Category Archives: Banks

Banks

Banks, Business, Debts, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Statements, Funding, Funds, Loans, Money

Digi Communications secures a EUR 150M term loan from ING Bank N.V.

BUCHAREST, Romania, 3-Jun-2024 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Digi Communications N.V. (“Digi” or the “Company”), one of the leading European telecommunications companies, listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, would like to inform the market that on, June 3, 2024, the Company together with Digi Romania S.A., its subsidiary in Romania (“Digi Romania”), as borrowers and original guarantors, Digi Spain Telecom S.L.U. as original guarantor, ING Bank N.V. as underwriter, mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and original lender and ING Bank N.V., London Branch as facility agent have concluded a term loan of EUR 150,000,000, with a maturity of 3 (three) years after the first utilisation date. The borrowed amounts may be used by the Company and Digi Romania towards the refinancing of the EUR 450,000,000 Senior Secured Notes issued by Digi Romania, which are due in 2025.

About Digi Communications N.V.

We are an European leader in geographically-focused telecommunication solutions, based on the number of revenue generating units (“RGUs”) and a leading provider of telecommunication services in Romania and Spain, with a presence also in Italy, Portugal and Belgium.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Investment, Money, Trading

Secondary market platform THELAPHANT.IO to launch stock liquidity plan for employees and executives of Israeli unicorns

TEL AVIV, 25-Oct-2022 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — The secondary market platform THELAPHANT.IO introduces, for the first time in Israel: “a stock liquidity plan” for high-tech employees and companies – a new and exciting development for high-tech employees, investors, and institutional entities.

Thelephant explains that the goal of the program is to transform the liquidity event from a one-time event into a repetitive event for Israeli high-tech employees, early investors and companies.

In 2021 ConvertKit turned down an acquisition offer from Spotify. Instead, ConvertKit chose to promote a deal focused on the welfare of its employees. On twitter, the Nathan Barry, the founder of ConvertKit, explained that 48 accredited investors, incorporated into a single legal entity, purchased shares from the employees and founders of ConvertKit. This transaction is defined as a secondary transaction – the purchase of shares of a private company from existing shareholders, in this case, from employees.

The success was noteworthy. Barry recounts how he sold 3.18% of the company’s shares at a valuation of $200 million dollars. The proceeds from the sale were sufficient for him to let his parents and his wife’s parents to retire comfortably. Following the success of the start-up, Barry intends to perform a secondary transaction in the company every two years.

In fact, Nathan Barry implemented a stock liquidity program via secondary investments in the company he had founded. Liquidity programs for high-tech companies are a phenomenon which has become increasingly common over the past two years, particularly in the United States.

Now, Israeli owned secondary market platform THELEPHANT.IO, is seeking to “import” liquidity programs and present it to Israeli high -tech companies and employees. The stock liquidity program is generally intended for mature high-tech companies who have been around for several years, which a valuation, according to the last round of financing, of around 1 billion dollars.

Through the stock liquidity program, the executives of private high-tech companies are cooperating with their employees and shareholders to enable liquidity events in the stocks they rewarded to their employees in connection with their employment and for early investors who joined the company in its early days and after a few years since their investments are looking for some liquidity. The stock liquidity program enables these employees and early investors to get the money they worked so hard for in a regulated and orderly manner, regardless of the company decisions concerning going public or a doing a merger.

Thelephant, via the stock liquidity program, actually transforms the liquidity event from a one-time event to a repetitive occurrence.

The secondary market and the trade in private stocks is one of the fastest growing fields in the world, and in Israel, and has been growing at an accelerated rate over the past few years. For example, many high-tech employees in companies which choose to remain private, and which have yet to list their stocks for trading on a stock exchange, suffer from significant absence of liquidity. They may have received, years ago, options / shares entitling them to very substantial sums of money, sometimes millions of dollars, ON PAPER. However, the money remains on paper for a long time. Likewise, investors reading every day about the success of these tech giants are eager to hop on the success train of these unicorns but given the fact that the company is still private, access is naturally limited. This is also true for institutional entities, who seek to invest many funds in a variety of investment routes, including such fascinating high-tech companies. But even for them, accessibility is, as aforementioned, limited, since these companies are private companies.

In Israel, over a hundred employees and former executives in Israeli unicorn companies have already joined Thelephant

The Israeli market has experienced over the past few years a very significant growth and will soon include nearly 100 unicorns, private companies worth over a billion dollars. Within the unicorn circle, about a third of the unicorns are defined as centaurs – private companies with annual recurring revenues of over 100 million dollars, and there are dozens of soonicorns – companies on the brink of joining the exclusive unicorn club.

Chaim Schiff, a founding partner and CEO of Thelephant group, says that “the high-tech companies in Israel and around the world understand the importance of generating a regular liquidity program for the options/stocks they have allocated to their employees. This is a valuable and highly significant tool to preserve employees, talents and senior management in the company”.

Schiff recounts that over the past year “over a hundred employees and senior executive from Israeli unicorn companies have signed up to our secondary platform. These employees have placed the shares they received from their employers for sale, and thereby joined many employees and former executives in US and European companies who have already successfully liquidated their shares via our platform. These include companies such as Palantir, Sofi, Dataminr, Impossible Foods, SnapNurse, Klarna, Via and many others.

Amongst the shares offered by former executives and employees on THELEPHANT.io secondary platform you can also find private high-tech giants from the United States, Europe and Israel. These include the Israeli companies BigID, DriveNets, Sisense, Trax, eToro, Optibus and OpenWeb.

THELEPHANT.io secondary platform currently offers for sale shares in leading U.S, European and Israeli high-tech giants at a cumulative value of over $500 million. Most of these shares are being directly offered by hundreds of employees and senior executives in these fascinating companies.

For the first time in Israel: Thelephant stock liquidation program

The Thelephant group announced in October 2022 the launching of their stock liquidation program for high-tech companies and employees in Israel. Schiff explains that “the stock liquidation program will include a comprehensive end-to-end service in order to provide the company management and its employees all the tools they need to manage a secondary stock sale event. The program will provide access to its research, technological solutions, and proven experience in conducting transactions in the secondary market via a professional, experienced and creative team. The program will offer, through the international brokerage arm of Thelephant group a connection to a global network of investors comprising of international institutions, leading European, Israeli and U.S financial entities, and other accredited investors who are seeking access to shares of leading private high-tech companies.

As part of the implementation of the program, Thelephant will collaborate with the Fintech company Simetria and its CEO Ziv Keinan. Simetria has developed a technological platform dedicated to simplifying the complex process of managing a secondary transaction for high-tech company, thereby enabling the company management, with minimal inputs, to communicate the sale conditions to employees and stockholders, and enabling them to participate. The system designed by Simetria provides the company management full transparency and control in managing the transaction process. In parallel, the system enables the company’s employees to join the sale by defining the amount of shares to be sold, and execution of the many documents associated with the secondary transaction.

Keinan explains that “the Simetria platform enables, with a few keystrokes, to execute a shares sale and purchase event under the full control of the company management over the secondary process. The goal of Simetria is to provide symmetry for the private markets, which is why we developed a product meant to provide a vital service for companies, especially during times when there is no foreseeable chance for liquidity”.

Schiff summarizes by stating that “To date, no similar solution was available for Israeli high-tech companies. It is precisely at this time, when the amount of IPOs in the United States is the lowest it has been in 20 years, that the importance of a liquidity program for shares of high-tech companies and employees is all the more significant”.

A network of investors opens up through the global brokerage division of Thelephant

Another major element which is essential for the success of the program is provided by Thelephant groups’ brokerage division, under the management of Itay Ben-Ari, is its global investment network made up of institutional investors, leading financial entities in Europe, Israel and the United States, and accredited investors from all over the world.

Ben-Ari explains that “we have built, and we continue to diligently build up our global investors network. We see considerable demand from accredited investors for the secondary sale model in both Israeli and U.S unicorns. Without Thelephant, these investors would find it hard to obtain access to the shares of these private high-tech companies.

The close connections that we have built up within the ecosystem over the years and familiarity with the management of various high-tech companies and their employees, along with the information and research we make available via our Research Division and, in addition, the input and data we can collect and reflect to our clients generate added value for our customers.

Given our comprehensive experience in performing transactions in the complex secondary worlds, which include quite a few factors, including the sellers, the investors, the company, taxation, regulatory issues, international money transfers and so forth, we provide both services and solutions for the investors and holistic support of the entire process from start to finish.

