#Report on Embedded Finance

[paynxt360fintech]

Starbucks reshaping its loyalty program through prepaid card system

Starbucks is all set to launch its new loyalty program effective from April this year. The major change which has been implemented in the new loyalty program is the earning of stars. In the old system, the number of stars earned was based on the count of transactions of a customer. In the new system, the stars would be awarded based on the amount spent at each transaction. Another significant aspect of the loyalty program is that, the prepaid card system will be launched by the end of 2016, which would function like a Visa Card and would be acceptable at other retail outlets too. The reward point structure on the card usage outside of Starbucks has yet not been structured, but it will soon be in place.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Tax prep services send sensitive financial info with Facebook

If you were unfortunate enough to e-file your US tax using HR Block, Taxact or Taxslayer, your most sensitive financial information was nonconsenually shared with Facebook, where it was added to the involuntary dossier the company maintains billions of people, including people who don’t have Facebook accounts.

A blockbuster investigative report from The Markup and The Verge reveals that major tax-prep services illegally embedded the Facebook tracking pixel in their sites, configured so that it transmitted as much data as possible to the surveillance giant.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/22/23471842/facebook-hr-block-taxact-taxslayer-info-sharing

In their defense, the companies say that they didn’t know that they were sending all this data to Facebook, and that they were using Facebook’s surveillance pixel to “deliver a more personalized customer experience.”

The companies had set the Facebook tracking pixel to use “automatic advanced matching,” which scours any page it’s embedded in for personally identifying information to harvest and transmit to Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/business/help/611774685654668?id=1205376682832142

Facebook claims that it doesn’t want this data and won’t use it, though the company has been previously caught violating fair finance laws by using finance data to discriminate against Black families:

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/21/doj-settles-with-facebook-over-allegedly-discriminatory-housing-ads.html

But it’s possible that Facebook isn’t using this data — or that it doesn’t know whether it’s using this data. Facebook’s own internal audits show that the company doesn’t know what data it collects or how it uses it:

https://www.vice.com/en/article/akvmke/facebook-doesnt-know-what-it-does-with-your-data-or-where-it-goes

Remember, Facebook claims that it collects your data based on your consent; somehow it thinks that you can consent to collecting and using your data in ways that even Facebook can’t describe.

As infuriating as Facebook’s role in this data theft is, the real scandal is that Americans have to pay for tax preparation at all. In most of the world’s wealthy countries, the tax authorities send taxpayers a precompleted tax-return every year. You can modify this return (on your own or with the help of a tax-prep professional), or you can just mail it back. For free.

This makes sense. The tax authorities already know how much you’ve made. They know what deductions you’re entitled to. It is surreal that you have to pay a professional to fill in a form to tell the IRS a bunch of things it already know about you.

Every attempt to bring free tax prep to America has been scuttled by an unholy alliance of anti-tax extremists like Grover Nordquist (a sadist who wants to make paying your tax as cumbersome and painful as possible) and the multi-billion-dollar, highly concentrated tax-prep industry.

Companies like HR Block and Intuit have spent millions lobbying against free tax prep. It’s money well spent, because tax prep makes billions for these companies. The biggest tax prep companies formed something called “the Free File Alliance” that purported to offer free tax-prep to low- and medium-income Americans.

In practice, “free filing” turned out to be a marketing funnel that tricked people into paying for services they were entitled to get for free. Intuit alone stole billions this way:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/24/uber-for-arbitration/#nibbled-to-death-by-ducks

The monopolists who run America’s tax-prep services claim that “government can’t do anything well” and insist that the private sector will bring “efficiencies” to tax-prep. In reality, these companies literally have no idea what they’re doing — they don’t know what data they’re collecting, nor who they’re sharing it with.

Same goes for Facebook. Companies that are not disciplined by competition or regulation don’t have to be good at their jobs. These companies’ major competence is lobbying Congress to prevent the passage of meaningful privacy laws and laws that would save Americans billions through IRS-prepared tax-returns.

As Harvard tax-law prof Mandi Matlock told Simon Fondrie-Teitler, Angie Waller, and Colin Lecher, this data Valdez is the “almost inevitable consequence of relying on for-profit companies to handle a government requirement. It’s a process that provides users little choice but to hand over their data to Facebook if they want to comply with the law.”

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Social Woodlands (modified) https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:H%26R_Block_%285424899168%29.jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

[Image ID: An H&R Block storefront; the 'o' in Block has been replaced with the glaring red eye of HAL9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Mark Zuckerberg's metaverse avatar peeks out from behind a pillar.]

[mightyflamethrower]

(America First Report)—Iran appears to be on the verge of attacking Israel directly. This will be the second time they have attacked this year following a series of drone and missile strikes on April 13. Rumors of war percolate as both sides have vowed to escalate beyond a single-day skirmish.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III communicated with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to reaffirm U.S. backing for Israel as tensions escalate with Iran and its proxies, raising the specter of a broader regional conflict following ten months of fighting against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

During their conversation, Austin and Gallant discussed U.S. military positioning adjustments aimed at reinforcing defenses for U.S. troops in the region, supporting Israel’s defense, and deterring and defusing broader regional tensions, as per a statement from the Pentagon.

This discussion took place as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed a Cabinet meeting that Israel is already engaged in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its proxies.

Tensions in the region have reached unprecedented levels following the recent killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran. Both Iran and its allies have pointed fingers at Israel and threatened retaliation. Hamas has begun the process of selecting a new leader.

Netanyahu stated that Israel is prepared for any scenario. In a rare move, Jordan’s foreign minister traveled to Iran as part of diplomatic efforts, with the aim to quell the escalation.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly informed his counterparts on Sunday that Iran and Hezbollah might launch attacks against Israel as early as Monday, according to Axios.

Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday to coordinate preparations for the anticipated attack, according to the Times of Israel.

President Biden is also set to convene with his national security team in the situation room on Monday to discuss the Middle East situation, as reported by Reuters.

In Israel, some have prepared bomb shelters, recalling Iran’s unprecedented direct military assault in April following a suspected Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals. Israel claimed that nearly all the drones and ballistic and cruise missiles were intercepted.

