Latest news with #EBANX
Finextra
22-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
EBANX names Marie-Elise Droga as CRO
Marie-Elise Droga, a seasoned executive with 20 years of experience in the payments industry with a special focus on cross-border payments and global expansion, has been appointed as the new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at EBANX, a technology company specializing in payment services for emerging markets. 0 Starting this month, Droga will lead the fintech's worldwide commercial and partnerships teams. Droga brings her experience at global payment enterprises such as Visa and Western Union, and she is strongly committed to expanding financial access across Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions. At Visa, she served as SVP, Head of Fintech Partnerships, Global and North America, where she helped drive revenue growth and expand the company's footprint across emerging fintech segments. Similarly, at Western Union, Droga was SVP, Global Head of Enterprise Strategic Partnerships, and played a leading role in the company's positioning in cross-border payments. Prior to EBANX, she served as CRO at Consumer Edge, leading teams across the US, Europe, and APAC. Born in France, she has lived and worked in seven countries - India, Australia, Fiji, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and the United States - gaining a deep cultural understanding of both emerging and developed markets. 'Having witnessed firsthand the struggles for financial inclusion in emerging markets, I am driven by a purpose to create real change and impact in these communities. This isn't a concept to me - it's a lived reality I have seen up close,' says Droga. Droga steps into her new role with the mission to further expand EBANX's client portfolio, already comprising over 500 enterprise merchants from North America, Europe, and APAC, and grow the fintech's footprint beyond the 29 countries it currently operates in across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. 'My journey across diverse organizations, from fast-moving startups to global companies, has shaped a deep understanding of what it takes to scale and succeed in complex, evolving markets,' she points out. 'Marie-Elise's experience in building high-performing teams worldwide, unlocking value through strategic partnerships, and driving meaningful growth makes her the right fit to help our merchants and partners expand faster and go further. She'll play a key role as EBANX continues shaping the future of payments and e-commerce,' says João Del Valle, CEO and Co-founder of EBANX. Focus on emerging markets EBANX's core mission to provide millions of people in rising economies access to international products and services was one of the key factors that made Marie-Elise Droga join the Brazil-founded company. These regions are becoming increasingly relevant in the global economic scenario - and a massive opportunity for companies worldwide. Online sales in Latin America, Africa, and India are expected to surpass USD 1.3 trillion by 2027, after growing up to 20% per year, considering several verticals, from online retail to SaaS, streaming, and online travel, according to EBANX's study Beyond Borders 2025. "As developed markets begin to recognize the complexity and rapid evolution of local payments in emerging economies, EBANX is uniquely positioned to bridge that gap with the infrastructure and insight required to succeed," Droga adds. 'The data clearly shows there's a strong reason for merchants to focus on these markets. Marie-Elise is the right leader, in the right place, to help EBANX connect rising economies and businesses,' emphasizes Del Valle.
FF News
08-05-2025
- Business
- FF News
EBANX Integrates UPI Recurring Payments for Cross-Border E-Commerce in India
India is rapidly emerging as one of the most important global markets, with its economy set to become the third-largest in the world by 2030, according to the IMF. To address this growing market, EBANX, a global technology company specializing in payment services for emerging markets, has integrated UPI Autopay — the recurring payments feature of India's instant payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) — into its cross-border payments platform. Operating in India in a partnership with YES BANX, a leading private sector bank in the country, EBANX is at the forefront once again, enabling cross-border e-commerce merchants to offer UPI's recurring feature for their clients in India — something that was previously only possible for local digital commerce players With the integration of this new feature, EBANX's global e-commerce merchants in industries like SaaS, streaming, and other subscription-based businesses can now easily offer recurring payments to their Indian customers through an alternative payment method (APM) like UPI, tapping into a massive, tech-savvy audience eager for global digital services and seamless, digital payment options. India's consumer class is projected to add nearly 300 million people by 2030, surpassing even China, per the World Data Lab. By that time, one in every five consumers under 30 will be from India, making it an essential market for global companies seeking to expand internationally. With EBANX, e-commerce merchants can seamlessly integrate both UPI one-time and recurring, as well as card payments for cross-border transactions, simplifying the complexities of operating in India's dynamic digital landscape. 