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Last week, Reuters looked at the gamification of saving money, using Seattle-based Bobber Interactive's GoalCard platform as an example.

The article describes how Bobber's combination of gamification with Facebook's social networking capabilities encourages its Generation Y users to save money. Players can redeem points earned for cash prizes.

Reuters goes on to cite a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research that states lower income families could be motiviated to save more money if incented with prize-linked savings accounts. Such gamified savings accounts are reported as well-tested and with widespread consumer appeal.

Thumbnail image for GoalCardScreenshot.jpgTo learn more about Bobber Interactive's GoalCard, watch its FinovateFall 2011 demo.

Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Finovate-F-Logo.jpgTo wrap up 2011, we've compiled a list of all of the funding Finovate alumni received over the course of the year. 

The results were impressive:

  • A total of 34 companies received funding, some more than once
  • The companies collectively raised over $423 million dollars
  • The months with the highest number of companies receiving funding were June August, both with 8 companies
  • The highest amount of funding came in the month of June, when the alumni brought in over $124.4 million
Here is a month-by-month breakdown of funding received:

January -- $40.8 million raised by 3 companies

February -- $10.3+ million raised by 3 companies

March -- $20.4 million raised by 4 companies

June -- $124.4 million raised by 8 companies

July -- $1.1 million raised by 1 company

August -- $103.4 million raised by 8 companies

September -- $33 million raised by 1 company

October-- $22 million raised by 2 companies

November -- $16.3+ million raised by 3 companies

December -- $52.2 million raised by 5 companies
Note: Funding that companies received before they demonstrated at Finovate was not counted. If you see any funding that is not on this list, please send the name of the company along with a link to the funding information to julie@netbanker.com and I will add it.
Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Bobber_Interactive.jpgEarlier this week, Bank Technology News wrote about the gamification of finance. The article describes Capital One's promos in Zynga's CityVille (a FarmVille-like game), then looks at Seattle-based Bobber Interactive's new GoalCard:

"Users set up their accounts and access funds with a Visa debit card issued by Meta Financial Group Inc.'s MetaBank Inc. and offered by Plastyc Inc. They are encouraged to share their financial goals with their Facebook friends, and they get points and rewards for transacting and sharing the application with others."

Bundle Logo2.jpgNew York-based Bundle is also highlighted in the article for its spending tracker and comparison platform:

"Bundle, which is backed by Citigroup Inc., analyzes card transaction data to help customers track their spending. It also compares their spending to various demographic groups based on aggregated data provided by Citi and other sources."

Both Bobber Interactive and Bundle demonstrated their platforms at FinovateFall last week. Full-length videos will be posted within the next two weeks. In the meantime, check out Bobber Interactive's FinovateSpring 2010 demo and Bundle's FinovateSpring2011 demo.
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Here's a transcript from Finovate's live twitter stream during FinovateFall last Tuesday and Wednesday. 
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The entries appear in chronological order:

Day 1, Session 1

  • Here we go, Finovate number 10 starts in 10 minutes. Lots of cool tech coming! Follow the #finovate hashtag for next 2 days.
  • Weemba is launching a "reverse lending" system that puts borrowers in control. Only lenders they authorize can contact them. Link
  • Demyst.Data is launching a lender predictive analytics system to grow portfolios through better segmentation. Link
  • Google is showing its new Advisor  that is designed to improve the search experience for mortgages, credit cards, etc. Link
  • Google is showing how you can easily compare terms and conditions. It is inviting banks to talk to them to participate. 
  • Betterment is launching goal-based investing to its simple investing platform. Link
  • Betterment is showing how to create multiple goals with different asset allocations. This is a great, understandable investment UI.
  • Segmint is launching SegmintSocial, a platform for financial institutions to interact with customers on Facebook. Link
  • Segmint is demoing a bank dashboard and live chat-like user interface to engage customers in Facebook. 
  • Kabbage is debuting its SocialKlimbing system that uses social activity as part of the credit evaluation process. Link
  • Kabbage is demoing the social and sales analytics around an eBay merchant's store in order to assess the merchant's risk and increase credit.
  • RobotDough is launching an "antivirus for your portfolio" that monitors a brokerage account for accounting red flags. Link 
  • RobotDough has massive coverage: it is worldwide on 130 stock exchanges, has 45,000 companies worldwide, and has options coverage coming soon.
  • RebirthFinancial is showing a new way for lenders to analyze small businesses. JAS (pronounced jazz) is a neural network rating system. Link
  • Rebirth Financial is looking to popularize a small business predictive model-- there is a big need for that.
  • CreditSesame is launching its "badges of financial responsibility" to "certify credit worthiness" to the world. Link
Day 1, Session 2

