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MGAA and Insurance DataLab team up to boost MGA insights
The Managing General Agents’ Association (MGAA), which represents MGAs in the UK and Gibraltar, has entered a strategic partnership with market intelligence platform Insurance DataLab.
As part of the deal, Insurance DataLab joins the MGAA as a Supplier Member and offers exclusive benefits to MGAA members, including a 10% discount on new annual licences, according to FF News.
The platform provides deep insights into underwriting performance, claims, solvency, and customer satisfaction across insurers, MGAs, and brokers, helping members make smarter, more informed decisions.
Matt Scott, co-founder of Insurance DataLab, said, “MGAs are driving innovation across the insurance market, and we’re proud to partner with the MGAA to give their Members access to data that helps power better decisions. This is about helping MGAs thrive by putting real insight in their hands.”
Dan King, co-founder of Insurance DataLab, said, “We’ve built Insurance DataLab to deliver intelligence that’s not just interesting, but genuinely useful. This partnership with the MGAA allows us to reach more of the market and provide it with the tools it needs to succeed.”
PNC Bank Launches PNC Mobile Accept®, A New Pay-As-You-Go Payment Processing Solution for Micro Businesses
PNC Bank today announced the launch of PNC Mobile Accept®, a fully integrated payment solution that provides its micro business clients with the ability to accept in-person credit and debit card payments directly within the PNC Mobile app.
Designed for businesses processing less than $300,000 in credit and debit card transactions annually, PNC Mobile Accept is a self-service solution that gives business owners fast, secure access to accept funds directly from their phone or tablet with no monthly fee.
“Micro businesses are often left behind by traditional card payment solutions due to high fees, restrictive card programs and approval delays,” said Matt Evans, head of PNC Merchant Services for Small Businesses. “With PNC Mobile Accept, we’re meeting small businesses where they are, delivering enterprise-grade payments capabilities at micro business scale – fast, affordable, and accessible.”
PNC Mobile Accept enables card payments through manual entry or via a pocket-sized reader that supports tap, dip, or swipe transactions. The solution boasts enhanced features like tax-and-tip functionality, cardholder data encryption, and near real-time transaction tracking, bringing consumer-grade ease to business-grade payments. Additionally, business owners can accept card payments from all credit card providers and access funds from transactions typically within two business days. This solution is ideal for micro businesses that are always on the go, and until now, lacked an easy way to accept card payments.
PNC small business clients with an active PNC business checking account can apply for PNC Mobile Accept in all PNC Bank branches and online. To apply or for more information about PNC Mobile Accept, please visit http://www.pnc.com/en/small-business/payments-and-processing/mobile-accept.
The payment processing services through PNC Mobile Accept are provided by Tempus Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PNC Bank, PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.
Wealthbox Secures $200 Million Investment from Sixth Street Growth to Accelerate Expansion and Innovation
Wealthbox, the #1-rated CRM software platform for financial advisors, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement for a $200 million strategic majority investment from Sixth Street Growth, the growth investing business of leading global investment firm Sixth Street. The partnership marks a major milestone in Wealthbox’s evolution and positions the company to further scale its operations, accelerate product development, and expand its footprint across the wealth management industry.
The investment from Sixth Street Growth reflects the firm’s strong conviction in Wealthbox’s management team, its modern and intuitive product, and a forward-looking roadmap that includes the development and rollout of innovative AI features designed to drive advisor productivity and firm-wide efficiency. The funding underscores the company’s strong position in the independent advisor market, its expanding opportunity in adjacent wealth-tech categories, and strategic trajectory upmarket to larger RIA firms and enterprise broker-dealers.
“This partnership with Sixth Street is a defining moment for Wealthbox,” said John Rourke, CEO and Co-founder of Wealthbox. “We’ve spent years building a modern, elegant CRM that advisors truly enjoy using. With Sixth Street’s backing, the new funding will allow us to move faster than ever to extend our leadership in the market and deliver even more value to advisory firms of all sizes.”
This investment will enable a new chapter of growth. Wealthbox plans to accelerate product development, expand integrations across the advisor tech stack, and deepen its enterprise capabilities to meet the needs of increasingly complex advisory firms.
