DFSA and Hong Kong’s SFC sign fintech cooperation agreement
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong today entered into an agreement to establish a framework of cooperation on financial technology (FinTech) innovation.
The agreement will further strengthen the efforts of both authorities to develop an innovations-friendly ecosystem in their respective markets.
The signing took place between Mr Ian Johnston, Chief Executive of the DFSA, and Mr Ashley Alder, Chief Executive of the SFC, in Hong Kong.
Under the agreement, both authorities will share information on developments and innovations in FinTech in their respective markets. The agreement also intends to encourage both regulators to refer innovative firms to one another’s markets and to provide them with regulatory guidance.
Accenture Acquires VERAX, Enhancing Its Banking Technology
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Verax Solutions, a Toronto-based technology and systems-integration consulting firm that serves the financial services sector in Canada. Financial terms were not disclosed.
VERAX is a privately-owned company founded in 2003 that employs around 180 people at offices in Toronto and Halifax. Its key service areas include IT strategy, enterprise architecture consulting, project and program management, financial risk and compliance solutions, as well as business intelligence and data warehousing. Serving leading banking, insurance and capital markets institutions, VERAX delivers IT consulting initiatives across the full range of financial-services lines of business, including wealth management, brokerage and mutual funds, mobile and online banking, retail and commercial banking, and insurance and capital markets.
The addition of VERAX – with its proven technology and systems-integration expertise across the financial services sector – will complement and enhance Accenture’s consulting and technology capabilities in Canada.
Piraeus Bank launches banking service for the visually impaired
Piraeus Bank has implemented an integrated program for the provision of new services covering social groups with specialized banking service needs. The Bank has launched a full range of new services for visually impaired customers and will soon extend these facilities for customers with hearing impairments.
Mrs. Eftyhia Kasselaki, Executive General Manager of Retail Banking, Branch Network & Deposits of Piraeus Bank, said “Piraeus Bank is faithful to its strategic commitment to continuously expand and upgrade its innovative services to all its customers. We consistently invest in offering cutting edge services and products to our customers, as well as new processes which are in line with the highest international standards, complementing the Bank’s extensive multi-channel customer-centric service framework”.
Blend Raises $100 Million in Series D Funding
Blend, the Silicon Valley technology company propelling consumer lending into the digital age, today announced it has raised $100 million in Series D funding.
The round was led by Greylock Partners with participation from Emergence Capital, 8VC, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Nyca Partners, bringing Blend’s total funding to $166 million.
“We saw a massive opportunity in Blend and the work they are doing to deliver transparent, frictionless, accessible mortgages for everyone,” said Jerry Chen, partner at Greylock Partners. “Banks and lenders understand the need for innovation, but they can’t do it alone. Blend is in a unique position to change the consumer lending industry with an unparalleled team of engineers, designers and product and data experts committed to helping people along their homebuying journey.”