  • TandemMoney is launching a system for users to "borrow" from themselves, then repay. This helps to minimize interest. Link
  • TandemMoney is demoing the "loan" process that uses a "plain talk promise" to disclose exactly what's going on. 
  • Equifax is demoing a freemium service that shows "Places" on its mobile app and has real-time access to your credit file. Link
  • Equifax is showing how you can use its mobile app to determine "neighborhood safety" based on credit scores. It also has a "credit report" lock toggle.
  • Transecq is showing its ENTERSECT out-of-band transaction authentication system using a mobile phone. Link
  • Transecq is using push-based notifications rather than an SMS message for the 2nd-factor authentication. 
  • Balance Financial is demoing a bill upload process using an iPhone camera. It also launches a FaceTime chat with the personal bookkeeper. Link
  • Balance Financial's app has receipt uploads that are managed with help of a personal bookkeeper at $40 per month.
  • Micronotes is showing its new KulaX cross-sell engine 1st Advantage Credit Union on stage demoing it Link
  • 1st Advantage FCU says it gets three times the number of leads using Micronotes compared to the traditional method of direct marketing.
  • PersonalCapital is launching its company today  at Finovate, calling itself an "investment management for the Internet age."  Link
  • Personal Capital is demoing an investment management UI which really pops, showing an "investment checkup" with fee projections. 
  • Personal Capital demonstrates its free service using an iPad app with FaceTime connection to your financial advisor. It ends its demo with an iPad giveaway. 
  • Kony is showing its new mobile commercial banking application that streamlines approvals and transactions. Link
  • MyCyberTwin is debuting an "emotionally responsive AI virtual agent" that is able to use emotion, smile, frown, etc. Link
  • MyCyberTwin is demoing a fully automated avatar deployed on Australia's NAB. It captures customer mood and responds to what they really want. 

Day 1, Session 3

  • CashStar is launching its Digital Gifting platform where the iPhone app turns card points into mobile gift cards. Link
  • Authentify is launching 2CHK for a secure, 2-way window into user accounts for review, approval, or cancelation of transactions. Link
  • Backbase debuts its Retail Bank of the Future, and suggests products that "other people like you use" (Similar to Amazon.com's recommendations). Link
  • Andera is showing its new FortiFI system that scans new account applications submitted to over 500 financial institutions. The system discovers fraud patterns. Link
  • Andera is demoing a fraud app made on BankSimple app. Side note: this is the first Finovate company with masked man driving the laptop! 
  • eToro is launching "Copy.Me," a store where you can find the top traders to follow and copy their trades. Link
  • The best jokes delivered at Finovate so far: eToro's Yoni Assia (high school copying) and Kabbage's Marc Gorlin (naked tweeting).
  • Yodlee is showing its new "Dynamic Consumer Experience" with a large "deals" section in the upper-right. Link
  • Yodlee is showing a goal-oriented profiling tool, Smart Credit, in its FinApp Store. Real-time PayPal payments can be used to pay bills.
  • BillGuard is demoing its new "Antivirus for Bills," a crowd-sourced database with information on bad charges to inform all users of the fraud. Link
  • BillGuard is demoing a Yodlee-powered daily scan on credit card transactions across all your cards. It flags potential issues and likely fraud.
  • BillGuard today is launching "BillGuard browser extension," so far it has found fraudulent charges on 20% of cards-- this adds up to $350,000 in savings. 
  • BillGuard is launching a collaborative industry working group to track fraudulent charges. 

Day 1, Session 4

  • modoPAYMENTS is showing its full-service mobile payments service using a live helmet cam at a local bar. Link
  • So glad that modoPAYMENTS the helmet cam demo worked! 
  • cbanc Network is showing a "social network-like" system for bankers to work with each other to tackle issues. Link
  • cBanc uses a virtual currency to incent bankers to upload answers and solutions to the network so that others can "buy" the solutions. 
  • cBank has 2,900 participating financial institutions and 3,000 solutions and answers in the system, including exam sharing. It even has a method to NOT share the information with competitors.
  • cBank Network is launching vendor opportunities today such as advertising, review responses, surveys, etc. 
  • SigFig is a "second set of eyes for your portfolio." It can set up a meeting with your adviser within the system.
  • SigFig is showing its system for avoiding trading fees, showing a real example where the user could save $150k per year. Link
  • Mootwin is showing its new mobile investment management and trading system with real-time updates. Link
  • Experian is demoing its new myID privacy and identity monitoring system. Link
  • Experian myID will help you opt out from tracking services. This helps get your name and mobile phone number removed from data aggregation services. 
  • Experian myID can be white-labeled for financial institutions. 
  • Plastyc is showing its new savings account attached to Upside prepaid account. It includes goals and achievements. Link
  • Plastyc is showing its systematic savings tools and cash-back rewards to incent savings (currently 6% rate). 
  • Dynamics is launching Chip & Choice, enabling advanced EMV applications without the need to update point of sale terminals. Link
  • Dynamics drops its card into a glass of water to show that it can go through the washer, nice.