“Wealthbox’s platform combines user-friendly simplicity with powerful capabilities, underpinned by a deep commitment to customer satisfaction, and we believe that it offers a valuable, advisor-centric CRM solution for the wealth management channel,” said Michael McGinn, Partner at Sixth Street and Co-Head of Sixth Street Growth. “We are pleased to partner with Wealthbox to support its next phase of innovation.”
As part of the transaction, Michael McGinn, as well as Paul Dodd, Operating Partner, and Alex Goodman, Principal at Sixth Street Growth, will join Wealthbox’s Board of Directors.
Frontier Growth Wealthbox’s existing investor will retain its position in the company by rolling over a substantial portion of its equity into the recapitalization.
Wealthbox will continue to operate under its current leadership team, with management also reinvesting meaningfully, underscoring their long-term commitment to the business and its future trajectory.
NEC Specialty Inc. Adopts Expert Insured to Power Next-Gen Underwriting and Policy Management
NEC Specialty Inc. a leading managing general agency (MGA) serving brokers across the East Coast, has officially gone live on the Expert Insured Policy Management platform an advanced, AI-driven system built specifically for MGAs and wholesale distributors. This strategic move underscores NECS’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
NECS operates as an independent MGA, distinct from its former parent company, Northeast Coverages Inc., which was acquired by Acrisure, a global fintech leader, in 2023.
The adoption of Expert Insured reflects NECS’s dedication to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving insurance landscape. With this platform, the NECS team gains powerful tools to streamline submissions, reduce manual processing, and respond to brokers faster—without compromising underwriting discipline.
“We spent months evaluating nearly every platform on the market. Expert Insured was the only one that truly understood how MGAs operate and what we need to succeed,” said Robert Mangi, President of NECS. “We’re excited to be live on a system that reflects our vision for the future faster, smarter, and built for the way business really works.”
Expert Insured offers MGAs a fully integrated solution for policy management, workflow and task management, broker relationships / CRM, and accounting all in one system. For NECS, the platform allows for cleaner handoffs across teams, real-time visibility into submissions and quotes, and fewer delays in responding to agent partners.
“We’re thrilled to have NECS join the Expert Insured platform,” said Spencer McDonald, CEO of Expert Insured. “We’ve built a system for the next generation of MGAs designed to meet the speed and complexity of today’s market while supporting the unique workflows and needs of every team.”
The launch marks a new chapter for NECS as it continues to expand its footprint and product offerings. By adopting Expert Insured, the agency positions itself at the forefront of digital innovation in wholesale insurance, ensuring it can adapt and lead in an increasingly tech-driven environment.
Optalitix launches Model Monitoring to transform insurance pricing oversight
UK-based InsurTech firm Optalitix has launched Model Monitoring, a new feature for its flagship Optalitix Models platform, offering real-time tracking and analysis of insurance pricing models.
The tool allows insurers to monitor model usage, detect anomalies, and optimise performance, resulting in faster quote generation and more accurate pricing.
Model Monitoring supports all major modelling formats, including Excel, Python, and R, and will be available to clients on a self-service basis from July 2025.
The upgrade also delivers a 70% boost in model performance speed, powered by integration with Google Cloud’s system tracking technology.
Optalitix product manager Ricky Jayes said, “This change is groundbreaking for our clients, giving them far deeper insight and awareness of the performance of their entire model estate.”
Optalitix founding director Dani Katz said, “We believe the inclusion of a single source for model monitoring for insurers’ entire model estate, including their Excel, Python, and R models, is a world first. Optalitix is committed to providing groundbreaking technology to help insurers manage their advanced model estates.”
Tietoevry Banking partners with Finance Innovation to boost Norwegian FinTech innovation
Tietoevry Banking has officially joined NCE Finance Innovation, a key Norwegian FinTech cluster, in a move designed to drive innovation, collaboration and digital transformation across the financial sector.
The partnership aims to enhance knowledge-sharing among industry players.
Finance Innovation is a nationally recognised cluster supported by Innovation Norway and focuses on uniting finance and technology stakeholders across the country. The collaboration is expected to strengthen the national role of Finance Innovation as a hub for customer-led transformation, while also advancing the reputation of the financial sector as a dynamic and attractive career destination for tech professionals.
Tietoevry Banking acting managing director Mario Blazevic said, “We want to contribute to strengthening Finance Innovation’s role as a leading national arena for customer-driven innovation and transformation, helping the financial sector enhance its competitiveness and reputation as an attractive workplace for anyone passionate about technology.”
