ANNOUNCEMENTSACI Worldwide, a global provider of real-time electronic payment and banking solutions, added new features to its ACI Speedpay solution to assist businesses in addressing the growing consumer bill payment needs and overburdened call centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Building off the solution's existing mobile wallet offering, moBills, Delay My Payment provides an automated process for requesting payment deferrals based on predetermined criteria, the company noted, adding that by automating the process in the mobile wallet, billers can put assistance tools directly into the hands of the consumer faster without reliance on call center agents and staff.
Biller Genie, an accounts receivable and e-invoicing automation solution, introduced BG Boost, its referral program. Due to the current economic climate, business owners across the country are struggling with cash flow, Biller Genie pointed out. Additionally, unemployment filings have significantly increased nationwide, leaving people searching for other methods of earning income. BG Boost provides individuals the opportunity to earn supplemental income and helps businesses find a solution for increased cash flow. Through the initiative, anyone can refer business prospects and earn $200 for every business that adopts Biller Genie's software, the company stated.
Fraud prevention company Bolster, formerly RedMarlin, launched an online customer protection services program for nonprofit organizations. The program, Bolster for Good, allows nonprofits to arm themselves forever with industry-leading online phishing and fraud prevention technology at-cost to defend themselves from online scams and account takeovers. The program aims to help nonprofits of all sizes defend themselves against today's sophisticated phishing and online spam attack campaigns, which have skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Bolster stated. In April 2020, the overall number of phishing sites leapt to 110 percent of their March level, according to Bolster's COVID-19 Global Online Phishing and Scams Dashboard.
MineralTree, an accounts payable (AP) and payment automation solution provider, expanded its integration capabilities to help more middle-market businesses automate their AP processes. The new capability adds hundreds of accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software options that can integrate with MineralTree's AP automation solution, the company stated, adding that this opens up modern AP automation capabilities to a much larger segment of middle-market businesses while also supporting remote work requirements for finance teams.
Nuvei, a global payment technology provider, launched its Merchant Guru program, consisting of tools and support for small to midsize business owners. For retailers and food service businesses typically rely on a steady stream of foot traffic, the coronavirus outbreak has had a devastating effect. Nuvei stated that in urgent response to this need, its turnkey program empowers SMBs to quickly convert to a cloud-based payment system and begin advertising their services to local or nationwide clients for immediate revenue generation. Merchant Guru enables business owners to activate online payment processing seamlessly, and the program helps SMBs reach thousands of local customers through targeted digital advertising, with little to no manual setup, according to Nuvei.
As part of its support for small businesses during this challenging time, Sound Payments is waiving Sound POS service fees for three months for existing merchants and new merchants that are added in April. "We are working hard at Sound Payments to develop and enhance our product offerings with creative ways to support businesses during these challenging times," said Andrew Russell, president of the technology company. Also, to help meet social distancing guidelines, Sound Payments is supporting small businesses with mobile POS solutions, including curbside checkout and home delivery.
Payment and fintech solutions firm Mosaica Inc. launched Worldesk, its global transaction management platform. Available via an integrated web tool and on Android and iOS devices, Worldesk allows real-time control over a host of international business needs, including payments and receivables automation, currency conversion, intelligence foreign exchange management, intuitive alerts and seamless integration with third-party software, the company stated.
RESEARCHDue to the increased threat of fraud, money laundering and financing terrorism, the Emerging Payments Association published new guidance on digital identification and authentication to help combat financial crime. The EPA's Guidebook to Digital Identification and Authentication calls for robust identification and authentication processes to be employed in the financial services industry. "Financial crime is a global problem with organized crime transcending geographic boundaries," the EPA stated. "This guidance explains how specific identification requirements and standards vary on a national, international and regional level, citing AML regulations and directives."
MX, a digital transformation platform for banks, credit unions and fintechs, released new research on consumer spending trends and mobile banking adoption, amid increased economic uncertainty and anxiety over COVID-19. For instance, MX data shows that mobile banking engagement has increased by more than 50 percent since December, and the amount that consumers are putting toward paying off their credit cards decreased by more than 25 percent, as consumers look to safeguard finances and increase emergency funds, researchers noted.
