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Featured, Fintech

Interac Survey: Newcomers lose financial confidence after arrival in Canada

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TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2024 /CNW/ – Newcomers are experiencing challenges with their financial confidence. A recent survey by Interac Corp. (Interac) reveals that starting a new life in Canada can cause a significant drop in financial confidence for newcomers. While a majority (61 per cent) of newcomers surveyed felt financially confident when first arriving here, that confidence fell (31 per cent) after contending with the economic challenges of settling in Canada. The Interac survey highlights newcomers are disproportionately affected by financial barriers, with over eight in 10 (85 per cent) reporting at least one such barrier impacts their financial security, compared to over half (58 per cent) of the general Canadian adult population polled. This disparity underscores the importance of providing targeted support and resources to help newcomers build their financial confidence and successfully navigate the Canadian financial system. Adding to the complexity, financial knowledge and practices from a newcomer’s home country often don’t readily translate to the Canadian context. “Newcomers are calling for tailored support, with 54 per cent believing that financial resources should be designed by newcomers,” said Lauren Mostowyk, Head, Integrated Marketing & Communications at Interac. “This is why we’ve focused on providing comprehensive support systems through our partnerships with Credit Canada and ACCES Employment. These collaborations provide mentorship from experienced newcomers and free access to a tailored blend of resources, so we can help empower newcomers to build a strong financial foundation. Practical tools such as online courses covering Canadian banking basics (81 per cent) and budgeting apps for local expenses (77 per cent) are highly sought after by survey respondents. To support the need of available resources, Interac sponsored Credit Canada’s Butterfly app to provide newcomers with free access to the app’s resources. This multilingual resource is intended to empower newcomers to take control of their finances, from budgeting basics to cost-of-living resources and real-time currency conversion. Created by newcomers, for newcomers, the Butterfly app equips new Canadians with the knowledge and confidence to build financial success in Canada. In addition to practical resources, mentorship plays a vital role in newcomer integration, proving significantly more prevalent among newcomers (51 per cent of respondents have had a mentor) than the general Canadian population (31 per cent). For newcomers, mentors have been said to provide invaluable support in navigating language barriers (89 per cent), understanding Canadian currency (86 per cent), and avoiding financial scams (83 per cent). Mentors who have personally navigated the newcomer journey are crucial as one-third of newcomers feel current financial resources don’t reflect their realities, and over half find their needs evolve over time. ACCES Employment is dedicated to tailored mentorship opportunities and has worked with Interac for over five years to scale programming and reach more newcomers. “ACCES Employment serves as an important resource to support newcomers navigating the Canadian job market and re-establish their financial confidence. We empower newcomers to overcome employment barriers, build strong professional networks, and achieve lasting career success in Canada. Our partnership with Interac has been instrumental in expanding our programs and services for newcomer job seekers, including connecting newcomers with experienced mentors,” said Allison Pond, President & CEO, ACCES Employment. About the Interac research An online nationwide survey was conducted by Discover among 1,459 respondents, age 18 years and older. The sample was comprised of a core sample of 1,000 Canadian adults (representative of the Canadian adult population according to the most recent Statistics Canada census data), plus an oversample to result in a subgroup total of 500 newcomers/new Canadians (defined as those who immigrated to Canada after age 18 and have lived in Canada for less than 10 years). The survey was fielded in English and French from October 10 to October 23, 2024. To learn more, visit In The Know.