“For years, Iran has been arming and financing terrorist organizations across the Middle East, including smuggling explosives into Israeli territory for terror attacks against civilians,” IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagar said in a statement. “The IDF and ISA have already thwarted numerous attacks in which Claymore type explosives were smuggled into the country’s territory. We are determined to continue acting against Iranian terrorism wherever it may be.”

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Israel’s ongoing counteroffensive has been brutal as they seek to completely eliminate Hamas, which has embedded itself among citizens of Gaza, using them as human shields.

The militant group Hezbollah and Israel have continued to exchange fire along the Lebanon border since the war began, with the intensity increasing in recent months. Hezbollah stated that its actions are intended to alleviate pressure on fellow Iran-backed ally Hamas.

[xettle-technologies]

The impact of sustainability in fintech: reflections from the summit

In recent years, the Fintech industry has witnessed a paradigm shift towards sustainability, with an increasing emphasis on integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into financial decision-making processes. This transformative trend took center stage at the latest Fintech Summit, where industry leaders converged to explore the intersection of sustainability and financial technology. Among the prominent voices shaping this discourse was Xettle Technologies, a trailblazer in Fintech software solutions, whose commitment to sustainability is driving innovation and reshaping the future of finance.

Against the backdrop of global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality, the imperative for sustainable finance has never been greater. The Fintech Summit provided a platform for thought leaders to reflect on the role of technology in advancing sustainability goals and fostering a more resilient and equitable financial ecosystem.

At the heart of the discussions was the recognition that sustainability is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic imperative for Fintech firms. By integrating ESG considerations into their operations, products, and services, Fintech companies can mitigate risks, enhance resilience, and unlock new opportunities for growth and value creation. Xettle Technologies’ representatives underscored the company’s commitment to sustainability, highlighting how it is embedded in the company’s culture, innovation agenda, and business strategy.

One of the key themes that emerged from the summit was the role of Fintech in driving sustainable investment. Through innovative solutions such as green bonds, impact investing platforms, and ESG scoring algorithms, Fintech firms are empowering investors to allocate capital towards environmentally and socially responsible projects and companies. Xettle Technologies showcased its suite of Fintech software solutions designed to facilitate sustainable investing, enabling financial institutions and investors to align their portfolios with their values and sustainability objectives.

Moreover, the summit explored the transformative potential of blockchain technology in advancing sustainability goals. By enhancing transparency, traceability, and accountability in supply chains, blockchain can help address issues such as deforestation, forced labor, and conflict minerals. Xettle Technologies’ experts elaborated on the company’s blockchain-based solutions for supply chain finance and sustainability reporting, emphasizing their role in promoting ethical sourcing, responsible production, and fair labor practices.

In addition to sustainable investing and supply chain transparency, the summit delved into the role of Fintech in promoting financial inclusion and resilience. By leveraging technology and data analytics, Fintech firms can expand access to financial services for underserved populations, empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and build more inclusive and resilient communities. Xettle Technologies’ representatives shared insights into the company’s initiatives to support financial inclusion through digital payments, microfinance, and alternative credit scoring models.

Furthermore, the summit highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnership in advancing sustainability goals. Recognizing the interconnected nature of sustainability challenges, participants underscored the need for cross-sectoral collaboration between Fintech firms, financial institutions, governments, civil society, and academia. Xettle Technologies reiterated its commitment to collaboration, emphasizing its partnerships with industry stakeholders to drive collective action and scale impact.

Looking ahead, the future of sustainability in Fintech appears promising yet complex. As Fintech firms continue to innovate and disrupt traditional financial systems, they must prioritize sustainability as a core principle and driver of value creation. Xettle Technologies’ visionaries reiterated their commitment to sustainability, pledging to harness the power of technology to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient financial ecosystem for future generations.

In conclusion, the Fintech Summit served as a catalyst for reflection and action on the role of sustainability in shaping the future of finance. From sustainable investing and supply chain transparency to financial inclusion and resilience, Fintech has the potential to drive positive change and advance sustainability goals on a global scale. Xettle Technologies’ leadership in integrating sustainability into its  Fintech solutions exemplifies its dedication to driving innovation and creating shared value for society and the planet. As the industry continues to evolve, collaboration, innovation, and sustainability will be key drivers of success in building a more sustainable and resilient financial future.

[abigail-pent]

The more I read about EA the more ridiculous it seems. Like the initial idea, sure, as an economist I've got some time for the idea you should spend your money so it can do the most good, and that "most good" can mean "most lives saved today." But then to even make the jump from there to "get a job where you will make the most money and give it all away to save lives" -- that's a big jump, and completely ignores the possibility (near certainty!) that a job which is making the most money is also generating structural harm, so the number of lives you save this way may well be negative, on net. To say nothing of the harm that you do by funneling philanthropic resources towards the cheapest interventions, as opposed to investing in structural change. Big leaps already, and I'm not on board. But at that point the EA movement is telling people to get very rich so they can give everything away, and that means it takes on the character of a club for rich kids, who are largely a combination of tech and finance bros. And because the kinds of people who find this appealing tend to be quantitative-minded people from privileged backgrounds, they are choosing to give up money but still want some marker of status and hierarchy. So of course the signifier of hierarchy which replaces wealth, for this crowd, is the ability to perform a certain flavor of intelligence. And in the process of performing this type of "smarts", one of them comes up with this idea that "long term risks" with near zero probability should be treated as though they're equally important as, or more important than, real suffering happening today. So basically a big chunk of this rich kids' club ends up spending absolute whackadoodle amounts of money to try to keep a sci-fi AI apocalypse from happening. Which. Like. No. Not sorry whatsoever to say that placing greater weight on this eventual, not-technically-impossible-but-only-because-nothing-is outcome than on the *actual* plight of someone currently alive and without shelter or food, is something that only members of a rich kids club could come up with, while having some kind of dick-measuring contest with their purported brains. And now one of their leading lights has just revealed he's been running some kind of crypto ponzi scheme, and gave an interview to a reporter via twitter dm in which he admits the whole "ethics" thing he claimed to believe in was just bullshit posturing all along.

absolute, absolute trashfire. cannot wait for the hulu docuseries. (literally the guy who wrote the big short was embedded with the ponzi scheme guys for the past 6 months.)

