Breakthrough Data Innovations Take Centre Stage at the 7th Annual FinTech Scotland Festival

FinTech Scotland proudly announces the launch of the 7th Annual FinTech Scotland Festival, running from September 25th to October 4th, 2024.

This year’s festival promises to bring together the dynamic and collaborative Scottish fintech community, showcasing its remarkable growth, innovation, and energy. Attendees will engage in critical discussions on topics shaping the global fintech landscape.

Building on the success of previous years, Scotland will welcome over 2,000 fintech professionals and enthusiasts from Scotland, the UK, and around the world. The programme kicks off with the Fintech Summit at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on September 25^th, organised by leading tech publisher Digit. This summit will pave the way for a series of insightful and forward-thinking discussions and presentations throughout the festival.

Spotlight on Data Innovations

The 2024 FinTech Scotland Festival will highlight data innovations revolutionising the fintech and financial industry, including AI, Distributed Ledger Technologies, Open Finance, and new data sources aimed at achieving ESG objectives. The festival will feature various events, round tables, and panel sessions designed to support the growth and development of fintech companies.

Nicola Anderson, CEO of FinTech Scotland, expressed her excitement:

“We are thrilled to launch the 7th edition of the FinTech Scotland Festival. Each year, the festival allows me time for reflection on the thriving nature of the Scottish fintech cluster and its achievements. This year”™s program is packed with events that will serve to inspire, educate, and foster collaboration across the industry.”

The FinTech Scotland Festival provides a unique platform for networking, learning, and innovation. It brings together industry leaders, startups, investors, and policymakers to discuss the latest trends and challenges in the fintech sector.

This year, Scottish fintech Appointedd, will be the official festival technology partner, providing their solution to allow attendees to book events. As official media partner, Digit will offer coverage of the festival through videos, articles and much more.

To explore events, register and get involved visit scotlandfintechfestival.com

FinTech Scotland announces the companies selected for its Second Innovation Call: Shaping the Future of ESG in Financial Services

The FinTech Scotland”™s Financial Regulation Innovation Lab has published the name of the companies selected for its second innovation call focused on shaping the future of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in financial services. This initiative has attracted innovative solutions from around the world dedicated to addressing the crucial ESG challenges faced by the financial sector.

The Financial Regulation Innovation Lab, a pioneering initiative by FinTech Scotland, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow, aims to drive forward innovation in financial regulation in financial services.

For this innovation call, FinTech Scotland will be encouraging collaboration between fintech innovators and established financial institutions as well as leveraging research from universities to enhance the integration of ESG principles into financial practices, ensuring that the industry not only meets regulatory requirements but also contributes positively to society and the environment.

The call specifically targeted solutions that can help financial firms better manage their ESG responsibilities. The Lab”™s focus areas include ESG reporting, risk management, data transparency, and sustainable investment strategies.

Meet the participants

24 companies have been selected to be taken to the next stage of this initiative:

ESG Disclose
RegArt
Snugg
Data Catalyst
ESG Stream
Pulse Market
Trade in Space
Siccar
Ciendos
Exponential Climate
Cogo
Frontierra
GoCodeGreen
Gaialens
MnAI
Verifoxx
Scott Logic
Portf.io
Agentic Workflow
Texpert
ESG360
Propeco
Zumo
Two Hands

A Three-Month Escalation Process

These innovative companies will now participate in a three-month escalation process. This phase is designed to help them refine their pitches and deepen their understanding of the ESG challenges experienced by the financial sector. The process will involve intensive mentorship, targeted workshops, and engagement with industry experts from EY, Morgan Stanley, Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, Barclays, Phoenix Group, Sopra Steria, Equifax, Virgin Money and abrdn.

Demo Day in September 2024

The program will culminate in a demo day scheduled for September 2024. During this event, the participating companies will present their refined propositions to a panel of judges and industry leaders. A select subset of these companies will be chosen to further develop their solutions in collaboration with established financial firms. This collaboration aims to bring cutting-edge ESG solutions to market, driving sustainability and innovation in financial services.

