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Beyond the wallet: How payments banks have quietly re-invented themselves
MINT· 2025-12-24 04:32
Core Insights - Payments banks in India accept deposits but cannot lend, instead investing customer deposits in government securities to generate modest interest and occasional gains [1] - They earn fees and commissions from various activities including digital payments, remittances, and micro-ATM transactions, contributing to their revenue model [2] Industry Overview - There are six payments banks in India, collectively holding only 0.1% of total bank deposits, yet they have managed to survive and serve over 250 million customers, primarily in rural and semi-urban areas [3] - Payments banks were established to enhance financial inclusion, utilizing the Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) framework to create a "phygital" model that combines digital banking with physical customer touchpoints [6] Customer Engagement - Payments banks have successfully improved financial inclusion by leveraging trusted local brands and agents, particularly reaching women customers who prefer familiar local representatives [7][19] - They provide accessible financial services through neighborhood customer service points, making banking less intimidating for first-time users [8] Brand Trust and Recognition - High customer acceptance is attributed to the backing of well-known brands like Airtel and Jio, which are among India's top valuable brands [9] - Payments banks have seen rising transaction volumes, comparable to large traditional banks, despite their relatively short existence [10] Business Model and Growth - Payments banks face regulatory limitations, such as a cap on deposits and restrictions on offering fixed deposits, yet they have adapted by focusing on their strengths to acquire customers [13] - Airtel has dominated the National Common Mobility Card market, while Fino and NSDL excel in micro-ATM and AePS segments, crucial for remote areas [14] Financial Products and Innovations - New product offerings, such as Jio Payments Bank's 'Savings Pro' account, attract customers by providing liquidity and returns, integrating them into a larger financial ecosystem [15] - Payments banks outperform other bank categories in terms of deposit value owned by women, with initiatives to support female customers and agents [18][19] Risk Mitigation and User Trust - Payments banks serve as a gateway for users hesitant about digital banking, with campaigns like Airtel's 'safe second account' promoting safer transaction practices [22] - They resonate particularly with elderly and less tech-savvy users, offering a low-risk entry point into digital finance that emphasizes familiarity and trust [23]
X @Solana
Solana· 2025-10-28 19:35
Industry Trend - Payments, remittances, and treasuries are migrating onchain, specifically on the Solana blockchain [1] - The financial system is undergoing an upgrade [1] Partnership & Adoption - Western Union, identified as the world's largest money transfer business, is building exclusively on Solana [1]
Unipesa ties up with Mobipay Botswana for cross-border payments
Yahoo Finance· 2025-10-13 11:38
Core Insights - The partnership between Unipesa and Mobipay Botswana aims to enhance cross-border payment services and promote financial inclusion in Botswana [1][2] - The collaboration will leverage Unipesa's fintech platform and Mobipay's local market expertise to optimize payment efficiency, expedite money transfers, and reduce transaction costs [1][2] Company Contributions - Unipesa will provide the technological framework and regulatory guidance for the initiative, while Mobipay Botswana will contribute its local market expertise and distribution capabilities [2] - The partnership will introduce new services such as remittances, mobile money, merchant payments, and digital wallets [2] Strategic Vision - Unipesa's chief product officer emphasized that the partnership is focused on empowering communities with real financial access, creating a secure and efficient bridge for money movement across borders [3] - Mobipay Botswana's founder stated that the partnership will accelerate Botswana's transition to digital payments, reinforcing their mission to provide reliable, accessible, and affordable payment solutions [4] Support and Backing - Velex Investments has played a crucial role as an early backer in Unipesa's expansion throughout Africa, endorsing the company's scalable and regulatory platform [3][4]
DigiAsia Corp. Announces Voluntary Nasdaq Delisting in Strategic Response to Unlock Shareholder Value
Newsfile· 2025-09-13 01:33
Core Viewpoint - DigiAsia Corp. has announced its intention to voluntarily delist from the Nasdaq Stock Market as a strategic move to unlock shareholder value, with the delisting expected to take effect around October 2, 2025 [1][4]. Group 1: Delisting and Financial Strategy - The company will file a Form 25 with the SEC on or about September 22, 2025, to initiate the delisting process [1]. - The Board of Directors determined that the conditions to meet the September 15, 2025, deadline for filing a Form 20-F will not be met, primarily due to high listing-related costs and challenges in raising additional capital from public markets [2]. - The initial capital from any future sale or merger will be used to pay off lenders and vendor obligations, aiming for financial stability [5]. Group 2: Offer and Strategic Review - DigiAsia's Board received a firm offer from Indian fintech company PayMate, valuing DigiAsia at $400 million, which includes a $25 million cash component and a share swap [3]. - The Board has tasked management to review all strategic sales and merger opportunities within a thirty-day timeframe [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - DigiAsia is a leading Fintech as a Service (FaaS) provider operating a B2B2X model, offering comprehensive embedded finance solutions to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets [6]. - The company’s fintech architecture aims to democratize digital finance access, supporting financial inclusion for underbanked merchants and consumers [6][7]. - DigiAsia is developing its embedded FaaS enterprise solution with AI capabilities, focusing on Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East, with plans for global expansion [7].