Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Awards | Finalists Announced!
We are thrilled to announce our finalists for this year’s IPR Awards. The IPR Awards is a prestigious event celebrating the exceptional achievements of the money transfer community’s best and brightest.
This year, we introduced six unique award categories including:
- Innovation Award
- Exceptional Customer Experience Award
- Social Impact Award
- Start-Up of the Year
- Scale-Up of the Year
- Leader of the Year
IPR Award Ceremony
Join us for our awards ceremony on Tuesday 26 September during IPR Global 2023, London, UK! Get ready for an amazing evening as we announce the winners of our esteemed awards. Enjoy a relaxed standing reception with delicious drinks and tasty canapés. The highlight of the night will be the award presentations at 7pm.
Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to celebrate excellence and network with industry leaders. Secure your ticket before our early bird discount ends this Thursday 31st August 2023!
Visit: https://global2023.ipr-events.com/register
Congratulations to all the shortlisted companies and individuals
Innovation Award
- Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
- Currencycloud
- Daytona
- Hub Remit Pvt. Ltd
- Sikoia
- TerraPay
Exceptional Customer Experience Award
- Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
- PayInc Group Limited t/a PayAngel
- TerraPay
- Trust Payments
- Unity Link
Leader of the Year
- Jones Amegbor – Founder and CEO – PayInc Group
- Ani Sane – Co-founder & Chief Business Officer – TerraPay
Scale-Up of the Year
- Clear Junction
- Remit Choice Limited
- Samsara Remit
Social Impact Award
- HelloPaisa
- NOW Money
- PayInc Group Limited t/a PayAngel
Start-Up of the Year
- LolliCash LLC
- PayOnlime
- UMBRELLA CONSULTANTS LTD T/A BROLLIE
Once again congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to welcoming you to the IPR event.
Trust Payments Partners With Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR)
We’re thrilled to announce that Trust Payments, a leading global payments company, will be a Platinum Sponsor for the upcoming Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Global 2023 event. Explore the exclusive article below directly from Trust Payments, where they explain how to take your remittance business to new heights and unlock its full potential.
Unlocking Potential: How Collaborating With a PSD Agent Boosts Your Remittance Business
Remittance, the transfer of funds by foreign workers to their home countries, plays a critical role in the global economy. The World Bank reported that in 2022 alone, the money remittance business grew by an estimated 5% to $626 billion, making it a bigger financial inflow than foreign direct investment.
And as the world turns increasingly digital, the online money remittance sector is anticipated to grow exponentially, thus reflecting the significant role it plays in global economies. However, operating a successful money remittance business comes with its fair share of challenges, including regulatory compliance, transaction costs, and building customer trust.
In this article, we will explore how collaborating with a PSD (Payment Services Directive) agent can significantly enhance your remittance business and how to leverage their expertise and expand your business reach.
Key challenges of remittance businesses
Despite its global importance, the remittance business grapples with several challenges. Regulatory compliance is at the forefront, as companies must adhere to a complex web of local and international regulations. These laws aim to combat illicit activities like money laundering, but complying with them can be costly and time-consuming.
Furthermore, high transaction costs, driven by fees for currency conversion, transfer processing, and other service charges, can deter potential users. Lastly, gaining customer trust is critical. The international remittance business involves moving people’s hard-earned money across borders, a process fraught with risk and anxiety for customers. Maintaining transactional security while offering a smooth user experience is thus vital to business remittance services.
What is a PSD agent?
The Payment Services Directive (PSD) is a European Union regulation that oversees payment services in the internal market. A PSD agent, authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is a business that provides financial services on behalf of another company under the PSD legal framework.
PSD agents are under the authority of a licensed e-money or payment institution that is fully responsible for their actions.
Joining Forces for Collaboration & Business Growth
For remittance companies, collaborating with an FCA PSD agent can be a game-changer, providing distinct advantages. PSD agents are skilled navigators of the complex legal requirements, licenses, and anti-money laundering regulations. Their understanding of compliance minimises regulatory risks, freeing remittance companies to focus on their core operations.
Moreover, PSDs can help mitigate fraud and ensure transactional security. They employ sophisticated technologies and algorithms to detect unusual patterns and thwart potential fraudulent activities. Their expertise in this realm significantly bolsters the credibility of the remittance business, winning customer trust.