Featured, Fintech

Top Down Ventures: First Close of US$25M Founders Fund I

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VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 21, 2024 /CNW/ – Top Down Ventures, the premier venture capital firm founded by industry visionary Chris Day, has announced the first close of its US$25M Founders Fund, designed to fuel early-stage SaaS companies within the Managed Service Provider (MSP) sector. Building on its innovative venture studio model, Top Down empowers MSP software startups with not only capital but also unparalleled operational expertise and a proven scaling playbook. The firm’s General Partners – Chris Day, Joel Abramson and Mark Scott –  boast a remarkable track record in the MSP space, including founding and scaling companies like Fully Managed (acquired by TELUS), IT Glue (acquired by Kaseya), N-able (NYSE: NABL), ScalePad, and Produce8. With prior investments in leading MSP software firms such as Backup Radar, Quoter, Control Map and most recently Benji Pays. Focused Expertise in the MSP SaaS Space “We are thrilled with this milestone, which reflects the confidence of MSP founders and executives who make up the majority of our Limited Partners,” said Joel Abramson, Managing Partner at Top Down. “Our deep sector focus and hands-on approach are already driving momentum as we anticipate closing three new SaaS investments in Q4.” Top Down’s Founders Fund targets high-potential SaaS companies generating $1M+ in annual recurring revenue (ARR), with Seed or Series A investments up to $3M. With a carefully curated network of Limited Partners and Operating Advisors – including MSP veterans like Dan Wensley, Janice Siddons and Ryan Voegeli – the fund is uniquely positioned to amplify the success of its portfolio companies. Photo by Aidan Hancock on Unsplash Driving Innovation in a Booming Industry “We’ve been at the forefront of several firsts in the MSP industry, and this fund is the next one,” said Mark Scott, Managing Partner at Top Down. “Our capital, SaaS playbook, and venture studio combined with our global network, provide an unparalleled force multiplier for SaaS startups in an industry that’s on track to reach $1 trillion by 2030.” Top Down not only offers financial backing but also leverages its deep operational experience to drive growth for its portfolio companies. The firm’s venture studio model includes expert guidance in product development, go-to-market strategies, and team building, ensuring that founders receive both strategic and tactical support. To learn more, SaaS founders and LP investors can visit www.topdown.com and sign up for The Future of MSP Work, a thought leadership series exploring key trends and opportunities in the MSP sector. About Top Down Ventures Top Down is a leading venture capital firm specializing in early-stage Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) market. The firm’s Founders Fund I focuses on SaaS companies with $1M+ ARR, offering Seed or Series A investments of up to $3M. With a venture studio model that combines operational support and scaling expertise, Top Down helps MSP software companies realize their full potential. For more information, visit www.topdown.com

Featured, Fintech

Constant Contact Acquires Business of Txtify Technologies

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Deal strengthens the platform’s lead generation and social media monetization capabilities, empowering small businesses to convert followers into customers and accelerate their growth WALTHAM, Mass. and TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Constant Contact, a digital marketing and automation platform that has helped millions of small businesses and nonprofits globally, today announced that it has acquired the business of Txtify Technologies, a technology company specializing in mobile-first lead generation through customized microsites and surveys. The acquisition enhances Constant Contact’s platform by providing small businesses (SMBs) with new tools to grow their customer base and convert social media and digital media engagement into valuable customer relationships. This acquisition will help Constant Contact’s SMB customers by enabling them to create mobile-optimized, branded lead generation forms in minutes without coding or web development experience. With intuitive design tools and high-performing templates, SMBs can quickly capture contact information from social media followers and build deeper relationships with them through owned channels, like email or SMS marketing. This ability to quickly turn social media engagement into qualified leads is a valuable addition to Constant Contact’s marketing platform. According to Constant Contact’s Small Business Now report, 60 percent of small businesses rely on social media as their primary channel for engaging with customers. However, one of their biggest challenges is converting those likes, comments, shares, and followers into customers. More than half of SMBs surveyed identified social media as the area of their marketing where they need the most support. “The profile of today’s small business has changed, and many now launch and grow their brand on social media before they build a website or create their first email campaign,” said Frank Vella, CEO at Constant Contact. “Our acquisition of Txtify Technologies’ business enables us to deliver value to mobile-first and social-first entrepreneurs by empowering them to own their audience on social media and turn a follower list into a marketing list. This is a strategic step forward in our mission to innovate on behalf of SMBs and equip them with the tools they need to grow their business.” “We are thrilled to bring our powerful lead generation technology to a wider audience as part of Constant Contact’s platform,” said John Stewart, co-founder and CEO at Txtify Technologies. “Our mission has always been to simplify and scale lead capture and conversion for small businesses, and by joining Constant Contact, I am confident that we will be able to help even more SMBs grow and succeed.” As part of the transaction, Stewart along with Txtify Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Eric Dewhirst, have joined Constant Contact and will play a key role in the integration of the acquired technology into Constant Contact’s platform. When Txtify’s technology is combined with Constant Contact’s existing powerful marketing capabilities, like email, SMS, social media ads and event capabilities, SMBs will be able to grow their contact lists quickly, better understand their audience and potential customers, drive more revenue and more directly correlate social media activity with business results. About Constant ContactConstant Contact makes digital marketing easy and effective for small businesses and nonprofits around the world. Whether just starting out, or managing complex multi-channel campaigns, SMBs benefit from our powerful SaaS platform that delivers a simplified marketing experience with less time spent and better results. With cutting-edge technology, best-in-class deliverability and award-winning customer support, we help the small stand tall.

