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Vizo Financial Launches Third-Party Wires Service
Vizo Financial and its payments CUSO, MY CU Services, announced the launch of Third-Party Wires service, which the company said gives CUs the ability to process wire transfers through their Federal Reserve account using an online EFT platform.
Chevron FCU Deploys Digital Lending Platform
Chevron has deployed Blue Sage Solutions' Digital Lending Platform. The California-based CU has also integrated Blue Sage's Lion Consumer POS to allow members to check mortgage rates and apply for mortgages.
SavvyMoney Launches Loan Offer Automation Tool
Credit score solutions company SavvyMoney announced Get My Rate, a personalized credit offer automation tool for CUs.
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Dell Updates Servers with AMD AI Accelerators
Dell is now shipping PowerEdge servers loaded with AMD’s latest Instinct GPU accelerator and offering deployment-support services and software for rapidly building generative AI applications. The Dell PowerEdge XE9680 is available with AMD Instinct MI300X accelerators, the top-of-the-line from AMD that competes with Nvidia’s Hopper generation of processors.
Xerox Debuts New AI-Assisted Xerox AltaLink 8200 Series Multi-Function Printers
Xerox announced the Xerox AltaLink C8200 and Xerox AltaLink B8200 Series multi-function printers (MFPs). They say that this new class of MFPs uses AI-assisted technology to help securely automate repetitive and complex tasks. The MFPs arrive pre-loaded with AI-enabled applications that enable users to quickly summarize documents, convert handwritten notes and automatically redact sensitive documents.
NeuReality Announces Power-Saving AI Appliance
AI appliance vendor NeuReality has announced its NR1-S solution significantly boosts the output of CPU- and GPU-based systems, reducing energy costs and energy efficiency, by taking over the work normally done by the CPU. The NR1-S works with existing accelerators, GPUs or otherwise, as long as they are PCI Express-based. They claim that the appliance comes with a SDK that enables it to convert the processing pipeline automatically, making it a plug-and-play deployment with no modifications required to the hardware environment or the software environment.
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Microsoft Is Changing How It Delivers Windows Updates: 4 Things You Need to Know
Those monthly Patch Tuesday updates are going to get smaller and easier to manage, Microsoft says. Here are four things you need to know about the new update format: 1. Checkpoint updates should be smaller and easier to manage; 2. The new update packages are only available to beta testers today; 3. You probably won't notice the change; and 4. This won't affect Windows 10 users at all.
Revolutionizing Loan Origination with AI
With its ability to automate and adapt to underwriting and pre-approval credit processes, AI can revolutionize and streamline the loan origination process. This article states that by building objective pre-screening criteria and synthesizing the information needed for credit officers, AI can substantially reduce the time it takes to approve a loan, allowing the front office to focus on driving new business. It concludes that by automating repetitive tasks, reducing approval times, and enabling more efficient, client-focused processes, AI is revolutionizing loan processing.
Veza Introduces Access AI to Streamline Risk Management and Access Control
Veza has released Access AI, a generative AI-powered solution to maintain the principle of least privilege. With Access AI, security and identity teams can now use an AI-powered chat-like interface to understand who can take what action on data, prioritize risky or unnecessary access, and remove risky access quickly for both human and machine identities.
What Generative AI Can Do for Sysadmins
According to this article, here are five ways that generative AI and language models can make sysadmins more productive: 1) Performing log analysis; 2) Generating config files; 3) Translating config files; 4) Providing ‘peer’ perspective; and 5) Powering shells.
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Advanced ATM Features: 5 to Include
ATMs continue to evolve and are no longer simply cash dispensing machines. This article suggests five advanced ATM features that you should include when shoppng for new ATMs: 1) Deposits; 2) Cash recycling; 3) Self-service banking; 4) Alternative authentication; and 5) Cloud integration.
Diebold Nixdorf Unveils Vynamic Connection Points 7
Diebold Nixdorf has released Vynamic Connection Points 7 (VCP 7), the company's seventh-generation multivendor, self-service software. VCP 7 is optimized to work alongside Diebold Nixdorf's DN Series ATMs, the Vynamic software ecosystem and DN AllConnect Services. With a full set of pre-configured transactions, VCP 7 enables advanced functionalities out-of-the-box, such as cardless withdrawal, currency exchange, pre-staged deposits for individual consumers and small and medium businesses, cash recycling, and more.
One of the biggest advances in self-service banking has been the integration of video banking, particularly with ITMs. However, these devices can be a major challenge to deploy and manage, both on the technical level of getting all the equipment setup and training for employees and endusers alike. This article links to a podcast that discusses how ITM deployers can successfully deploy and manage ITMs.