Here are three additional benefits businesses can gain from partnering with a PSD agent:
1. Increased technological capabilities
PSD agents bring to the table robust technological solutions. They provide secure, reliable payment platforms that integrate seamlessly with existing systems, utilising APIs for flexibility and interoperability.
In addition, they offer data analytics capabilities, supplying crucial insights into customer behaviour and market trends. This valuable information can inform strategic decisions, supporting the growth and competitiveness of the remittance business.
2. Streamlined transaction monitoring, reporting, and customer support
Collaborating with a PSD agent brings efficiencies in transaction monitoring and reporting. They possess refined mechanisms for tracking and documenting transactions, ensuring all activities are compliant and traceable. Additionally, they offer comprehensive customer support services, enhancing the customer experience and fostering loyalty.
PSD agents have sophisticated systems for tracking transactions and generating comprehensive reports that comply with regulatory standards.
They document every transaction in detail, ensuring traceability, and present this data in user-friendly, accessible formats. This organised, precise reporting enables remittance businesses to have clear oversight of their operations, which in turn helps them identify patterns, track growth, monitor compliance, and make data-driven decisions.
3. A broader network
A partnership with a PSD agent can significantly expand the reach and network of your remittance business. With their international affiliations, PSD agents can help extend your services to new markets, augmenting your customer base. This geographical expansion boosts revenue potential and reinforces your standing in the global remittance arena.
How to Get Started with a PSD Agent
Collaborating with a PSD agent can significantly boost your remittance business by addressing the challenges faced in the industry, such as regulatory compliance, transaction costs, and customer trust.
By leveraging a PSD agent’s expertise, technological capabilities, and network, you can navigate complex legal requirements, mitigate fraud, streamline operations, and expand your business reach.
At Trust Payments, we have over 20 years of experience supporting financial services institutions with fast settlements and high approval rates. Our overnight settlement service makes remittances faster. We offer instant pay-in and pay-out functionality and a seamless payment experience for your customers.
If you’re ready to take your remittance business to new heights and unlock its full potential, we encourage you to contact our expert team today!
Video | Finding the Right Licence for Your Money Service Business
In the second instalment of our informative “How to Start Series,” Ibrahim takes a deep dive into the crucial topic of licences and their significance when establishing your very own money transfer business. Obtaining the suitable licence is significant, as it legitimises your venture, safeguards your customers, and builds trust within the market.
In this video, Ibrahim explains the various licences applicable to money transfer businesses, shedding light on their distinct features and requirements. Understanding the types of licences available is vital to ensuring a smooth and legally compliant operation in this industry.
Ready to dive deeper into launching your own MSB?
Contact our expert consulting team at RemitONE today and organise a free 30-minute consultation. Let us guide you towards success and help you get your money service business up and running as fast as possible. Schedule a free consultation with our experts:
Understanding the basics of Remittances: World Of Payments IPR Training – Key Takeaways
Last month, we successfully launched our first IPR training session, led by our esteemed payments expert, Ibrahim Muhammed. With a remarkable track record of over 20 years in the industry, Ibrahim brought unparalleled expertise and insights to the program.
Designed specifically to enhance participants’ knowledge and skillset in the money transfer industry, our series of trainings aim to educate and propel individuals forward in their professional journey.
Our first training kicked off with World of Payments, an introduction to the fundamentals of the key concepts and dynamics of the remittance industry. If you couldn’t attend the live sessions, don’t worry as you can still sign up at a reduced rate and access the on-demand session.
It’s a great opportunity to enhance your expertise, earn CPD points, and secure a certification. You can register online here: https://payments2023.ipr-events.com/register
Now let’s dive right in and explore some of the key takeaways from the 2-day online sessions.
- The Surging Importance of Remittances for Economic Growth
The impact of remittances on economic growth in developing nations cannot be understated. In 2022, countries received transfers worth over $700 billion from diasporas working abroad. These funds serve as a critical source of income for families, bolstering their purchasing power, healthcare access, and educational opportunities.
Interestingly, remittances have surpassed other categories, including foreign direct investments, in their contribution to economic growth. This substantial inflow has prompted global jurisdictions to impose stricter sanctions, emphasizing the need for formal remittance channels that promote transparency and traceability of funds.