Ben-Ari adds, “repetitive liquidity plans, when led by the company, reduce and neutralize the pressure from the early shareholders and the employees, as well as the pressure to list the company on a stock exchange and going public before the company is ready for this stage in its corporate development.”
In Israel, Thelephant formed a strategic collaboration with MORE Magna, the brokerage arm of MORE Investment House, the fastest growing institutional in Israel. This collaboration adds greater accessibility to institutional entities, Family Offices and other accredited investors in Israel.

The CEO of MORE Magna, Ron Sireni, explained that “we have analyzed and observed the approach of institutional entities in Israel towards private high-tech companies defined as Israeli Unicorns. In addition, we understood that they lack almost any access to US based Unicorns. Therefore, we work together with Thelephant to make these fascinating opportunities available to Israeli institutional investors, Family Offices and other accredited investors in Israel. Our activity includes extensive research and professional support until the successful closing of the deal”.

Sireni added that “high tech companies and high-tech employees in Israel that will participate in the stock liquidity program managed by Thelephant will enjoy access to institutional class and other leading investors who seek access to invest in the private high-tech giants”

Links related to the press release:
1. https://thelephant.io/marketplace/
2. https://thelephant.io/liquidity-program-through-elephant-secondary-market/
3. https://www.simetria.io/thelephant

Disclaimer
“The information included in this communication is only condensed information intended solely to direct the attention of the reader and does not constitute or embody any proposition or invitation or solicitation to purchase or sell stocks or securities and does not constitute an invitation or part of an invitation to receive such aforementioned proposals.

Elephant Secondary Market Brokerage Ltd (“Elephant”) is not an “expert” and/or investment advisor. The information presented in this article does not constitute investment consultation as defined in the Israeli law for regulation of the investment consultation occupation, 1995, and the aforementioned information does not constitute a substitute for consultation or professional investment marketing which takes into account, among other things, the unique needs of every individual.

Elephant operates as a trade platform in the secondary market brokerage and its platform presents a portfolio which is offered for sale by private shareholders exclusively to accredited investors. Proposals to sell the securities will only be provided to “accredited investors” as defined in the first appendix to the Israeli securities law- 1968.

The information provided herein is only general information and does not contain all of the information required to reach investment decisions including, but not solely, the risks, costs, applicable taxation, or projected profits.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Banks, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Software, Funding, Funds, Hedge Funds, Investment

Star-Investor Yair Goldfinger ab sofort im Advisory Board des deutschen KI-Trading-Startups Velvet AutoInvest

LIMASSOL, Zypern, 14-Jun-2022 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Star-Investor und ICQ-Mitbegründer Yair Goldfinger ab sofort im Advisory Board des deutschen KI-Trading-Startups Velvet AutoInvest

  • Durch Funding von Investoren und Accelerator Programmen erreicht Velvet ein Seed-Investment von über 1,3 Mio. USD
  • Velvet erhält außerdem Funding und Auszeichnung durch HubSpot Accelerator
  • Fintech-Startup beschleunigt KI-Technologieentwicklung und Kundengewinnung

Das Fintech-Unternehmen Velvet Software Technologies erhält ein Seed-Investment in Höhe von 1,3 Mio. USD, sowie Unterstützung von Star-Investor Yair Goldfinger. Der ICQ-Mitbegründer sichert sich einen Platz im Advisory Board des in Stuttgart gegründeten Startups. Die Finanzierung erfolgte nach Zielerreichung von exponentiellem Kundenwachstums sowie starkem Performance-Ausbau der KI-basierten Velvet-Algorithmen. Neben dem Investment von mehreren Investoren wurde Velvet in die Microsoft und Hubspot Accelerator-Programme aufgenommen, im Rahmen derer sich das Fintech-Startup ein weiteres 6-stelliges Funding und Zugriff auf modernste KI-Infrastruktur sichern konnte.

Velvet Software Technologies bietet mit Velvet AutoInvest eine neue Art des Investierens für Privatanleger aller Erfahrungsstufen an. Mission ist es, Privatinvestoren mittels modernster Technologie eine Geldanlage bereitzustellen, die bislang hauptsächlich Hedgefonds vorbehalten ist. Der Handelsalgorithmus Velvet AutoInvest ist zur Ausführung seiner KI-basierten Trades an einen durch ASIC regulierten, international renommierten australischen Broker angebunden. Zur Nutzung von Velvet verbinden Kunden ihren zuvor beim Broker erstellen Account mit Velvet AutoInvest. Daraufhin werden die von der Velvet-KI automatisiert generierten Trades auf das Kundenkonto beim Broker übertragen.

Julius Franck-Oberaspach, CEO von Velvet: “Dass Velvet AutoInvest, ursprünglich für den Eigennutzen entwickelt, bereits nach kurzer Zeit so sehr Fahrt aufnimmt, ist für uns unglaublich. Velvet bietet Privatinvestoren an, mittels unserer KI-Algorithmen den fehleranfälligen, manuellen Investment-Prozess nun wie Investmentbanken zu automatisieren und zu optimieren. Die extreme Komplexität und Tiefe der am Finanzmarkt verfügbaren Informationen waren Ideenbringer zur Gründung von Velvet.”

“Velvet AutoInvest bietet ein für Privatpersonen in der Finanzwelt sehr revolutionäres, benutzerfreundliches Anlageprodukt: Die schlichte Verbindung zu einem KI-Algorithmus, der in seiner Komplexität normalerweise nur von institutionellen Anlegern verwendet wird. Privatanleger können technisch hochgerüstet und mit weitreichendem Risiko-Management damit wie Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan oder BlackRock am Finanzmarkt investieren”, ergänzt Jonathan R. Hirsch, CMO von Velvet.

Yair Goldfinger: „Für mich sind junge, talentierte und motivierte Teams, die unglaubliche Ergebnisse erzielen, der wichtigste Baustein in einem Unternehmen. Bei Velvet sehe ich das auf das nächste Level gehoben. Das Produkt, das sie entwickelt haben, ist einfach großartig. Ich verfolge den Markt seit Jahren sehr genau, aber etwas Vergleichbares zu dem, was Velvet anbietet, habe ich noch nie gesehen. Das Team hat in den letzten Monaten nicht nur eine herausragende Performance der KI-basierten Handelsalgorithmen erreicht, sondern es ebenso geschafft, daraus ein intuitives Produkt für Privatpersonen zu bauen – und nun steigt das Kundeninteresse explosionsartig. Diese Kombination aus Team-, Produkt- und Marktinteresse zeigen zweifelslos absolutes Potenzial für weiterhin exponentielles Wachstum des Startups.“

Mit der neu erhaltenen Liquidität wird Velvet sein Fintech-Angebot von der Integration bis hin zum Nutzererlebnis weiter optimieren und beschleunigt skalieren. Dazu zählt unter Anderem die Einstellung zusätzlicher Analyst*innen zur kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklung der Handelsalgorithmen wie auch der Ausbau des Customer Supports Teams. Hinzu kommt der Einsatz fortschrittlicher CRMs, gesponsert vom HubSpot Startup Accelerator, zur weiteren Support-Automatisierung, um so für künftige Expansionen gerüstet zu sein.

Mit den Velvet-Strategien Blue, Ultra und dem Flaggschiff Pro verwenden Privatanleger KI-gestützte Anlagestrategien mit Zugriff auf einen breiten Diversifizierungsmix aus über 20 Finanzinstrumenten. Die Produkte folgen dabei unterschiedlichen Risikoprofilen und Renditechancen. Den Kern aller Velvet-Strategien bildet ein Random-Forest-Algorithmus für maschinelles Lernen, welcher Anhand von über 1.300 Datenpunkten mit sehr hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit Erwartungswerte verschiedener Handelstaktiken prognostiziert. Anhand dieser Prognose werden Handelsentscheidungen gewichtet und die Strategie flexibel an neue Marktverhältnisse angepasst. Ziel dabei ist der nachhaltige und kosteneffiziente Vermögensaufbau der angebundenen Accounts, mit aktivem Risikomanagement und Automatisierung. Aufgrund der Benutzerfreundlichkeit und des minimalen Eigenaufwands sind alle Velvet-Produkte speziell auf die Bedürfnisse von Privatanlegern ausgelegt und damit für Einsteiger wie auch für erfahrene Investoren gleichermaßen geeignet.

Neukunden erhalten bei Velvet AutoInvest einen kostenfreien Probemonat, in dem die automatisierten KI-Handelssignale ohne Berechnung einer Gewinnprovision getestet werden können. Nach Registrierung und Eröffnung des Broker-Accounts wird dieser mit der gewünschten Risikoklasse verbunden. Kunden behalten dabei jederzeit die volle Kontrolle und Transparenz über ihr Depot. Die Nutzung der AI-Software ist grundsätzlich kostenlos, Gebühren in Höhe von 15-25 % werden ausschließlich auf erzielte Renditen gezahlt und pro Monat abgerechnet. Velvet AutoInvest kann jederzeit ohne Kündigung deaktiviert werden.

