UK’s first contactless car vending machine unveiled in London August 21, 2019 Londoners in desperate need of a brand-new car can now snap up a set of wheels instantly, thanks to the UK’s first contactless vending machine. The bespoke vending machine, installed today in Spitalfields Market, allows motorists to purchase a new car on the spot via a contactless payment on their phone. The stunt, carried out [...]
TfL suspends online Oyster system following breach August 8, 2019 Transport for London (TfL) has temporarily suspended access to customers’ Oyster and contactless online accounts after over 1,000 customers had their details accessed maliciously. Approximately 1,200 accounts have been accessed maliciously, forcing TfL to shut online accounts to protect customers’ data. Read more: TfL revises junk food ad ban after rules spark confusion No customer [...]
Fintech champions face an uphill climb if they want to expand into America July 4, 2019 When did you last pay with a cheque? I’d be willing to bet that many of you don’t even know where your cheque book is, and if you do, that it’s probably gathering dust. If you’re living and working in a UK city, you’re totally accustomed to new ways of banking – from Apple Pay [...]
Contactless and mobile payments surge in UK in 2018 June 6, 2019 The number of contactless payments made in the UK surged in 2018, new figures have shown, as all Britons’ from grandparents to teenagers increased their use of the technology. Read more: Credit card spending shoots up as customers turn to extra protections Meanwhile, the use of cash continued to decline, with only four per cent [...]
Freebike to launch electric bike-sharing scheme in the City May 28, 2019 Electric bike company Freebike is set to launch a dockless bike-sharing service in the Square Mile after securing a contract with the City of London Corporation. The pedal-assist electric bikes will allow workers to travel around the City using the Freebike app or by swiping a contactless card, with a pause facility enabling users to [...]
Employers want to use wearable tech to track the health, sleep, fitness and productivity of the office May 22, 2019 If you've woken up and checked your watch for last night’s sleep data, you’re not alone. In the UK, more than five million wearables (such as Fitbits and step counters) are now part of individuals’ everyday lives – 1.96m were sold in 2017 alone. So it’s only natural for employers to be interested in the power of [...]
Payment startup Thunes closes $10m Series A funding round May 6, 2019 Emerging economies payment start-up Thunes has completed a $10m (£7.64m) Series A funding round led by Alibaba and Airbnb investor GGV Capital. The funding will be used to expand Singapore-headquartered Thunes across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Read more: Buy now, pay later, budget better – Laybuy is shaking up the retail sector Thunes will also add [...]
Penny pincher? Treasury saves 1p and 2p coins after threat to loose change May 3, 2019 The Treasury has decided the UK will retain copper coins for “years to come” after their future had been in question. Read more: DEBATE: Is biometric technology the future for digital payments? In the Spring Statement in 2018 chancellor Philip Hammond had called for a consultation on the mix of coins and banknotes in circulation. However, [...]
Philip Hammond to give verdict on future of 1p and 2p coins April 28, 2019 The Chancellor Philip Hammond is set to decide on the future of 1p and 2p coins this week, after much speculation that they could be axed. Read more: Scrapping 1p and 2p coins would have "no significant impact on prices" City A.M. understands that the two copper coins are likely to be saved by a [...]
Natwest increases small business loan programme amid Brexit uncertainty April 23, 2019 Natwest will double its growth funding programme for small and medium-sized British businesses, citing the need to help them navigate Brexit disruption. Read more: Government provides £200m for small firms as Brexit threatens EU funding The UK bank’s growth funding loan pot, which was started in May 2018, will be immediately doubled to £6bn in [...]