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Digital Payments Have Plenty of Room for U.S. Growth
Demand for digital-payment and embedded-finance technology is growing in the United States, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, says a report from payments platform Marqeta. While adoption of modern payment methods in the U.S., such as contactless cards, lags that in the U.K. and Australia, U.S. consumers aged 18 to 34 are not only primed to adopt modern payment solutions, but do so from non-traditional payment-solutions providers. Based on the data, the report concludes that U.S. consumers aged 18 to 34 are seeking “fundamental changes” in how they manage their finances and get paid, which is challenging banking and financial service providers to innovate.
Geofencing Gets a Modern Makeover at Northern CU
Geofencing technology offers precise, location-based services and marketing that help enhance engagement and drive sales in an increasingly mobile world. Northern Credit Union ($602.2M, Watertown, NY) has been staking a virtual claim around a physical location and targeting promotional offers to consumers who enter selected zones for years. When it launched its Facebook page, Northern geofenced its own branches and parking lots to target display ads that encouraged visitors and passersby to follow the credit union on the social platform. For mortgages, the credit union offers a mobile coupon for $100 off a closed loan. This article goes on to discuss how new market realities have pushed Northern to shifts its focus and expand its geofencing efforts into new areas.
The Rise of Super Apps in Banking: Integrating Financial and Lifestyle Services
Super apps are characterized by their ability to deliver a wide range of services within a single application, providing an ecosystem that addresses multiple consumer needs. In the financial sector, super apps integrate services such as banking, payments, investments, and insurance, creating a digital ecosystem that enhances user convenience and engagement. This article explores the huge potential of super apps in the financial sector, and the user experience (UX) design principles that drive their success.
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7 Top Cloud Security Threats — and How to Address Them
Migrating to a dynamic cloud environment requires both new and updated security measures to ensure that data and other key assets remain safe throughout the entire online infrastructure. This article serves up a rundown of today’s top 7 cloud threats: 1. Human errors; 2. Cloud-assisted malware; 3. Data theft; 4. Credentials theft; 5. Poor access management; 6. DoS and DDoS attacks; and 7. Data exfiltration.
Key Metrics for Monitoring and Improving ZTNA Implementations
There are many complexities inherent in zero trust network access (ZTNA) implementations. This article states that there are three key areas is critical to finding balance for IT and avoiding adverse impacts during ZTNA roll outs: 1) Enterprise Architecture (EA) management; 2) Business process reengineering (BPR); and Operating Model design.
New Fraud-Fighting Rules Take Effect Oct. 1. Here’s What They Mean
A package of Nacha Rule changes to help fight fraud are taking effect October 1. Two of the changes concern use of certain Return Reason Codes. RDFIs will be able to use Return Reason Code R17 to return any entry believed to be questionable or potentially fraudulent. The Rule will allow this use of R17 but won’t require it. Also, the Rules will permit additional uses of Return Reason Code R06, allowing an ODFI to request a return from the RDFI for any reason. The RDFI can choose whether or not to comply but must respond to the request. Another Rule adds an exemption from funds availability requirements: RDFIs will be able to cite credit ACH Entries they suspect are originated under false pretenses. This rule is optional, and RDFIs are still subject to regulations covering funds availability.
Top 5 Mistakes Organizations Make When Implementing Zero Trust
The path to achieving a true state of Zero Trust isn't straightforward. This article highlights the top five mistakes many organziation make when implementing ZTNA: 1) Overlooking the Importance of Organizational Culture; 2) Underestimating Human Risk; 3) Neglecting the Supply Chain; 4) Failing to Plan for Sustainable Success; and 5) Inadequate Measurement of Success.
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Technology and Marketing
‘The Persona Touch’: Can Profiles Forge Deeper Connections and Grow Deposits?
Personas may look different across FIs, but in broad terms, they are representations of groups within the accountholder base who have similar financial behaviors and goals. Different approaches—varying by cost and level of precision—can be used to create personas. This article goes on to provide some real world marketing examples of personas in action.
Attracting the next Generation with Integrated Wealth Management and Trust Services
According to a 2023 McKinsey survey, approximately 30% of investors prefer consolidating their banking and wealth management relationships, with this preference rising to 73% among younger investors aged 25 to 44. This trend is driving a convergence of banking, trust and wealth management services to meet these changing client preferences. The author is convinced that there is an opportunity to expand these trust and wealth management services to include more extensive financial guidance encompassing wealth creation, preservation and distribution. He concludes that integrating wealth management and bank trust services is a strategic imperative for FIs seeking to excel in a competitive market.