Day 2, Session 1

  • FinovateFall 2011 day 2 starts off with T8 Webware.
  • T8 Webware is launching Grip, a mobile banking app with aggregation to monitor all accounts. It also includes receipt upload. Link
  • T8 Webware built its own aggregation engine. The app carries a fee of $0.99 for each month used.
  • Swipely is launching a "loyalty for main street," platform that is linked to customer credit and debit cards. Link
  • CREALOGIX is launching CLX.SentinelDisplay, a USB device with keypad, display, and a hardened browser for out-of-band authorizations. Link
  • CREALOGIX also includes complete data confidentiality: when the USB device is disconnected, nothing about the session remains on the PC. 
  • ACI Worldwide and MShift are unveiling their Mobile Enterprise Banker," a business banking app for tablets. Link
  • ACI and MShift are demoing on the iPad, showing how an urgent push notification from a bank overrides an "Angry Birds" session-- nice visual. 
  • FuzeNetwork is launching Swipe2Pay to make a cash payment or deposit to a bank by swiping a card at a retailer's point of sale. Link
  • Fuze Network is demoing actual point of sale transactions where "any card" works. The system is live at ACE now. 
  • FreeMonee is showing its new card-linked offers system to provide simple cash back rewards. Link
  • MitekSystems is debuting "Mobile Balance Transfer" for banks to acquire new credit card customers. Link
  • Mitek is demoing "point.shoot.transfer.save." Users take a photo of a credit card statement, the tool extracts the APR/balance, then uploads the information to the issuer for an offer.
  • Mitek is showing what happens in the back office when an image is received and how it is evaluated.
  • Truaxis (formerly BillShrink) is demoing its new platform that delivers personalized discounts via web, mobile, and email. Link
  • Truaxis says that the majority of its users want  "Netflix-like" recommendations for purchases. There is great potential for banks to showcase this information. 
  • LearnVest is creating the 1st online 'financial fitness center'. Its goal is to make financial planning more accessible to women. Link
  • LearnVest has put 250,000 users through its "financial boot camp" in past 3 months. It is showing a PFM with a "Gmail look and feel." 
  • LearnVest is demoing a "financial advice center" with costs $130/yr or $4.99 for 1-day. 

Day 2, Session 2

  • Cartera Commerce unveils its Local Offers solution, part of its card-linked offers service. Link
  • Cartera Commerce is demoing its merchant self-service interface. 
  • FamZoo is showing its system for teaching kids good money habits via co-branded FamZoo Virtual Family Bank. Link
  • FamZoo is demoing how kids and parents interact through its online interface, manage spending, incent savings/giving, and create rewards.
  • FamZoo is launching a "partnership edition" today, a private branded version for banks, credit unions, and advisors.
  • oFlows is launching a broad-based paperwork solution; allowing for the digitization of all types of paper-based transactions. Link
  • oFlows is demoing the upload of a voided check to handle account verification on-the-go.
  • InComm and CorFire are showing a new mobile platform for retailers to personalize the consumer payment experience. Link
  • InComm and CorFire are demoing an offer delivered in-store on a mobile device. It then uses a mobile barcode to pay at the point of sale. 
  • planwise is debuting its company at Finovate today. It is designed to help consumers understand their financial plans. Link
  • planwise offers "Secure Share" to provide the ability to share parts of your financial plans with others-- this is a much-needed online finance feature. 
  • Jingit is launching a transactional ad platform where consumers can earn cash for engaging with brands. Link
  • Jingit is demoing how it works with an online music store: "instant earn/instant spend." It is working with US Bank for cash-back rewards. 
  • LighterCapital showing its new Revenue Loan that offers "debt-like risk with equity-like returns." Link
  • Ligher Capital is showing its two-question loan application--that should raise eyes. It is also discussing real "Tomato Battle" funding. 
  • Lighter Capital is launching "social security" with partners. It combines "light-weight lending platform" with social media-based decisioning. 
  • MasterCard is showing its new Small Business Controller, part of the inControl suite to create unique payment products. Link
  • MasterCard is demoing virtual card creation by small businesses with real-time alerts to employees.
  • BankSimple is showing its user interface publicly for the first time today, focusing on speed and simplicity. Link
  • BankSimple features a "Safe-to-spend" balance that is "red flagged" in the upper left corner of the main page. It is also demoing a "Goggle-fast" natural-language search.
  • BankSimple is "helping users learn from their transactions". It is demoing fast bill-pay with real-time processing.
  • BankSimple is demoing a goal setup. Users can pause, lock, resume, or manually add to it. It is also showing a mobile interface that was "designed before online UI." 