- Understanding the Remittance Ecosystem Players
A crucial aspect of achieving success in the payments industry is understanding the diverse roles of participants within the remittance ecosystem. From financial institutions to technology providers, regulators to consumers, each stakeholder plays a vital role in facilitating the seamless transfer of funds across borders. By comprehending the complexities of this ecosystem, MSBs can identify potential partnerships and collaborations that align with their business goals, fostering growth and expansion.
- Forming Effective Partnerships with Aligned Goals
Collaborating with the right organisations can unlock new opportunities, expand your customer base, and enhance service offerings. By joining forces with compatible organisations, you can benefit from each other’s strengths and drive mutual growth. Actively building and nurturing these partnerships can help enable long-term success.
- Rise of Prepaid Cards and Wallets
Ibrahim shed light on the growing prominence of prepaid cards and digital wallets as convenient and sustainable payment options. With their ease of use, accessibility, and flexibility, these solutions offer a viable alternative to traditional banking systems. MSBs can leverage prepaid cards and wallets to tap into new customer segments, enhance financial inclusion, and provide seamless cross-border transactions.
IPR Training Sessions – Offering CPD Points and Certification
We have more exciting upcoming events you can sign up for. Discover the full schedule of events and reserve your spot now at: https://www.ipr-events.com/.
Remember, tickets are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure your participation please secure your seats early.
Don’t miss out on these exclusive opportunities to expand your knowledge, connect with industry experts, and stay at the forefront of cutting-edge developments.
We look forward to seeing you in our IPR training sessions!
Clear Junction Partners With Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR)
We’re thrilled to announce that Clear Junction, a leading global payments company, will be a Platinum Sponsor for the upcoming Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Global 2023 event. Explore the exclusive article below directly from Clear Junction, where they delve into their company mission, key values and the importance of partnering with brands like IPR.
Clear Junction is excited to be sponsoring IPR Global 2023. As a leading global payments company founded by a veteran team of financial professionals, we have worked tirelessly to build and develop our proprietary technology to facilitate an end-to-end regulated payments solution.
Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) unites and inspires leaders with a strong drive to revolutionise the money transfer sector, bringing together industry stakeholders, visionaries, and business leaders to drive positive change in the industry. At Clear Junction, we help Financial Institutions gain access to a wide range of features such as accounts, virtual IBANs, payment networks, FX, and e-Wallets in a swift, secure, and compliant manner. Our sponsorship underscores their commitment to promoting interdisciplinary approaches and advancing knowledge exchange.
By partnering with us, our clients overcome the complexities associated with establishing banking relationships for international payments. They can tap into new markets and emerging technologies while streamlining their accounts and payment processes. This, in turn, simplifies the management and servicing of their customers, making managing and servicing their customers easy and convenient. Through an advanced infrastructure, Clear Junction enables swift and reliable movement of funds across borders, empowering businesses to expand their reach and cater to a global customer base.
Compliance and risk management are at the heart of everything we do
The last few years have demonstrated the importance of being steadfast and secure in your compliance, and at Clear Junction, it is woven into our strategy. We recognise that maintaining regulatory compliance is crucial for fostering trust, ensuring security, and mitigating risks throughout the financial ecosystem. Following regulations can pave the way for digital currency companies to tap into traditional banking services, which is crucial for growth and innovation.
In response to the recent regulatory pressures, we launched our escrow account solution to ensure protection for those wishing to trade in digital currencies and fiat. As far as it’s known, the new escrow accounts solution is the first of its kind in the payment space: Clear Junction acts as a settlement agent and provides a fundamental financial service that ensures each entity involved in a fiat/crypto transaction gets what they agreed to. Relying solely on the transaction data available publicly on the blockchain, all parties get exactly what they expect. Clear Junction acts as an independent entity providing the escrow accounts to guarantee peace of mind for both participants.
The future is through collaboration
The widespread adoption of technology within the financial industry, and the heavy streams of data being poured through financial institutions daily, have meant that compliance regulations have become increasingly complex and intricate. Maintaining compliance with regulatory standards is central to how we function as a payments company and underlines everything we do.
By facilitating collaborations between professionals from various fields, this event promotes interdisciplinary research that has the potential to address these complex challenges. The future is built by everyone, and we are delighted to be part of such a diverse network of industry professionals, policymakers and researchers. We are excited to see what ideas this event will bring.