'India is a unique market with incredible opportunities and a burgeoning digital consumer segment,' said Rashmi Sapute, Country Director of India at EBANX. 'UPI Autopay offers a groundbreaking way for global businesses to tap into the growing base of digital consumers in the country. We are proud to be at the forefront of this offering, simplifying cross-border payments and enabling our merchants to seize India's vibrant digital economy,' she added. With a payment stack that includes UPI Autopay, EBANX is already empowering merchants to offer services through this recurring payment feature in India and reports growing interest from global players looking to follow the same path. UPI is already the dominant payment method in India's e-commerce, with a 54% share, according to Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data in EBANX's study Beyond Borders. 'With the integration of UPI Autopay, merchants can leverage UPI's already strong position in the market, facilitating recurring transactions and expanding access to digital commerce to an even wider audience,' said Satpute. A mix of APMs and cards for digital economy in emerging markets According to the Reserve Bank of India, credit card usage in India is also experiencing significant growth, with spending increasing by 50% annually since 2021. This also reflects on e-commerce: they are responsible for one quarter of the total e-commerce pie in India, and are expected to accelerate by double-digits, at a 16% CAGR by 2027, according to PCMI in Beyond Borders – almost the 18% rate of UPI. 'The growth in alternative payment methods, such as UPI, isn't a shift away from cards,' said Eduardo de Abreu, Vice President of Product at EBANX. 'It rather responds to the expansion of the whole digital market, following digital and financial inclusion of consumers. The right mix of APMs and cards is essential to grow in emerging economies like India.' In India, for instance, this mix can enable global companies to reach 8 times more consumers than by offering exclusively credit cards, according to EBANX's analysis based on data from PCMI, the World Bank, and the Central Bank of India. The recurrency feature is essential in this scenario, as APMs have been inspired by cards. 'The global trend of APMs offering recurring payments is rapidly expanding worldwide, unlocking new opportunities for both customers and businesses in key markets,' stated Abreu. Besides in India with UPI Autopay, the trend is also gaining traction in other emerging markets, such as Brazil, with the success of Pix Automático, expected to launch in June, and across Latin America with Mercado Pago Connect in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay, as well as Nequi in Colombia.
Finextra
08-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Ebanx launches UPI Autopay for cross-border e-commerce in India
India is rapidly emerging as one of the most important global markets, with its economy set to become the third-largest in the world by 2030, according to the IMF. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. To address this growing market, EBANX, a global technology company specializing in payment services for emerging markets, has integrated UPI Autopay — the recurring payments feature of India's instant payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) — into its cross-border payments platform. Operating in India in a partnership with YES BANX, a leading private sector bank in the country, EBANX is at the forefront once again, enabling cross-border e-commerce merchants to offer UPI's recurring feature for their clients in India — something that was previously only possible for local digital commerce players With the integration of this new feature, EBANX's global e-commerce merchants in industries like SaaS, streaming, and other subscription-based businesses can now easily offer recurring payments to their Indian customers through an alternative payment method (APM) like UPI, tapping into a massive, tech-savvy audience eager for global digital services and seamless, digital payment options. India's consumer class is projected to add nearly 300 million people by 2030, surpassing even China, per the World Data Lab. By that time, one in every five consumers under 30 will be from India, making it an essential market for global companies seeking to expand internationally. With EBANX, e-commerce merchants can seamlessly integrate both UPI one-time and recurring, as well as card payments for cross-border transactions, simplifying the complexities of operating in India's dynamic digital landscape. 'India is a unique market with incredible opportunities and a burgeoning digital consumer segment," said Rashmi Sapute, Country Director of India at EBANX. 'UPI Autopay offers a groundbreaking way for global businesses to tap into the growing base of digital consumers in the country. We are proud to be at the forefront of this offering, simplifying cross-border payments and enabling our merchants to seize India's vibrant digital economy,' she added. With a payment stack that includes UPI Autopay, EBANX is already empowering merchants to offer services through this recurring payment feature in India and reports growing interest from global players looking to follow the same path. UPI is already the dominant payment method in India's e-commerce, with a 54% share, according to Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data in EBANX's study Beyond Borders. 