Day 2, Session 3

  • PayNearMe is launching its new automobile-loan payment service using cash at local stores such a 7-Eleven. Link
  • PayNearMe is demoing with a Monopoly board and a toy cash register--a Finovate first.
  • PayNearMe demos making payments for rent and utilities with a mobile bar code scanned at a 7-Eleven.  
  • CarryQuote is showing its Intellicast system to quickly publish investment research to mobile and tablet apps. Link
  • CarryQuote is launching a "conference feature" to connect with customers before, during, and after investment events. It also has real-time updates. 
  • FeeFighters is launching the Samurai payment gateway, the "simplest way to accept payments online." Link
  • FeeFighters is demoing how to add its gateway to a webpage. It uses "intelligent routing" of payments to ensure the lowest cost. 
  • Wall Street Survivor is launching a new interface catering to investing beginners. It uses missions to educate the learning investors. Link
  • Wall Street Survivor is the "largest fantasy stock market online," with 350,000 registered users. 
  • Wall Street Survivor is demoing a stock trading "mission" with virtual cash and points to reward users. It also includes Facebook integration.
  • miiCard is showing "Assured Identities" to serve as "drivers license/passport checks" for the online world. Link
  • miiCard is designed to reduce high levels of "financial cart" abandonment, showing how it can be integrated into a banking site.
  • DoughMain is launching a family financial management platform and three age-relevant financial game sites. Link
  • DoughMain is showing a financial homepage for pre-teens with a service that includes a prepaid card.  It also has a gift card purchase cart.
  • DoughMain is looking to offer versions for banks.
  • Bundle is using actual spending data to help "cut through the noise" of user-review sites like Yelp. Link
  • Bundle is demoing its advanced "search results filtering" to hone in on restaurants that attract repeat customers.
Day 2, Session 4

  • Transparency Labs is working on the transparency genome to decode and explain financial "fine print." Link
  • Transparency Labs is demoing how it can break down the "fine print" and uncover fees and important conditions, showing it in a dashboard.
  • Transparency Labs also monitors existing agreements and sends alerts when the "fine print" changes.
  • ActivePath and Cardlytics are teaming up to deliver in-statement offers delivered directly to clients via email. Link
  • Cardlytics and ActivePath are showing "active mail" within Gmail. It includes an "offers" tab within the emailed bank E-Statement.
  • The Cool House of Financial Media is launching eyeOpen, a financial matching service that provides the best-fit in financial products. Link
  • The Cool House of Financial Media is demoing a consumer profiling session with eyeOpen, and recommends products based on what other people liked.
  • IND Group is launching IND Innovation, a new online and mobile platform that includes a "bank feed." Link
  • IND Group is demoing mobile P2P payment with a QR code. It supports "mobile first" banking. 
  • Offermatic is reinventing "daily deals" by making them relevant and easy to redeem through bank card linkage. Link
  • Offermatic is offering "guaranteed net new profitable customers." It is demoing a dashboard of metrics for merchants with zero cost to the merchant. 
  • Offermatic is launching Dynamic Offers, the first system that pegs the value of a discount to the value of the customer. It also track repeat purchases. 
  • ReadyForZero is showing a new system with loan repayment automation and data sharing. Link
  • ReadyForZero found that its users pay down debt twice as fast as non-users; its designed to reduce credit losses for banks/card issuers. 
  • Bobber Interactive is launching its GoalCard app on Facebook. Link
  • Bobber Interactive's social-game-based system is geared towards GenY; asks "who would you rather loan $50 to?" using Facebook tools.
  • Bobber Interactive "is helping Gen-Y win at money" ($200 billion market). 
  • That's it-- FinovateFall is a wrap...see you in the networking hall!
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This afternoon, Bobber Interactive demonstrated GoalCard, a financial tool for Generation Y:

"A cash management tool that simplifies daily spending, provides real-time budgeting, and incentivizes goal achievement. Cardholders engage in a highly interactive debit loyalty and cash-back rewards program grounded in their personal savings goals. GoalCard's engagement engine and accelerated feedback loops drive a dynamic relationship across cardholder "save-spend" transaction activity. GoalCard is integrated within Facebook to amplify the social and viral user experience, publicly vesting cardholders in their own success. GoalCard's platform deliberately reinforces behavior critical to a sustainable card program (viral acquisition, time to initial load, direct deposit, spending mix, dormancy response time, fraud profiling)."

Product Launched: September 2011 

HQ Location: Seattle, WA 
Company Founded: March 2010 
Metrics: $1M raised to date, 5 employees

Presenting Eric Eastman (CEO) & Nathan Affolter (Senior Software Developer)

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FInFallLogo.jpgMore than 60 leading fintech innovators, both startups and established companies, are gearing up to present at the biggest Finovate ever, Sept. 20/21 in NYC.

Each company provided a sneak peek of what they'll be demoing on stage next month. Below is the second installment of these teasers (see part 1 here). We'll have more next week. 