Finance Innovation CEO Rea Parashar welcomed the partnership, highlighting the strategic value that Tietoevry brings to the cluster. Rea Parashar said, “Tietoevry Banking is a valuable addition to the cluster ecosystem at Finance Innovation. With its broad expertise, extensive experience, and international network, this collaboration can unlock significant benefits for both society and the business community which aligns perfectly with our mission as an industry cluster.”
Tietoevry Banking employs around 3,400 FinTech experts globally, with 1,500 based in Norway across key cities including Bergen, Trondheim, Mo i Rana and Oslo. The company plays a central role in accelerating digital innovation in the region and sees this new partnership as a means to both contribute and learn.
Blazevic said, “The pace of digital innovation and transformation in Norway must increase, and the financial sector is a key catalyst in this effort. With our strong presence both in Norway and internationally, we at Tietoevry Banking are committed to sharing our expertise and experience to help Finance Innovation strengthen its national role, says Mario Blazevic, adding that the partnership will also be an important learning platform for employees.
“Those of us working in technology can never claim to be fully trained. We must continuously evolve, stay on top of trends, and find ways to convert them into lasting value for customers and society. The collaboration with Finance Innovation will be crucial for strengthening our regional presence
Client executive Sveinung André Gundersen underlined the importance of Tietoevry’s open, modular platform in enabling innovation within the FinTech ecosystem. Sveinung André Gundersen said, “Because our systems are based on open and modular solutions, this network will allow us to further strengthen the ecosystem of partners driving innovation and development. We believe and hope that this partnership with Finance Innovation will be a catalyst for further growth and innovation for Tietoevry Banking in the Bergen region — and that it will inspire innovation in other regions as well.”
Tietoevry Banking is a major provider of financial SaaS services across the Nordics and globally. Its suite of offerings spans digital banking, payments, card management, lending, wealth management and fraud prevention. With clients in over 60 countries, the company supports banks and financial institutions in adapting to market demands, complying with regulations, and enhancing customer experiences through secure, scalable technologies. It is part of the wider Tietoevry group, which generates annual revenues of around €3bn and is publicly listed in Helsinki, Stockholm and Oslo.
Lokalbank partners with Tietoevry Banking to power digital transformation
Tietoevry Banking has entered into a long-term partnership with Lokalbank, a network of 16 independent Norwegian banks, to deliver a tailored banking platform for the Norwegian market.
The partnership aims to support Lokalbank’s mission of fostering local community growth through the adoption of a future-ready digital platform. The solution is designed to streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and improve operational efficiency through automation and modernised digital workflows.
Tietoevry Banking brings to the table its full-service technology stack, which includes core banking capabilities, online and mobile banking, payment systems, card services, and anti-financial crime solutions. Built on industry-standard architecture, the platform ensures compliance, security, and rapid deployment.
Lokalbank serves approximately 250,000 private and corporate clients across Norway. By adopting Tietoevry’s platform, the collaboration will benefit from reduced complexity and a more cohesive user experience. Employees will be better positioned to focus on advisory services, thanks to the automation of routine processes.
The five-year agreement, with an optional extension of two plus two years, establishes a structured collaboration framework between Lokalbank, Tietoevry Banking, and the Frende Group. The Frende Group, of which Lokalbank and Sparebanken Norge are key members, includes banks that distribute insurance from Frende Forsikring and partner with Brage Finans and Norne Securities. The framework also enables additional banks to join the group under favourable technology terms.
As part of the deal, Tietoevry Banking will oversee the migration of Lokalbank to its modernised core platform using a phased approach. This process will include clearly defined roles and a strong governance structure to ensure a smooth transition and enable the development of next-generation digital banking capabilities.
Frende Group CEO Stine Neteland highlighted the strategic alignment of the group, stating that having all Frende banks unified under one technology provider opens up significant opportunities for future development and seamless user experiences across their shared ecosystem.
Lokalbank CEO Bent R. Eidem said, “The agreement with Tietoevry Banking provides Lokalbank with a unified technology platform that streamlines operations across the collaboration. Digital workflows and user-friendly tools free up employees to focus on advisory services and sales. Combined with a modern digital interface, this enhances the overall customer experience. Altogether, the partnership with Tietoevry Banking strengthens our banks competitive position.”
