All articles by Robin Arnfield

Scotiabank’s digital distribution designs

Canada’s EQ Bank proves to be a hit with digital-only savers

Canadian digital-only bank EQ Bank was inundated with applications when it launched its high-interest Savings Plus Account in January 2016. Can it maintain its momentum, or will its lack of credit products adversely affect sign-up volumes? Robin Arnfield reports on this new offering

Bank Leumi readies Israeli digital-only launch with global ambitions

Bank Leumi is gearing up to launch Pepper, Israel’s first standalone digital-only bank. Currently at beta stage, the bank will launch to the general public later this year. Pepper, which will offer current and savings accounts, lending products and a P2P payments app, is targeted at millennials. Robin Arnfield reports

Banco do Brasil responds to neo-banks with digital-only account

Banco do Brasil has launched a digital-only account as part of its digital transformation initiative. The new account will enable Banco do Brasil to reduce its customer service costs and to respond to the advent of the neo-banks. Robin Arnfield reports

BankMobile to undergo major enhancements during 2017

A lot has happened at BankMobile since Retail Banker International reported on the US digital-only bank a year ago. Robin Arnfield talks to Dan Armstrong, BankMobile’s MD and chief digital officer, about the changes that have already taken effect, and what we can look forward to in 2017

BIM mobile money scheme leads the way in interoperable payments

Peru’s BIM is providing the international banking and payments industries with a reference model for how the various stakeholders in a mobile money ecosystem can collaborate to build a nationwide, interoperable infrastructure. Robin Arnfield takes a closer look at the platform’s launch, strategy and ambitions

Canadian BTL eyes blockchain chance

Fintech startup Blockchain Technology Ltd (BTL) Group sees major opportunities for the blockchain in removing inefficiencies in inter-bank payments and settlement, bypassing the notoriously laborious process of using intermediaries, but can significant savings be made? Robin Arnfield investigates

Vietnam keeping digital inclusive

Meed is using social media and corporate partnerships to sign up millennials in emerging and developed markets to financially inclusive digital bank accounts. The fintech describes it as a marketing and customer-acquisition platform, enabling banks to cost-effectively target millennials. Robin Arnfield reports

Scotiabank pips RBC to be top Canadian bank for digital sales functionality

Scotiabank significantly upped its game in 2016 to top Forrester Research’s digital sales functionality rankings of Canada’s five biggest banks just ahead of long time leader RBC. Robin Arnfield talks to Forrester’s Alyson Clarke, Principal Analyst, eBusiness and Channel Strategy

Will Trump repeal Dodd-Frank and axe the CFPB?

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he will repeal the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. As Dodd-Frank created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the fate of the agency under the new Administration appears uncertain. US analysts discuss their views with Robin Arnfield