Sponsored by Supported by...of Biometrics at this year’s Payments Awards for its multi-layered approach to passive biometrics that assesses what makes users unique: their behaviour

Supported by

For the latest news and updates follow us @PaymentsAwards #PaymentsAwards

14 November 2018, London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square

www.payments-awards.com

Sponsored by

Recognising cards and payments excellence and innovation

WINNERS BROCHURE

2018

Now in its sixth year, the expanded line- up of categories

has attracted a record number of entries, which is surely testament to a healthy industry.

Having been personally involved in the shortlisting process with the judges, I can attest to the quality and diversity of work going on across the variety of areas we cover.

I’ve been in charge of Retail Systems and FStech

since the end of March, and have found payments to be

the middle of the Venn diagram between the two. Whether it’s advancements in physical point of sale technology, or major moves forward with industry infrastructure, there’s always something interesting happening in this sector.

In trying to educate myself, I’ve attended the big conferences and spoken to some of you individually, learning about how things like blockchain and machine learning can be practically applied, or what trends are emerging in terms of partnership or acquisition between traditional players and plucky startups.

One thing’s for sure – this is a dynamic and innovative space, which is embracing new technology to improve consumer experience.

It just remains for me to thank our judges for their help picking the worthy winners, and to our sponsors and event staff for putting on such a great show.

Welcome to the 2018 Payments Awards brochure

Peter Walker Editor FStech & Retail Systems

02 payments-awards.com

2018

The Winners

The sixth annual industry event was held at the Gros-venor Square Marriott hotel in London, with a record number of entries across the 24 categories.

Digital challenger banks enjoyed success, with Starling Bank and ClearBank both picking up two awards each. Traditional banks remained competitive though, with HSBC Bank winning Best Mobile Payments Solution, while NatWest Bank scooped the Best Online Payments Solution - Merchant award.

Congratulations to all the evening’s winners…

Best Online Payments Solution - ConsumerThe first award of the evening went to next generation delivery company Just Eat, which made particular efforts last year to offer customers a variety of payment options. As well as integrating the new digital wallet Visa Checkout, judges praised work done on ‘surround’ services like customer support and refunds through the digital platform.

Best Online Payments Solution - Merchant On the merchant side, the best online payments solution was adjudged to be NatWest’s new service which allows shopping online without a card. Built with Open Banking APIs and using the Faster Payments infrastructure, this innovation was aimed at improving both the customer journey and making things easier for e-commerce businesses.

Best Mobile Payments SolutionLooking at specifically mobile payments, the HSBCnet platform for corporate clients won out for demonstrating success through high value usage by clients. That’s not to say it was just big businesses using this service though, with plenty of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) taking advantage of the updated toolkit of banking essentials via the mobile app.

Best Mobile Payments Solution

payments-awards.com 03

Best Online Payments Solution - Consumer Best Online Payments Solution - Merchant

Best In-store Payments Solution Best Contactless Payments Project

2018

payments-awards.com04

Best In-store Payments SolutionFocusing on the physical shopping experience, the judges found AEVI’s SmartPOS terminal development to be the pick of the bunch. This secure smart system was the precursor to the implementation of apps and services to help small businesses manage the customer experience better.

Best Contactless Payments Project Launched in February 2018, Acceptacard’s Payacharity innovation harnesses the capabilities of contactless donations, underpinned by the UK’s first end-to-end merchant account, gateway, fulfilment, data tracking and support service. Judges said it was a worthy proposition which helped to solve the problem of fewer people carrying cash to donate. Best Prepaid Card Solution In terms of prepaid cards, PPRO’s Crosscard impressed the panel by demonstrating value in its roll-out across Daiichi-Sankyo Europe. The credit card lets employees use the company mobility budget on a range of different transportation options, delivering flexibility, environmental benefits and cost savings.

Anti-Fraud or Security Solution of the Year - Consumer In a hard-fought category, the approach of Nuggets to tackling fraud eventually won out. Giving individuals back control over their personal data, the company integrated biometric verification with zero-knowledge storage and a blockchain protocol, to let people pay for things without compromising information to any entities not qualified to protect it.