The Importance of ESG Innovation

ESG considerations are increasingly becoming a critical aspect of the financial services industry. The innovative solutions developed by the participants are looking to enhance transparency, accountability, and sustainability within the sector. By addressing key ESG challenges, these companies are helping to build a more responsible and future-proof financial ecosystem.

As noted by FinTech Scotland, the integration of ESG principles is crucial for ensuring that financial practices not only comply with regulatory standards but also positively impact society and the environment.

Space-Comm Expo Scotland 2024: How Can Fintech and SpaceTech Come Together?

The inaugural Space-Comm Expo Scotland will be the largest space industry event ever held in Scotland and will take place at the SEC Glasgow from September 11-12, 2024. Hosted by Will Whitehorn, the former President of Virgin Galactic and current Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, this event promises a fantastic lineup of keynote speakers from various sectors, including government, aerospace, defence, and academia. Among the speakers, Nicola Anderson, CEO of FinTech Scotland, will offer her reflection on the growing intersection between space technology and financial technology.

A Showcase of Scotland’s Space Industry Prowess

Space-Comm Expo Scotland is set to shine a spotlight on the nation’s dynamic space sector, which has become one of the fastest-growing in Europe. With over 150 space companies and 80 aerospace companies, Scotland supports nearly one-fifth of all UK space sector jobs and builds more small satellites than anywhere else in the world, second only to California. The event will feature more than 100 exhibitors and is expected to attract over 3,000 attendees, including representatives from government, industry clusters, academia, and commercial enterprises.

Keynote Speakers and Industry Leaders

The Expo’s impressive roster of speakers includes notable figures such as Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency; David Parker, Space Exploration Director at the European Space Agency; and Professor Malcolm Macdonald, Chair of Applied Space Technology at the University of Strathclyde. The opening address will be delivered by the Lord Provost of Glasgow City Council, Jacqueline McLaren.

Nicola Anderson’s presence is particularly noteworthy for the fintech cluster. As CEO of FinTech Scotland, Anderson has been driving innovation and collaboration within Scotland’s financial technology sector. Her participation shows the critical role fintech plays in supporting and enhancing space technology ventures. A previous initiative between FinTech Scotland and Space Scotland highlighted how data from satellites can be used to enhance propositions in the financial sector such as supply chain management, measuring carbon impact of various assets or better handling of insurance claim management to name a few.

Exploring the New Commercial Space Age

The speaker programme at Space-Comm Expo Scotland will cover a wide range of topics, including spaceports, launch capabilities, satellite manufacturing, downstream data, AI, cyber security, space law, investment, skills development, and space sustainability. These discussions come at a pivotal time in the commercial space age, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges the industry faces.

Anticipated Outcomes and Collaborations

Kevin Scullion, International Trade Specialist at Scottish Enterprise, expressed high hopes for the event, anticipating further collaboration between Scottish, UK, and international partners. The Expo is expected to foster discussions on trade opportunities and strengthen ties within the global space community.

Supported by key organisations such as the UK Space Agency, Scottish Enterprise, and FinTech Scotland, the Space-Comm Expo Scotland will be an unmissable event for anyone involved or interested in the space industry. With a world-class programme of content, product demonstrations, panel sessions, and 1-2-1 networking opportunities, it offers a comprehensive platform for knowledge exchange and business development.

Space-Comm Expo Scotland will be held from September 11-12, 2024, at the SEC in Glasgow. Registration is free, and those interested in attending can sign up at space-comm-scotland.co.uk. For information on exhibiting, email spacecomm@hubexhibitions.co.uk.

Phoenix Group Announces Winner of Women’s Innovation Forum: Hazel Platform

FinTech Scotland’s Strategic Partner, Phoenix Group, the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business, just announced the winner of its Women’s Innovation Forum: the innovative platform Hazel. This announcement follows a comprehensive challenge launched in August 2023, in collaboration with FinTech Scotland, inviting organisations to pitch transformational solutions aimed at engaging women in their financial futures and helping them make more informed decisions.