Tietoevry CEO Endre Rangnes said, “Being chosen by Lokalbank as a strategic partner is a strong vote of confidence. Our end-to-end technology platform, built on industry-standard architecture, enables cost-efficient banking while meeting high demands for quality and security. Through the delivery of a full-service solution, Lokalbank benefits from significantly simplified integration and faster time-to-market.”
Frende Group CEO Stine Neteland added, “This new technology partnership with Tietoevry Banking enables Lokalbank to offer customers a seamless user experience across banking services and product companies within the Frende network. Combined with lower operational complexity and strong digital interfaces, Lokalbank becomes a highly attractive partner in the Norwegian market.”
Tietoevry Banking acting CEO Mario Blazevic said, “Tietoevry Banking will migrate Lokalbank to its modernised core banking platform using a proven framework that emphasizes strong collaboration, clearly defined roles, and effective meeting structures—ensuring a step-by-step, well-managed transition. This partnership also opens up new opportunities for developing next-generation digital banking services.”
Frende Group CEO Stine B. Neteland said, “We have signed an agreement that enables new members to join the Frende Group directly and benefit from a highly competitive technology deal. Our goal is to remain a collaboration that supports independence while accommodating the diverse needs of different banks.”
Neteland concluded, “That’s why it is especially gratifying that all Frende Group banks are now aligned with the same technology provider. This gives us unique opportunities to further develop our banks, product companies, and deliver outstanding user experiences across our shared ecosystem.”
Cork InsurTech Kayna accelerates global growth with embedded insurance model
Kayna, a Cork-based InsurTech, has announced plans to create 13 new jobs as it expands into the US and UK insurance markets.
The news was shared during a visit from Robert Troy, Minister of State for Financial Services, who met with Kayna CEO Paul Prendergast to discuss the company’s international growth strategy and Ireland’s role as a hub for FinTech innovation.
Founded in 2021 by Paul Prendergast and Peter Bermingham, Kayna delivers embedded insurance solutions for small businesses in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and legal services. The platform enables SMEs to access tailored coverage directly through the software tools they already use. In the US alone, 40% of SMEs are uninsured, highlighting a significant market gap Kayna aims to address.
Prendergast said. “The opportunity is huge. Embedded insurance is forecast to account for 15pc of the global insurance market, worth $1.5 trillion, within a decade. Kayna’s goal is to lead from the front, and to do so from Cork.”
The company is backed by €1m in funding and has secured a major partnership with global broker Willis Towers Watson to support its expansion. Recruitment will focus on software engineers and business development staff, with all roles based in Cork.
CredCore raises $16m to accelerate AI-driven credit investing and management
AI-powered credit investment platform CredCore, which specialises in transforming debt capital markets for lenders and borrowers, has secured $16m in a Series A funding round.
The round was led by Avataar Ventures, with additional backing from Inspired Capital, Fitch Group, BellTower Partners, and senior executives from asset management and financial services.
CredCore is tackling inefficiencies in the enterprise credit sector, which sees $5trn in transactions annually but has been slow to adopt technological innovation.
The company’s AI-driven platform enhances deal execution by enabling customers to accelerate transactions and scale their teams and assets under management (AUM). The platform has gained significant traction, already supporting major asset managers and corporations in the US, overseeing over $650bn in AUM.
The company’s suite of solutions covers the entire debt deal lifecycle, from pre-deal evaluation to post-deal management. Its Agentic platform uses AI to analyse, summarise, and extract insights from deal-related documents in a matter of hours, significantly reducing the time required for capital deployment.
CredCore co-founder Saumil Annegiri said, “Marrying credit and technology has historically been insurmountable. The industry is fragmented, complex, and specialized, with data that is often unavailable and inconsistent. At CredCore, we are solving this with proprietary AI models trained on $5 trillion worth of data.
“However, technology is just a part of the solution. Expert oversight remains indispensable to ensure precision and trust. This is where we differentiate ourselves with domain-specialists-in-the-loop.”
CredCore co-founder Karthik Nandyal added, “In terms of technology adoption, enterprise credit today parallels where equities were 30 years ago but credit markets are significantly larger.