Weitere Informationen zu Velvet Software Technologies und Velvet AutoInvest unter: https://www.vlvt.ai/de/

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Accounting, Assets, Banks, Business, Commodities, Financial, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Investment, Personal Finance, Retirement

A Neowintech é um marketplace financeiro que tem por base uma filosofia de simplicidade, rapidez e conveniência

LISBON, 26-Feb-2021 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — A Neowintech é um marketplace financeiro que tem por base uma filosofia de simplicidade, rapidez e conveniência. Ao estabelecer parcerias com vários prestadores de serviços financeiros, consegue dar acesso a um leque alargado de soluções para cada etapa da vida das pessoas.

Através de um perfil digital único que pode ser criado em menos de 5 minutos, os utilizadores conseguem aceder a produtos inovadores fornecidos por entidades terceiras, desde soluções de investimento a planos de pensões, hipotecas, e fundos de investimento – oferta essa que irá futuramente incluir mais serviços.

O resultado é um ponto central de gestão de finanças pessoais, com uma base tecnológica sólida e segura, a que toda a gente pode aceder de maneira completamente gratuita.

Sendo totalmente digital, cada parte da vida financeira de cada um pode ser acedida, gerida e impulsionada através do smartphone, dispensando qualquer tipo de papelada ou deslocações a locais físicos.

Ao selecionar cuidadosamente parceiros adequados, simplificar processos e melhorar a eficiência ao longo de toda a linha, a Neowintech pretende dar mais opções a mais pessoas, num processo de democratização de ferramentas e soluções que, ou estavam reservadas a um número limitado de pessoas, ou eram de tal modo complicadas que acabavam por contribuir para uma gestão financeira desnecessariamente não otimizada.

Em linha com esta filosofia, o processo de registo é também ele rápido e fácil. Basta fornecer o endereço de email e alguma informação pessoal. Isto inclui alguma documentação que tem o objetivo de validar a identidade do cliente, pelo que todos os requisitos de cada documento deverão ser lidos com atenção.

Este é um novo período de possibilidades financeiras. O alargamento do acesso é um dos pontos centrais da Era da Informação, e não há motivo para deixar a gestão financeira do lado de fora. Porque este é um assunto que deve estar presente para todas as pessoas. Torná-la mais fácil é mais do que uma preocupação de negócio para a Neowintech. É também uma missão, permitindo que cada vez mais pessoas possam melhorar as suas circunstâncias, sejam elas como forem.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Accounting, Assets, Banks, Business, Commodities, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Software, Financial Solutions, Investment, Mortgage, Retirement

Neowintech è un marketplace finanziario costruito attorno a una filosofia di semplicità, velocità e convenienza

ROME, 26-Feb-2021 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Neowintech è un marketplace finanziario costruito attorno a una filosofia di semplicità, velocità e convenienza. Stabilendo partnership con diversi fornitori di servizi finanziari, è in grado di offrire l’accesso a una gamma completa di soluzioni per le molteplici e diverse fasi della vita delle persone.

Sotto un unico profilo digitale che può essere creato in meno di 5 minuti, gli utenti possono accedere a prodotti innovativi forniti da partner terzi, incluse soluzioni di investimento, piani pensionistici, mutui e fondi di investimento – con ulteriori servizi in arrivo in futuro.

Il risultato è un punto centrale della gestione delle finanze personali, solidamente costruito su una tecnologia sicura, a cui tutti possono accedere facilmente e completamente gratuito.

Essendo completamente digitale, è possibile accedere, gestire e migliorare ogni aspetto della propria vita finanziaria attraverso il proprio smartphone, senza bisogno di scartoffie o di recarsi a una sede fisica.

Selezionando attentamente i partner adatti, semplificando i processi e migliorando l’efficienza dall’inizio alla fine, Neowintech mira a portare più opportunità a più persone, democratizzando efficacemente l’accesso a strumenti e soluzioni che in precedenza erano riservati a un numero limitato di persone, oppure talmente complicati da lasciare la gestione finanziaria personale inutilmente sotto ottimizzata.

In linea con la sua filosofia, anche l’iscrizione è molto semplice e veloce. E’ sufficiente fornire un indirizzo email e alcune informazioni personali. Ciò include fornire documenti al fine di garantire la corretta identificazione del cliente, quindi tutti i requisiti i termini di documentazione devono essere letti attentamente.

Questa è una nuova era di possibilità finanziarie. Un maggiore accesso alle nuove opportunità è uno degli elementi fondamentali dell’Era dell’Informazione e non c’è motivo per cui la gestione del denaro debba esserne esclusa. Perché si tratta di qualcosa che dovrebbe essere nella mente di tutti. Rendere più facile per le persone farlo non è solo una preoccupazione aziendale per Neowintech, ma anche una missione in modo che più persone possano migliorare la propria situazione, indipendentemente da dove si trovano.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Statements, Investment, Loans, Money, Stocks, Trading

Digi Communications N.V. subsidiary RCS & RDS S.A. signs a EUR 150M senior facility agreement with group of banks

BUCHAREST, Romania, 16-Dec-2020 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — The Company (Digi Communications N.V.) would like to inform its investors and the market that, on 15 December 2020, RCS & RDS S.A. (the Company’s subsidiary in Romania – „RCS&RDS”), as borrower and original guarantor, DIGI Távközlési és Szolgáltató Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság as original guarantor, INVITEL Távközlési Zrt as Original Guarantor, the Company, as original guarantor, DIGI Spain Telecom S.L.U., as original guarantor and Citigroup Europe plc, Dublin Romanian Branch, ING Bank N.V. Amsterdam, Bucharest Branch and Unicredit Bank S.A. as original lenders and ING Bank N.V. as the facility agent of the other Finance Parties have concluded a senior facility agreement consisting in (i) a term loan facility in a total aggregate amount representing the RON equivalent of EUR 100,000,000; (ii) a revolving credit facility in a total aggregate amount representing the RON equivalent of EUR 50,000,000, for a period equal to the period between signing and the third anniversary of the Senior Facilities Agreement, and also permits the establishment from time to time of incremental facilities to be made available in accordance with the terms and within the limits of the Senior Facilities Agreement.

The term loan facility under the Senior Facility Agreement is meant to be used for the purposes of refinancing the amounts made available under the Facilities Agreement dated 7 October 2016, while the revolving facility may be used for capital expenditure, investments, general corporate, and working capital purposes (including intra-group loans) of the Digi group.

For details regarding the reports, please access the official websites designated of Digi: www.digi-communications.ro (Investor Relations Section).

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Money

Axiom Prepaid Holding’s CEO Steven Foster will grace the cover of Total Prestige Magazine’s January 2020 issue

Axiom Prepaid Holding’s CEO Steven Foster will grace the cover of Total Prestige Magazine’s January 2020 issue

LONDON, 31-Dec-2019 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — It seems only fitting that in a year filled with new product launches, new office openings and expansion across three continents, that Axiom Prepaid Holding’s CEO would grace the cover of Total Prestige Magazine’s January 2020 issue. After all, Steven Foster, a 40-something entrepreneur and banking industry veteran, has been at the helm of a company that has exceeded its growth expectations and then some, arguably vaulting the company to a leadership position in the prepaid card and app solutions arena. And Total Prestige profiles exceptional members of the business club of the same name, which is comprised of some of the world’s best-known business leaders as well as heads of start-ups and emerging businesses.

In 2017, Foster and his business partner, Steven P. Urry, set out to disrupt the banking industry with the launch of Axiom, which uses advanced digital tools to power prepaid Visa® and Mastercard® products, programs and services for consumers and businesses. They had one ambitious mission in mind: Simplify banking for all people – globally.

“We’d been firsthand witnesses from inside the banking industry to the significant shift in the availability of financial products. But it was notable to us that it was not carrying over to the prepaid space. No matter what country we visited, there was a gap in access to products engineered for the unbanked and global traveler. We decided to go all-in on launching a business that would turn the prepaid model upside down and give all consumers and businesses easy-to-use, digitally driven products and services,” said Foster.