Don't miss your chance to see the live demo from each company and meet the execs responsible. Get your FinovateFall ticket here

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Customers use different communication channels throughout the day and expect the same from their FI. But to reach and interact with the greatest number of customers - and deliver reward value to both institutions and their customers - banks and reward vendors alike must fully support the growing range of channels: online, mobile, social, e-mail and more, while providing requisite security and privacy for email communications featuring sensitive data. 

Cardlytics & ActivePath combine powerful technology to personalize reward offers based on transaction data that can be securely delivered and transacted directly within interactive email, enabling customers to respond at their convenience, anytime, anywhere.

Innovation type: Cards, communications, rewards


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Andera's FortiFI product stops online new account fraud. It scans applications submitted online at over 500 institutions, discovering patterns used by fraud rings only visible on an industry-wide scale, and flags applications matching known patterns before an account is opened. 

FortiFI is available as part of Andera's hosted account-origination solution and its Software Development Platform that gives developers "plug and play" access to the services and software components (e.g., ID verification, application risk management, funding risk management, funds transfer, etc.) used by Andera's popular hosted online account-opening solution, reducing the time and cost to bring innovation to market.

Innovation type: identity, marketing, sales


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Online and mobile banking has created a new breed of cybercriminal. New forms of defense are needed.  

Authentify will unveil publicly for the first time, Authentify 2CHK. It is an app that will transform an end user's mobile device into a secure transaction authenticator. The device becomes a defensive weapon in the battle against cybercrime. Authentify 2CHK is a natural extension of Authentify's out-of-band technology and will help satisfy audit requirements for end user and transaction authentication spawned by FFIEC guidance updates.

Innovation type: Identity, payments, security


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BillGuard is the world's first antivirus for bills. This free, Web-based solution empowers consumers with the assurance of an unheard-of level of personal finance security. The easy-to-use service has already saved consumers more than $300,000 from unwanted or unauthorized charges.  

BillGuard aims to be the "seal of approval" that merchants and financial institutions display so consumers recognize that their accounts are protected and that all posted charges are accurate. In the future, it will be imperative to display a BillGuard badge to gain customers.

Innovation type: cards, identity, security


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Gen Y embraces frugality and seeks "engagement banking" with rich, interactive online experiences around their $200 billion in income.

Bobber represents a profound shift in how Gen Y relates to their money, integrating the most effective social engagement mechanics for cost-efficient acquisition, sustained loyalty, and increased wallet share. Bobber's cash-management tool simplifies daily spending and incentivizes goal achievement. Users engage in a highly interactive debit rewards program grounded in their personal savings goals.

Bobber's technology is architected into the Facebook ecosystem for low-friction onboarding, social collaboration, and experiences tailored to users' Facebook data.

Innovation type: banking products, cards, marketing, online UI


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CarryQuote IntelliCast is a private-labeled solution that allows you to securely deliver proprietary research and multi-media content directly to your clients' Apple, Android, BlackBerry, or Microsoft smartphones and tablets. 

Through CarryQuote's unique, SaaS-based mobile technology platform, which offers compatibility across all five major mobile platforms, CarryQuote IntelliCast allows you to place a highly advanced, branded mobile application in your clients' hands, and become their "go to" source for the latest financial research. Notably, this turnkey solution can be customized and deployed across all platforms in fewer than six weeks.

Innovation type: communications, investing, mobile and tablet UI


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Cartera Commerce is re-inventing the deal with card-linked offers. 

Cartera, the leading provider of card-linked marketing solutions, will unveil its solution that enables banks to tap the explosive growth of the local deals market popularized by daily deal sites.

For banks, issuers and loyalty programs, Cartera provides the industry's most comprehensive card-linked offer platform powering personalized in-store and online shopping programs that build consumer engagement, maximize card spend and create new revenue streams. For merchants, Cartera powers the industry's largest card-linked advertising network, targeting and tracking shopping offers to 150 million+ loyal consumers. 

Innovation type: cards, marketing, rewards


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CashStar, the preferred digital gifting and incentives partner for retailers and incentive partners, provides consumers with the most personal, compelling and convenient gifting experiences available. The only company to successfully combine an on-demand digital gifting and incentives platform with innovative multichannel marketing strategies, CashStar is changing the way rewards currency is exchanged from the digital world to the brick and mortar.

At FinovateFall 2011, CashStar will unveil a first-of-its-kind, location-based iPhone application that enables consumers to instantly turn credit card points into digital currency while they are in a participating retailer's store.

Innovation type: cards, marketing, rewards


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How do you know whether to trust online profiles? Where do you turn for assurance or accountability? The ability to demonstrate financial 'good sense' would give you an invaluable edge to stand out and succeed in career, business and personal objectives.