[seven23ai]

Could AI Table Change the Future of Data-Driven Decision Making?

Imagine a world where data-driven decision-making is fully automated and seamlessly integrated into every aspect of business. Could AI Table be the tool that brings this vision to life?

Main Content:

Scenario: Consider a scenario where AI Table is embedded into every department of a business, from marketing to finance. What if AI Table could automatically analyze and report on data in real-time, providing actionable insights to decision-makers without any manual intervention?

Analysis: Such a system could dramatically increase efficiency and accuracy in decision-making, leading to faster response times and more proactive business strategies. However, it also raises questions about the role of human judgment and the potential for over-reliance on AI-generated data.

Engagement: What do you think? Is a future where AI drives all business decisions realistic, or should there always be room for human intuition? Share your thoughts and let’s explore the possibilities together.

Call to Action: Join the discussion! How do you see AI impacting the future of data-driven decision-making? Share your ideas in the comments- https://aiwikiweb.com/product/ai-table/

[paynxt360fintech]

India introduces Unified Payments Interface to promote mobile money services

The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) recently launched unified payments interface (UPI), with the objective of extending mobile money services in India. UPI will allow users to receive and transfer money through their mobile phones from their existing bank accounts, utilizing unique identification details such as their Aadhaar number, mobile number, or a virtual payments address, without being required to enter their presonal credentials such as bank account details or security pins.

[psquarecompany]

How Customized ERP Software is Revolutionizing Business Operations in Dubai

In the rapidly evolving business landscape of Dubai, staying ahead of the curve means embracing the latest technologies to drive efficiency, improve decision-making, and optimize processes. One such technological advancement that is transforming business operations is Customized ERP Software. Tailored to meet the unique needs of organizations, this software is revolutionizing how businesses manage their operations, helping them thrive in Dubai’s competitive market.

What is Customized ERP Software?

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software integrates various business functions into one unified system, streamlining processes such as accounting, inventory management, human resources, and customer relationship management. However, Customized ERP Software allows businesses to tailor the system to their specific requirements.

In Dubai, businesses operate in a dynamic and diverse environment, often requiring solutions that align with their distinct industry standards and operational needs. This is where Customized ERP Software shines, offering flexibility, scalability, and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. By integrating every aspect of a business into one platform, companies can make data-driven decisions, increase efficiency, and reduce operational costs.

How Customized ERP Software is Transforming Dubai’s Business Landscape

1. Improving Operational Efficiency

Dubai's business sector is fast-paced and competitive, with organizations constantly seeking ways to streamline operations. Customized ERP Software provides businesses with an integrated solution that eliminates redundancy, reduces errors, and automates routine tasks. This allows companies to focus on strategic goals rather than wasting time on manual processes.

For instance, companies can automate their accounting and invoicing processes, ensuring that financial data is accurate and up-to-date. By having real-time insights into financial performance, businesses can make informed decisions about investments and budgeting.

2. Enhancing Customer Experience

Customer satisfaction is at the heart of every successful business, and in Dubai’s customer-centric market, it is crucial to have systems in place that enhance customer experiences. Customized ERP Software enables businesses to improve their customer relationship management (CRM) processes by providing a unified view of customer interactions, preferences, and purchase history.

With a comprehensive CRM system embedded in the ERP software, companies can deliver personalized experiences to their customers. This includes timely follow-ups, personalized offers, and better after-sales support, all of which contribute to stronger customer loyalty and retention.

3. Optimizing Supply Chain Management

Dubai is a global trade hub, with businesses relying on efficient supply chain management to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services. Customized ERP Software can revolutionize supply chain management by providing end-to-end visibility into the movement of goods, inventory levels, and supplier performance.

By using this software, companies can optimize their inventory, ensuring they have the right products in stock at the right time. It also helps in minimizing stockouts, overstocking, and delays, all of which can have a significant impact on business profitability.

4. Ensuring Regulatory Compliance

Dubai has specific regulatory frameworks that businesses must adhere to, especially in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Customized ERP Software can be tailored to meet these regulatory requirements, ensuring that businesses remain compliant with local laws and regulations.

For example, companies in Dubai can customize their ERP systems to adhere to VAT regulations, ensuring accurate tax reporting and compliance. This reduces the risk of penalties and legal issues, allowing businesses to focus on growth without the burden of compliance challenges.

5. Facilitating Business Scalability

One of the key advantages of Customized ERP Software is its ability to scale as the business grows. As Dubai continues to attract new businesses and industries, companies need flexible systems that can adapt to changing business needs. Psquare Company offers scalable ERP solutions that grow alongside businesses, allowing them to add new modules or functionalities as required.

Whether a business is expanding its operations internationally or introducing new product lines, customized ERP software ensures that the business can seamlessly adjust without disrupting existing processes. This scalability is essential for companies looking to thrive in Dubai’s fast-evolving market.

Why Choose Psquare Company for Customized ERP Software in Dubai?

Dubai’s diverse and complex business environment demands tailored solutions that can address the specific challenges faced by organizations. Psquare Company specializes in providing Customized ERP Software that not only meets the operational needs of businesses but also helps them stay competitive in their respective industries.

With extensive experience in the Dubai market, Psquare Company understands the unique requirements of businesses operating in this region. Our ERP solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into your business processes, providing you with the tools and insights needed to drive growth and success.

Conclusion

As Dubai continues to establish itself as a global business hub, companies must adopt innovative solutions to stay competitive. Customized ERP Software is playing a pivotal role in transforming business operations across the city, offering improved efficiency, enhanced customer experiences, optimized supply chains, and seamless compliance with local regulations. With the right ERP solution, businesses can scale effectively and thrive in Dubai’s dynamic market.

[casemanagementasset]

How to Build a Robust Compliance Management Framework for Your Business

In today’s regulatory landscape, building a robust compliance management framework is essential for protecting your business from legal risks, financial penalties, and reputational damage. With constantly evolving regulations, a solid framework helps your organization stay ahead of compliance requirements and fosters a culture of accountability. This guide will walk you through the key steps to create an effective compliance management system for your business.

