Open banking stories
Merchants can now offer Klarna's instalment and deferred-payment options through Ecommpay without extra technical work or separate systems.
The Auckland fintech plans to double staff as the NZ$5 million funding commitment backs expansion in New Zealand's open banking market.
The award underscores growing interest in bank-payment tools that pair account-to-account transfers with customer verification for merchants.
The investment bolsters a London payments group as Europe's push for home-grown payment rails gains momentum and its network reaches 30 million consumers.
The service gives banks single-account access to instant cross-border transfers in four currencies, reducing the need for local banking ties and infrastructure.
The move puts AI agents at the heart of the bank software group's strategy as it targets faster service and more automated customer operations.
Corporate treasurers in Asia can now access cash, payments and lending data inside their own workflows as HSBC rolls out HSBCnio across multiple markets.
Despite broad use of digital tools, 42% of UK firms still wait for payment confirmation, leaving finance teams to chase status across systems.
Senior payments executives will weigh who carries risk when shoppers use AI assistants to start purchases but still finish them elsewhere.
Applicants for Westpac NZ personal loans can now get faster approvals, as the bank's online system automatically sorts income and expense data.
Overseas sales are now a key growth driver, but more than 70% of pre-revenue and pre-profit fintechs say fundraising remains difficult.
Affordability checks could turn away up to 30% of BNPL users, risking abandoned baskets and weaker sales for retailers.
Businesses will be able to receive SWIFT transfers and push funds onward in one system, reducing the need for extra banking infrastructure.
Renters in New Zealand can now convert loyalty points into KiwiSaver or investments, as Feijoa expands beyond round-ups with Renti Rewards.
Customer backing for Xero's software stayed strong as it secured Canstar's 2026 small business accounting award in New Zealand for an eighth year.
The finding highlights a trust gap that could slow AI adoption in payments, with only 22% of UK consumers willing to use it there.
The tie-up could help small firms spot cash-flow risks and growth opportunities faster, while keeping owners in control of any action.
It aims to cut app switching for British users by linking messaging, events, social content and peer-to-peer payments in one place.
Renters could keep earning card rewards as surcharges and platform changes push more landlords to drop credit card payments.
The no-code tool could speed up cash flow for tradespeople and sole traders who usually invoice after a job, with funds often arriving within one business day.