That goal appears to have resonated broadly as this year alone, their enterprise:

• Expanded into Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Portugal, and Greece in Europe and grew the business in the Americas
• Entered the Asia-Pacific region
• Introduced brand- and revenue-building White Label Programs
• Rolled out hundreds of thousands of new prepaid cards, a plethora of new white label programs, including one that caters to the unique needs of millennials and Gen-Z
• Opened new offices in Romania
• Continued to invest in high-tech digital products to ensure the highest levels of intuitive, secure, compliant backend systems

As noted in the Total Prestige article, those accomplishments do not come without hard work and sacrifice. This year alone, Foster flew 725K miles for business and manages a workday that typically goes from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“You can’t be an effective company leader if you aren’t in touch with your customers and employee teams. I meet them where they are to be sure I understand how their geography and culture may affect banking needs in each market. I try to give 150 percent every day so I can go to sleep knowing I did everything I promised and more for Axiom’s clients, my business partners and employees,” he said. “I have to spend a lot of time away from my wife and son so I want to be certain that the time I spend on-the-job truly counts.”

“I’m very honored to be chosen for this feature article but I am just one part of the much bigger Axiom story. There would be no article if the company was not accomplishing what it set out to do. That has only been possible through the collective efforts of the entire Axiom team and my partner and friend, Steve Urry – and we are just getting started,” said Foster.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Banks, Checking & Savings, Financial, Financial Services, Mobile banking, Money, Online Banking

Make best use of Online Banking and stop wasting time

NEW YORK, NY, USA, 2018-Sep-26 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Most of the systems we are already used to, we do not know how they work, for we are always thinking we know enough that they work and we trust them. But honestly, do you think you know enough about online banking? Here you will find some facts that might be useful for you to know!

Here you will find useful information you will better have on mind, and also excellent reasons for using online banking services and some advices for being always safe and security.

Sometimes if your internet connection is not that good, it might be hard for you to access to your bank through your conventional online banking portal, so these online banking apps and services might help you to access in an easier, lighter and safer way anytime you need!

Online Banking – When and how did it start working?
Did you know it? The first online banking systems that gave origin of the ones you use today EVERYDAY were introduced in the early 1980s in New York when four of the national banks started offering the revolutionary home banking services, allowing the clients and small businesses to have a quick online banking check.

On the same way, the online banking started also on the United Kingdom around those years when the Scotland Bank and the Nottingham Building Society provided the Homelink service for giving their users the opportunity of viewing bank moves on a computer.

But it was only until 1994 that the banks around the entire globe started using the internet for posting their advertises, and then in 1995 they started offering to the clients the possibility of managing their money online through a home computer, and this came to be the online banking of nowadays.

The greatest benefits of using the Online Banking
As everyone knows the major benefits of using online banking are mainly two: security and comfort. With the online banking services you can make all your money-related operations without needing cash or personally going to the bank.

Paying your services with no delay
These services might help you regardless of your bank, they will help you to manage all your bank moves for having an easy, confortable, secure and practical administration of your money, you can make routine pays like paying electricity, water and gas services without losing any time of your day.

Your pays to third ones can also be made much easier with these online banking services, for they will offer you an easy platform where you can quickly see and control your bank accounts.

Manage all your accounts and save your time and money
These services might also help you if you manage more than one bank account, so you can control your money in any of them more easily and in a more ordered way. You do not need to waste any passage fees anymore if you do not live close to any bank, you can make all your processes from your home computer or even with your Smartphone.

https://youtu.be/RpVy-gIaEOc

It is really easy to look by yourself if you prefer right now, on Google Play Store for these apps for the one you prefer the most, we just advice you to read enough about each app of services and be aware of the reviews to know if it is safe and if it has the functions you need.

Most of these online banking services also have apps you can download for always having a control of your money in your pocket. You can pay the balance of your telephones, your internet service and the rent of your home (if you have to) through online banking.

Risks and security advices while using online banking
If you are already an online banking user or you are considering being one, here are some advices to keep security, for there is no infallible system and you can help these to be safer and securer. What you can do is always good for making sure your security and your money’s.

Many online banking services keep you safe with logging you out every time you finish your operations, if you close the app or delay too long in doing something in it, it might close your account for your security, so you better remember always your user name and password.

It is not recommendable to have your password written in a paper or in any digital way inside your phone, always protect your device with a locking pattern, or even better, a password or a PIN code, these last two methods are more efficient and safer than the pattern that could stand marked on the screen of your smartphone.

Install a VPN app for your security
Sometimes when you connect to the public WiFi and start making your bank moves from your smartphone or laptop, there are hackers who are connected to the same network that you are, and they can hack your information even from your online banking accounts, everything you send could be intercepted by them.

The makers of the online banking services and apps nothing can do against that, but you can! There are some programs or apps that are known as VPN. What are the VPN programs and apps? The letters are for Virtual Protected Network, and it makes that all your information is encrypted and it makes it harder to be hacked and intercepted.

If you protect your phone and your laptop with VPN programs, the hackers will have it MUCH harder to intercept your data and force your online banking accounts.

Follow carefully all of these advises and your online banking account, passwords, and information will never be hacked! You can then research by yourself and keep reading for having enough knowledge about the system of online anti-hacking security you are willing to install and make use of.

At this moment me do not recommend you one specific VPN app or program, we just let you know about its existence and we strongly advise you to start researching about them, so you can find exactly the one you need for your phone, or your laptop.

Do not waste any time or disk space on installing a program that is too heavy and has too many features that you do not actually need, just look for the program you do need.

It is also recommendable that you read carefully every contract of terms and conditions and politic privacy of the apps you install and the programs you use in your laptop for applying the online banking services.

Benefits of online banking
If you have no fear to innovate and start tasting the great advantages of adapting to the new technologies, then, you will make good to start trying new systems of online banking like apps and webpages that are quick and easy to access, you will see in your own experience the next benefits:

First of all, you will reduce the time spent in executing financial operations. Only thing you need to do is to be connected to the internet from your home, your office or any mobile web (remember to use VPM systems to protect data), and then you will have all your money in your hand, easily manageable.

Have your bank at the reach of your hand
Make your bank moves from everywhere you are, you can do it from your laptop or your smartphone, only thing you need to do is to have internet access and then you can review your account state, transfer money and pay fees. Usually, these mobile online banking services are free and the only charge you could get is with your mobile company and the kind of plan you have contracted.

You can make more than one banking operation: moves, credit card pays, pay of services, recharge your air time and according to specialists, 20 per cent of people access to online banking through internet through these kind of mobile devices.

Keep the control of everything easily
You can have control of your money and account pays, and then stop losing any more time visiting the bank, with online banking aside of avoiding the printed account states, you can pay your accounts and maintain all your pay registries in only one place and very easy to find. If you prefer, you can also program automatic pays using your credit or debit card, like the pays of your services of water, electricity and telephone.

Stay safe with your money
Security with your operations is supported by your username and your personal unique password (and this is one you can change periodically), and also you have the token, that is a numeric code that changes every 60 seconds, and that you have to introduce to connect to the online banking.

Many online banking methods also work with security images, which are unique and are impossible to be identified or distinguished by a computer, so it cannot be violated with robotic systems.

Contact-Details: martin.soto@dahseo.com

Via EPR Network
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Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Services, Loans, Money

Finer.es ofrece microcréditos online con las mejores condiciones

MADRID, Spain, Apr-26-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — En abril de 2018 comenzó sus operaciones el servicio de microcréditos online Finer.es. Es un servicio internacional de préstamos online que se especializa en préstamos a personas físicas. El propósito de Finer.es es proporcionar a los prestatarios servicios de calidad. Finer.es se diferencia de otros servicios porque emite préstamos con la tasa de interés más baja – desde el 0,7%. El procedimiento para obtener un préstamo online es sencillo, rápido y no obliga al prestatario a ir a una sucursal física.

La empresa utiliza su sistema propio de “scoring “, que mide una serie de parámetros objetivos y otorga a cada persona una puntuación que ayuda a decidir si conceder o no el préstamo en pocos minutos sin papeleo ni aval. Este servicio funciona las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. Cualquier residente en España mayor de 21 años puede solicitar un préstamo de hasta 900 euros. Para hacerlo, necesitará una conexión a Internet, su DNI y sus datos bancarios. Los préstamos de hasta 900 euros con un plazo de devolución de hasta 35 días se transfieren inmediatamente a la cuenta bancaria del cliente. Además, Finer.es ofrece un programa de fidelización a sus clientes: a partir del segundo préstamo, cada préstamo se concede con un descuento acumulativo del 5%.

