Latest news with #BankingAsAService

Finextra
29-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Griffin begins build of agentic bank
UK Banking-as-a-Service bank Griffin is opening up access to a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, providing a way for AI agents to autonomously perform tasks on behalf of customers. 1 Griffin, which secured a full banking licence in March last year, says the initiative is the beginning of massive technological platform shift, which will see people delegating more and more of their work to AI. "There have been a few test cases floating around of people getting AI agents to engage in financial transactions, but these are generally limited to proofs-of-concept like getting an agent to buy a cup of coffee," states a spokesperson. "We think there is much further to to get there, the financial system has to be fundamentally rewired to accommodate a world in which agents can freely transact — while still retaining appropriate safeguards." Potential use cases cited include end-to-end wealth management, payment admin and transactional capabilities. "This is early for us - we're in beta - but it shows the power of what's possible," says the bank in a statement. "You can use the Griffin MCP server to have an agent open accounts, make payments, and analyse historic events. You can also use it to build complete prototypes of your own fintech applications on top of the Griffin API - which we're already seeing customers doing in real time." Currently limited to a sandbox environment, Griffin is now inviting customers for input and to get it deployed in a production environment.


Zawya
25-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Areeba and Codebase Technologies partnership to address rising demand for banking-as-a-service across the Middle East
Dubai, UAE – In a strategic move to accelerate digital transformation in the financial sector, areeba, a global payment infrastructure provider, has partnered with Codebase Technologies, a UAE-born digital banking solutions provider. This collaboration aims to deliver turnkey Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions that empower banks and fintechs to rapidly deploy modern, user-centric financial products and services across the region. Combining Codebase Technologies' robust, cloud-native SaaS platform with areeba's advanced payments platform, the partnership enables financial institutions to launch end to end digital bank propositions and card issuance in a scalable, fast, and cost-effective manner. The integrated solution reduces time to market while supporting financial inclusion and accelerating innovation in digital finance. Maher Mikati, CEO of areeba, commented: 'Consumer expectations for digital financial services continue to evolve, and areeba remains committed to meeting those demands with scalable, innovative solutions. By partnering with Codebase, we're combining strengths to expand digital access and create more agile, impactful offerings for banks and fintechs across the region.' The growth of Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) in the Middle East has been accelerated by rapid digital transformation, a predominantly young population, and a surge in fintech adoption. With nearly 60% of the region's population under the age of 25, the market is primed with a tech-native consumer base. This has fueled an exponential rise in fintech ventures across the region, as governments and financial institutions increasingly turn to digital solutions to meet evolving customer expectations—further amplifying the demand for scalable BaaS. Tamer Mauge, Managing Director - MENA of Codebase Technologies added: 'We pride ourselves on being more than just a technology provider, we are advisors and partners, with deep-rooted expertise in the Middle East's banking and fintech landscape. Our Digibanc™ platform was built to deliver the flexibility, scalability, and speed that today's digital financial institutions demand. We're excited to partner with areeba, to help accelerate digital banking innovation across the region.' This partnership marks a key milestone in transforming how financial institutions launch and scale digital services, making advanced digital banking capabilities more accessible and more cost-effective across the Middle East and beyond. About areeba areeba is a global leader in payment infrastructure, empowering banks, non-banks, and fintechs with innovative, scalable, and secure payment solutions. Its comprehensive platform simplifies how individuals and businesses make and accept payments, offering seamless services across the entire payment value chain. A fully integrated ecosystem ensures flexibility and agility in a rapidly changing market, delivering accessible and efficient payment options to individuals, SMEs, and enterprises. Trusted by industry leaders, areeba's technology adapts to any geography, keeping businesses at the forefront of the digital payments landscape. Unlock the potential of seamless payments with areeba. Schedule a demo today at About Codebase Technologies Born in the UAE, built for the world, Codebase Technologies is the MENA region's homegrown digital banking technology powerhouse. As a boutique technology consultancy and transformation partner, Codebase Technologies goes beyond software to deliver real, measurable impact for financial institutions across the globe. With a bold mission to unlock potential through disruptive innovation, Codebase Technologies empowers Islamic and conventional banks, fintechs, neobanks, lenders, and startups to not just digitize, but to differentiate, lead, and grow. Whether launching a greenfield neobank or modernizing legacy infrastructure, Codebase Technologies brings together strategic advisory, technology, and execution into one seamless offering. At the heart of its innovation engine is Digibanc™ an award-winning, cloud-native, and API-first digital banking platform. Digibanc delivers end-to-end capabilities across channels, core banking, lending, card issuance, customer engagement, and more, supported by a robust ecosystem of over 650 market-ready APIs. As one of the world's fastest growing fintechs, Codebase Technologies has redefined what it means to innovate at speed and scale, bridging local insight with global execution. Learn more at: Website: LinkedIn: Youtube: Instagram:

Finextra
21-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
First Federal Bank of Kansas City names fintech VP
First Federal Bank of Kansas City has appointed Josh Hofer as its new Vice President of Fintech. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. In this key leadership role, Hofer will lead the bank's efforts to expand into the Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) space, working closely with internal teams and external partners to drive innovation and build a sustainable and compliant BaaS program for fintechs. "We're entering one of the most exciting chapters in our bank's history," said J.R. Buckner, Chief Executive Officer of First Federal Bank of Kansas City. "We're embracing new opportunities in technology to better serve our customers' financial needs. Josh brings the vision and experience we need to build our program. I'm eager to work alongside with him and our teams to bring our program to life!" First Federal Bank's entrance into the fintech space represents strategic evolution focused on enabling trusted, compliant partnerships. With Hofer at the helm, the bank is building a responsible BaaS platform designed to support innovation with integrity and a strong regulatory foundation. "This is a unique and meaningful opportunity to shape how banks and fintechs collaborate," Hofer said. "I'm honored to join a team that values both innovation and responsibility. Fintechs need a partner who understands how to grow sustainably, and I'm confident First Federal Bank is well-positioned to bridge the gap between innovation and regulation. Hofer brings 8 years of experience of fintech and BaaS as the Chief Risk & Information Security Officer at Stearns Bank. He also served as Primebank's Chief Information Officer, where he led the bank's technology strategy and digital transformation initiatives.