1. Understand Your Regulatory Environment

The first step in building a robust compliance framework is identifying the specific regulations and standards applicable to your business. This will vary depending on your industry, location, and size. Key areas to consider include:

Industry-Specific Regulations: Healthcare, finance, and manufacturing industries, for example, have stringent regulations like HIPAA, SOX, and GDPR.

General Business Regulations: This includes labor laws, tax regulations, and environmental laws that affect all businesses.

International Compliance: If your business operates globally, you must also adhere to international regulations such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) for European data protection.

Staying updated on regulatory changes is crucial. Regularly monitoring relevant government agencies, industry bodies, and legal advisories can help you adapt quickly to new rules.

2. Assess Risks and Conduct a Compliance Audit

A thorough compliance audit is essential to identifying gaps in your current practices and understanding the areas of highest risk. An audit should:

Evaluate your existing compliance policies.

Review internal controls to ensure they align with legal and regulatory requirements.

Identify potential risks, such as inadequate data protection or non-compliance in areas like employee safety.

Risk assessment allows you to prioritize areas that need immediate attention. Businesses should classify risks based on their likelihood and potential impact to focus resources on high-priority issues.

3. Develop Comprehensive Compliance Policies

Once you have identified risks and regulatory requirements, create policies that clearly define your organization’s approach to compliance. These policies should:

Be Specific and Measurable: Provide clear guidelines on what employees must do to remain compliant, including roles, responsibilities, and deadlines.

Cover All Regulatory Areas: Include policies on data security, employee conduct, vendor management, and financial reporting.

Integrate with Business Operations: Compliance should not be an afterthought. Instead, it should be embedded in day-to-day operations. Align policies with your company’s goals and processes.

Document these policies in a central repository accessible to all employees. Regularly review and update policies to ensure they remain relevant as regulations evolve.

4. Implement Employee Training Programs

Your compliance framework is only as strong as your employees’ understanding of it. To create a culture of compliance, you need to:

Conduct Regular Training: Provide comprehensive training programs to educate employees on relevant regulations and your company’s compliance policies.

Use Real-World Scenarios: Help employees recognize and address potential compliance risks by incorporating real-world examples into your training.

Encourage Feedback: Make sure employees have a clear channel for asking questions and reporting compliance concerns.

Compliance training should be mandatory for new employees and regularly updated for existing staff, especially when new regulations are introduced.

5. Leverage Technology for Monitoring and Reporting

Manual compliance tracking can be inefficient and prone to error. Investing in compliance management software can streamline the process and provide real-time insights into compliance risks. Key benefits of compliance software include:

Automated Alerts: Notify you when compliance deadlines are approaching or when regulations change.

Centralized Record-Keeping: Keep all compliance documentation in one place, making it easier to conduct audits.

Real-Time Monitoring: Track compliance activities across different departments and locations to ensure no gaps in coverage.

Using technology to manage compliance reduces human error and allows your business to remain proactive, not reactive, in dealing with compliance issues.

6. Conduct Regular Compliance Audits and Reviews

Building a compliance management framework is not a one-time process. Regular audits ensure that your business stays compliant as regulations and internal processes evolve. Plan:

Periodic Reviews: Conduct internal audits annually, or more frequently in high-risk areas, to assess the effectiveness of your compliance program.

Third-Party Audits: External audits provide an unbiased review of your compliance processes and highlight areas for improvement.

Continuous Improvement: Use audit results to update policies, improve training programs, and address any gaps in your compliance framework.

A proactive approach to auditing ensures that your business remains ahead of any regulatory changes and is prepared to mitigate compliance risks.

Conclusion

Building a robust compliance management framework is essential for businesses operating in today’s complex regulatory environment. By understanding your regulatory requirements, assessing risks, developing clear policies, training employees, leveraging technology, and conducting regular audits, you can ensure that your business remains compliant and resilient to legal risks.

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[newsource21]

On the menu today: Tear your eyes away from campaign coverage for a few moments and contemplate a pair of bombshells regarding the Chinese government’s far-reaching efforts to influence U.S. policy and suppress critics of the regime — violently, on U.S. soil. First, the Washington Post unveils a shocking report, showcasing how agents of the regime in Beijing attempted to curb-stomp pro-democracy activists during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco last November. Then, federal prosecutors announced charges against Linda Sun, the former deputy chief of staff to Kathy Hochul, for being an agent of the Chinese government in exchange for “millions of dollars in bribes.”

You know whom I want to win the 2024 elections? American elected officials who work for Americans, not Xi Jinping. Apparently, they’re rarer than you would expect.

Who Runs the Streets of San Francisco? Apparently, the Chinese Government Does

It will not surprise you that I feel more warm and fuzzy toward the Washington Post than the typical conservative.

When the mainstream media does good and important journalism, I think conservatives ought to applaud and encourage more of it, and yesterday, the Post unveiled a doozy, showcasing the scale and range of violence during Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November — violence that appears to have been directed and facilitated by agents of the Chinese government, targeting democracy activists and critics of the regime. Among the highlights:

While there was aggression from both sides, the most extreme violence was instigated by pro-CCP activists and carried out by coordinated groups of young men embedded among them, verified videos show. Anti-Xi protesters were attacked with extended flagpoles and chemical spray, punched, kicked and had fistfuls of sand thrown in their faces.

The Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles paid for supporters’ hotels and meals as an incentive to participate, according to messages shared in WeChat groups reviewed by The Post. At least 35 pro-CCP Chinese diaspora groups showed up to the APEC summit protests — including groups from New York, Pennsylvania and Washington state.

Videos show at least four Chinese diplomats from the consulates in Los Angeles and San Francisco among the crowd of pro-CCP protesters, sometimes directly interacting with aggressive actors over four days of protests from Nov. 14-17. Some Chinese diaspora group leaders with ties to the Chinese state participated in some of the violence, the videos show.

Chinese diplomats hired at least 60 private security guards to “protect” Chinese diaspora groups gathered to welcome Xi, according to seven people involved in the arrangement.

