All articles by Valentina Romeo

Valentina Romeo

UK digital banking reaches £1bn a day, says BBA report

UK customers are using mobile and internet banking for transactions worth nearly £1bn ($1.71bn) a day, a new report by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) and Ernst & Young has revealed.

Tackling financial exclusion is technology’s next priority, FinTech professionals say

A poll held by Startupbootcamp FinTech shows that the next wave of financial technology startups should focus on financial inclusion, instead of serving consumers already catered to by companies.

MPS shares tumble 20% amid its €5bn rights issue

Shares in Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), Italy’s third-largest bank by assets, dropped by 20% to €1,756 ($2,3766) amid the bank’s capital raise attempt of €5bn ($6,8bn) to repay its state bailout.

2014 World Retail Banking Report round-up

Capgemini and Efma released their annual World Retail Banking Report. The 11th annual report shows that banks are still facing many challenges to retain and make new customers. Valentina Romeo looks closer at the new findings.

Towards financial inclusion: the EU basic payment account

To guarantee bank accounts accessibility and fairness to all EU citizens, the European Parliament and Council have decided on a new basic payment account rule. As the directive is set to achieve higher standards and increase competition in retail banking, Valentina Romeo examines the main features of the account and what lies behind its implementation

Bank IT spending on the rise: Ovum

The growing need for customer satisfaction is driving financial institutions worldwide to spend more on IT. Retail banks are focusing on the monetisation of their digital channels, even in times of market volatility and high costs pressures. Analyst house Ovum looks at how IT spending across the main business functions is responding in reaction to changing business strategies. Valentina Romeo reports

Nedbank breaks through the social media arena

Social media data is notoriously unstructured and difficult to analyse. Banks worldwide are figuring out the best ways to evaluate data coming from their social channels. Valentina Romeo speaks to Nedbank to learn more about their new social media analytics and how they position themselves in the SA

Metro Bank launches professional studies loan

Metro Bank has launched its new Professional Studies Loan Scheme to provide financial support for post-graduate study.

Banks in Namibia launch Clearing and Settlement System

Banks in Namibia have joined together to launch the Namibian Clearing and Settlement System or NCSS under Namclear.
Namclear is the payment clearing house and authorised payment system operator of the National Payment System (NPS) in Namibia.

Wilbur Ross and Fairfax boss to sell 6% of Bank of Ireland shares

Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross and Ontario-based Fairfax Financial, two of Bank of Ireland’s (BOI) largest shareholders, began selling a combined 6.4% stake of the lender on 4 March.