Anti-Fraud or Security Solution of the Year - Merchant On the merchant side of security, RISK IDENT proved that artificial intelligence (AI) based fraud prevention is the way forward. Fine tuning its algorithm to adapt to, and evolve with, changing threats, the company demonstrated success in sharing its technology with a range of clients, making the industry safer for everyone.

Most Disruptive Payments Technology Introducing transparency and competition, APEXX was awarded for attempting to return payment control to merchants. The cloud-based marketplace has helped to save firms money on cross-border payments, assisting them in turn to increase sales, boost conversions and reduce the cost of accepting transfers.

Most Disruptive Payments Technology Payments Startup of the Year

Anti-Fraud or Security Solution of the Year - Merchant Best Prepaid Card Solution Anti-Fraud or Security Solution of the Year - Consumer

2018


Payments Startup of the Year Founded in 2016 and launched in 2017, Flux was described as being one of the most significant retail technology innovations since the introduction of contactless payments. The platform delivers reward offers, loyalty points and itemised digital receipts directly to customers’ banking apps, via software on point of sale systems.

Technology Provider of the YearTaking the overall technology provider of the year trophy, The Chargeback Company was able to demonstrate continued growth and client success in a busy part of the market. Focused on reducing chargebacks for companies, it tackled the ‘friendly fraud’ problem of consumers denying their own transactions.

Best Merchant Acquirer or ProcessorThe most comprehensive entry from the acquiring and processor world was deemed to be Paysafe, which has adopted a service-oriented one-stop-shop approach for merchants with specific requirements, becoming the technology gateway of choice for an increasing number of companies over the last few years.

Best Cross-Border Payments SolutionAn established, trusted and resilient partner for complex cross-border payment needs, according to the judges, Earthport came out on top in this competitive category. Its unique ‘hub and spoke’ model takes the burden and cost away from customers – offering access globally through a single connection.

Lending Initiative of the YearShaking up the SME lending space since its launch in 2012, iwoca’s proprietary technology has reduced underwriting costs by as much as 90 per cent, whilst increasing approval rates for customers. One of the fastest-growing credit providers in Europe, the company is helping to fill a gap left by many established banks.

Personal Finance App of the YearAnother challenger to the banking incumbents, Starling Bank launched the UK’s first mobile-only personal account in May 2017 and has been making continual improvements to its app ever since. Customers can now make international payments and connect to various digital wallets and other services without having to make a call or visit an external website.

Lending Initiative of the Year Personal Finance App of the Year

Best Cross-Border Payments SolutionTechnology Provider of the Year Best Merchant Acquirer or Processor

2018

Most Disruptive Payments TechnologyThis award recognised a platform designed to give merchants a single view of acquirers and payment providers available in the marketplace. This year’s trophy went to APEXX for its price comparison-style platform, which aims to open up visibility and competition for the global payments services that merchants and e-commerce businesses require for their operations.

Payments Startup of the YearFor an offering that aims to automate payment flows and reduce processing costs for businesses, 2017’s Payments Startup of the Year was Modulr. Its e-money platform is split into modules that can be easily integrated by businesses, reducing the time taken to receive payments and giving them greater control of the process.

Technology Provider of the YearThe winner of this category has been supplying fast and reliable point of sale systems to some of the world’s largest sporting, hospitality and retail events. Bleep UK took the plaudits here for continuing to provide seamless payment operations at cyclical events such as the Olympic Games, Wimbledon and major football tournaments, as well as to a variety of permanent retail and hospitality locations.

Best Cross-Border Payments Solution (Consumer)The judges gave the nod to a service where senders can transfer international payments to a recipient’s mobile wallet in a wide variety of ways. This award went to

Mahindra Comviva and Econet Wireless for ‘EcoCash Diaspora’, which since its launch in 2014 has become the largest mobile remittance service in Zimbabwe.

Best Cross-Border Payments Solution (Business)Currencycloud took the plaudits here for its platform that is helping remove the friction in cross-border payments for businesses through the simple incorporation of its flexible APIs. The firm’s multi-currency payment and conversion tools are giving its growing number of clients access to Currencycloud’s banking network and global payments ecosystem.