The FBI is investigating the violence at the APEC summit, according to two officials familiar with the matter.

This isn’t over in Beijing or Hong Kong or Wuhan. This is on the streets of San Francisco — U.S. soil. This is America, where you have every right to say, “F*** Xi Jinping” without some Beijing-financed thugs leaving you bloody and unconscious in the street. That happened!

This isn’t really a foreign-policy issue anymore. This is a question of sovereignty, and whether the Chinese government gets veto power over certain American citizens’ rights to free speech and free assembly.

This is the sort of thing that ought to outrage every American, and none more so than the self-described “America First” nationalists. (My guess is that today you’ll hear them spending more time complaining about Brian Stelter returning to CNN.) I notice that, as of this writing, very few other publications or news organizations have picked up the report from the Post. I’ve heard the argument that modern nationalist populism is obsessed with “enemies within,” but can never get around to rousing itself over enemies outside our borders. How many people who perceive every temporary suspension of a social-media account as an assault on the First Amendment will even notice the Chinese regime’s assault — its literal, physical assault! — on the First Amendment rights of our fellow citizens?

Unsurprisingly, the Chinese government is saying that its people were the victims, and those big, mean, pro-democracy activists were the real bullies assaulting people:

In response to extensive questions from The Post, Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, and spokespeople from the Chinese consulates in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles sent identical emailed statements, stating that members of Chinese communities traveled to San Francisco voluntarily to welcome Xi and were instead the ones subject to “multiple incidents of provocations and violence.” “A few U.S. organizations and agencies have been piecing together fabricated ‘evidence’ to make defamatory assumptions and groundless ‘investigations’ about the voluntary welcoming groups, as well as smearing allusions to Chinese diplomats and consulates in the U.S.,” the emailed statements said. “Such narratives are sheer political maneuvering, which China strongly opposes. The Chinese side urges the U.S. side to immediately stop the erroneous practices of hyping up falsehoods.”

Contacting multiple representatives of a regime and getting the same statement emailed back over and over again is perfect symbolism. The Chinese government might as well make its embassies and consulates look like giant windowless cubes.

This puts San Francisco’s herculean effort to clean up its streets before Xi Jinping’s visit into a new light, doesn’t it? It was always an embarrassment that the city government could “clear out the tent cities of homeless, remove the human feces and hypodermic needles from the sidewalks, and make the downtown look sparking clean and shiny in just a matter of days” for a visiting dictator, but couldn’t or wouldn’t make the same effort for its own citizens. The Chinese government acts as if San Francisco is de facto territory it controls, and apparently quite a few San Francisco city officials see the matter the same way.

But the Post story was only the second most egregious example of illicit and threatening Chinese government influence on American life to come to light Tuesday:

Linda Sun, a former aide to New York governor Kathy Hochul, acted at the direction of Chinese government and Chinese Communist Party officials while serving in state government, federal prosecutors alleged in an indictment Tuesday. In a statement, the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York said that Sun was arrested Tuesday morning with her husband, Christopher Hu. They were expected to be arraigned later in the day. Sun is a former deputy chief of staff to Kathy Hochul and has served in numerous roles throughout New York State government since her first post under the administration of former governor Andrew Cuomo in 2012. Before that, she served as Representative Grace Meng’s chief of staff, when the Queens Democrat served in the New York State assembly. “As alleged, while appearing to serve the people of New York as deputy chief of staff within the New York State Executive Chamber, the defendant and her husband actually worked to further the interests of the Chinese government and the CCP,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said. The federal government is alleging that Sun was an unregistered agent of the Chinese government and that her husband engaged in money-laundering while they benefited from millions of dollars in bribes from Chinese officials.

As I lamented yesterday afternoon, “Hard to get mad at the Chinese government for buying our elected officials when so many of them are for sale.”

When we see the Biden administration contradicting congressional findings and insisting that the People’s Republic of China is subsidizing the export of fentanyl analogues and precursors; when bipartisan leadership in Congress call the Biden administration’s response to escalating repression in Hong Kong “not adequate”; when we see the late senator Dianne Feinstein’s driver and Representative Eric Swalwell’s special friend “Fang Fang” . . . are we certain our elected officials still work for us?

Pound for pound, the very best reporter on the China beat is our Jimmy Quinn. He had the story on Chinese backing of the assaults in San Francisco back at the end of July, and the story on the FBI’s raid of Sun’s home a week earlier.

In just the past month, Jimmy has uncovered another example of Chinese diplomatic “private security” violently assaulting protesters:

A Chinese man who protested in front of China’s consulate general in Manhattan was allegedly knocked unconscious by a private security guard who pushed him last month. . . . [Yonghong] Wang says he left China in 2019 after the authorities there detained and harassed him over his participation in a pro-democracy group and his decision to report corruption in the ranks of a state-owned railway corporation.

And have you noticed that as newspaper vending machines for big-name papers have disappeared from city street corners, the number of China Daily machines is growing like mushrooms after a heavy rain? Jimmy noticed:

They’ve become such an ordinary part of the streetscape in midtown Manhattan, downtown D.C., and a few other American cities that we’ve forgotten just how unusual this is: China has placed communist propaganda newspaper boxes on dozens of streetcorners. . . . Chen Weihua, China Daily’s EU bureau chief and therefore a central propaganda department official, replied to my post and said that the newspaper boxes are intended “to keep you informed and not brainwashed by crazy warmongers in Washington.” Those are the words of a foreign dictatorship that knows it can get away with brazen propaganda campaigns on U.S. soil. So far, it has.

Who runs the streets of American cities? Right now, it kinda looks like the Chinese government does.

[jonathanblogs2024]

Photon Insights: Navigating Risk with Precision During Uncertain Times

The way money works has changed, and it is changing. In a sea of change that characterizes finance, risk management grows in its importance. The unpredictability of today’s markets-from economic shifts to geopolitical tensions-requires an advanced strategy in managing risk. Photon Insights is at the leading edge of this challenge, integrating cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence to navigate and mitigate risks across vast financial domains. Photon Insights caters to integrated risk management through embedding AI into financial research, investment banking, wealth management, and due diligence in a proactive and precise manner.

