PayPal has launched a new service, Money Pools, to allow users to create fundraising pages where their network can contribute; the pages are similar to other crowdfunding sites but with a greater emphasis on social media; the thought is this can become another revenue generating product for PayPal, though they currently are not charging for the use of Money Pools. Source.
PayPal is connecting with Acorns, an automated savings/investing platform; users will be able to contribute and manage their account from the PayPal app; the first users will get access today which will expand access to all US users by early 2018; PayPal previously has invested in Acorns, leading a $30 million round. Source
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, PayPal CEO Dan Schulman says lower transaction costs from fintech payment processors could save $28 billion and help 30 million people out of poverty; firm is seeking to build partnerships with payment companies and governments to lower transaction fees and advance digital payment services. Source
PayPal’s shares have climbed close to 75 percent in 2017 and now is considered more valuable than American Express; their market cap has doubled since spinning off from eBay in 2015; while it now finds itself on the heels of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs there is still some who fear they might be valued a bit too high; acquisitions, product diversification and partnership agreements have helped push the company in the last year. Source.
Paytm Payments Bank is aiming to have 500 million accounts offering a wide range of financial services products; the bank launched officially on Tuesday; they are unveiling their money market fund, launching a debit card and will have the capabilities for businesses to open up accounts. Source
PayPal has announced new capabilities that allow for international person-to-person payments in 30 countries with Siri; PayPal's Siri iPhone users can direct international payments to individuals using voice activated prompts; the solution evolved from Apple's iOS 10 operating system; the new offering is part of a focus by PayPal on mobile, a category that reported a 56% growth rate in the third quarter of 2016. Source
Skype users can now make P2P payments with PayPal in 22 countries; the partnership is a first on mobile for the two companies however they have partnered in the past for P2P payments through the desktop application; the deal adds to numerous partnerships PayPal has made in recent months, helping to expand its services to a broader network. Source
The $5.8 billion in receivables sold to Synchrony according to a TechCrunch article, “also includes Synchrony’s acquisition of $1 billion in participation interests in PayPal receivables held by certain investors and a chartered financial institution.”; the two companies have partnered since 2004 to offer PayPal users branded credit cards; Synchrony will now be the exclusive issuer of the PayPal Credit online consumer financing program. Source
CreditMate is a Mumbai based fintech startup; they help dealers and financiers provide vehicle loans to those with no formal credit history; Paytm plans to partner with the firm as part of the investment. Source
According to Banking Technology, PayU will be implementing Mambu's software-as-a-service based core banking platform; the software will support PayU's short-term deferred payment product; Mambu now has 26 clients which it supports from its Miami office; PayU is currently running a pilot in Colombia but it is expected to roll out services across Latin America. Source