 15 million members, 150 employees and zero debt. Access is self-funded.
Introducing Kelly Passey (EVP Business and Product Development) and Bryce Benson (Operations Manager, Product & Bus Dev)

IMG_1818.JPG
IMG_1820.JPG

The Thomson Reuters App Store Enables Financial Institutions to Create Market Monitoring Apps

ThomsonReutersLogo.jpg

Then, Thomson Reuters showed off its App Store:

“Thomson Reuters is pleased to introduce their new App Store solution that enables access to the latest innovative capabilities and tools for use across the digital enterprise. 

The Thomson Reuters solution enables financial institutions and 3rd party developers to effortlessly create pioneering market-monitoring and investing apps. By seamlessly integrating the combination of Thomson Reuters content assets with a firm’s customer account data and other data sources, Thomson Reuters is helping institutions leverage the providers of financial insight to deliver a differentiated experience for their customers while lowering both development costs and time to market.”

Product Launched: October 2012
HQ Location: New York, NY
Company Founded: 1851
Metrics: 50,000 employees, $12.9 billion revenue
Introducing Jaime Punishill (Global Head of Digital Distribution) and Chris Barrett (Proposition Owner, App Store)

IMG_1812.JPG
IMG_1817.JPG

Klarna Demonstrates an Easy Payment Process

klarnaLogo.jpg

Next, Klarna showed off its payment process:

“Smooth and frictionless payment process is the trademark of the Klarna experience. No one approaches payments the way Klarna does. In less than a second, Klarna performs an extensive analysis of the buyer and assesses the specific risk of fraud and default for that transaction.”

HQ Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Company Founded: 2005
Metrics: 650 employees, 14,000 merchants, $155 million raised in 2011, $118 million in revenue in 2011
Website: klarna.com
Introducing Ohad Samet (Chief Risk Officer) and Jakob Söderbaum (SVP, Sales)

IMG_1805.JPG
IMG_1807.JPG

SoMoLend Debuts its P2P Lending Platform

SoMoLendLogo.jpg

Second, SoMoLend launched its P2P lending platform:

“SoMoLend is debuting its peer-to-peer lending experience by which business borrowers can raise capital by securing loans from friends and family, customers, and community supporters. 

Simultaneously, lenders can invest in the industries they care about most in their own neighborhood, fueling local economy and doing well by doing good all while earning a return.”

Product Launched: Beta Launch: December 2011; Full Product Launch: May 2012

HQ Location: Cincinnati, OH
Company Founded: May 2011
Metrics: SoMo has over 1,000 borrowers seeking loans on our platform and we have closed on $1.2 million in seed capital. SoMo has 5 full-time employees and 6 contract employees.
Website: somolend.com
Introducing Candace Klein (Founder & CEO) and Eric Elias (Director, Product Development)

IMG_1803.JPG
IMG_1804.JPG