Real-time payments platform Pidgin and community bank services provider Bankers’ Bank are partnering to simplify and streamline payment processes.

Customers of $250 million Bankers’ Bank — with more than 250 community banking customers in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico — can now send payments directly between financial institutions without a third-party holding account or virtual wallet, lowering transaction fees, according to a release.

Pidgin’s technology, which is powered by VSoft Corp., eliminates the need for third-party payments providers and allows for faster transfers for personal accounts and business merchants, according to the release. The payments platform supports the use of various payment routes, including FedNow, Real-Time Payments and same-day Automated Clearing House.

“Consumers are demanding faster payments in more areas of their lives,” Abhishek Veeraghanta, head of Holland, Mich.-based Pidgin, said in a statement, noting that “four out of five consumers say they are interested in faster options to pay businesses and about 70% say having access to faster payment capabilities from their financial institution is an important satisfaction driver, according to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Banks.”

Access Softek adds Glia to its banking platform

Omnichannel digital banking provider Access Softek has added digital customer service provider Glia to its platform, allowing its 400 bank and credit union clients to connect with customers through digital channels — including SMS, chat, on-screen voice, and video, according to a release.

“A growing number of financial institutions are embracing digital customer service to align with the digital lifestyles of their members and customers, and continuously meet their expectations,” Steve Kaish, senior vice president of alliances at New York City-based Glia, said in a statement.

OKX and TradingView simplify cryptotrading

Cryptocurrency platform OKX and investing site TradingView have inked a partnership to make crypto trading more accessible.

The integration of OKX will give TradingView’s 30 million customers access to more than 260 cryptocurrencies, according to a release. OKX will also add 640 more spot trading pairs and 100 more crypto derivatives to those available on London-based TradingView.

“With this partnership, TradingView customers can place trades via OKX without leaving the site, while OKX customers can make the most of TradingView charting within the OKX exchange,” Haider Rafique, global chief marketing officer at OKX, said in a statement.

FNZ acquires fintech New Access

Global wealth management platform FNZ has acquired private banking fintech New Access, the companies announced Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

U.K.-based FNZ provides a full-service wealth platform and administers $1.5 trillion in client assets for more than 20 million clients on its platform, according to a release. The acquisition is FNZ’s latest effort to expand in the growing private banking and cross-border wealth sector. The platform acquired Swiss tech innovator Appway in February.

France-based New Access develops solutions for 60 private banks and wealth management firms with primary markets in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.

“Both our companies have a shared vision to open-up wealth, empowering all people to create wealth through personal investment, aligned with things they care about the most, on their own terms. We are delighted to welcome the talented New Access team into FNZ,” Adrian Durham, chief executive at FNZ Group, said in a statement.

Deloitte, FIG Corporate Finance Advisory acted as exclusive financial advisor to FNZ, and CMS acted as legal adviser for the transaction, according to the release.

Inovatec teams up with VoPay

Cloud-based software provider Inovatec has announced it will integrate payments-as-as-service platform VoPay into its loan origination system and loan management system platform through an API.

“This partnership will allow lenders to convert the payment acceptance process from a legacy environment that was defined by costly inefficiencies and manual processes to an experience that is automate, accurate and secure,” VoPay Chief Executive Hamed Arbabi said in a statement.

Vancouver, Canada-based VoPay’s technology will allow Dover, Del.-based Inovatec to streamline loan processing, decisioning and management customized automation, according to a release.

“This added functionality allows lenders to set payment parameters directly within the Inovatec system, reducing expenses, mitigating errors and improving cashflow,” said Inovatec Chief Executive Vlad Kovacevic.

VoPay partners include Plaid, Flinks and Currencycloud, according to the fintech’s website.

Truist acquires mobile app Long Game

During the $545 billion bank Truist’s Q2 earnings call, Chief Executive Bill Rogers lauded the bank’s June opening of the Innovation and Technology Center at its Charlotte, N.C., headquarters, as well as its May acquisition of finance mobile app Long Game.

“By leveraging Long Game’s innovative technology, Truist can empower our clients to build long-term financial wellness,” Rogers said during the call.

IBM purchases cybersecurity provider Randori

IBM acquired cybersecurity and attack surface management provider Randori in an effort to reduce fraud within real-time transactions, IBM Chief Executive Arvind Krishna said during Monday’s second quarter earnings call.

“In this environment, it is essential for organizations to arm themselves with attacker’s perspective in order to help find their most critical blind spots and focus their efforts on areas that will minimize business disruption and damages to revenue and reputation,” Mary O’Brien, general manager of IBM Security, said in a statement.

Randori is IBM’s fourth acquisition of 2022 following analytics and data software provider, Envisi; cloud services consultancy, Neudesic; and data observability software, Databand.ai.

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