“With decades of industry experience, we built CredCore on a foundation of advanced AI research and innovative business processes to transform credit markets through technology. AI advancements like self-deployed models and more efficient architectures are enabling greater automation and enhanced data privacy, which is why we are able to guarantee outcomes for our customers.”
TMX VettaFi expands fixed income indexing with Credit Suisse bond indices acquisition
TMX VettaFi has acquired Credit Suisse’s Bond Indices from UBS, further strengthening its fixed income index capabilities.
TMX VettaFi president Tom Hendrickson said, “We are excited to announce another significant step forward in our index expansion strategy, designed to strengthen our fixed income indexing capabilities, and broaden the services we provide to a growing international network of clients and partners.
“We see tremendous opportunity for indexing across the fixed income asset class – especially with the growth of bond ETFs – and we look forward to partnering with even more asset managers to unlock new bond ETF innovation.”
The acquired bond index franchise covers key areas such as government bonds, credit instruments, and emerging markets bonds. Additionally, it includes advanced tools and analytics to support the creation of custom fixed income solutions.
This marks TMX VettaFi’s fourth major acquisition in the past 18 months. The firm previously acquired iNDEX Research in October 2024, adding a provider with $10bn in linked assets across equity and fixed income strategies. Other recent acquisitions include the ROBO Global Index Suite in April 2023 and EQM Indexes in September 2023.
Brian Coco, head of index product at TMX VettaFi, said, “Today fixed income represents approximately 20% of the ETF market, yet the total global bond market is $140 trillion, compared to the $115 trillion global equity market. With even stronger fixed income indexing capabilities, VettaFi can truly provide outcome-oriented solutions to our clients across asset classes, as well as more precision exposures within fixed income.”
Following the acquisition, TMX VettaFi now manages over 700 indexes, with $53bn in assets passively tracking these indices and $41bn in benchmarked assets. Its team leverages cloud-based technology to deliver research, index design, calculation, dissemination, and management services to over 250 clients worldwide.
MENA InsureLab secures backing from TIC to boost InsurTech innovation
MENA InsureLab, an InsurTech accelerator and venture builder, has secured strategic backing from TIC Technology Innovation Capital, a US-based venture capital firm.
The investment comes from TIC’s $100m fund, which focuses on supporting early-stage technology companies. The firm employs a unique investment model, providing both financial backing and software development services in exchange for equity.
MENA InsureLab was founded to drive digital transformation in the insurance industry by fostering partnerships between established insurers and emerging startups. The accelerator aims to connect insurance firms with cutting-edge technological solutions, facilitating their adoption and integration.
With the fresh backing from TIC, MENA InsureLab intends to expand its operations, offering more funding opportunities, mentorship programmes, and market access for InsurTech ventures across the MENA region.
Aicha Ghaffari, managing director at MENA InsureLab, said, “TIC’s support solidifies our commitment to building a thriving ecosystem where insurance companies and insurtechs can co-create solutions tailored to the evolving needs of customers. This partnership allows us to drive impactful innovation and accelerate digital transformation in the region.”
TIC founder Ike Syed also expressed enthusiasm about the investment, stating, “Our investment in MENA InsureLab aligns with our mission to empower technology-driven entrepreneurship and reshape industries. We believe the InsurTech sector in MENA holds immense potential, and we are excited to support MENA InsureLab in driving meaningful innovation.”
SafelyYou raises $43m to expand AI-driven solutions for senior living
SafelyYou has secured $43m in a Series C funding round led by Touring Capital, bringing the firm’s total capital raised to over $100m.
With this tranche, SafelyYou plans to expand its technology offerings to address growing challenges in senior care, including increasing resident acuity, staffing shortages, and care accuracy, according to the Coverager.
The company has introduced two additional solutions—SafelyYou Clarity, an automated care tracking system, and SafelyYou Aware, which uses data-driven insights to predict residents’ care needs.
The company’s client base includes leading senior living providers such as StoryPoint Senior Living, Benchmark Senior Living, Midwest Health, and Senior Star.
SafelyYou founder and CEO George Netscher said, “We’re so grateful for this funding at a critical juncture in care delivery for senior living, when SafelyYou’s solutions are more important than ever. I started this company to help my mom and to help so many families like ours who have a loved one living with dementia. And we’ve grown to provide broader care support in senior living. Now, at a time when resident acuity is increasing, care demands are greater, and staffing continues to be a crisis, we’ll be able to empower operators to predict care needs with unmatched speed and accuracy, revolutionising how senior care is provided.”