“En la vida de cada persona siempre se da una situación en que se puede necesitar dinero urgentemente. Si tenéis familiares o amigos a los que podéis pedir dinero prestado – genial. Desafortunadamente, no todas las personas han tenido tanta suerte. Nuestro servicio está destinado a ayudar a las personas que no tienen otra salida y nos esforzamos por hacer que sea rápido, sencillo y cómodo”, afirma Andrey Gorbushkin.

Comunicado de prensa completo…

Assets, Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Solutions, Investment, Mobile banking, Money, Online Banking, Personal Finance

Research: 53% of HNWIs relocating or intending to relocate would expect online banking to be part of an international wealth management proposition

LUXEMBOURG, Nov-16-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — New research from The OneLife Company reveals that ensuring investments are tax efficient and managing international tax commitments are among the top financial priorities for internationally mobile HNWIs. In spite of this, fewer than 40% of relocators feel that their investments are as tax efficient as they need them to be.

The insight points to the growing urgency for wealth managers to tailor solutions and services to international clients. One in four European HNWIs surveyed has previously moved countries to live or work, with a further 13% intending to relocate for the first time in the future. The appetite for international living is rising further among the millennial segment, with the number of relocators and future relocators under the age of 35 rising to 43% and 20% respectively.

The research, carried out in conjunction with wealth insights firm Scorpio Partnership, considered the views of 770 HNWIs from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The average wealth of participants was EUR2.76 million.

Responses revealed that 46% of individuals relocating or intending to relocate would expect tax advice to be part of an international wealth management proposition. Notably, 27% would also require life assurance to be included within the product suite, with this figure rising to 39% among those under 35.”

“Younger generations of clients are more likely to relocate and are clearly more cognizant of the range of benefits – such as portability – which life assurance can provide,” commented Marc Stevens, Chief Executive Officer at OneLife.

The findings also point to the significance of technology for the relocator segment. Online banking was the top requirement in an international wealth management proposition, with 53% of relocators saying this was necessary to manage wealth.

This was affirmed by the fact that individuals who continued to work with their primary wealth manager following relocation referenced quality of tools as the primary reason to stay with the firm. By contrast, a quarter of individuals changing wealth management provider following relocation cited lack of suitable digital services as a motivator to pursue a different relationship.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Banks, Business, Financial, Security

SecBI CEO Gilad Peleg: Traditional security means are simply insufficient in dealing with advanced threats

Tel Aviv, Israel and Rome, Italy, Sep-27-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — SecBI, a leading developer of advanced cybersecurity threat detection solutions, and Innovery, a leading ICT services provider and software developer, today announced a partnership for distributing SecBI products in Italy and Spain.

“Traditional security means are simply insufficient in dealing with advanced threats, leading to an average dwell time of 100 days before the attack is identified,” said Gilad Peleg, CEO of SecBI. “With SecBI, we can drastically reduce this time span to hours and provide the analyst with early and accurate detection with no false alerts. We are delighted to partner with Innovery, who have the expertise and reach to promote SecBI’s solution to the Italian and Spanish customers who need it.”

“In order to be always ahead of our competitors and offer the best possible services, Innovery invests a lot in new technologies,” said Mr. Gianvittorio Abate, CEO and co-founder, Innovery. “Hence our collaboration with SecBI, a company that we feel has the potential for a great future in the security arena.”

SecBI’s software provides early and accurate detection of advanced cyber threats, including those that are hidden from other systems. By providing full-scope analysis of threats — including all involved users, devices, domains, IPs, C&C servers, drop points and more — SecBI makes mitigation fast and accurate.

Innovera and SecBI will present SecBI’s solution at Cybertech Europe 2017, taking place on September 26-27 at Roma Convention Center – La Nuvola.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Banks, Bonds, Business, Financial, Financial Information, Investment, Money, Stocks, Trading

Alliance News IS si rivolge agli investitori, consulenti, società che lavorano e investono in Italia

LONDRA, Feb-27-2017 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Alliance News Limited annuncia oggi, giovedì 27 febbraio il lancio dell’Alliance News Italian Service – “Alliance News IS” – un servizio specializzato nel fornire notizie in tempo reale su aziende e società italiane, finanza ed economia.

Alliance News IS amplia la vasta gamma di servizi già messi a disposizione da Alliance News che, sin dalla sua nascita nel 2013, l’hanno resa newsroom d’eccellenza per il mercato azionario di Londra.

Come l’altro prodotto gemello destinato al pubblico britannico, Alliance News IS è un servizio attivo 24 ore, è il primo prodotto in assoluto in Italia che garantisce una copertura delle notizie finanziarie 24 ore su 24 con notizie e flash durante la notte dai mercati statunitensi ed asiatici. Inoltre, la redazione di Alliance News IS apre alle 07:30 ora italiana, mezz’ora prima degli altri servizi dello stesso tipo.

Alliance News IS si rivolge agli investitori e ai consulenti professionali, come anche alle società che lavorano e investono in Italia. La mission di Alliance News IS è quella di fornire una copertura dettagliata e in tempo reale di tutte le aziende quotate a Piazza Affari. A questo si aggiunge la capacità di informare i propri lettori a 360 gradi, delineando il panorama politico ed economico italiano ed internazionale in cui le news sulle società e i trend di mercato vanno ad inserirsi, fornendo commenti politici e aggiornamenti sulle decisioni delle banche centrali.

Il servizio offerto da Alliance News IS si compone di tre prodotti in lingua italiana, focalizzati sull’Italia e pubblicati dal nostro team: Alliance News IS Professional, Alliance News IS International e Alliance News IS Top.

Come per il servizio destinato al Regno Unito, Alliance News IS è completata da due notiziari, perfettamente integrati, prodotti in lingua inglese dal nostro partner dpa-AFX, che opera dalla Germania. L’offerta di Alliance News IS comprende dunque anche dpa-AFX International ProFeed e dpa-AFX International Compact, che insieme ai suoi prodotti in italiano danno ai suoi partner distributivi la possibilità di offrire agli abbonati una gamma completa di servizi di informazione.

Alliance News IS è disponibile attraverso i suoi partner distributori, come aziende di market- data, news aggregator, piattaforme di informazione e siti web specializzati nel trading.

Alliance News IS viene prodotta dalla redazione di Alliance nella city di Londra, da un team di giornalisti italiani che lavora fianco a fianco con la squadra di reporter di lingua inglese per garantire una copertura in tempo reale delle notizie più rilevanti per i mercati di tutto il mondo. Questa prospettiva internazionale sul mercato italiano viene completata da approfondimenti scritti direttamente dall’Italia, in grado di fornire un’analisi con un angolo più locale e specifico.

Tom Waite, Direttore e CEO di Alliance News ha commentato:
“Alliance News IS rappresenta lo step successivo più logico per Alliance News. Dopo aver costruito la nostra reputazione e credibilità nel Regno Unito grazie alla rapidità, la coerenza e la qualità dei nostri servizi d’informazione, vogliamo adesso diffondere i nostri alti standard in nuovi mercati. Il mercato finanziario italiano ha caratteristiche molto simili a quelle del mercato UK, essendo caratterizzato da un buon numero di aziende forti, cresciute sul territorio, e nello stesso tempo da una concreta apertura agli scambi e agli investimenti con il resto del mondo. Inoltre anche in Italia c’è un mercato AIM di piccole aziende ad alta crescita di cui i giornalisti di Alliance News amano scrivere”.

SOURCE: EuropaWire

Banks, Business, Career, Finance Jobs, Financial, Funding, Investment, SME, Venture Capital

Mike Baur: Die Veränderungen im Schweizer Bankwesen veranlassen viele Fachleute der Branche dazu, den traditionellen Karriereweg zu verlassen

ZURICH, Feb-19-2017 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Mike Baur machte sich im Schweizer Bankensektor einen Namen, als er 2008 ein wichtiger Akteur bei der Privatbank Clariden Leu wurde. Er fand sich in seiner Position gut zurecht und beriet schon mit Anfang zwanzig die wohlhabendsten Einwohner der Schweiz in finanziellen Angelegenheiten.

Das Bürogebäude, in dem Baur arbeitete, war auch sehr beeindruckend. Solch ein ehrwürdiges Gebäude konnte sich natürlich nur in der sehr eleganten Bahnhofstrasse befinden. Baur bezeichnete das Gebäude als „ein Juwel“, aber die guten Zeiten, die er dort verbrachte, fanden ein Ende, als die Finanzkrise ausbrach, und die Geschäftslage wurde sehr unruhig.

In diesen schwierigen Jahren entschloss sich die Muttergesellschaft von Clariden Leu dazu, die Türen der 250 Jahre alten Einrichtung zu schließen. Daraufhin wurde Clariden Leu ein Teil ihrer Muttergesellschaft, der Credit Suisse Group AG. Das wunderschöne Bürogebäude, in dem Baur einst arbeitete, ist mittlerweile verkauft worden.

