PSD2 and Open banking news roundup

Poll reveals US falling behind in faster payments adoption

A survey of payments systems stakeholders has revealed that the US is lagging behind the rest of the world in the adoption of faster payments, reports Jane Connolly. US is lagging behind the rest of the world in the adoption of faster payments. The inaugural Faster Payments Barometer, conducted by US Faster Payments Council(FPC) in partnership with Glenbrook, received over 700 responses from stakeholders such as financial institutions, core processors, payment network operators, fintechs and acquirers.

https://www.fintechfutures.com/2019/11/poll-reveals-us-falling-behind-in-faster-payments-adoption/

Backbase Connect 2019: Backbase’s CEO says its biggest challenge comes from its customers

Backbase's biggest challenge comes from its customers – well established banks – and "getting them to commit to digital transformation," says its CEO and co-founder, Jouk Pleiter. questions Pleiter as he weighs up what matters when embarking on a new partnership with a banking customer. Successful digital transformation depends on the "willingness of the banks" to undergo it on their side too. "Backbase is like the Switzerland" of its industry, says Pleiter, who feels "very fortunate" that the company does not have to compete for local domination like Mastercard, Visa and other paytechs.

https://www.fintechfutures.com/2019/11/backbase-connect-2019-getting-banks-to-commit-to-transformation-is-our-biggest-challenge-says-ceo/

First Horizon-IBERIABANK deal to use scale for fintech investments

For the third time this year, a pair of regional banks are combining in a merger-of-equals, and the narrative feels familiar. On a Nov. 4 deal call, First Horizon National Corp. and IBERIABANK Corp. executives highlighted the benefits of scale in their $3.9 billion MOE. The other two initiatives were treasury management and evolving customer expectations. The banks project the combined company will produce a 1.4% return on average assets with a 51% efficiency ratio. Executives said they expect $1 billion of cost synergies.

https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/55254558