Addressing the Gender Pension Gap

Phoenix Insights, the think tank of Phoenix Group, has highlighted a concerning trend: women are significantly lagging behind in their pension savings due to various life events such as caring responsibilities and divorce. By their 40s, women typically save 34% less for retirement than men, and this gap widens to 51% by their 50s, despite women generally living longer. The research highlights an urgent need for innovative solutions to bridge this gap and ensure women have sufficient income for a comfortable retirement.

The Winning Solution: Hazel

The Hazel platform, an innovative tool providing guidance and support on using housing wealth to enhance retirement income, has emerged as the winning solution. Hazel helps individuals, particularly women, understand how to utilise the equity in their property as part of a holistic retirement financial planning process. This approach can free up significant capital in retirement, contributing to a more secure and comfortable future.

How Hazel Works

Hazel’s platform offers balanced and personalised guidance to adults over 50, including retirees, on leveraging property assets. Users are guided through considerations related to downsizing, relocating to a more affordable area, or releasing equity through later life lending products such as lifetime mortgages. The platform provides a holistic personal assessment, considering lifestyle and property choices, and offers insights on finding and funding appropriate housing options and financial solutions.

Women, who are more likely to own their homes in retirement and live longer with lower pension wealth, stand to benefit significantly from Hazel’s guidance. By helping women make informed decisions about their housing wealth, Hazel aims to improve financial confidence, close the income gap, and enhance quality of life in retirement.

Moving Forward with Hazel

Phoenix Group and Hazel will now explore integrating a pilot of the platform into Phoenix’s existing services. Claire Hawkins, Executive Sponsor of the Women’s Innovation Forum and Phoenix Group’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative:

“Hazel’s solution will help more women understand how they can use their property assets to top up their pensions and close the income gap in retirement. This practical and scalable solution offers all homeowners greater choice and control over funding their retirement. We see tremendous potential in this project to engage women in their financial futures and help them make better, more informed decisions.”

A Commitment to Empowering Women

The collaboration with Hazel is part of Phoenix Group’s broader commitment to addressing the gender pension gap and supporting women’s financial empowerment. By providing innovative, research-based solutions like Hazel, Phoenix aims to ensure that women are better prepared for retirement and can enjoy a higher quality of life.

Mark Whitcroft, Co-Founder of Hazel, highlighted the importance of this partnership:

“Grounded in extensive research with the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), Hazel was developed to address the significant challenges older adults face in making crucial life and housing decisions. Our collaboration with Phoenix Group broadens the spectrum of guidance available to their clients, empowering individuals to make confident and informed choices about their later years.”

Heriot-Watt University and J.P. Morgan Forge New Path with Graduate Apprenticeships

Heriot-Watt University is announcing a groundbreaking collaboration with J.P. Morgan, focusing on the recruitment of Graduate Apprentices (GAs) for the Business Management for Financial Services programme. This initiative shows both organisations’ commitment to delivering practical, career-oriented education that nurtures new talent within the financial services sector.

Scotland’s financial sector, a cornerstone of the economy, is the largest sectoral contributor based on Gross Value Added (GVA) and employs around 135,000 people. Despite its continual growth, recent statistics from the Skills Action Plan by Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) highlight a looming talent crisis, with a growing demand for skills but a shrinking supply of talent. Additionally, the rapid evolution of the industry is driving an increased demand for new skills, particularly in data science and software development.

Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are an innovative initiative that blends work-based and academic learning to create degree-qualified employees equipped with essential industry skills. These programmes are tailored to address critical skills gaps in key growth sectors of the Scottish economy.

A Strategic Partnership

Professor Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal – Business and Enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, reflects on this strategic partnership:

“Our collaboration with J.P. Morgan exemplifies our strategy to align education with industry needs. These new Graduate Apprenticeship positions will contribute significantly to mitigating the skills gap in Scotland’s financial services industry, offering a direct pathway for students into highly skilled and in-demand roles.”

Successful candidates for the Graduate Apprenticeship positions at J.P. Morgan will enjoy the unique opportunity to earn while they learn,’ acquiring crucial skills and knowledge that are highly valued in today’s market. Through a practical, work-based learning approach, apprentices can immediately apply their new insights in their roles. Upon completing their coursework, they will be awarded a degree from Heriot-Watt University. The specialised programme in Business Management: Financial Services includes modules such as Financial Technology and Financial Regulation, designed to meet the evolving needs of Scotland’s Financial Services sector.