Bringing a Revolution in Financial Research with AI

Core to Photon Insights’ risk management strategy is the firm’s innovative application of AI in financial research. Traditional research methods employ historical data and often manual analysis, generally much slower to update and always at risk of overlook. Photon Insights employs AI in real-time analysis of vast swaths of information.

AI-powered tools at Photon Insights sift through deep sources of data-market reports, news articles, and economic indicators-to discern emerging risks and opportunities. The advanced machine learning algorithms at Photon Insights help find out patterns and trends that would otherwise not be easily apparent through conventional means of analysis. Processing in real time, this enables better decision-making and quicker responses to changes in the markets-a necessity for keeping risks under control during times of uncertainty.

Enhancing Investment Banking with AI

Investment banking deals in high-stakes dealing of sophisticated financial instruments. There is a need for an effective risk management approach. Photon Insights integrates AI in the enhancement of various aspects of investment banking that range from risk assessment to strategic decision-making.

AI-enabled algorithms at Photon Insights analyze past and present data to predict future investment risks and market fluctuations. These are the types of tools that model scenarios of economic meltdown, change in regulations, and market volatility to provide insight for actionable items. Also, AI-driven risk models in stress testing enable investment portfolios to sustain during adverse conditions.

Also, Photon Insights applies AI to simplify due diligence. The application of AI in analyzing financial statements, legal documents, and regulatory compliances facilitates the tracing of probable risks at an early stage; hence, it speeds up due diligence processes and improves their accuracy. It has turned out to be irreplaceable in investment banking risk management.

AI Transformation of Wealth Management

Risk understanding and control mean a source of asset preservation and growth for the clients in managing their wealth. Photon Insights unleashes AI to make wealth management more personalized and responsive.

AI tools assess the customer’s financial goals, their risk tolerance, and market conditions to arrive at an investment recommendation that is suitable. By integrating quantitative data with more qualitative insights, such as changes in market sentiment or economic forecasts, Photon Insights ensures that the investment strategies set for each client best meet the objectives and will work within the current market conditions.

Besides, AI continuously monitors the performance of portfolios and market conditions for real-time adjustments to be made by the wealth manager. This dynamic approach helps in hedging against risks and seizing even the smallest of opportunities in turbulent markets.

Future of AI-Driven Risk Management

The risk management approach taken by Photon Insights demonstrates the growth in the integration of AI within the financial industry. As financial markets continue to evolve and uncertainties remain, AI’s role in risk management will remain increasingly crucial.

The ability of AI to process and analyze big volumes of data is further coupled with predictive capabilities, hence making the tool strong for financial professionals in effectively managing risks. Photon Insights is leading this by integrating AI into traditional risk management practices; it’s offering a complete solution on accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness.

In this regard, the approach of Photon Insights to the management of risk in uncertain times testifies that AI continuously changes the face of the financial industry. By providing financial research, investment banking, wealth management, and due diligence powered by AI, Photon Insights provides a sound basis upon which one can anchor identifying risks as well as opportunities. As the financial world evolves, AI will remain an important ally in the quest for effective risk management and strategic decision-making.

Visit — https://www.photoninsights.com/

[kanakkupillai-trademark]

The Impact of Digital Transformation on Investment Agreements: Emerging Trends and Challenges

The Role of Investment Agreements in Sustainable and Ethical Investing

In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the investment landscape as more investors prioritise sustainability and ethical considerations alongside financial returns. Sustainable and ethical investing has grown from a niche market to a mainstream strategy, driven by increased awareness of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. As this trend gains momentum, investment agreements play a crucial role in ensuring that investments align with sustainable and ethical principles. This article explores the importance of investment agreements in sustainable and ethical investing and how they help shape the future of responsible finance.

Defining Sustainable and Ethical Investing

Sustainable and ethical investing involves making investment decisions that consider not only financial returns but also the broader impact of investments on society and the environment. This approach typically focuses on companies and projects that demonstrate strong ESG performance. Investors seek to support businesses that operate responsibly, minimise their environmental footprint, and contribute positively to society. The ultimate goal is to generate long-term value while promoting sustainable development and ethical practices.

The Role of Investment Agreements

Investment agreements serve as formal contracts between investors and investees, outlining the terms and conditions of the investment. In the context of sustainable and ethical investing, these agreements play a pivotal role in several ways:

Setting ESG Expectations: Investment agreements provide a platform to define the ESG criteria and expectations for the investment clearly. It can include commitments to reduce carbon emissions, uphold labour rights, maintain transparency, and implement sustainable business practices. By embedding these criteria into the agreement, investors can hold companies accountable for their ESG performance.

Ensuring Alignment with Ethical Standards: Investment agreements can specify ethical standards that must be adhered to throughout the investment period. These standards include avoiding investments in industries such as fossil fuels, tobacco, or arms manufacturing. By setting these boundaries, investors can ensure their capital is directed toward companies and projects that align with their values.

Monitoring and Reporting: Ongoing monitoring and reporting are critical components of sustainable and ethical investing. Investment agreements can outline the requirements for regular ESG reporting, allowing investors to track the progress of their investments. This transparency ensures that companies remain committed to their sustainability and ethical goals and enables investors to make informed decisions about their portfolios.

Incorporating Impact Metrics: Investment agreements can include specific impact metrics that measure the social and environmental outcomes of an investment. These metrics can cover areas such as carbon reduction, job creation, community engagement, and more. By quantifying the impact, investors can assess the effectiveness of their investments in achieving sustainable and ethical objectives.

Promoting Long-Term Value Creation: Sustainable and ethical investing often focuses on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains. Investment agreements can be structured to encourage long-term thinking, such as by setting performance milestones or tying financial incentives to achieving ESG targets. This approach aligns the interests of both investors and investees, promoting sustainable growth over time.

Facilitating Active Ownership: Investment agreements can empower investors to engage in active ownership, where they take an active role in influencing the behaviour of the companies they invest in. It can include participating in shareholder meetings, voting on critical issues, and engaging in dialogue with company management to drive positive change. Active ownership is a powerful tool for promoting sustainable and ethical practices within investee companies.