'With the integration of UPI Autopay, merchants can leverage UPI's already strong position in the market, facilitating recurring transactions and expanding access to digital commerce to an even wider audience,' said Satpute. A mix of APMs and cards for digital economy in emerging markets According to the Reserve Bank of India, credit card usage in India is also experiencing significant growth, with spending increasing by 50% annually since 2021. This also reflects on e-commerce: they are responsible for one quarter of the total e-commerce pie in India, and are expected to accelerate by double-digits, at a 16% CAGR by 2027, according to PCMI in Beyond Borders – almost the 18% rate of UPI. 'The growth in alternative payment methods, such as UPI, isn't a shift away from cards,' said Eduardo de Abreu, Vice President of Product at EBANX. 'It rather responds to the expansion of the whole digital market, following digital and financial inclusion of consumers. The right mix of APMs and cards is essential to grow in emerging economies like India.' In India, for instance, this mix can enable global companies to reach 8 times more consumers than by offering exclusively credit cards, according to EBANX's analysis based on data from PCMI, the World Bank, and the Central Bank of India. The recurrency feature is essential in this scenario, as APMs have been inspired by cards. 'The global trend of APMs offering recurring payments is rapidly expanding worldwide, unlocking new opportunities for both customers and businesses in key markets,' stated Abreu. Besides in India with UPI Autopay, the trend is also gaining traction in other emerging markets, such as Brazil, with the success of Pix Automático, expected to launch in June, and across Latin America with Mercado Pago Connect in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay, as well as Nequi in Colombia.
Daily Maverick
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
SMME Focus: How SA banks are rethinking SMME finance in a cash-first economy
Cash is still king in South Africa's informal economy, and banks are not pretending otherwise. Lenders are starting to rewrite the rules of engagement when it comes to the country's spaza shops and township traders. South Africa's small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are punching well above their weight. They contribute to around 34% of GDP and employ roughly 60% of the labour force, according to the Banking Association of South Africa. Regardless of their economic muscle, SMMEs – especially those in townships and the informal sector – remain financial outsiders. The formal banking system often misses the mark in a country where cash is still the currency of trust. 'In the battle between cards and mobile money, who is winning? Cash. I think cash is still winning,' said Wiza Jalakasi, director of African expansion at payments partner, EBANX. The R5-trillion sector running on rands and cents The MSME (micro, small, medium enterprises) sector has an estimated turnover of R5,29-trillion, with 72% of SMMEs operating informally and remaining largely cash driven, according to FinScope's MSME 2024 survey. Townships and rural SMMEs often exist outside the formal banking system, leaving them vulnerable to theft, limited growth and a lack of credit history. 'Physical cash being handed to a merchant and being translated into a digital currency or an instant deposit into a transaction account – that makes businesses work,' said Chris Wood, Absa's executive of product. '[Banks] have got to be sitting there at the crossroads.' South Africa's banks are showing up to that intersection. But rather than forcing SMMEs to go digital, they're starting by meeting SMMEs where they are. Lending on a swipe At Capitec's annual financial results presentation this week, the company's CEO, Gerrie Fourie, said the bank sees huge potential in the informal market. 'There's about 3 million spaza shops out there, 70% of them in the informal market. How do we capture that market and actually unlock the potential in South Africa?' Capitec's solution analyses a business's daily takings and tailors credit accordingly. 'We say you need to look at the cash flows. They haven't got assets,' Fourie said. 'So you need to lend against the cash flow. And that's the model we've built.' Capitec's dynamic loan model deducts payments as a fixed percentage of a merchant's inflows – whether from cash, card, or EFT. '[The customer] repays his loan as their business is performing,' he said. In a year, the bank's small business base has more than doubled from 28,000 to 63,000. It has also issued more than R1.2-billion in scored loans to small businesses. The card machine cartel A major barrier to digital inclusion is the hardware itself. Traditional card machine rental models, costing around R500 a month, are out of reach for micro enterprises. Fourie noted that Capitec has shifted towards a model where businesses can buy a device from R1,499. 'I think the rental model is ridiculous,' Fourie told Daily Maverick. 'The average rent is just below R500. If you buy your machine it's R2,000. So in four months, you've repaid (the cost of) your machine.' Competitors such as Yoco offer similar hardware from as little as R750. Although, it isn't just upfront costs that need to be considered. Transaction commission fees typically range between 2% and 3.5% per sale, depending on the provider, which adds up quickly for high turnover, low margin businesses. Tap, type, swipe For banks such as Absa, getting merchants online means giving them options. 