Addressing the Skills Gap

Lynne Lockier, EMEA Emerging Talent Vice President at J.P. Morgan, comments on the importance of this partnership:

“Our new partnership with Heriot-Watt University Graduate Apprenticeships will directly answer the urgent call for generating new talent for Scotland’s financial services sector. By fostering a close relationship between students’ learning and their work, we’re not only preparing them for the challenges of today but also for the innovations of tomorrow.”

The SFE’s Skills Action Plan also highlights significant skills gaps in data analysis and software development. Heriot-Watt’s Data Science and Software Development for Business degrees are at the forefront of addressing these specific technical skill shortages. The Data Science programme immerses learners in crucial skills such as statistical analysis, machine learning, and computational techniques, tailored to meet the industry’s specific demands. Similarly, the Software Development for Business degree equips apprentices with the latest coding skills required by Fintech innovators, covering areas from blockchain technology to mobile platform development.

A Commitment to Employability

Heriot-Watt University is renowned for its strong emphasis on graduate employability, being the first in Scotland and ranking first in the UK for graduates holding CEO or MD roles (Novuna Business Cash Flow, 2023).

For financial services organisations looking to tackle skills gaps, more information about Graduate Apprenticeships can be found here.

This collaboration between Heriot-Watt University and J.P. Morgan marks a significant step forward in developing the next generation of financial services professionals, equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

BR-DGE Unveils White-Label Modular Solution to Revolutionise the Payment Landscape

BR-DGE, an innovating payment orchestrator, has announced the launch of its cutting-edge white-label payment orchestration solution. This innovative offering is designed to empower payment acquirers, gateways, platforms, and other ecosystem players with agile, customisable modular technology, allowing them to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.

A Customisable 360-Degree Tech Stack

BR-DGE’s white-label solution, developed with a vendor-agnostic approach, offers clients a truly customisable 360-degree tech stack. This enables payment players to choose from an extensive array of new services, seamlessly integrating their own offerings with BR-DGE’s modular payment connectivity, routing, tokenisation, and data reporting capabilities. The flexibility of this solution allows businesses to incorporate standalone modules that cater specifically to their needs, all under their own branding and through a single integration, without compromising on regulatory or industry standards.

Addressing Diverse Use Cases

The white-label solution is versatile and ready to tackle a multitude of use cases. For acquirers, it offers the potential to expand international reach, target specific volumes, and delegate lower-priority volumes to specialist acquirers. This empowers acquirers to provide their merchants with an optimal stack, reducing friction for end customers and allowing them to pay using their preferred methods. For platform providers, the solution eliminates barriers to scale, enabling them to attract new business without adding friction to checkout processes or the need to switch from their existing provider.

Enhancing Customer Relationships

The customisation capabilities of BR-DGE’s solution allow businesses to fully own their customer relationships through modular technology that adapts and scales to meet their needs. This not only facilitates entry into new markets but also helps consolidate positions domestically.

Responding to Industry Challenges

BR-DGE’s experience in servicing high-volume enterprise merchants with core infrastructure has informed the development of this white-label solution, addressing the fast-growing challenges faced by payment providers. These challenges include managing legacy tech stacks, integrating new services, staying ahead of market innovation, and retaining merchants by meeting consumer demand. Additionally, the solution helps providers navigate the compliance demands of regulations and standards such as PCI DSS, 3DS, and the forthcoming PSD3.

Simplifying Payment Operations

In a landscape where merchant demand for modular payment choices and value-added services is growing, more services typically mean more integrations and operational burdens. BR-DGE’s white-label offering simplifies this complexity, allowing PSPs, acquirers, aggregators, and e-commerce marketplaces to manage multiple relationships and meet evolving customer expectations for diverse payment options””all through a single connection. This eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming in-house tech stack development.