Baur hörte im Jahr 2014 bei Clariden Leu auf, um anderen Projekten nachzugehen. Bei diesen Projekten handelte es sich um Technologie-Startups. Während Clariden Leu also kurz vor dem Ende stand, hatte Baur sich bereits Größerem verschrieben.

Baurs Karriere im Bankensektor nahm zunächst einen sehr positiven Anfang. Im Alter von 16 Jahren begann er seine Karriere als Lehrling bei der UBS Group AG. In einem Treffen mit dem Personalmanager der Firma erhielt er ein Diagramm, auf dem aufgezeichnet war, wie seine gesamte Karriere bis zu seinem Ruhestand aussehen würde. Baur folgte diesem Plan und erhielt eine Beförderung nach der anderen, bis er Teil einer Gruppe wurde, die auf der Suche nach innovativen Methoden für die Anwerbung sehr wohlhabender Investoren war. Seine Strategien funktionierten und UBS begann, in einem rekordverdächtigen Tempo zu expandieren. Das hielt an, bis die Wirtschaft schließlich von der Finanzkrise getroffen wurde.

Nachdem die Regierung UBS im Jahr 2008 gerettet hatte, fing die Bank an, sich zu verkleinern. Auch die Credit Suisse musste ihre Expansionsbemühungen zurückfahren und sich darauf konzentrieren, die Bank im Geschäft zu halten. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt verließ Baur UBS, um bei Clariden Leu zu arbeiten.

Baur blieb nur sechs Jahre bei Clariden Leu. Er war soweit, seinen eigenen unternehmerischen Ideen nachzugehen und sein großes Talent in Startup-Unternehmen zu investieren. Diese Entscheidung bedeutete, dass er ein üppiges Gehalt hinter sich ließ, aber er erfuhr später, dass die Leute, die sich auf sein Accelerator Programm bewarben, auch ehemalige Bankkaufleute waren. Für Baur ist der Grund dafür sehr klar. Aufgrund der verstärkten Regulierungen, mit denen Banker im gegenwärtigen finanziellen Klima zu kämpfen haben, ist das Bankwesen mittlerweile eine weniger attraktive Karrierewahl als in der Vergangenheit.

Derzeit versinkt das Bankwesen in gesetzlichen Vorschriften und viele Rechtsskandale sind ans Licht gekommen. Dazu kommt, dass die Zinsen stark gesunken sind und Banken nicht mehr die enormen Gewinne einfahren, die sie in der Vergangenheit erwirtschaften konnten. Die Finanzbranche war in hohem Maße für die bequeme Position verantwortlich, die die Schweiz in der Welt innehat, aber die aktuelle Stimmungslage hat dazu geführt, dass sie sich in einem anderen Licht betrachten. Präsident Johann Schneider-Ammann hat vor Kurzem eingeräumt, dass es für die Schweiz an der Zeit sei, weniger risikoavers zu sein und mehr unternehmerischen Esprit zu entwickeln.

Derzeit hat es nicht den Anschein, dass das Bankwesen sich in diese Richtung bewegt, da die Branche 2015 weniger als fünf Prozent zum Bruttoinlandsprodukt der Schweiz beigetragen hat. Das Beschäftigungswachstum in der Branche sank auch unter das Niveau des Beschäftigungswachstums in der Bau- und Immobilienbranche.

Mike Baur erkannte die Gelegenheit und machte sich die Talente, die der Bankenbrache abhanden gehen, zunutze. Er entwickelte eine Methode, um diesen Leuten zu helfen, ihre Karrieremöglichkeiten abseits des Bankensektors zu realisieren.

Es scheint, dass Baur und seine Kunden viel gemeinsam haben. Er war Teil einer traditionellen Branche, aber er hatte nicht immer das Gefühl, dass seine Ideen sehr traditionell waren. Es fiel ihm nicht schwer, seinen Job bei UBS hinter sich zu lassen, weil er dort seine kreative unternehmerische Seite nicht fördern konnte.

Das Unternehmen, das er gegründet hat, nennt sich „Swiss Startup Factory“. Er hat sein Unternehmen eine „Fabrik“ genannt, weil er die Absicht hat, Menschen dabei zu helfen, aus ihren Ideen erfolgreiche Unternehmen aufzubauen. Er betrachtet seine Aufgabe als eine Art Hersteller, der neue Unternehmen für den Markt „herstellt“.

Der andere Grund, der „Herstellung“ zu einem guten Wort für Baurs Unternehmen macht, ist seine Überzeugung, dass die jungen Leute, die mit ihm arbeiten, hart arbeiten müssen. Er hat in seinen Jahren als Banker viele wohlhabende Menschen kennengelernt und er glaubt, dass sie dazu neigen, nicht hart genug zu arbeiten, um Erfolg zu haben.

In dieser Branche gibt es andere Gründerzentren, aber Baur besteht darauf, dass sein Unternehmen anders ist. Der Hauptunterschied liegt darin, dass er und die anderen Gründer der Swiss Startup Factory ihr eigenes Geld in das Unternehmen investiert haben, sie wollen also wirklich erfolgreich sein. Sein Unternehmen ist zudem unabhängig und das macht einen riesigen Unterschied, weil sie so nicht durch die Agenda einer bestimmten Person eingegrenzt werden. Jeder einzelne ist wichtig.

Baur hat verlauten lassen, was seiner Meinung nach die Stärken sowie die Schwächen seines Unternehmens sind. Die Stärke der Swiss Startup Factory ist die Tatsache, dass es ein hochinnovatives Unternehmen ist. Seine Schwäche ist, dass sie Schwierigkeiten bei der Umsetzung ihrer Strategien haben. Er glaubt auch, dass sie daran arbeiten müssen, den Investoren die Chancen und Möglichkeiten auf professionellere Art und Weise zu präsentieren, damit diese Investoren mit mehr Begeisterung mit seinem Unternehmen zusammenarbeiten.

Unter dem Strich kann man sagen, dass Mike Baur sein Unternehmen mit Leidenschaft führt und hart daran arbeitet, seine Ziele zu verwirklichen. Er glaubt, dass dies die zwei Faktoren sind, die in jeder Branche zum Erfolg führen. Es schadet natürlich nicht, dass er das liebt, was er tut.

Mike Baur glaubt, dass man Menschen beibringen kann, was ein Unternehmer ist, aber dass man ihnen nicht die Mentalität beibringen kann, die man als Unternehmer braucht. Laut Baur wird man entweder mit der unternehmerischen Mentalität geboren oder eben nicht.

In Zukunft möchte Baur, dass sein Unternehmen der Schweiz etwas zurückgibt. Er und seine Partner leisten schon ihren Beitrag, aber er sieht in diesem Bereich noch Verbesserungspotenzial und wird weiter daran arbeiten, einen positiven Einfluss auf das Ökosystem der Schweizer Geschäftswelt zu haben.

‘SOURCE: EuropaWire

Accounting, Banks, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Management, Financial Solutions, Mobile banking, Online Banking

Vivier Chief Executive, Luigi Wewege Announces New Book: The Digital Banking Revolution

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND and COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA and MADRID, SPAIN, 2016-Dec-21 — /EPR Network/ — Luigi Wewege’s latest book, The Digital Banking Revolution, shares his inside perspective on how financial technology companies are rapidly transforming the traditional retail banking industry through disruptive innovation.

In The Digital Banking Revolution, Wewege provides a look at how over the past decade financial service innovations have contributed to a completely new way in which customers are able to bank, threatening the status quo of traditional retail banks, and redefining a banking model which has been in place for generations.

Luigi’s book presents the ways these new technological advancements have facilitated the rapid emergence of digital banking firms and FinTech companies, leading to established banks being forced to swiftly increase their pace of digital adoption to stay relevant, and stop mass client attrition to these agile financial start-ups.

“These threats come at an inopportune time for banks due to mature markets currently experiencing stagnant growth. This coupled with decreasing profit margins due to the competitive pricing of new entrants, and financial customer loyalty becoming ever increasingly more tenuous,” said Wewege.

Supported by numerous illustrations, the book spans a diverse range of topics from big data analytics and mobile payments to the evolving behaviors of financial consumers. The Digital Banking Revolution concludes with Luigi providing his predictions in the book’s final chapter, which is titled The Future of Banking. In this chapter, he outlines how he believes financial services are likely to evolve, and be conducted going forward.