Challenges and Considerations

While investment agreements are crucial in advancing sustainable and ethical investing, they are not without challenges. Some of the key considerations include:

Defining Clear and Measurable ESG Criteria: One of the challenges in sustainable investing is defining clear and measurable ESG criteria that are universally accepted. Investment agreements must strike a balance between being specific enough to ensure accountability and flexible enough to accommodate evolving standards and practices.

Ensuring Compliance: Even with well-drafted agreements, ensuring compliance with ESG and ethical standards can be challenging. Investors may need to implement robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that investees adhere to their commitments.

Navigating Complex Global Regulations: A complex web of global regulations and standards influences sustainable and ethical investing. Investment agreements must navigate these regulatory landscapes while aligning with international best practices.

Conclusion

Investment agreements play a critical role in the success of sustainable and ethical investing. They provide a framework for setting ESG expectations, monitoring progress, and ensuring that investments align with ethical standards. As the demand for responsible investing continues to grow, the role of investment agreements in shaping a sustainable and ethical financial future cannot be overstated. By embedding sustainability and ethics into the very fabric of investment contracts, investors can drive meaningful change and contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

[huseyintr24]

How FECRIS is embedded in the governance of countries

Recently I came across the book “Freedom of Religion or Belief Anti-Sect Movements and State Neutrality A Case Study: FECRIS”.  It is freely available and even in several languages. And since after the information that was voiced by the honorable Egon Cholakian “Undeclared War: America is Under Attack”, I decided to read this book in more detail with the facts I already have from Egon Cholakian's video report.

So, you and I already know that freedom and democracy for all of us hangs in the balance because of the destructive activities of the anti-cultists, particularly FECRIS. So I dived into a more detailed study of how and when this organization was created, who is behind it, who is funding it? And the most important thing that interested me personally was which countries it has offices in.

 Why? 

Because knowing how FECRIS is represented in this or that country you can already find information related to its destructive activities. And conduct a personal investigation into what their deprogramming methods lead to. I have already mentioned in my articles that deprogramming is violent methods of abandoning one's beliefs and convictions. I must say that I have found information from psychologists that if you take away a person's beliefs, his ideals, he turns into an absolute slave because the foundation of his values is destroyed. 

That's why everyone in the world should be aware of the activities of anti-Kultists, know and understand their methods of influencing people's consciousness (about what Egon Cholakian told in detail by the way). Knowing the schemes of their work, first of all, we will be able to find more evidence that this plague is growing and is already consuming not only organizations and individual politicians, but also entire countries (Russia and North Korea are examples of this).

So, FECRIS was founded in Paris on 30 June 1994 at the instigation of the French anti-sect association UNADFI (National Union of Associations for the Defence of Family and the Individual).1 Its first seat was at UNADFI’s address: 10 rue du Père Julien Dhuit, 75020 Paris. Later, its seat was transferred to the same place as the GEMPPI (Study Group on Worldviews for the Protection of the Individual)2 in Marseille3 the President of which is Mr. Didier Pachoud.

GEMPPI was founded in 1988. It claims to be a partner of CCMM – the Centre Against Mental Manipulations6 , another member of FECRIS in France – and it enjoys the support of the General Council of the Département of the Bouches du Rhône7 and of Marseille8 . It is affiliated to FECRIS. FECRIS is mainly financed by the French State. The share of donations by individual members is very small in comparison with the public funding the organization receives. It can therefore be said that France is deeply involved in the functioning of FECRIS. In 2005, FECRIS got the participatory status as INGO (International Non-Governmental Organization) at the Council of Europe. 

In 2009, FECRIS obtained consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) and has hereby access to the UN in New York, Geneva and Vienna. This anti-sect group has become legitimized interlocutor of the media and public powers.

It is also noteworthy that the list of movements affiliated to FECRIS is growing. 

I present to you a list of countries in which 34 FECRIS units are represented.

According to the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB) as of June 1, 2021:

FECRIS Members:

ARMENIAN.S.S. – National Spiritual Security AUSTRIA G.S.K. – Gesellschaft gegen Sekten- und Kultgefahren

BELGIUMAVISO asbl – Aide aux Victimes des Sectes

BULGARIAC.R.N.R.M. – Center for Research of New Religious Movements

CROATIAC.I.S.K.- Centre for Information on Sects and Cults FINLAND U.U.T. – Uskontojen Uhrien Tuki Ry (Support Group for the Victims of Religions

FRANCEC.C.M.M. – Centre de documentation, d’éducation et d’action Contre les Manipulations Mentales G.E.M.P.P.I. – Groupe d’étude des mouvements de pensée en vue de la prévention des individus Secticide U.N.A.D.F.I. – Union nationale des Associations de Défense des Familles et de l’Individu victimes de sects

GERMANYAGPF – Aktion für Geistige und Psychische Freiheit e.V. Sektenberatung Bremen Sekten-Info Nordrhein-Westfalen

ITALYCeSAP – Centro Studi Abusi Psicologici FA.VI.S – Associazione Nazionale Familiari delle Vittime delle Sette

POLANDR.O.R.I.J.- Ruch obrony Rodziny i Jednostki

RUSSIAC.R.S. – Center of Religious Studies

SERBIAC.A.S. – Center for Anthropological Studies

SPAINA.I.S. – Atención e Investigación de Socioadicciones

SWEDENFRI – Föreningen Rädda Individen

SWITZERLANDA.S.D.F.I. – Association Suisse de Défense des Familles et de l’Individu S.A.D.K. – Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft gegen destruktive Kult

UKRAINEF.P.P.S. – Family and Personality Protection Society

UNITED KINGDOMThe Family Survival Trust (former FAIR)

European Correspondents:

ITALYAssociazione S.O.S. ANTIPLAGIO onlus

 Organizations

BELGIUMA.V.P.I.M. – Association des Victimes des Pratiques Illégales de la Médecine S.A.S. – Studie- en Adviesgroep Sekten

