Samsung has created a cloud-based enterprise blockchain platform; details from its trademark registration also report that the system is permissioned and has been created to form a consortium of trusted participants; functions of the platform reportedly include smart contracts for financial services, a loyalty point program and authentication for financial services; Samsung has previously invested in blockchain-as-a service platform Blocko and is a member of the Hyperledger. Source
Panel explores a diverse set of small business lenders based in Canada; topics covered include the differences of regulation, underwriting, and views on traditional banks between Canada and the rest of the world; Canada has five large banks which control a majority of the market which makes it hard to build a brand as an alternative lender; panelists answer how they can overcome this challenge and scale their business; they also share their thoughts on the current market opportunity and what the future holds for fintech companies in Canada. Source
JPMorgan is one of Wall Street's most active fintech innovators; Jamie Dimon outlined some of the bank's leading initiatives in his annual letter; in 2016 the firm invested $9.5 billion in new technology put towards initiatives in big data, machine learning, cybersecurity and electronic trading; the bank is also developing its customer facing technology and enhancing digital services for its corporate and investment bank and its asset and wealth management unit; other initiatives include promoting financial inclusion, collaborating with fintechs and investing in data sharing. Source
The House of Representatives has passed Supporting America's Innovators Act (HR 1219); the bill will provide increased access to capital for small businesses; among its provisions are changes to the number of investors in a venture capital fund and incentives for rural entrepreneurship. Source
Random Forest Capital has developed a software solution that helps institutional investors identify investment opportunities from consumer, residential and commercial credit platforms; the firm has obtained $1.75 million from a fundraising round that it plans to use for building its software and machine learning algorithms and also for hiring new employees. Source
Huo Xuewen, secretary of Beijing's Municipal Bureau of Finance, discussed potential standards for blockchain in China in a recent speech; Xuewen is a proponent of blockchain and says the country should implement a standardized approach for its development; the government's current focus is on regulatory standards for bitcoin investments and trading; Xuewen says the country can do more with blockchain across all industries. Source
CB Insights has released a market report on artificial intelligence; the report includes the market landscape, market statistics and an outlook for future growth; in the first quarter of 2017 the sector reported 30 artificial intelligence deals in fintech and insurtech with 48% of the deals by seed or angel investors; other highlights include $14.9 billion in equity funding from 2,250 deals since 2012, over 200 artificial intelligence acquisitions since 2012 and 11 artificial intelligence acquisitions by Google. Source
Auto loan delinquencies are now at their highest level in four years; a report from the American Bankers Association says 1.75% of borrowers with loans from a dealer are at least 30 days late; 0.94% of borrowers with auto loans from a bank are at least 30 days late. Source
Insurtech firm Trov has announced a $45 million investment from a Series D fundraising round; the platform plans to use the funds to expand its products, further develop its technology and enter new global markets; investors in the recent fundraising round included Munich Re/HSB Ventures, Oak HC/FT, Suncorp Group, Guidewire, Anthemis and Japan's Sompo Holdings; the single item insurer is already active in Australia, the UK and the US with its next expansion planned for Japan. Source
Avant and Marlette Funding are battling state law in Colorado; the state has a 12% rate cap for consumer loans and both lenders advertise loans that exceed that limit; both partner banks that work with the online lenders have filed lawsuits against Colorado claiming the interest rates they charge are acceptable by federal law because of the charters they hold from their state. Source