The book is currently available for purchase online at Amazon.com in Kindle and paperback versions, as well as being offered via a number of other major online booksellers. To learn more about the author – Luigi Wewege and his new book, The Digital Banking Revolution, please visit: www.digitalbankingrevolution.com.

ABOUT LUIGI WEWEGE
Luigi is the President and CEO of Vivier Group, a multinational financial group of companies, providing its services worldwide through representation in jurisdictions across Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe and South America. Outside of Vivier he serves as the Non-executive Chairman of Nikau Global an international trade and development firm, as Partner/Director of Palmetto Global Ventures a bespoke financial management consultancy firm, and is an invited member of Boston, Massachusetts based non-profit the Young Entrepreneur Council. For more information, about Luigi please visit: http://www.luigiwewege.com or alternatively reach him via Twitter @luigiwewege.

 

Media contact:
Brandon Hopkins
Email: info@digitalbankingrevolution.com
Phone: 803-404-4851
Web: www.digitalbankingrevolution.com

Via EPR Network
More Financial press releases

Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Information, Financial Services, Financial Statements, Investment

Nomura Holdings, Inc. reports its consolidated financial results for Q2 and first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015

Group-wide first-half net income at second highest level in 10 years
– Retail client assets climbed to record 99.3 trillion yen
– Net assets under management at record high of 34.8 trillion yen
– Resilient earnings in Wholesale despite challenged market conditions
– Robust financial position with total capital ratio of 14.7 percent and Tier 1 capital ratio of 12.7 percent under Basel III

TOKYO, November 3, 2014 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Nomura Holdings, Inc. today announced its consolidated financial results for the second quarter and first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.

Net revenue for the second quarter was 373.8 billion yen (US$3.4 billion)1, up 1 percent quarter on quarter and 5 percent year on year. Income before income taxes increased 43 percent from last quarter and 1 percent compared to the second quarter last year to 74.0 billion yen (US$675 million). Net income attributable to Nomura Holdings shareholders grew 166 percent quarter on quarter and 39 percent year on year to 52.9 billion yen (US$482
million).

For the six months ended September 30, Nomura reported net revenue of 744.7 billion yen (US$6.8 billion), down 5 percent from the same period last year. Income before income taxes declined 32 percent to 125.7 billion yen (US$1.1 billion), and net income attributable to Nomura Holdings shareholders was 72.7 billion yen (US$663 million), down 30 percent year on year.

“We had a solid second quarter posting stronger results both quarter on quarter and year on year. Pretax and net income increased significantly compared to last quarter,” said Koji Nagai, Group Chief Executive Officer.

“Retail client assets reached a record 99.3 trillion yen, driven by higher inflows into investment trusts and discretionary investments. Assets under management also grew to a record level in the quarter, reflecting continued inflows into investment trusts. Our Wholesale
business reported gains in net revenue and pretax income. Global Markets revenues were resilient on a strong performance in Japan and AEJ. Mandates for high-profile Japan-related financing transactions led to firm revenues in Investment Banking.

“During the second half of the year, we will remain focused on further establishing our position as Asia’s global investment bank by seeking out opportunities for our clients in the changing environment and continuing to transform our business.” Nomura Holdings, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors approved a resolution to set up a share buyback program, pursuant to the company’s articles of incorporation set out in accordance with Article 459-1 of the Companies Act of Japan.

###

nomura-eprfinancialnews

Nomura Securities
Email: media@nomura.com
(44) 20 7102 4222
Address Nomura House, 1 St Martin’s Le-Grand, London EC1A 4NP, United Kingdom
Media: Alex Timmon

Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Financial Solutions, Investment

Asia’s global investment bank Nomura announced 15 senior appointments in the Americas, 13 Managing Directors and 2 Executive Directors

New York, October 27, 2014 — /EPR FINANCIAL NEWS/ — Nomura, Asia’s global investment bank, announced that it is continuing to strengthen its Investment Banking Division with 15 senior appointments in the Americas, which includes 13 Managing Directors and two Executive Directors.

“The addition of these talented and experienced bankers demonstrates Nomura’s continued commitment to strengthening our investment banking operations in the Americas. We are growing the business strategically and focusing on the areas where we can provide meaningful solutions to our clients,” said James DeNaut, Head of Americas Investment Banking. “We are pleased to have them join the team and contribute to our growth.”

The 15 senior appointments will consist of the following experienced bankers:

  • Frank Kinney joined Nomura as a Managing Director and Head of Industrials, Americas. He has more than 25 years of investment banking experience. Most recently, Frank was a Senior Advisor to energy-focused private equity fund, First Reserve Corporation. Previously, he was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank and at Goldman Sachs.
  • Michael Rintoul joined Nomura as a Managing Director and Head of Business Services, Americas. He has more than 20 years of investment banking experience, with a focus on business services and technology. Prior to joining Nomura, Michael was a Managing Director at Jefferies and Global Head of Business Services; he previously held a similar title at UBS.
  • Miguel Espinosa joined Nomura as a Managing Director in the Financial Sponsors Group based in San Francisco. Miguel was most recently a Managing Director in the Financial Sponsors Group for Morgan Stanley, and has 14 years of financial sponsor coverage experience at the firm. Previously, he was an Oil & Gas analyst for Chase and Morgan Stanley.
  • Christopher Harned joined Nomura as a Managing Director in M&A, specializing inconsumer products. With more than 25 years of investment banking and private equity experience in the consumer products sector, Christopher has held managing director titles at Robert W. Baird & Company, Cypress Group and Lehman Brothers.
  • Lisa Stein joined Nomura as a Managing Director in the Consumer Retail Group. She has more than twenty years of experience in consumer products investment banking. Lisa has held managing director titles at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup, focused on consumer products coverage.
  • Charles Thompson joined Nomura as a Managing Director in the Natural Resources Group. He has 30 years of energy and natural resources investment banking experience. Most recently, Charles was a Senior Managing Director and Co-head of Energy & Natural Resources at FBR. He was a Managing Director, and had similar roles, at Legacy Partners Group and Credit Suisse.
  • Arun Master joined Nomura as a Managing Director in the Healthcare Group. He has 12 years of experience in the healthcare investment banking sector. Most recently, Arun was a Managing Director at Oppenheimer & Co. in their Healthcare Group. Prior to that, he had healthcare coverage roles at Deutsche Bank and Citigroup.
  • Scott Napolitano joined Nomura as a Managing Director in M&A, specializing in healthcare. He has 15 years of investment banking experience. Scott began his career at J.P. Morgan in their M&A and FIG groups. He was most recently a Managing Principal at Meadow Lane Capital, a merchant bank he co-founded that focuses on strategic advisory services. Previously, Scott had investment banking roles in healthcare and M&A at Goldman Sachs and Peter J. Solomon Company, where he was also a Managing Director.
  • Rudy Balseiro joined Nomura as a Managing Director and Head of Equity Syndicate, Americas. He has nearly 25 years of equity capital markets experience, which includes managing director roles at Needham & Company and Bear Stearns in their ECM groups.
  • Caio Costa joined Nomura as an Executive Director in the Sao Paulo office. He has more than 13 years of experience in investment banking, primarily in the Latin American markets. Before joining Nomura, Caio was a Director at Deutsche Bank based in Sao Paulo; he held a similar role at ING Bank.
  • Andrew Horn joined Nomura as an Executive Director in the Industrial Group. He has 13 years of investment banking experience. Andrew began his career at the boutique sell-side firm Gridley & Company in their M&A group. Most recently, he was a Senior Vice President of Industrials at Macquarie Capital. Prior to that, Andrew was a Principal in the Global Industries Group at Banc of America Securities.
  • Thomas Prior will join Nomura as a Managing Director in the Financial Sponsors Group. He has more than 25 years of financial sponsors coverage experience.
  • Christopher Striedter will join Nomura as a Managing Director in the Industrial Group. He has 21 years of experience in the industrial investment banking sector.
  • Mark Liggitt will join Nomura as a Managing Director in the Leveraged Finance Group. He has more than 15 years of investment banking experience, 14 of which have been focused on leveraged finance.
  • Abzal Ayubeally will join Nomura as a Managing Director in the Financial Institutions Group. He has 14 years of investment banking experience.

With these appointments, Nomura’s investment banking franchise continues to build upon its proven track record in the Americas of providing client-centric strategic advice and financing solutions.

