Fintechs vs. Banks: Remittance War Rages On as FX Costs Slashed for Millions
For many currency routes, FX costs have been slashed in recent years by a number of industry-disrupting fintechs, allowing such firms to slice great chunks from the banking sector’s lucrative remittance markets. Banks are fighting back, though, by developing low-cost, digital offerings of their own.
Remittances Reach All-Time High
Remittances to low and middle-income countries reached a record high last year, the World Bank has said. Average transaction costs remain high, with an average of 7 percent paid to transfer $200 or equivalent.
WorldFirst Owners Target European Expansion
Ant Financial, the Chinese fintech giant that recently acquired WorldFirst, has set its sights on Europe, where it plans to take its share of both cross-border and point-of-sale payments.
China's Ant Financial Acquires WorldFirst
Chinese fintech giant Ant Financial has acquired British payments specialist WorldFirst for an undisclosed amount.