SaaScada partners with ARIE Finance to streamline cross-border payments
SaaScada has been chosen by ARIE Finance to support its international payments service for mid-sized B2B businesses.
SaaScada, a cloud-native core banking provider, will enable ARIE Finance to simplify cross-border transactions, particularly in Africa, where the company seeks to become the first B2B firm with a PSP licence in Mauritius.
ARIE Finance’s banking platform is designed to offer fast, secure, and personalised financial services, integrating multi-currency accounts, payments, and a global FinTech partner network. The company aims to streamline onboarding by tailoring its approach to each applicant’s needs, enabling account setup within days while maintaining stringent fraud and financial crime controls.
ARIE Finance founder and executive vice-chairman Stephen Margolis said, “With a thriving investment scene and high regulatory standards, Mauritius is fast becoming the ‘Singapore of the West’, acting as the central financial services hub for the African and Indian subcontinents. But international businesses often struggle to set up accounts in the region because of outdated systems and rigid onboarding processes. This is hampering innovation as many exciting businesses are excluded based on their size, location, or industry, without any effort made to understand their business.
“ARIE Finance is shaking up the industry and taking the pain out of opening international accounts. By coupling the features of a digital-first neobank like fast online setup with a dedicated team who can personally review applications, we will go beyond ‘Know Your Customer’ to ‘Understand your Customer’.”
SaaScada’s real-time data capabilities will provide ARIE Finance with instant insights into customer behaviour, while its cloud-native architecture allows the financial institution to rapidly develop and iterate new banking products.
SaaScada co-founder and CEO Nelson Wootton commented, “SaaScada is dedicated to making first-class banking products available to everyone, so we’re proud to work with ARIE Finance, helping underserved B2B businesses set up in growing markets. We love collaborative partners who want to grow with us, and we’re looking forward to working closely with ARIE Finance and Stephen Margolis in the coming months to bring even more banking services to mid-sized businesses operating in Africa and beyond.”
Hitachi Payment Services invests in Spydra to drive CBDC and Web 3.0 payment innovations
Hitachi Payment Services, an end-to-end payments and commerce solutions provider, has made a strategic minority investment in Spydra Technologies, a specialist in enterprise blockchain solutions.
The funding is being channelled through the Hitachi Payments Accelerator (HPX) Program, an initiative designed to support FinTech startups through investment and partnerships. By backing Spydra Technologies, Hitachi Payment Services aims to integrate blockchain-powered solutions into its payment infrastructure, improving transaction efficiency, security, and fraud prevention.
Spydra Technologies focuses on delivering scalable and secure blockchain solutions for businesses. The company specialises in real-world asset tokenisation and enables asset owners adn issuers to tokenise and manage assets on-chain, offering customisable solutions for equity, debt and hybrid financial products.
Its expertise in Web 3.0, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and blockchain-based digital payments aligns with Hitachi Payment Services’ vision of pioneering the next generation of financial technology solutions. The investment will facilitate the development of new blockchain-driven payment capabilities, particularly in cross-border transactions, real-time settlements, and financial inclusion initiatives.
Anuj Khosla, chief executive officer – digital business at Hitachi Payment Services, said, “At Hitachi Payment Services, we strive to introduce transformative technologies and solutions that enable superior payment experiences. Blockchain is the cornerstone of the next wave of financial innovation and our investment in Spydra reflects our commitment to advancing digital payment innovation.
“By leveraging Spydra’s blockchain and CBDC capabilities, we are well-positioned to develop secure and cutting-edge digital payment solutions that empower our customers to thrive in an evolving digital landscape. Through the HPX Program, we aim to collaborate with disruptors in the fintech and payments segment, driving the next phase of growth and innovation in digital payments.”
Manish Tewari, co-founder of Spydra Technologies, stated, “Our enterprise blockchain solutions are designed to offer scalability, security and efficiency across industries. By partnering with Hitachi Payment Services, we aim to bring innovative solutions that reshape the future of payments and commerce. As government and financial institutions in India move towards embracing blockchain-powered digital currencies and decentralized solutions, this collaboration is a significant step towards accelerating blockchain adoption in the payment sector.”
