Financial Market News & M&A Updates

Finastra and Marketnode Transform Credit Agreement Onboarding Through AI

Finastra and Marketnode have announced a strategic partnership to digitize and automate credit agreement onboarding for corporate lenders — tackling one of the most persistently manual, error-prone workflows in lending operations.The collaboration integrates Marketnode's LLM/AI-powered document automation with Finastra's Loan IQ platform via the Loan IQ Nexus Build module. The result: a previously labor-intensive process that took up to two hours can now be completed in just 10 minutes.What the Combined Solution Delivers:AI/ML and OCR-powered extraction of structured and unstructured data from complex credit documentationAutomatic mapping of extracted data directly into Loan IQ for rapid deal setupReduced manual data entry, fragmented processes, and operational riskFaster path to revenue recognition and greater scalability for lendersSupports both on-premise and private cloud deployment on Microsoft AzureSecure encrypted data exchange with real-time workflow integrationAndrew Bateman, EVP of Lending at Finastra, said: "Through this collaboration, we are extending Loan IQ's capabilities to help financial institutions reduce manual processes, improve data accuracy, and accelerate the onboarding of credit agreements."Rehan Ahmed, CEO at Marketnode, added: "Integrating Marketnode's AI-powered automation within Loan IQ's trusted global infrastructure enables nimble, intelligent, and resilient operations at scale. This reshapes how institutions manage the end-to-end lifecycle from origination to distribution."For corporate lenders navigating an increasingly complex credit landscape, the Finastra–Marketnode integration sets a new benchmark for what automated, cloud-ready loan servicing can look like.

#Finastra#LendingTech#AI#CreditOperations#LoanIQ

Date

09.04.2026

2-min read

Lorum Files for U.S. National Trust Bank Charter to Return Clearing and Custody to a Fiduciary Model

Lorum, the specialist correspondent institution serving financial institutions globally, has filed an application with the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust bank charter — a move that challenges the structural foundations of how correspondent banking currently operates.The thesis is direct: the correspondent banking system isn't broken because of technology or regulation. It's broken because the wrong institutions are running it. As major global banks withdrew from mid-market correspondent relationships, financial institutions turned to regional and fintech-forward banks — but those are lending institutions. They use client money to fund mortgage portfolios and loan books. Their incentive is to hold your money, not move it.The Cost of a Broken System:Active correspondent banking relationships have declined more than 20% across the Americas over the past decade (BIS CPMI data)PSPs, trading platforms, payroll operators, and marketplaces sit multiple hops away from primary clearing systemsIntermediary chains offer no visibility and can terminate without noticeReduced dollar infrastructure access puts pressure on the USD's utility in global tradeLorum was founded on a different model: clearing, custody, cash management, and wholesale FX as fiduciary services — backed 100% by cash and cash equivalents, with no lending book. Since 2023, the model has been operational, achieving 55x growth in 2025, with USD clearing representing 60% of volumes.At the core is Named Account Custody — a structure that gives each account holder a direct legal and operational relationship to the custody framework, eliminating the opacity and chain risk of nested clearing models.George Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of Lorum, said: "The banks serving this market are lending out the money they are supposed to be moving. That is not a technology problem. It is a structural one. A national trust bank charter is how we deliver Named Account Custody at the scale the market needs."Lorum is backed by Northzone, Flourish Ventures, Illuminate Financial, and Raba. The charter application is subject to OCC review and approval.

#CorrespondentBanking#Fintech#USDClearing#TrustBank#Lorum

Date

09.04.2026

2-min read

BanCoppel Selects BPC's SmartVista to Power Instant Credit Card Issuance Across Mexico

BanCoppel, one of Mexico's most prominent retail banks and part of Grupo Coppel, has selected BPC's SmartVista platform to modernize its cards and payments operations — a cornerstone of the bank's multi-year digital transformation strategy.A pioneer in unsecured lending for customers without prior credit history, BanCoppel has long championed financial inclusion for millions of Mexicans excluded from traditional banking. The SmartVista implementation builds on that legacy, delivering a scalable, future-ready technology stack designed for rapid product issuance across both domestic (eGlobal) and international (Visa) schemes.What Mexican Cardholders Gain:Instant card issuanceCard freeze and unfreeze controlsImmediate PIN managementSpend management toolsReal-time balance visibilityFaster dispute resolution and chargeback processingBeyond the cardholder experience, SmartVista's low-code/no-code architecture empowers BanCoppel's internal teams to configure and launch new credit card programs rapidly — without extensive custom development. A unified payments architecture reduces operational complexity while strengthening security and compliance across the bank's entire ecosystem.Sergio del Valle, Head of Products at BanCoppel, said: "This strategic partnership helps us deliver on what matters most: simple, affordable banking for more Mexicans. It represents a significant step toward expanding access through our nationwide network and advancing financial inclusion across the country."Daniel Hernández, Business Development Director at BPC, added: "With SmartVista's cloud-ready, modular design, BanCoppel gains the flexibility to innovate and scale — reaching new customers through both its banking and retail business lines."Under its strategic growth plan, BanCoppel aims to bring millions of unbanked customers into the financial system over the next five years — with SmartVista as the technology foundation to get there.