A report titled Financial Services: Adapting to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak provides an early assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the retail banking, payments, wealth management and the insurance sectors. The report identifies which retail banking markets will be hit hardest by the pandemic; details how banks are reacting to the outbreak across different markets; identifies which payment companies have the most exposure to POS terminals versus ecommerce; and more, ReportLinker noted. The report is available at www.reportlinker.com/p05879469/?utm_source=PRN.
The U.S. Payments Forum released a white paper to provide a primer on the EMV 3-D Secure (3DS) protocol, its features, and the data and transaction process. EMV 3DS has been a prominent topic in the card-not-present payments space as a solution for authenticating consumers during transactions, according to the forum. The white paper, EMV 3-D Secure, is available at www.uspaymentsforum.org/emv-3-d-secure/.
PARTNERSHIPSBlueSnap is now a Nacha Preferred Partner for Digital Commerce and Business-to-Business Payments. In becoming a Preferred Partner, BlueSnap joins a select group of innovators recognized for offering products and services that increase or enhance the use of secure ACH payments, information and messaging by financial institutions and end-user entities, Nacha stated. "As the modern ACH Network thrives, we look for Preferred Partners with solutions that help advance the Network," said Jane Larimer, Nacha president and CEO.
PayRange Inc., a network for everyday purchases, and Jetz Service Co., a laundry service and equipment provider operating in 18 Midwestern states, signed an agreement to provide PayRange mobile payment acceptance across the entire fleet of PayRange compatible machines. Previously PayRange was available in only 60 percent of Jetz's machines. The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic motivated Jetz to accelerate plans to enable its remaining machines to accept mobile payment; laundry is an essential service, but consumers who are spending most time in their homes are finding it increasingly difficult to find change for laundry, the partners stated.
SiriusIQ, a platform for orchestration and automation of digital labor, is collaborating with RackWare, a provider of automated, intelligent hybrid cloud management that extends across physical and virtual environments. SiriusIQ integrated and embedded RackWare within its Cloud Correct solution for rapid adoption of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. Cloud Correct now provides organizations the ability to leverage the power and flexibility of Microsoft Azure services in days, RackWare stated.
ACQUISITIONSBlackhawk Network completed its acquisition of SVM Cards, a provider of physical and digital open- and closed-loop prepaid cards. The acquisition broadens Blackhawk's prepaid and gift card offerings by adding issuance of closed-loop cards, including several leading fuel and other brands to its U.S. catalogs, as well as continuing to expand Blackhawk's significant incentives and B2B gift card services, Blackhawk stated.
In addition, SVM's customer base can now benefit from Blackhawk's omnichannel commerce, digital products and incentive solutions.
Bravo Pawn Systems, a POS software platform for pawnbrokers, and Bluedog, a payment solution provider for merchants, partnered to increase ease of use, increase efficiencies, and enhance employee and customer experiences with respect to collecting, processing and reconciling in-store credit card payments. A key highlight of the partnership is the integration between in-store terminals and Bravo platforms: customers will no longer need to manually enter data into the terminal and then re-enter information into their Bravo platforms, according to the partners.
APPOINTMENTSGlobal Data Consortium appointed James Philip as its chief compliance officer. Having a chief compliance officer will help GDC and its customers navigate an increasingly complicated regulatory environment and build customer onboarding systems that maintain compliance yet reduce friction, GDC stated. James Philip is a governance, risk, and compliance professional specializing in enterprise risk management and anti-money laundering/terrorist financing. He leads a consulting practice that has a diverse range of global clients from fintech startups to international banks.
In addition to directing compliance initiatives internally, Philip will lead the Compliance Advisory Board (CAB), an independent body of compliance professionals created to help others in the industry manage the challenges of protecting data privacy and maintaining compliance with other global regulations. Joining Philip on the CAB will be Joacim Andersson, principal consultant at OPX Partners, and Malgorzata Skowronska, head of compliance at CurrencyCloud.
Payroc taps Paul Vienneau
Paul Vienneau joined Payroc LLC as chief technology officer. Directly prior, he served at TSYS as CTO of merchant solutions, after the acquisition and integration of Cayan, where he had served as CTO since 2012. Bringing over 20 years of experience leading technology operations, Vienneau will oversee Payroc's technical environment and set a meaningful technology strategy to achieve Payroc's goals. Vienneau previously held tech leadership positions at Invensys, NxStep Technologies and NaviNet. He also has experience in mergers and acquisitions and is skilled in helping organizations adapt and handle the transitional processes for these events, Payroc noted. 
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