At FinovateFall 2011, Credit Sesame, one of the Internet's most trusted credit management sites -- backed by global financial institutions and world-class science, technology and financial experts -- will reveal how to get that "edge."

Whether you're applying for a new job, transacting commerce online, or interacting with someone on the Web for business or personal reasons, Credit Sesame can help.

Innovation type: identity, lending, PFM


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You've seen it all: savings tools, financial games, virtual banks and so on. But these products have a limited reach with your customers. DoughMain is the first and only service to combine family coordination and financial education into one simple and convenient platform.  

Achieve a new level of engagement with your adult customers who have active families. Integrate your bank and financial service products in a completely new way and upsell your offerings to a lucrative market.

Innovation type: banking products, marketing, PFM


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Samurai is the easiest and most elegant gateway on the market. It gives you ultimate flexibility at an affordable price.

With Samurai, you'll be able to integrate payments on your site in minutes. Samurai boasts premium features such as intelligent routing, data portability, and gateway emulation. Send payments anywhere with Samurai -- it's universally compatible. Oh yeah, and that's just a sneak peek at all that Samurai has to offer.

Innovation type: back office, payments, small business


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Google Advisor makes it fast, safe, and easy for consumers to find personal finance products. Google will be showing the latest version of Advisor and be available for conversations with potential partners who are interested in the platform.

Innovation type: banking products, online UI


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IND Group "wow" innovation is a new online and mobile banking platform that has reinvented the way a bank can communicate with its customers. The platform's simplicity and ease of use is underpinned by natural language and data visualization -- key differentiators.

Easy-to-use main features are the account and transaction visualization, wizard-type money transfers and investments, zero-effort personal finance management, online sales engine and the support center. IND Mobile banking is more than just the extension of online banking features, unique ergonomic design, user experience, security and the fact that it is always-online.

Innovation type: mobile and tablet UI, online UI, PFM


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See Kony's mobile commercial banking solution in action. It allows the corporate treasurer and executives to approve transactions from any mobile device, including tablets. 

Each user is able to view the transaction amount, date, account involved, the approval status of other users, and a memo. This speeds the process of approving transactions as well as tracking the progress. Plus, from the development perspective, the application is updated and deployed to any mobile device, mobile Web or tablet from a single application definition.

Innovation type: banking products, mobile and tablet UI


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LearnVest believes that financial planning should not be a luxury.

LearnVest is making personal financial advice accessible and affordable to millions of Americans. The company does this by providing the content, tools and advice to help women get informed, get organized, and get support.  

LearnVest's new My Money Center and the LearnVest Advice Center are the keys to this transformation. By helping members create everything from a personalized budget to a retirement savings plan, LearnVest empowers women to build their wealth and afford their dreams. Come learn more about the new LearnVest Method and see where the company is headed.

Innovation type: communications, PFM


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There's a tremendous opportunity to gain share of cash and check spending by small businesses; if only business owners felt they could adequately delegate and manage the credit, debit or prepaid card spending of their employees. Now they can. 

MasterCard inControl Small Business Controller empowers small business owners to more confidently and securely delegate card spending to employees, improving expense control and helping to better manage cash flow. Small business owners can also create profiles with controls and alerts for each employee card and use virtual card numbers to shop more safely online.

Innovation type: cards, online UI, small business


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miiCard is a revolutionary digital passport. It enables users to prove their identity online to the same level of authority as a drivers license or passport would do offline. 

By creating trust in an environment characterized by anonymity and transient identities, miiCard will open up opportunities for business online and put Internet users back in control of their personal information on a global basis.

Innovation type: identity, payments, security


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Retailers are constantly looking for new ways to increase sales.
Over US$20 billion is spent on consumer promotions each year, but while promotions can be effective, they are costly and reduce margins.

Offermatic already enables any merchant today to precisely target Offermatic members based on their actual spending history. Merchants can acquire guaranteed-new customers, who are already spending in the category, on a 100% pay-for-performance basis.

At FinovateFall 2011, Offermatic will announce its latest innovation. This new model will enable merchants to run a free promotion and grow sales at no cost!
See you on September 21st.

Innovation type: marketing, rewards, coupons, small business 


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PayNearMe offers a convenient payment option to individuals who prefer to make payments in cash, as well as the more than 60 million adults who are unbanked or underbanked. 

PayNearMe will demonstrate an easy and inexpensive way for these consumers to pay their rent and auto loans with cash at their local 7-Eleven store. And with our self-service portal, merchants of any size will soon be able to take advantage of this simple payment alternative.

Innovation type: payments


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RobotDough will be presenting a new product that helps people protect their investments.

Innovation type: investing and asset management, PFM


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Wall Street Survivor is relaunching at FinovateFall 2011 with a website that finally demystifies investing. Wall Street Survivor couples a real-time stock market simulator with content to create missions. 