Expanding Reach and Capabilities

With a substantial order book already in the pipeline, BR-DGE is becoming become the go-to source for payments connectivity, routing, and data services. The company’s range of standalone, modular products””Connect, Vault, Optimise, Insights””work seamlessly behind the scenes, offering acquirers, platforms, and gateways access to the latest technology. Now available on a white-label basis, these products can be quickly packaged and branded by payment providers, delivering future-proof technology, routing freedom, and other value-added services to their merchants.

Innovative Modular Products

”¢Connect: Provides access to over 100 payment providers and 300 payment methods, including Visa Instalments and fraud management offerings, with a customisable checkout for end merchants. It consolidates multiple entry points into a single-entry point and manages onboarding.

”¢Optimise: Dynamically routes transactions to the optimal endpoint, supporting multi-acquirer strategies to boost authorisation rates, with PCI DSS Level 1 encryption. Routing-as-a-service is available as a standalone module.

”¢Vault: Offers PCI-compliant network and gateway tokenisation, protecting payment data and preventing supplier lock-in, ensuring hybrid tokenisation benefits across different platform readiness levels.

”¢Insights: Provides comprehensive data reporting and analytics to help businesses make informed decisions.

Trusted Independence

As an independent, vendor-agnostic company, BR-DGE is trusted by a strong enterprise customer base to deliver best-in-market technology tailored to the unique and divergent needs of businesses across the payments value chain. This 360-degree offering enables companies to customise, compete, and own the customer experience via cutting-edge technology in an increasingly modular and fragmented payments landscape””all through one simple integration with BR-DGE.

Expanding Global Footprint

BR-DGE continues to build on its impressive momentum, having recorded a 600% revenue growth in 2023. The launch of the white-label payment orchestration solution further solidifies BR-DGE’s position as a leader in the payments industry, complemented by its expansion into the Asia-Pacific region and new partnerships with Trustly, Kount, and PayPal. Additionally, BR-DGE’s strategic alliance with Discover Global Network enables its merchants to access the world’s fastest-growing global payments network, supporting Discover’s robust global acceptance trajectory at 70 million merchant acceptance points.

Discussion with ESG Leaders on regulation

Season 4, episode 7

Listen to the full episode here.

In this episode we speak with Mark Hadfield from “Meet the 85%”, Manuel Maqueda from Harvard University, strategic adviser Max Nokhrin and Victor Milligan from Cairnbridge Advisors about the current state of ESG and associated regulations. What are their insights and recommendations? What the FinTech Scotland’s Financial Regulation Innovation Lab can deliver and their hopes for the programme.

Shaping the Future of ESG in Financial Services

Season 5, episode 6

Listen to the full episode here.

In this episode Richard Nicol from the Phoenix Group and Tom Mcfarlane from EY speak to us about the ESG challenges they are facing and why they decided to join the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab programme to find solutions to those challenges as well as what they are looking for with applicants.

To apply for this innovation call visit ⁠this page⁠.

Regulatory Risk Trends in June 2024: A Comprehensive Overview

As we move through 2024, the landscape of regulatory risk continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses worldwide. The latest report from Pinsent Masons, “Regulatory Risk Trends – June 2024,” provides an in-depth analysis of current and emerging risks. This blog post summarises key insights from the report, highlighting the major trends and their implications for businesses.

Key Regulatory Risk Trends

Operational Resilience

The Bank of England’s focus on operational resilience remains a cornerstone of regulatory scrutiny. Firms are required to demonstrate their ability to withstand and recover from significant operational disruptions. The Financial Policy Committee’s macroprudential approach underscores the need for robust operational risk management frameworks.

Consumer Duty

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has intensified its efforts to enforce the Consumer Duty, which mandates that firms must act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers. This involves ensuring fair treatment of customers, providing clear and transparent information, and fostering an environment where customers can pursue their financial objectives effectively.

Financial Promotions and Influencers

The FCA has been particularly vigilant regarding financial promotions, with a crackdown on misleading advertisements and unauthorised financial advice from social media influencers. Recent enforcement actions highlight the need for firms to ensure their promotional materials comply with regulatory standards and do not mislead consumers.

Money Laundering Regulations

HM Treasury’s consultation on improving the effectiveness of money laundering regulations signals ongoing governmental focus on combating financial crime. The consultation aims to enhance regulatory frameworks to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, ensuring that the UK’s financial system remains robust and secure.