'We've got to make sure that where our merchants are, they are able to accept more,' Wood said. 'It could be QR codes, it could be pay by link. And that includes cash,' Wood said. 'That convergence of physical cash and what would always typically have been a merchant card machine, is getting closer and closer.' The real banking role is systemic: getting cash safely back into the banking system. 'We want to make cash safe and make sure our customers are getting that cash into their transactional accounts sooner,' Wood said. The SMME arms race Across the sector, banks are rushing to build trust and relevance with SMMEs. Standard Bank has launched a township entrepreneur initiative, focused on financial literacy and tailored products. Nedbank, named South Africa's Best SME Bank in 2024, now supports more than half a million businesses through digital tools and a free business development platform. Meanwhile, FirstRand Bank secured a $150-million (about R2.8-billion) loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), earmarked for SMME lending, particularly for women-owned businesses. FNB announced on 24 April that it is strengthening its lending muscle with more than R4-billion in SMME-lending capacity through two funding streams: a R1.8-billion risk-sharing facility, backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the EU; and a R2.5-billion social bond issued by FirstRand Bank. The funds will target women-owned businesses and rural sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. What this means for you as a small business owner Banks are starting to speak the language of small businesses. By offering services such as cheaper card machines, loans based on a business's daily takings, and converting cash into credit history, the tide is turning towards financial tools that work in practice and not just on paper. Teaming up to bridge the gap To close the IFC's estimated $30-billion (R550-billion) SMME financing gap, banks are teaming up with fintech players. A notable alliance is Mastercard's partnership with Johannesburg-based Sava, which provides small businesses with digital bank accounts and expense-tracking tools. This hybrid model could help informal businesses become creditworthy. 'Consumers are getting more and more comfortable with the way we're doing digital payments,' said Meagan Rabe, Visa's senior director for sub-Saharan Africa fintech. 'In South Africa specifically, 70% of consumers are wanting to be digital.' That shift is already playing out in numbers – at Capitec, at least. 'When we started 20 years ago, 80% of our transactions were cash and 20% was electronic. Now we're 13% cash and 87% card,' Fourie said. The Reserve Bank, he added, is also laying the groundwork for a more digital economy, taking cues from countries such as India and Brazil. DM
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spreedly collaborates with EBANX to support payments in LatAm
Open payments platform Spreedly has partnered with payments provider EBANX to facilitate access to alternative payment methods for international companies in Latin America. The collaboration offers a framework for businesses to incorporate payment methods that include Pix, e-wallets, cash vouchers, and local debit and credit cards, with the option of instalments. The initiative covers all 17 countries where EBANX operates, encompassing markets such as Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, as well as Peru and Chile, and extending to Central America and the Caribbean. The launch of Pix Automático is scheduled for June 2025, facilitating recurring payments for streaming services and SaaS providers. Merchants can access integration processes, access to various local markets, and an array of payment options to scale operations and compliance with local regulations. The partnership will help merchants capitalise on the 'high transaction success rates' of both Spreedly and EBANX, the release added. Spreedly partnerships & business development VP Rose François said: 'Latin America is a key market for global expansion, with diverse payment preferences driving success. Our collaboration with EBANX empowers merchants to offer local payment methods, enhancing customer satisfaction while supporting business growth in the region.' 'This partnership combines Spreedly's advanced payments orchestration with EBANX's local expertise, providing a seamless payment experience for customers and helping businesses scale efficiently across Latin America.' EBANX global partnerships VP head Daniel Kornitzer stated: "Over the past year, Pix transactions processed by EBANX have grown by 139%. Merchants using our technology already see a 25% increase in the number of customers and a 16% rise in revenue. Offering Pix is no longer optional; it's essential." Kornitzer added: 'Spreedly's efficient orchestration and intelligent routing, and EBANX's optimised payment rails, direct integrations, and local acquiring partnerships, enable faster, more secure transactions. This helps improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.' In February, Spreedly partnered with Swedish fintech Trustly to provide merchants with access to Pay by Bank, aiming to improve payment efficiency in both regional and international markets. "Spreedly collaborates with EBANX to support payments in LatAm " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
