FinTech Weekly - Fintech News Issue #342

Payment habits changed because of the pandemic: the BNPL scheme is spreading, and PayPal is leading the way. The One Vision group chats with Greg Lisiewski - VP and GM, Global Pay Later Products at PayPal.

The API economy is rising, and API solutions seem to be the new frontier in data. Finextra and APImetrics have collaborated to create the first open dashboard that will provide real-world performance of the top 30 open banking brands and 36 crypto exchanges.

Wells Fargo and HSBC Bank are partnering to use a blockchain solution, provided by Baton Systems, to facilitate forex transactions.

The Mexican fintech startup Clara has raised $70 million in a series B funding round. The startup helps businesses manage their finances, provide credit cards and manage expenses.

Instant Factoring is a Romanian fintech that offers financing solutions for small businesses: the decision process is extremely fast - 2 hours - and the model of the company has attracted international investments for $6.3 millions.

Ameris Bancorp, the US bank, acquired the online business lender Balboa Capital. The CEO of Ameris, Palmer Proctor, talks about this acquisition as an opportunity to offer Ameris customers an online lending service.

As we approach the end of the year, Finextra starts drawing conclusions and making predictions for 2022. Future trends involve frictionless payments.

The card launched on November 22 by Bank of America, with an annual fee of $550, marks the entry of the bank into the market of luxury credit cards.