#BanCoppel#FinancialInclusion#Payments#SmartVista#Mexico

Date

08.04.2026

2-min read

Trustly Surpasses 120 Million Users in Industry-Leading Milestone for Pay by Bank

Trustly, the global leader in Pay by Bank, has crossed 120 million users worldwide — a landmark milestone that underscores the accelerating global adoption of open banking payments.The numbers tell a compelling story: in the UK alone, more than 15 million consumers and businesses are active Pay by Bank users — nearly one in three adults — with total users growing 34% year-on-year. Across Europe, estimates place total adoption at 64 million users, while in the US, at least 100 million consumers have authorised a third party to access their bank account data.What's Driving Trustly's Growth:A payments and data network connecting thousands of banks across Europe and North AmericaOver a decade of transaction intelligence across gaming, e-commerce, financial services, telecoms, and the public sectorLeading brand partnerships including Booking.com, Lenovo, AT&T, and Virgin Media O2Retained contract with HMRC — the UK's most significant open banking mandateAI-powered recurring payments solution launched in 2025Trustly ID — biometric payment solution for faster gaming logins in EuropeScan & Pay — cashless gaming solution launched in the US marketJohan Tjärnberg, Group CEO at Trustly, said: "Surpassing 120 million users is testament to our central role in driving the momentum behind Pay by Bank globally. This reflects not only Trustly's market-leading position but also the growing trust and demand for Pay by Bank as consumers and businesses embrace faster and more secure ways to pay."With open banking adoption accelerating on both sides of the Atlantic, Trustly's 120 million user milestone positions it firmly as the infrastructure backbone of the Pay by Bank movement.

#Trustly#PayByBank#OpenBanking#Fintech#Payments

Date

08.04.2026

2-min read

Ripple Treasury Launches Native Digital Asset Capabilities Into Treasury Management System

Ripple Treasury has launched Digital Asset Accounts and Unified Treasury — the first native digital asset capabilities embedded directly into a treasury management system (TMS). For the first time, CFOs and treasury teams can view, hold, receive, and manage both fiat and digital liquidity from a single platform — no separate interfaces, no manual reconciliation, no external custody setup required.The launch follows Ripple's 2025 acquisition of GTreasury, which brought 40+ years of enterprise treasury management expertise into the Ripple ecosystem. In 2025 alone, Ripple Treasury facilitated $13 trillion in payments volume for customers ranging from SMEs to Fortune 500 companies.What's New:Digital Asset Accounts — create and manage regulated Ripple-native accounts (XRP, RLUSD) directly within the platform, with real-time fiat valuation, 15-decimal precision, and automated transaction recordingUnified Treasury — single dashboard view of all digital and cash positions across multiple custodians via ClearConnect API connectivity, with real-time market rates and automated transaction syncNo workflow disruption — digital assets behave exactly like cash within existing approval processes, audit trails, and compliance controlsThe market need is clear: Ripple's 2026 survey of 1,000+ global finance leaders found 72% say they must offer a digital asset solution to remain competitive — yet most lack infrastructure that fits existing workflows. Stablecoins processed $33 trillion in volume last year, up 72% from 2024, but corporate treasury infrastructure hasn't kept pace — until now.Renaat Ver Eecke, SVP at Ripple Treasury, said: "Digital assets have arrived at the CFO's desk. Ripple Treasury gives the office of the CFO a trusted place to hold and manage digital and fiat assets — with no separate interface, no new workflows, and no need to navigate custody, wallets, or exchanges on their own."

#Ripple#TreasuryManagement#DigitalAssets#Stablecoins#Fintech

Date

02.04.2026

2-min read

Banco Angolano de Investimentos Selects Finastra Essence to Scale With Customer and Industry Demands

BAI – Banco Angolano de Investimentos, one of Angola's largest financial services providers, has selected Finastra Essence to upgrade its core banking system — marking the next phase in the bank's digital transformation journey.The cloud-first, open-API platform will replace legacy infrastructure, enabling BAI to accelerate product innovation, reduce time-to-market, and adapt rapidly to evolving customer and regulatory demands. Implementation will be led by Innovation Makers, a long-standing strategic partner, which will deliver advanced payment capabilities through its Multi-Payments Processing System (MPPS) and Card Management solutions, alongside a local Centre of Excellence for knowledge transfer and long-term operational support.What Finastra Essence Brings to BAI:Cloud-first, microservices architecture with open APIsFaster product deployment leveraging AI and machine learningEnhanced personalized digital banking services for customersTailored model bank approach for the Angolan marketImproved operational resilience and regulatory adaptabilityLuís Martins, Executive Director at BAI, said: "We need a core banking platform that is highly flexible, scalable, and future proof. We selected Finastra due to its market-leading offering, strong consulting support, and proven track record. We have collaborated with the company for more than 15 years — this extension demonstrates BAI's commitment to driving innovation in the Angolan banking sector."Siobhan Byron, EVP of Universal Banking at Finastra, added: "By transforming its core banking system, BAI can scale quickly and adapt to new demands with much greater efficiency. We're empowering BAI to reimagine banking in Angola by delivering timely, innovative, and customer-centric services."In 2025, 15 institutions worldwide successfully went live with Finastra Essence — and BAI's adoption further cements the platform's growing footprint across emerging markets.

#Finastra#CoreBanking#Angola#DigitalTransformation#BankingTech

Date

02.04.2026

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