The HPX Program is set to support FinTech startups operating in various domains, including ERP/Billing, segmented payment solutions, embedded finance, issuance, payments compliance, banking-as-a-service, AI/Gen AI, core banking, and Web 3.0/CBDC technologies.
Klarna and JPMorgan Payments partner to expand BNPL services for merchants
Swedish BNPL giant Klarna has struck a new deal with JPMorgan Payments to see its flexible financing solutions integrated into JPMorgan Payments’ merchant services.
The partnership aims to broaden the accessibility of Klarna’s payment options, including its interest-free BNPL solution, according to Finextra.
This move is expected to provide merchants with a wider array of payment choices to enhance customer experience and drive sales.
Klarna, a leading BNPL provider, enables consumers to split purchases into instalments, often interest-free, while offering merchants tools to boost conversion rates and customer engagement. The company has rapidly expanded beyond BNPL, providing a comprehensive shopping ecosystem, including its own app and AI-powered personal finance management features.
JPMorgan Payments, a division of JPMorgan Chase, is one of the world’s largest payment processors, handling over $2tn in transactions annually.
The company provides end-to-end payment solutions, including acquiring, treasury services, and merchant processing, catering to businesses of all sizes.
As part of the deal, Klarna will also join the JPMorgan Payments Partner Network, which connects businesses with a suite of third-party payment solutions. This collaboration is expected to further accelerate Klarna’s expansion into new markets and merchant segments.
Klarna is reportedly preparing for an IPO in April, and this partnership with JPMorgan Payments could enhance its appeal to investors by demonstrating its continued growth and integration within mainstream financial infrastructure.
Klarna chief commercial officer David Sykes said, “By collaborating with JPMorgan Payments, we’re bringing our payment solutions to even more businesses and fast-tracking our ambition to make Klarna payments available everywhere, for everything.”
Simplifai launches Agentic AI to transform insurance automation
Simplifai, a leader in AI-driven automation, has launched Agentic AI designed to optimise critical processes such as claims handling, underwriting, and customer service.
The Norwegian firm has debuted the solution in response to the industry’s increasing demands.
Insurers are facing growing customer expectations, rising cost pressures, and complex regulatory requirements.
To help navigate these challenges, Simplifai has concentrated its expertise on developing AI-powered automation tools that enhance efficiency and compliance.
Since its inception, the company has evolved from a startup offering Digital Employees to a major player in AI-driven automation across Europe.
Over the years, it has expanded globally, collaborating with customers and partners to drive digital transformation and AI innovation.
Agentic AI is specifically built to support insurers by streamlining complex processes such as claims assessment, fraud detection, and policy management.
Unlike generic AI models, Simplifai’s AI Agents are tailored for the insurance sector, ensuring adaptability, security, and full compliance with industry regulations.
As part of the launch, Simplifai is introducing three pre-configured AI Agents designed for bodily injury, motor, and travel insurance. These AI-driven solutions accelerate claims intake, processing, and customer interactions, significantly boosting operational efficiency.
Alongside the product expansion, Simplifai has strengthened its leadership team. The company recently appointed Artem Gonchakov as CEO, Dr. Bikash Agrawal as CTO, Nils Slottet as Chief Solution Officer, Niels Zijderveld as Chief Revenue Officer, and Andreas Prøven Bogsrud as CFO. This leadership team brings extensive expertise in AI, insurance, technology, and finance, reinforcing Simplifai’s commitment to driving innovation in the sector.
Simplifai remains dedicated to its mission of simplifying and optimising insurance operations through cutting-edge AI solutions. By leveraging AI Agents, insurers can enhance decision-making, improve customer experience, and reduce costs—paving the way for a smarter, more efficient insurance industry.
“Simplifai is naturally transitioning to be an Agentic AI company. Every AI Agent we build has a purpose, and helps insurers resolve a specific problem they face on a daily basis: high cost of claims, low efficiency of operations, low margins, high customer expectations and of course employee productivity and satisfaction,” Simplifai CEO Artem Gonchakov said. “We recently added LLM to our toolbox of AI techniques, which enables us to solve even more difficult problems, like bodily injury, our latest addition to our fleet of AI Agents. I’m super excited to bring Simplifai to this new stage and I have the best team with me to support you on every stage of your AI journey.”