BELARUSC.N.R.M.S. – Center of New Religious Movements Studies

CYPRUSP.P.U. – Pancyprian Parents Union

FRANCEA.F.S.I. – Alerte Faux Souvenirs Induits Association Sentinelle ATTENF – Attention Enfants C.L.P.S. – Cercle Laïque pour la Prévention du Sectarisme

GERMANYArtikel 4 – Initiative für Glaubensfreiheit e.V. Dialog Zentrum Berlin KAZAKHSTANAssociation of Religious Studies Centers

LATVIAL.C.C.T.S. – Latvian Committee for Combating the Totalitarian Sects

LITHUANIAC.P.B.- Cult Prevention Bureau

MOLDOVAINFOSEC

MONTENEGRODefendologija – Centre for Security, Sociological and Criminological Research

NORWAYFRI-Norge – Foreningen Redd Individet

RUSSIAC.R.S.S. – Center of Religious Studies – Saratov I.C.C.S. – Informational Consulting Center on Sectarianism

SPAINAIIAP – Asociación Iberoamericana para la Investigación del Abuso Psicológico RedUNE – Prevención del Abuso de Debilitad y Derivas Sectarias RIES – Red Iberoamericana de Estudio de las Sectas  (Successor of Fundación S.P.E.S., Argentina)

SWEDENRAM – Riksorganisationen Aktiva mot Manipulering

UKRAINEDneprpetrovsk City Center for the help to Victims of Destructive Cults “Dialogue” Ukrainian National Center Of Religious Safety And Help To Victims Of Destructive Cults “Dialogue” U.N.I.A. – Ukrainian Network “InterAction”

UNITED KINGDOMDialog Centre UK F.S.G. – Family Support Group RETIRN – Re-Entry Therapy, Information & Referral Network

 Non-European Correspondents:

AUSTRALIAC.I.F.S. – Cult Information and Family Support Inc.

ISRAELForum Against Cults I.C.V.C. – The Israeli Center for Victims of Cults

UNITES STATESI.C.S.A. – International Cultic Studies Association (formerly A.F.F. – American Family Foundation)

Source: CAP LC

However, according to observers of the anti-sect phenomenon, this growth is due to the 

fact that FECRIS is just a melting pot of associations with various, even contradictory, vested interests which see an opportunity to ally to fight against 

religious minorities. It is experiencing internal dissensions, which is understandable as it has lumped together competing traditional religions, such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches, and anti-religious movements, such as atheistic associations. 

Obviously, since anti-cultists, in this example FECRIS, have offices in at least 34 countries of the world, they really have the most direct influence on the heads of various states, on the adoption of the most important laws concerning the rights, freedoms and democracy for each person. (for example, pay attention to what is happening now in Russia. I have given a number of facts on this issue in my previous articles). 

I understand that if each of us today does not realize that he is personally in danger of being deprived of his rights and freedoms at any moment, the world is doomed to a digital concentration camp. 

If we as a public do not stand now in defense of our rights and freedoms, our democracy, then in the near future a totalitarian regime will be waiting for us (who is interested? Read my previous articles).

The continuation follows...

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#FECRIS #disinformation #cybersecurity #anti-cults #StandUpForFreedom #StopPersecution #democracy #EgonCholakian

[timesofinnovation]

In 2019, Liela Touré, working in public relations at a high-end e-commerce retailer, suggested forming an employee resource group for racial-minority staff. The company’s global social responsibility manager shared that similar proposals had repeatedly been dismissed by senior executives. Everything changed in 2020 after the death of George Floyd. The global protests and feedback from Black employees led Touré's company to establish diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Touré, being Black and Asian, was appointed as one of its chairs. Despite her efforts, by her departure a year later, the committee had accomplished little beyond a few meetings and hiring dedicated DEI specialists. Touré’s story mirrors the broader fashion industry saga, where many companies exhibit only halting progress toward their 2020 commitments to diversify executive ranks, improve minority representation in marketing, and boost morale among minority employees. DEI departments now face skepticism about their effectiveness from within the workforce and executives questioning the impact on business. Conservative activists are pushing to dismantle DEI programs. Several companies, including Kohl’s and GameStop, have either ended or renamed their DEI departments. Tractor Supply Co., serving a largely rural customer base, recently ceased all DEI activities and received backlash. While extreme, this highlights a broader industry-wide dilemma on DEI’s future. Amber Cabral, a DEI strategist, notes, “We’re in the difficult part where companies must decide their approach amid rising backlash.” To adapt, top DEI programs are shifting the conversation and practices to avoid attracting conservative activist scrutiny. They focus less on numerical targets and more on management training, communication, and unbiased hiring practices. Diversity experts argue that DEI should integrate into commercial strategies, emphasizing the bottom-line benefits like innovation and authentic consumer connections. Aniela Unguresan, founder of Edge Certified Foundation, states, “Investing in DEI drives a competitive advantage.” While some fashion and beauty brands like Sephora, VF Corp., and Macy’s report tangible improvements, overall, DEI remains underfunded. Many efforts were financed through funds allocated for social impact, signaling that senior management viewed DEI as supplemental rather than essential. Jamie Gill of the British Fashion Council and The Outsider Perspective suggests the recent Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in colleges provides an excuse for companies to scale back DEI programs, despite limited direct legal impact on corporations. The next DEI phase must prioritize direct business outcomes, aligning DEI goals with market demands and internal results. Cabral advises persevering despite discomfort, stating, “Continued effort will lead to progress.” Ultimately, DEI experts propose it might follow the trajectory of chief digital officers, becoming embedded within corporate structures without specialized departments. However, this integration is far off, requiring sustained targeted policies to ensure genuine equity and inclusion.

[paynxt360fintech]

Payments app Lydia gains popularity with millennials in France

Among various consumer demographics, marketers across industries are finding that understanding the requirements of the millennials is the most difficult as they showcase the most unpredictable behavior. In finanicial services industry also millennials are banking differently than any other consumer group; they are keen to embrace new technologies such as mobile banking, digital wallets, and alternative digital payment options, that offer them convenience and ease of use. This is the area witnessing a series of innovations, which are disrupting the way financial services industry operates. A case in point is Lydia, a leading mobile payment application targeting French millenials.