Latest long reads: Finextra Research

M&A in the EU market: Essential factors for investors to consider

Renate Prinz Partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP

M&A in the EU market: Essential factors for investors to consider

Investing in Europe: Is it a good time to do so? Opinions differ. The EU financial sector has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences, but there is also heavy regulation. Despite the downsides of a high degree of regulation, such as increased costs, inflexibility, many ...

25 February 2025 /regulation

Germany elections: What Friedrich Merz’s win means for fintech

Madhvi Sonia Head of Content at Finextra

Germany elections: What Friedrich Merz’s win means for fintech

Friedrich Merz’s fiscally conservative Christian Democratic Party (CDU/CSU) won Germany’s national election this month, citing promises of uniting Europe amid challenges from Russia and the US, as well as a coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats to stabilise economic issues. A coalition with right-wing party AfD would also be possible, bu...

24 February 2025 /markets

Wealth management in 2025: Tech innovation in focus

Richard Shearwood Wealth Consultant at Simplify Consulting

Wealth management in 2025: Tech innovation in focus

Technology in the wealth management industry cannot be avoided. Firms will have to adapt or die in this fast-moving sector. Businesses need to revamp their business strategy and make sure technology is at the centre of the operation – otherwise they will be left behind in the market by more forward-thinking companies. Technology is reshaping the we...

24 February 2025 /wealth

Microsoft's Majorana 1 quantum computing chip: Explained

Madhvi Sonia Head of Content at Finextra

Microsoft's Majorana 1 quantum computing chip: Explained

17 years of research has led to Microsoft creating a new material and architecture for quantum computing. Majorana 1, the first Quantum Processing Unit (QPU), is powered by a hardware-protected topological qubit, and could have a substantial impact on the financial services and fintech industries. Here's how. What is quantum computing? Quantum com...

20 February 2025 /devops

Bank-fintech partnerships: Banking on innovation in 2025

Lauren McCollom SVP and Head of Embedded Finance at Grasshopper

Bank-fintech partnerships: Banking on innovation in 2025

The fintech sector has evolved into a critical pillar of modern banking, and in 2025, it is poised for another year of growth. Building from the momentum in the second half of 2024, this year, the sector is expected to see increased investment and merger and acquisition activity, leading the industry to grow by more than 25% and reach a valuation ...

20 February 2025 /retail

Trade-based financial crime: Criminal activity, complex supply chains, and coverage

Madhvi Sonia Head of Content at Finextra

Trade-based financial crime: Criminal activity, complex supply chains, and coverage

The Canadian Department of Finance revealed in November 2024 that they would be requesting changes to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorism Financing Act (PCMLTFA) so that it could “continuously monitor and adapt to new risks and threats”. Similar initiatives are being implemented in a number of countries as regulators realise the...

19 February 2025 /crime

Hamish Monk Senior Reporter at Finextra

How to implement Open Banking

Launched in the United Kingdom in January 2018 with the European Commission (EC)’s second Payments Services Directive (PSD2), open banking gives third-party financial service providers access to consumer banking, transaction, and other financial data, from banks. In a practical sense, open banking was a major milestone in the journey toward sharing...

18 February 2025 /payments

Flexible and efficient SME lending as a growth enabler in 2025

Emma Lovell Chief Executive at LSB

Flexible and efficient SME lending as a growth enabler in 2025

Emma Lovell, chief executive of the LSB (Lending Standards Board), explains why with the £25 billion raise in employers’ National Insurance contributions looming – coupled with a tough economic environment – business owners’ wants and needs for SME lending are changing. What trends are reshaping this landscape in 2025, and how can banks and lender...

18 February 2025 /markets

Scott Hamilton Contributing Editor at Finextra Research

What’s happening to the US CFPB?

What’s in store for America’s consumer financial services watchdog agency – the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)? Nobody really knows. But many open banking and data protection and control advocates are saying: “please don’t lose sight of the benefits of personal financial data rights,” amid the heated debate over its sponsoring agency’...

17 February 2025 /regulation

Cybercrime landscape in 2025: Building a secure digital future

Michele Centemero EVP Services Europe at Mastercard

Cybercrime landscape in 2025: Building a secure digital future

As we step into 2025, the digital landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, unlocking opportunities for innovation, connection, and growth. Yet, alongside these advancements, the need for robust cybersecurity has become more critical than ever. Cybercriminals are adapting quickly, using emerging technologies like artificial intellige...

17 February 2025 /crime

Don’t be duped by AI cupid: Stay alert for romance scams this Valentine’s

Sehrish Alikhan Reporter at Finextra

Don’t be duped by AI cupid: Stay alert for romance scams this Valentine’s

While Valentine’s Day is a happy holiday for many, it also marks the day when the lonely are at their lowest. Just as it is destined to be full of red roses, heart-shaped candy, and cheesy greeting cards, Valentine’s Day is fated to bring down the isolated and prey on the vulnerable. Which makes it a prime time to bring awareness to the flurry of ...

14 February 2025 /crime

What does the rise of AI agents mean for you at work?

Amanda Kavanagh Contributor at Jobbio

What does the rise of AI agents mean for you at work?

Fintech has emerged as a leading sector at the forefront of AI adoption and automation. But recently, there has been some confusion about what agentic AI is, and how AI agents can be effectively put to use on both routine and complex tasks. Last month, we looked at how Citi GPS is using cutting-edge agentic AI, which it has dubbed the ‘do it for m...

14 February 2025 /ai

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