Vulnerable Customers

The FCA has issued finalised guidance on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers, emphasising the need for firms to take into account the diverse needs of their customer base. This guidance outlines practical steps for firms to ensure that vulnerable customers are not disadvantaged and can access the financial services they need.

Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)

The FCA’s review of the treatment of PEPs aims to strike a balance between preventing financial crime and ensuring that PEPs are not unfairly discriminated against. This ongoing review seeks to refine the regulatory approach to PEPs, ensuring compliance while mitigating undue burdens on these individuals.

Cybersecurity and Data Protection

With the increasing reliance on digital technologies, cybersecurity and data protection have become paramount. Regulatory bodies are pushing for enhanced measures to protect sensitive data and prevent cyberattacks, requiring firms to implement rigorous cybersecurity protocols and regular assessments.

Implications for Businesses

Businesses must stay ahead of these regulatory changes to mitigate risks and ensure compliance. Here are some practical steps firms can take:

”¢Enhance Operational Resilience: Develop and regularly test robust business continuity plans to handle potential disruptions.

”¢Prioritise Consumer Duty: Foster a customer-centric culture and ensure that all customer interactions are fair, transparent, and beneficial.

”¢Monitor Financial Promotions: Implement stringent compliance checks for all promotional materials and be cautious when using social media influencers.

”¢Strengthen Anti-Money Laundering Measures: Stay updated on regulatory changes and enhance internal controls to prevent financial crimes.

”¢Support Vulnerable Customers: Train staff to identify and support vulnerable customers, ensuring they receive appropriate services and advice.

”¢Review PEP Policies: Balance compliance requirements with fair treatment of PEPs, avoiding unnecessary restrictions while maintaining security.

”¢Invest in Cybersecurity: Regularly update cybersecurity measures and conduct vulnerability assessments to protect against data breaches.

The regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly complex, and businesses must remain vigilant to navigate these changes successfully. By understanding and addressing these regulatory risk trends, firms can build trust and resilience in their operations. The insights from Pinsent Masons’ June 2024 report provide a valuable roadmap for navigating this dynamic environment.

For more detailed information, you can access the full report here.

The MoneyMatix 2024 Financial Inclusion Manifesto

Financial stability often determines one”™s quality of life, ensuring that everyone has access to fair and inclusive financial services. The MoneyMatix 2024 Financial Inclusion Manifesto, authored by Tynah Matembe, addresses the pressing need to break down barriers and build a financial system that works for everyone.

Vision for Inclusive Finance

The manifesto lays out a comprehensive vision for financial inclusion that goes beyond traditional banking services. It emphasises the importance of creating a financial ecosystem where everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the resources they need to succeed. This includes affordable credit, savings programs, and investment opportunities tailored to underserved communities.

Tackling Systemic Barriers

One of the core focuses of the manifesto is identifying and addressing the systemic barriers that prevent marginalised groups from accessing financial services. It calls for collaborative efforts between financial institutions, policymakers, and community organisations to create inclusive financial products and services that meet the diverse needs of the population.

Financial Literacy and Empowerment

Empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions is a cornerstone of the MoneyMatix manifesto. It proposes targeted financial education initiatives designed to enhance financial literacy among all demographics, ensuring that everyone can navigate the financial system confidently.

Innovative Solutions for the Future

The manifesto also highlights the need for innovation in financial services. It encourages the development of new technologies and products that can bridge the gap between traditional banking and the needs of modern consumers. This includes leveraging fintech solutions to provide more accessible and efficient services.

Call to Action

The MoneyMatix 2024 Financial Inclusion Manifesto is not just a document but a call to action. It urges all stakeholders, from individuals to large financial institutions, to take proactive steps in creating a more inclusive financial landscape. By working together, we can ensure that financial services are fair, accessible, and beneficial for all.

Read the Full Manifesto

To truly understand the depth and scope of the initiatives proposed, read the full MoneyMatix 2024 Financial Inclusion Manifesto. This document is a blueprint for change, offering practical solutions and a visionary approach to making financial inclusion a reality.