We are beginning a new age in the digital payments space, and it’s an exciting place to be. We collectively have an opportunity to help write the next chapter. It is a long road to map out ahead, but we need to look for sustainable, long-term practices. This sponsorship serves as a testament to Clear Junction’s dedication to supporting initiatives that foster innovation, drive positive change, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge across industries.
To learn more about the new partnership with Clear Junction, get in touch at marketing@remitone.com
Secure your tickets to IPR Global, the 2-day hybrid event taking place in London, UK.
Register here: https://global2023.ipr-events.com/register
Video | Unlocking Success: Launching Your Money Service Business with Purpose
Discover the key steps to launching a thriving Money Service Business (MSB) in our latest video. Join Ibrahim Muhammad, a senior consultant with over 20 years of experience in Money Transfers, as he delves into the “why, how, and what” of starting an MSB.
Gain insights into defining the purpose of your business, addressing the requirements for success, and specifying your unique offerings. This video provides a comprehensive roadmap to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities in the MSB industry. Don’t miss out – watch the video now!
Ready to dive deeper into launching your own MSB?
Contact our expert consulting team at RemitONE today and organise a free 30-minute consultation. Let us guide you towards success and help you get your money service business up and running as fast as possible. Schedule a free consultation with our experts:
RemitONE Winners of the Remtech Innovation Remittance Solution Award at GFRID | United Nations Summit in Kenya, Africa!
We are delighted to announce that RemitONE has secured the prestigious Innovation Remittance Solution Award at the RemTECH Awards 2023 – GFRID | United Nations Summit in Kenya. This incredible achievement underscores our commitment to revolutionising the payments and remittance industry through cutting-edge solutions.
The RemTECH Awards, organised by CrossTech and held as part of the GFRID | United Nations Summit in Kenya, served as a platform to honour remarkable achievements and advancements in the fintech industry. Over three days, industry professionals from around the globe congregated to celebrate and engage in an enlightening conference.
Our success in the Innovation Remittance Solution category can be attributed to the groundbreaking tools we have developed. Notably, our Multi-Online Remittance Manager™ and Multi-Mobile Remittance Manager™ have played a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion. These game-changing solutions bridge the gap between the banked and unbanked populations, providing greater accessibility and convenience for money transfers through our digital innovations.
We had the privilege of being assessed by esteemed judges who acknowledged the significance of our innovation. Leon Isaacs, judge and CEO of DMA Global, presented us with the award and praised our approach. He emphasised, “RemitONE has seen a problem and looked at various solutions and put them together in a way that truly works for the people who use their services or could utilise their services, which I think is innovative in many ways.”
Representing RemitONE at the event, our Managing Director of Africa, Ababacar Seck, accepted the award and delivered an inspiring acceptance speech. He reiterated our commitment to empowering clients, including banks, money transfer operators (MTOs), startups, and central banks, with innovative solutions tailored to their specific needs.
This award serves as a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. At RemitONE, we remain dedicated to shaping the future of the payments and remittance industry and improving the lives of migrants and their families worldwide.
To learn more about our award-winning Money Transfer Software reach out to us at sales@remitone.com.
Introducing RemitONE Loyalty Points
Loyalty points play a pivotal role in building long-lasting customer relationships. Rewarding them with points serves as a powerful motivator for them to consistently engage in transactions with your brand.
In this short video, our Associate Sales Director, Oussama Kseibati, discusses the benefits of loyalty points, how they work on the RemitONE system, and the best ways to take advantage of them.
What next?
If you’re looking for new money transfer technology, or you’re currently using the RemitONE Money Transfer Engine, get in touch with our Payments Experts to see how Loyalty Points can benefit your business.
Schedule a free consultation with our experts:
We’re Attending Money20/20 | 6-8 June 2023
We’re delighted that our Associate Sales Director, Oussama Kseibati, will be attending the upcoming Money20/20 live fintech conference in Amsterdam, and is excited to connect with prospects and valued clients.
If you plan to attend Money20/20, we’d love to set up a meeting and explore a possible relationship between RemitONE and your company.
Schedule a meeting with the RemitONE team by emailing sales@remitone.com
We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with valued members of our industry and discover opportunities for a successful collaboration!
The Silicon Valley Bank Collapse: Challenges and Opportunities in the Money Transfer Industry?