The product helps users understand financial concepts, such as creating a virtual portfolio, how to manage it, and how to find good stocks, all in a fun and rewarding way. If you want to learn how to invest better, or just want more confidence when speaking to your financial advisor or stockbroker, then the new Wall Street Survivor is for you.

Innovation type: Investing and asset management
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Bobber Interactive
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Tech Flash interviewed Eric Eastman, Bobber Interactive's CEO, on how the gamification of money management aims to help Generation Y better manage their money. Link 

BrightScope
BrightScope released a report detailing the top 12 small-cap funds in America's 401k plans. This report is part of a series that provides insight into the top funds and managers in the retirement marketplace. Link

ChargeSmart
Discover is offering an instant rebate to customers who pay their utility bills using a Discover Card on ChargeSmart's website. Link

Check Point Software Technologies
  • Check Point enhanced its Software Blade Architecture by releasing R75.20, a comprehensive approach to security that includes a URL filtering Software Blade, SSL inspection, and data loss prevention. Link
  • The Wall Street Journal discussed Check Point's ZoneAlarm SocialGuard that helps parents protect children on Facebook in a non-intrusive manner. Link
Clairmail
Clairmail announced  record growth this quarter, with more than a 60% increase in bookings from last quarter. Link

Clovr Media
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  • BostInnovation stated that Clovr Media is changing the way consumers collect loyalty rewards through its Card-Linked Ads that allow consumers to access rewards by clicking on an advertisement. Link
  • Mass High Tech's weekly Startup Watch listed Clovr Media as one of five startups to follow. Link
Credit.com 
EQuicknews listed Credit.com as a free way to check your credit score with no strings attached and highlighed the Credit Report Card feature. Link

doxo 
The Appvita blog profiled doxo, noting insider tips and practical uses, such as comparing bills on a month-to-month basis. Link

Dwolla
Bank Technology News looked at the players in the mobile payments space and listed Dwolla as a formidable competitor. Link

EDO Interactive
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EDO Interactive received $20 million in Series B funding to grow its Prewards platform that enables advertisers to offer digital deals and incentives that consumers redeem by using their existing credit, debit, or prepaid cards. Link

eToro
eToro began a trading contest for users with both demo and live trading accounts. Traders who accumulate the greatest gains will win each round. Link

eWise
eWise added Renasant Bank to its customer base, providing Renasant customers access to Secure Vault Payments, an alternative payment method. Link

Expensify
  • Expensify added a new feature that provides QuickBooks users a way to easily identify billable expenses to add to invoices. Link
  • The Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal listed Expensify as one of ten business apps for empowering your inner geek. Link
Kony Solutions 
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Tower Group, in its Review of North American Consumer Mobile Banking Technology Vendors, ranked Kony Solutions among the top mobile banking technology vendors. Kony excelled in the feature/function and customization categories. Link

Lending Club 
TechCrunch highlighted Lending Club's announcement of $25 million in Series D financing from Union Square Ventures and other existing investors. Link

Lendio
Lendio added Cardinal Bank to its network of lenders providing clients with more options in finding equipment loans, business lines of credit, acquisition financing, commercial real estate, SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans. Link

Mitek Systems
Mitek Systems launched  Mobile Imaging Cloud Service that captures, extracts, and routes information contained in documents. The service helps app developers create smartphone and tablet apps that use a camera input function. Link

Monitise 
Monitise Asia Pacific launched its mobile banking, payments, and commerce services in Indonesia and signed a joint venture agreement with PT Astra Graphia Information Technology, an information and communication business. Link

On Deck Capital
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On Deck Capital raised $19 million of its own in a Series C round of funding. Link

RobotDough 
RobotDough founder, Wilton Risenhoover, revealed why he started RobotDough and how it works. Link

SafetyPay
SafetyPay received a Payment Services Directive License to provide cross-border payments throughout Europe strengthening its position in that market. Link

SecondMarket 
BostInnovation used SecondMarket's alternative investments platform to discover top Boston companies. Link

Striata
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Baton Rouge Water Company selected Striata, along with payment services company Western Union, to provide email billing with integrated electronic payment service. Link

The Receivables Exchange 
Treasury & Risk profiled The Receivables Exchange, describing the process companies use to sell their receivables on the online platform. Link

TradeKing
TradeKing launched a $100 bonus for new customers who open an account by August 31, 2011. Link

Wonga 
Smarta interviewed Wonga director, John Moorwood, about Wonga's growth over the past 12 months. Wonga is now issuing over 1.5 million short-term loans. Link

Xero
Xero released Xero Touch, its new accounting app for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Link

To follow Finovate alumni news in real time, follow us on Twitter here

Bill.com and Doxo recognized as "AlwaysOn OnDemand 100 Top Private Company." http://bit.ly/finovate329114 http://bit.ly/finovate329115

