POSTS TAGGED : banking

Blackcat Website: A Gateway to Modern Banking and Controversy

BlackCatCard website

Key Takeaways

  • The Blackcat website offers free IBAN accounts, Mastercard access, and crypto integration in one platform.
  • Users praise its convenience, global accessibility, and rewards such as cashback and interest on balances.
  • Critics report frozen accounts, delayed transfers, and poor customer support, raising transparency concerns.
  • Blackcat operates under an EMI license in Malta, which provides regulation but not the same protections as traditional banks.
  • The platform suits digital nomads, freelancers, and crypto enthusiasts, but caution is advised when holding large sums.
  • The Blackcat website illustrates both the opportunities and risks of fintech innovation in modern banking.
…Continue reading →

From Banks to Blockchain: The Paradigm Shift to DeFi

In the world of finance, a new era is dawning – one marked by the rise of Decentralized Finance, or DeFi. This paradigm shift, moving away from traditional banking systems towards blockchain technology, is redefining how we view and interact with financial services.

DeFi - Decentralized Finance

In this comprehensive exploration, we will explore the intricacies of DeFi, uncovering how it is fundamentally transforming the financial landscape and what this transformation means for the future of banking.

The Traditional Banking System: An Age-Old Institution

For centuries, traditional banks have stood as the cornerstone of the financial world. They have acted as intermediaries in financial transactions, providing an array of services such as loans, asset management, and payment processing.…

Continue reading →

Future-Proofing Your Bank with a Business Culture Anchored on Data Management

In today’s quickly evolving and highly competitive banking industry, one thing’s for certain: the financial institutions that have made the effort to future-proof their businesses have the best chances of succeeding. But what does “future-proofing” entail, and what practical steps can a financial institution take to guide its business into a prosperous future?

Data management in banking industry

Part of the answer may lie in shifting towards data-driven decision-making and policy implementation. By anchoring its business culture on a data-driven mindset, a bank can do more than simply increase its profitability in the next few  years. It can build enough agility and resilience to cement its position as a power player of the financial industry in the future.…

Continue reading →

Beginner’s Banking: A Pragmatic Guide to Personal Saving

For many people, the most difficult thing about saving money is simply getting started. When you are used to managing your money a particular way, reducing your expenses and prioritising your savings can seem daunting. However, whether you earn a little or a lot, there are many different strategies you can use to ensure that you grow your savings steadily over time, giving you more financial peace of mind.

Personal saving

Before you start making changes to how you manage your finances, it’s important to set yourself up with a personal savings account. This can be done at your local branch or you can choose to go online and register with a digital bank.…

Continue reading →

4 Things Consumers Want from Their Banks Today

Keeping your money at the bank has for a long time been synonymous with participating in the economy. But increasing changes in technology mean that the services offered by banks can—and must—change. These are four things consumers want from their banks today.

Banking innovation

They Want Their Banks to Help Them

There are a lot of things that may come to mind when you think of what consumers might want from banks. High-yield savings or checking accounts, useful apps and others are definitely things that might come up. But you might not immediately think of this: About 78 percent of consumers would like their banks to give them more informational resources.…

Continue reading →

Which Makes More Cents In Canada: A Big Banking Institution or a Credit Union?

Credit unions perform the same functions as banking institutions around Canada, but not everyone knows what they are or how they work. Whether the average Canadian is looking to invest their money in a savings account or borrowing money for a home or car purchase, they typically go straight to their local bank lender. But that might be a mistake. Not investigating the many opportunities to join a credit union and reap the benefits may have many consumers missing the financial boat.

Credit union

It isn’t just Lehman Brothers who got caught doing unscrupulous things over the past decade; Wells Fargo is still involved in a class-action lawsuit for signing up customers for products unwittingly and using their banking information without their clients’ knowledge.…

Continue reading →

Mobile or Online Banking: What’s the Difference?

Today, there are so many options to conduct transactions at your bank without actually going to a physical branch. Two of these methods include mobile and online banking. While most people use these terms interchangeably, there’s still a big difference between these two modes.

Mobile banking

Defining Mobile Banking

Strictly speaking, mobile banking is an umbrella term to cover any transaction conducted using a mobile phone or device. For example, sending text messages to approve transactions or receiving SMS about your account’s status can fall under mobile banking.

However, these kinds of transactions are not as common anymore due to the advent of the smartphone.…

Continue reading →

Take Your Banker Out to Lunch

Starting a small business means having as many allies as possible and few allies are as important to new business owners as the banker.

build a relationship with your banker

It always pays to be on the good side of the person who has a say over whether or not your emerging business will be extended the loan it needs to get through the initial stages. Well as you might already know, it’s important to be on the good side to anybody that influences your business in any type of way.

Here’s a tip: Take your banker out to lunch and build a relationship with them.

For years, entrepreneurs and company associates have taken clients to lunch as a way to either establish a potential relationship or strengthen a rapport that had already existed.…

Continue reading →

Bank of America Announces New Program to Help Spur Small Business Lending Nationwide

Bank of American lending program for small businessesBank of America (BOA), one of the world’s largest financial institutions, has announced it will provide $10 million in grants to nonprofit lenders, such as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), to leverage funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for lending to small and rural businesses.

The grants to nonprofits will help up to 8,000 businesses obtain new loans over the next 12 Months.

The CDFI’s will use the grant money as loan loss reserves, which BOA hopes will unlock millions in low-cost capital for small business microloans program nationwide.

SBA and USDA microloans are made through local nonprofit lenders, which also provide business training and technical assistance.…

Continue reading →

Searching For A New Bank To Suit Your Business Needs

searching for a new bankThere aren’t many good news stories about banks these days so if you’re looking for a new bank you may be facing the quagmire of what to look for and who to turn to when searching for a new bank. The answer may rest upon what your personal and or business banking needs are.

For business owners, entrepreneurs and consumers seeking personal guidance, it is important to recognize that your relationship with your bank is extremely important.  This is one relationship that requires serious time and examination.

I believe the examination process is twofold. On one side of the equation you’ll want to look at the financial stability and business model of the bank to ensure it can provide the financial strength and safety needed to stay in business and serve your needs in a favorable manner to you.…

Continue reading →