Best Merchant Acquirer or ProcessorThe judges’ vote here went to Paysafe, for providing a full range of payment processing solutions to merchants, across multiple payment types, currencies and territories. Delivered through an integrated platform, the company’s offering is geared towards mobile-initiated transactions, real-time analytics and the convergence between bricks and mortar and online payments.

Clearing or Settlement Initiative of the YearThe panel recognised an organisation that is aiming to become a game-changer in the industry, using agile technology to build a new clearing service. The winner was ClearBank, the UK’s first new clearing bank in more than 250 years, which is seeking to create greater competition and transparency in the UK market.

Lending Initiative of the Year


B2B Payments Innovation of the Year In the business-to-business space, Bottomline Technologies’ PT-X payments suite was deemed to be the innovation of the year. At the forefront of the move to real time bank-linked payments, with advanced cloud architecture at its core, the judges said this is a picture of where payment solutions need to be.

Best Alternative Payments Project A Georgian staple, TBC Bank wanted to branch out beyond Eastern Europe and become a leading European digital bank. To start with, it partnered with AI startup Pulsar to develop a new chatbot, helping customers across various channels and services. Through Ti Transfer, payments have also been integrated into the chat setting, doing away with the need for IBANs or mobile numbers.

Marketing Campaign of the Year Riffing on the unfolding Brexit debacle, the ‘bank without boundaries’, Monese, launched a campaign emphasising the free movement of money regardless of the deal done by the UK and EU. Across various channels the company got its message across and amplified its reach using social media.

Best Use of Biometrics In the emerging field of biometrics for payments, the Mastercard company NuData Security was chosen by our judges as having the most clear customer benefits. The solution assesses user behaviour to identify what is suspicious and what’s not, layering this with machine learning to identify legitimate fraudulent activity as it evolves.

Blockchain Initiative of the Year A joint venture of nine European banks, we.trade is one of the first blockchain trade platforms for commercial customers to connect with their financial institutions in the market. Using distributed ledger technology and smart contracts, the company provides a secure and efficient environment to in which to carry out transactions.

PSD2 or Open Banking Initiative of the Year Making use of the second payment services directive (PSD2), Starling has committed to connecting a network of financial products via its app, becoming the first digital bank to be approved to do so in September 2017. The judges wondered whether this platform approach could lead it to become the Amazon of banking.

Best Use of Biometrics Blockchain Initiative of the Year

Marketing Campaign of the Year B2B Payments Innovation of the Year Best Alternative Payments Project

2018


Payments Infrastructure Award Another challenger mixing things up, ClearBank’s market entry made it the UK’s first new clearing bank in more than 250 years, helping to provide infrastructure solutions to new entrants and incumbents that cut through legacy IT issues. Its cloud-based, scalable platform has been white-labelled by a range of players, giving speed and security.

Payments Innovation of the Year This prepaid, dynamic mobile payments offering is particularly suited to wearable devices, according to the judges, who singled out Wirecard’s collaboration with Much Better as one to watch. The app lets users make and receive payments instantly with just their phone and fingerprint, combining a seamless user experience with best-in-class security.

Payments Pioneer Award The final award of the night went to ClearBank boss Nick Ogden, who was praised for his career path from policeman to Barclays, via Worldpay and VCG to founding an innovative challenger bank. The judges called him a true pioneer, who understands market opportunity and how to exploit it for real commercial advantage, not just attracting investors and the media.

Payments Innovation of the Year Payments Pioneer Award

Payments Infrastructure Award PSD2 or Open Banking Initiative of the Year

2018

2018


The Judges

Tim Decker, Head of Payment Product Development, Lloyds Banking Group

Robert Courtneidge, Chief Executive, Moorwand

Simon Burrows, Director Payments M&A, EY

Paul Bartholomew-Keen, Director, Clouds Umbrella Company

Sponsored by:

Supported by:

Jessica Hardy, Investment Manager, Dunedin

David Parker, Chief Executive, Polymath Consulting

Mark McMurtrie, Director, Payments Consultancy

Neira Jones, Advisor and Ambassador, Emerging Payments Association

Matthew Hunt, Chief Operating Officer, New Payment System Operator

Paul Rodgers, Chairman, Vendorcom

Lu Zurawski, Practice Lead Retail Banking, ACI Worldwide

Laurel Wolfe, Marketing Director, Klarna

Ramki Sankaranarayan, MD of Digital Channels & Adoption, Barclays UK



2018



23 November 2019


2019

Recognising cards and payments excellence and innovation

SAVE THE DATE

2018


2018


2018

08


NuData Security picked up the award for Best Use of Biometrics at this year’s Payments Awards for its multi-layered approach to passive biometrics that

assesses what makes users unique: their behaviour.Data breaches have become an almost weekly

occurrence in the news, with the leaking of mass-scale personally identifiable information leaks are now an unfortunate fact of life. As the global threat environment evolves, hackers’ data mining capabilities are increasingly sophisticated. As a result, many of the newer authentication alternatives layer on additional login steps and one-time codes that are easily thwarted.

The Canadian-based company, part of Mastercard Technologies Canada, takes a different approach by rendering stolen data valueless. NuData accurately identifies whether a new or known user is behaving suspiciously by looking at changes in behaviour.

The integrated intelligence layers include device location and connection, behavioural analytics, passive biometrics, and an aggregated data consortium with billions of anonymised data points. Hundreds of patterns like typing

speed, keystroke deviations, pressure settings, accelerometer data and the angle at which the device is held, are analysed in real time.

Ryan Wilk, vice president of customer success at NuData, said: “Since implementation, some of our clients have discovered that, on average, half of all their online traffic is fraudulent. A large banking client captured 100 per cent of its automated attacks, including nearly two million attacks in less than a week, while a Fortune 100 client accurately verified 99 per cent of good users and reduced manual reviews by 30 per cent and false positives by 60 per cent.”

Using the Mastercard technology fabric, NuData offers Identity Check Mobile, a solution that combines passive and physical biometrics with other layers of security. Only when there is risk does the system request a physical biometric identification such as a facial fingerprint scan.

The Payments Awards judges praised the demonstrable client benefits, stating: “Behavioural technology developments have led to clear benefits in the submission case studies.”

Best Use of Biometrics

NuData Security

2018


2018

08


Crosscard by PPRO took home the prize for Best Prepaid Card Solution at the Payments Awards, for its bespoke, highly-flexible, branded prepaid

credit card solution for Daiichi-Sankyo Europe.The e-payment specialist’s Crosscard prepaid credit

card gives employees the flexibility to use their company mobility budget on a range of different transportation options, which can also potentially qualify for company tax advantages of up to 30 per cent for an amount of up to €10,000.

For Daiichi-Sankyo Europe, the card has delivered efficiency savings, helps boost employee loyalty and has driven bottom-line benefits.

Prior to introduction, employees who were eligible for a company car could only get a vehicle that precisely matched their employment grade, and were taxed accordingly; irrespective of mobility preferences.

Fleet and HR managers at Daiichi Sankyo wanted to offer an employee mobility scheme that gave greater flexibility regarding how employees chose their company car. They also wanted the solution to have the scope to be used for business travel, and the flexibility to handle any

future changes in company policy, corporate and personal tax legislation, or employee choice.

Within the first two months of its introduction in June 2018, the Daiichi-Sankyo MobilityCard had enabled 300 employees to choose smaller cars which are better suited to the urban lifestyle. Some even opted not to have a car at all, choosing to travel to and from work by bike or public transport.

The difference between an expensive car and the cheaper option is uploaded as a tax-free bonus onto the employee’s card. An additional monthly mobility budget can also be uploaded onto the card to cover business-related travel, saving the employee having to pay from their own pocket and then claim the expenses back.

The judges called it an “interesting use of a pre-paid card to increase retention” and praised the carbon agenda and cost reduction.

“It is a pleasure for us to receive this kind of recognition, which goes a long way in showing how the Crosscard concept not only convinces customers, but also payment industry experts,” said PPRO’s head of sales Florian Ertelt.

Best Prepaid Card Solution

Crosscard by PPRO

2018


2018

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

poster.pdf 1 12.12.18 17:57

Sponsored by

Save The Date14 November 2018

London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square

Documents

Sponsored by Supported by...of Biometrics at this year’s Payments Awards for its multi-layered approach to passive biometrics that assesses what makes users unique: their behaviour