Bling Nation launches Social Connect platform. The platform allows Bling users to connect online with social rewards features from their favorite merchants. http://bit.ly/finovate328113

Bobber Interactive garners $1.1 million Series A funding round. This funding round was led by PEAK6 Investments. http://bit.ly/finovate41113

Capital Access expands remittance program to include Puerto Rico and 21 more countries. The Capital Access platform is designed for "daily" remittances and revenue-sharing programs.  http://bit.ly/finovate329111

COCC selects mFoundry as mobile banking partners. The company has selected mFoundry's mobile INSIGHT product for multi-mode mobile banking services. http://bit.ly/finovate328114

Mint.com launches "Quest for Money" online game. The game is intended for middle school students and is available to play online. http://bit.ly/finovate411111

Morningstar to provide mutual fund Platform to eRollover. eRollover users will have access to Morningstar's historical information and comparison tools for mutual funds. http://bit.ly/finovate329113


Silver Tail Systems wins Emergent Technology Award. The award, given by the Merchant Risk Council, is rewarding the company's innovative security systems. http://mwne.ws/finovate328112

Sybase argues NFC is "way overhyped." In VentureBeat Sybase President Marty Beard argues that it isn't proven that NFC really is better than the other technologies available. http://bit.ly/finovate41112

Xero launches integrated payroll solution. http://bit.ly/finovate329112 

FinovateSpring 2010 LogoJust a quick reminder that the early-bird ticket prices for FinovateSpring 2010 (May 11, San Francisco) will expire at the end of March (less than 2 days from now). If you register by March 31, you'll save $100 on your ticket and lock in your spot to see debuts and demos of dozens of new financial and banking technological innovations. 

We've handpicked an amazing list of companies to demo their latest including:

Tickets are selling well with hundreds of registered attendees from great organizations like: 

  • AARP
  • BNP Paribas
  • CBS
  • Experian
  • Google
  • Intuit
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Mechanics Bank
  • Tower Group
  • USAA
  • Visa
  • Aite
  • Capital One
  • Celent
  • Filene
  • H&R Block
  • Jack Henry
  • Motley Fool
  • Target
  • PayPal
  • US Bank
  • Wells Fargo
  • Alliant Credit Union
  • Canaan Partners
  • Discover
  • Forrester Research
  • ING DIRECT
  • Highland Capital
  • Javelin Research
  • NY Times
  • TransUnion
  • Venrock
  • Wired Magazine

FinovateSpring is one of our twice-yearly showcases of the best new ideas in banking and financial technology. The show is built around a unique blend of fast-paced demos of actual technology (no slides!) and high-quality networking with an audience of senior FI executives, fintech entrepreneurs, VCs, press, industry analysts and bloggers. It's an awesome environment to find your next competitive edge.

Don't miss out on the early-bird price on your ticket to this great show. Register now!

P.S. Online Banking Report subscribers are entitled to an extra discount to our Finovate conferences. Email me to get it.


ericphoto.jpgEric Mattson is CEO of Online Financial Innovations, the parent company of NetBanker, Online Banking Report and the Finovate Conference Series. He can be reached at eric@netbanker.com.

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We're very pleased to announce the lineup for the upcoming FinovateSpring 2010 conference. Taking place on Tuesday May 11 in San Francisco, the conference will showcase dozens of handpicked companies debuting and demoing their latest and greatest fintech innovations. The quality of the new ideas that will be demoed on stage is very high this year and we're incredibly excited to showcase them to you.

The demoing companies selected (that we can reveal so far) are:

These companies will be showcased to an audience of senior financial/banking/credit union executives, influential press, industry analysts, venture capitalists, bloggers, tech companies and entrepreneurs.

A sampling of the great organizations already registered to attend includes: AARP, Aite, Alliant Credit Union, BNP Paribas, Capital One, Celent, Discover, Experian, Fidelity, Filene, Forrester Research, Google, Highland Capital, Intuit, Javelin Strategy, Jack Henry, Mechanics Bank, Motley Fool, NY Times, PayPal, Tower Group, USAA, US Bank, Venrock, Wells Fargo, and Wired Magazine.

We'd love to have you join us at the spring event and watch the future of finance/banking unfold onstage. If you register today you'll save $100 via the early-bird ticket discount. Please note that the early-bird prices expire at the end of this month and space is limited so lock in your spot now!


ericphoto.jpgEric Mattson is CEO of Online Financial Innovations, the parent company of NetBanker, Online Banking Report and the Finovate Conference Series. He can be reached at eric@netbanker.com.
Finovate is a unique conference series that showcases financial and banking technology innovation. This blog tracks the companies that have demoed at Finovate. Register now for FinovateEurope 2012 (London, February 7) and FinovateSpring 2012 (San Francisco, May 8 & 9).
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