Q2's New Consumer Survey Reveals People of All Ages Want Personalized Banking
According to Q2 survey results, 74 percent of respondents across generations asked for more personalized banking experiences, and they are comfortable with their FI using data to deliver what they need. The study also reveals that 70 percent of consumers said they don’t mind the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for fraud protection. They also found that 66% of consumers are comfortable with their FI using their data to personalize their experiences.
Unlocking Loyalty: How FIs Can Supercharge Rewards Programs
It is clear consumers continue to lean on credit cards. This also likely means consumers are on the lookout for the cards and programs that offer the best rewards, proving that loyalty can be fragile. In response, the author recommends that issuers make a concerted effort to ensure that their loyalty efforts are efficient and effective. She concludes that loyalty programs have evolved from mere transactional tools to critical differentiators.
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Mastercard Taps Open Banking for Streamlined Lending
Mastercard is working with payroll data aggregator Argyle to enable FIs to digitally verify an applicant’s income and employment via credentialed payroll. Through a single integration to Mastercard’s Open Banking platform, lenders have the ability to verify income and employment data through connected accounts or via payroll systems with the applicant’s permission. Additionally, Mastercard’s cash flow analytics and balance analytics technology enable lenders to use - with an applicant’s permission - their account data to holistically view their financial health during the decisioning process.
PULSE Study Finds Debit’s Importance to Consumers Continues to Increase
The 2024 PULSE Debit Issuer Study found more U.S. consumers are using debit for more transactions and are spending more in the process. Active cardholders completed 34.6 transactions per month in 2023, including 30.7 point-of-sale (POS) transactions, 2 account-to-account transfers, and 1.9 ATM transactions. POS use grew at an average annual rate of 4.4% between 2018 and 2023. The average debit ticket size was $46.89 in 2023, an increase of 3.4% per year, on average, over the period. Annual spend per active card was $17,274, up an average 8.1% per year between 2018 and 2023.
The Instant Payments Quandary: DIY, Buy or Partner?
Although instant payments appeared on the U.S. banking scene in 2017 with The Clearing House’s Real Time Payment (RTP) Network, the adoption of faster payments hasn’t been instantaneous. However, this technology is unquestionably here to stay. That only leaves the question of how to implement instant payments: build, buy, or partner? This article covers each option's pros and cons.
U.S. Consumers Are Ready for Open Banking
A new report suggests U.S. consumers are ready to move to open banking, a trend already well underway in other parts of the world. According to the Ripple analysis, increased consumer demand is driving a surge in open banking adoption, with 71% of U.S. consumers saying they’d rather make purchases or pay bills directly from their accounts. However, only 34% of U.S. consumers using open banking technology are aware of it, and open banking regimes are delayed across the region.
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Microsoft Entra Suite Is Late to the SSE Pool but Still Makes Waves
SSE – secure service edge – is a cloud-based way to deliver secure access to corporate systems, SaaS applications, and the Internet in general. At its core, SSE combines three main technologies: cloud-access security broker (CASB), secure web gateway, and zero-trust network access (ZTNA). Microsoft this month announced the availability of Microsoft Entra Suite, which includes ZTNA and a secure web gateway. In addition to these two core SSE services, Microsoft Entra Suite includes identity governance and administration, identity protection, and identity verification. The software giant said that “Our SSE products can also be deployed side-by-side with other SSE vendors, making it possible for customers to mix different components of the SSE stack.”
Virtual Private Clouds: Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks
Virtual private clouds, or VPCs, may sound like the best of both worlds: They give you the control and security that comes with a private cloud, combined with the simplicity and scalability of the public cloud. Yet, despite these benefits, VPCs aren't always the best approach to hosting workloads in the cloud. This article provides some useful tips on how to decide whether to make a VPC part of your cloud strategy or not.
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5 Things Call Center AI Can Do Today and What’s on the Way
Call center artificial intelligence is already helping contact and call centers in a wide range of areas, from agent performance and assistance to automation and the user experience. The author discusses these 5 helpful AI call center capabilities: 1) Conversational IVR; 2) Real-time speech analytics; 3) Generative call scripting; 4) Intelligent lead generation; and 5) Post-call automation.
Can AI Deliver on Your Expectations in the Contact Center?
The author contends that there are three key areas of focus with AI within the contact center: 1) Content Generation (Chat GPT); 2) User Experience (Chatbot); and 3) Error Reduction/Efficiencies (AI generated notes from calls). While she is an AI proponent, she cautions that contact center managers must be cautious in how they launch, sustain and govern AI in their contact centers.
Digitally Transform Voice Channels to Combat Rising AI and Robocall Fraud Threats
One tactic used by bad actors is generative artificial intelligence (AI), which is turbocharging robocalls within their fraud arsenal. The author states that call authentication, branded calls and reporting tools that leverage data can all work together to help solve the robocall challenges plaguing the financial services industry.
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