###

Nomura Securities
Email: media@nomura.com
(44) 20 7102 4222
Address Nomura House, 1 St Martin’s Le-Grand, London EC1A 4NP, United Kingdom
Media: Alex Timmon

Banks, Business, Financial, Financial Management, Financial Services, Investment, Money

Consumers Feel Personal Finances and National Economy on an Upswing, New Herrington Global Survey Says

Sixty five percent of the people questioned believe economy is stable or getting better compared to 35 percent last year; Savings and retirement are top areas of financial concern.

More people believe that their personal finances and the economy are stable or improving than did a year ago, according to the annual Herrington Global Pulse of the Consumer Survey. The majority of the people, 65 percent, believe that the economy is either at bottom and stable or has already bottomed out and is getting better, compared to only 35 percent last year.

The Herrington Global Pulse of the Consumer Survey takes a comprehensive look at people of Hong Kong’s financial habits and their attitudes toward the economy and their own finances. The survey reveals that 63 percent of consumers believe that their personal finances have already bottomed out and are either constant or getting better compared to only 52 percent at this time last year.

Savings Remains Primary Concern for Consumers - When it comes to managing their personal finances, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of the people are most concerned about having enough money in savings. Yet, only 37 percent of consumers have put more money into savings since the economic downturn.

Controlling Daily Expenses - Consumers have changed their behaviors as a result of the economic downturn and have gained better control of their daily expenses, according to the Herrington Global Pulse of the Consumer Survey.

Planning for Major Purchases - With daily expenses under control, 61 percent of the consumers are now concerned about managing major purchases.

The Herrington Global Pulse of the Consumer Survey, an online poll of a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adults age 18 and older.

Via EPR Network
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Pinstripes For Banksters And Justice For All. It’s Only Right.

Peaceful restoration of our freedoms and justice for all is what all of us want. Over two hundred years ago when we fought against tyranny for our independence, many lives were lost, some of those were innocent people but in that instance it was necessary, today we hope that our govenrmnet comes to it’s senses and realizes that they can’t and mustn’t favor one class of people over others and justice should be doled out equally to all if a law has been broken-we must not just tolerate crime and look the other way for certain people.

Turn off the TV, don’t let them divert your attention any longer, wake up because your freedoms are slowly and surely being stripped from you. It won’t be long before they knock on the door to your home, they tell you to surrender your guns and issue a decree that you are no longer authorized to protest in any way against the government. This will also include postings online, speech and that your opinions and dissent must be kept to yourself or you will be imprisoned for inciting violence against the government or should I say, the monarchy.

The banks and the government created this financial mess but the citizens, taxpayers and homeowners have had to take the brunt of it and it’s now weighing so much on our shoulders that we can’t tolerate in any further. Stop the insanity now, these people have the misconception that they are Gods, perfect in every way and they put it across to all of us in an arrogant and belittling way. All of us deserve better, we deserve a media that reports the truth, not what the government authorizes or we aren’t any better than Venezuela, where Hugo Chaves controls the media in every way and tries to keep the people uninformed and preoccupied with news and reports of a mundane nature so no one will catch on that he’s fattening his vault just as the leaders of all of the countries in the Middle East that have fallen already to the uprising of the people. If you recall when you read the bible last that Jesus only got angry with one group of people-they were the moneychangers and he cast them out, this is what we must do without hesitation.

The people of this country fought the second World War and defeated two dictatorships that wanted to control the world, but the U.S. men and women of that generation got the job done, everyone worked together, over 20 million men joined the armed forces, while the women took their places in the factories and that’s how it’s done. A peaceful resolution is what we all want but we must leave all options on the table as the government and the banks have already bought the police and they will be utilizing the returning troops to stand guard over all of us but we have hopes that they would not shoot us down like dogs as they may be killing their own loved ones, friends and co-workers at the behest of the real animals that are threatening the values, democracy and economic structure of this country.

If we are going to restore the freedoms and stop the fraudulent bankers from pilfering and betting on our economy and threatening our futures than we deserve what we get, otherwise, let’s get together and demand a stop to his treachery and debauchery orchestrated and implemented by Washington D.C. and Wall Street elitists. Their plan is simple, financial destruction of the multitudes.

Justice for all, no exceptions and If the bankers commit fraud, they must be treated as any other citizen no matter what, including prison sentences if the crime is serious enough to warrant it.

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Experian Reveals Mortgage Fraud Set To Surge In 2013

Experian predicts there will be a dramatic increase in attempted mortgage fraud in the UK next year, bringing the number of people fraudulently trying to obtain home loans to the highest level since records began in 2009.

A total of 43 out of every 10,000 mortgage applications are expected to be identified as fraudulent in 2013 – marking a rise of 13 per cent on 2012 figures and 26 per cent on 2011. The majority of attacks are likely to continue to come from first party fraudsters – essentially individuals misrepresenting their own financial circumstances and employment statuses or attempting to hide adverse credit histories.

Meanwhile, Experian’s latest Fraud Index*, which highlights the evolving nature of the fraud threat facing the UK’s financial services sector, also revealed that attempted mortgage fraud in the third quarter of this year was up six per cent on the same period in 2011, with 38 in every 10,000 applications deemed fraudulent – compared to 36 in every 10,000 12 months ago. It is also the first time within the past year that mortgage fraud has overtaken current account fraud as the area targeted most frequently by fraudsters.

Overall, 17 in every 10,000 applications received by financial institutions in Q3 of this year were detected to be fraudulent – seven per cent more than the same time last year, with savings accounts seeing a rise of 58 per cent. However, attempted fraud in the automotive finance sector fell for the sixth consecutive quarter, with 15 in every 10,000 fraudulent applications discovered between July and September 2012 – down 29 per cent when compared with 2011.

Nick Mothershaw, Director of Identity & Fraud Services at Experian in the UK and Ireland, said: “Almost 90 per cent of mortgage fraud tends to originate from genuine individuals misrepresenting their financial situations attempting to buy property that would ordinarily be out of reach. With tougher rules on UK mortgage lending set to come into force in 2014, where lenders will have to put a borrower’s ability to repay under greater scrutiny, it important that they have the correct tools in place to do this, especially as attempted fraud in this industry is set to increase significantly over the next 12 months.

“Increased fraud levels in specific industries mean that it has never been more important to ensure that applications for new credit facilities are analysed for signs of fraudulent activity. Simple steps organisations can take to mitigate risk include robust checking of new applications for credit using tools that reveal first party fraud and organised fraud rings, continually reassessing fraud risk across existing accounts and introducing true identity authentication using facts only a genuine applicant will know on all products, not just the higher risk ones.”

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Prudential reveals more than 2 million couples have never discussed finances together

Prudential reports that many British couples are burying their hands in the sand over their financial situations. One in seven* (14 per cent) couples over the age of 40 – or around 4.2** million people – admit they have never discussed their finances.

Fears about having awkward conversations drives this behaviour, with 15 per cent of those surveyed admitting they feel uncomfortable talking to their partners about financial planning.

A concern that these conversations will boil over into arguments is another reason that couples avoid talking about their finances – money is the third most likely subject to cause arguments among couples, with nearly one in four (23 per cent) claiming that they fight over finances, ahead of work (10 per cent), and politics and religion (5 per cent). Only household chores (27 per cent) and disputes about family (30 per cent) are more likely to cause disagreements.

Even for the majority of couples who do discuss their retirement plans, long-term issues are likely to be side-lined, as short-term everyday expenses take priority. Daily living costs and household bills are regularly discussed by the majority of couples (60 per cent and 52 per cent respectively), and one in three couples (34 per cent) speak about the costs of home improvements, large purchases and luxuries.

However, discussions about long-term planning are far less prevalent, with only 16 per cent of couples claiming to regularly talk about retirement income and pension planning. Only 3 per cent of couples claim they have had conversations about inheritance planning and tax.

Vince Smith-Hughes, retirement expert at Prudential said: “Money can be a tough topic to discuss at the best of times. Many couples prefer to steer clear of conversations about finances, and especially discussions about longer-term issues like retirement which might feel light-years away. Yet it really pays to be honest about your financial situation. Being open about discussing long-term financial planning as early as possible will help couples to ensure they can enjoy a comfortable retirement together.”

Only 13 per cent of respondents said they had seen a financial adviser with their partners in the past five years. A further 13 per cent say they or their partner has seen an adviser separately within this timeframe and 8 per cent have seen an adviser but not within the past five years. The vast majority (66 per cent) have never seen a financial adviser to discuss retirement or pension planning.

Vince Smith-Hughes continued: “Websites like www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk andwww.moneyadviceservice.org.uk can help with some in-depth information about retirement options. A joint conversation with a financial adviser should help couples to make the right pension savings decisions during their working lives, so that they’ll have the right income to support their lifestyles in retirement.”

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