Silicon Valley (SVB) was the go-to bank for many tech startups and its recent fall has left a sense of uncertainty within the community, with many wondering if this will impact their own banks. In this article we’ll focus on the aftermath of SVB’s collapse, exploring what it means for the industry and the opportunities it offers for innovation and advancement in the payments and remittance spaces.
First, let’s backtrack to how this happened in the first place, and explore the warning signs. The foreshadowing of SVB’s downfall began with their investment in treasury bonds which later hit them with a major blow as interest rates spiked up in an attempt to slow down inflation. The unprecedentedly sharp increase in withdrawals outnumbered their deposits as venture capitalists were investing less in startups whilst customers were withdrawing their funds at an accelerated pace. This made matters worse for SVB, as they had to provide the funds to compensate for the loss, and in desperation, they sold their bonds at a much lesser value, resulting in a huge loss of $1.8 bn.
What effect has this had on the money transfer industry?
Challenge #1: Slower Operations and Increased Costs
SVB’s collapse caused considerable hindrances for payroll, resulting in delayed or unpaid payments to employees. This also may have led to a shortage of staff and disruptions to money transfer companies’ day-to-day operations, leaving businesses understaffed and unable to resolve customer issues or complaints.
As a result of these setbacks, customers may have experienced missed or delayed transfers, which must have had a serious impact on the customer’s trust and confidence in the money transfer market. Businesses may have suffered from a decline in transaction volumes and revenue slowdowns as a result.
Solution #1: Rebuild Customer Relationship
Money Transfer Operators (MTOs) must win back customer trust. They can achieve this by investing in a secure and scalable technology platform that is built on a robust infrastructure. Additionally, offering a range of services beyond simply money transfers (e.g. utility bill payments, wallet transfers, airtime etc), can also help gain customer trust.
MTOs can also strive to offer even more competitive rates and lower transaction fees, which not only attracts new customers but helps retain trust with existing ones. Cost reduction can happen by investing in technology that automates processes and compliance procedures and opens up new revenue-sourcing channels such as mobile apps and online portals.
Challenge #2: Difficulty for Immigrant Communities
The remittance market thrives hugely on transactions by immigrants who send money to their home countries.
With the exit of some smaller players, larger companies can gain more bargaining power to increase the costs of fees and charges; this burden is then passed onto the end customers, making it more difficult for the latter to send money to their loved ones.
Solution #2: This problem may, in fact, prompt a change in customer behaviour. For example, challenging circumstances can often push people to explore alternate routes which they may have been hesitant to use before, such as mobile money. This may result in traditional banks losing some of their dominance over digital banks, allowing the latter to gain market share, especially as they often have lower fees and are more convenient.
In addition, digital banks are continuing to gain ground in the money transfer market; this may likely continue as more people become tech-savvy and embrace its benefits. It is crucial for MTOs and digital banks to evolve and adapt to meet customers’ changing needs by monitoring the market and consistently updating their marketing strategy.
Challenge # 3: Tighter Regulation
The Federal Reserve introduced a new program to help tackle instability and safeguard companies impacted by SVB’s downfall. Similarly, this could inspire money transfer regulators to also introduce tighter rules and regulations around monitoring and tracking transactions using reliable technology platforms.
However, there are some downsides as well, including a slowdown in operations and higher costs. A rise in compliance expenses may also result in companies having to exert more money to invest in new technology or additional staff to comply with regulations. This is especially challenging for smaller companies that may not have sufficient funds. It can also lead to increased delays in transactions as agents and companies need to perform additional checks.
Solution #3: Despite these challenges, this could in fact improve compliance practices in many companies. With reliable technology platforms to enforce transactional monitoring and process automation in place, companies can reduce the risk of fraud and improve their security measures. All of these improvements will aid in strengthening the money transfer industry and allow it to become more reliable than ever.
The Outcome for the Industry: Innovation Opportunity
Despite the challenges brought about by the recent instability in the payments and money transfer industries, this situation can also stimulate growth opportunities.
As areas of weakness within businesses are revealed, a better understanding of how to improve processes and systems will also become apparent. In addition, the retreat of some tech companies will provide opportunities for new players to enter with fresh ideas, products and services. Simultaneously, it encourages industry players to collaborate in finding solutions as each can provide their area of expertise to resolve the problem, creating beneficial progress.
RemitONE and other tech providers can help companies affected by the SVB collapse.
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Contact marketing@remitone.com to find out more.