Fintech

RBC Poll: A significant number of Canadians are considering starting own business in 2024

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51% of Canadians are aspiring entrepreneurs – up five percentage points over 2023 More Canadian small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs cite meaningful work (93%) over making more money (87%) as a motivation for owning their own business. TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2024 /CNW/ – The annual RBC Small Business Poll reveals that the proportion of Canadians considering starting their own business rose to 51% this year, marking a five percentage point increase from 2023 – and an encouraging rebound following a previous two-year decline. “Historically, we’ve observed strong interest across Canada in starting and owning businesses, and it’s promising to see that a significant number of Canadians in 2024 are aspiring entrepreneurs,” says Don Ludlow, vice president of Small Business, Partnerships and Strategy, Royal Bank of Canada. “As our economy evolves, we are seeing a growing number of Canadians seriously considering entrepreneurship as they recognize there are more diverse pathways than before to make the jump. Our survey shows that many are eying opportunities to gradually transition to entrepreneurship, and they need continued support to turn their ideas into reality and to build the next generation of businesses.” According to the RBC Poll, most (72%) aspiring entrepreneurs are already exploring different tracks to gradually transition to business ownership, including: Current Pursuits of Aspiring Entrepreneurs Finding ways to make money from a passion project or hobby 31 % Exploring ways to make money outside of, and in addition to my regular job, but have not yet started 28 % Taking on side jobs in addition to having a full-time job to earn extra cash when needed 19 % Exploring ways to transition from full-time work to contract or freelance work, but have not made the transition yet 13 % Having a business idea that’s being tested independent from current employment 8 %   Purpose over profit: the search for meaningful work driving small business aspirations Findings from the RBC poll also revealed that, in recent years, Canadians have placed more emphasis on pursuing their passions, particularly as traditional job security weakens and many are prioritizing flexibility in their work-life balance. Compared to 2019, Canadians are less likely to say ‘making more money’ is a motivation for owning their own business, with this number falling three percentage points from 90% to 87%. Rather, small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs cited meaningful work (93%) over making more money (87%) as their main motivation. The poll highlights that a substantial proportion of small business owners launched their ventures to achieve more flexibility, with 46% stating they wanted to spend more time at home with their children, and 40% aiming to care for aging parents. Aspiring entrepreneurs reported similar motivations, with Gen Z and Millennials particularly interested in the greater autonomy and sense of purpose offered by entrepreneurship. Key Motivations for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Gen Pop Gen Z Millennial Gen X Boomer Strongly agree Strongly/ somewhat agree Strongly agree Strongly/ somewhat agree Strongly agree Strongly/ somewhat agree Strongly agree Strongly/ somewhat agree Strongly agree Strongly/ somewhat agree Do more meaningful work that aligns with my personal values 44 % 93 % 60 % 94 % 46 % 95 % 40 % 92 % 29 % 92 % Make more money 43 % 89 % 56 % 88 % 45 % 91 % 45 % 91 % 23 % 91 %   Helping entrepreneurs start, manage, and grow their business There are many facets to successfully starting, managing and growing a small business, beyond financial planning. As an organization deeply rooted in supporting and empowering small businesses, RBC has made it easier for Canadian entrepreneurs to navigate every stage of their business growth with unique solutions that go beyond traditional banking products and advice. Solutions offered by RBC and its collaborative partners include: Ownr®: For entrepreneurs in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia, this is a quick and affordable way to register and incorporate their business online, while automating important legal and compliance filings. Moneris‡: Whether you’re in-store, online, or both, Moneris has you covered with a full suite of unified payment solutions, 24/7 support, and on-site field services. As an RBC merchant, you can get access to your money the next day, every day at no extra cost. RBC Insight Edge™ for Small Business: A dashboard solution that offers subscribed retail businesses with real-time data insights around customer trends, competitive benchmarks and market intelligence to support business decisions. Xero‡: Xero offers online accounting software that helps RBC clients run their small business, with features like invoicing, bill payments, payroll, and bank reconciliation. To make accounting even easier, business owners can sync Xero with their bank, automate tasks, collaborate in real time, and connect it to other apps they use. Futurpreneur‡: For entrepreneurs aged 18-39 who want access to business resources, financing and mentoring. Futurpreneur Canada supports young entrepreneurs with an expert business mentor for up to two years and resources to help plan, launch, manage and grow their business. Sherweb‡: A leader in cloud solutions and part of the RBC Go Digital™ program, Sherweb offers RBC business clients exclusive advice and solutions to support their adoption of cloud-based innovations and technologies to improve productivity, security and digital transformation. The Founder’s Journey Online Course: This free virtual course − offered by Western University’s Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, RBC Future Launch® and The Globe and Mail‡, guides participants through the journey of successfully starting and growing a new venture. Entrepreneurs can access these, and many other solutions and business advice online through at www.rbc.com/startingabusiness. About the survey The RBC Small Business Poll was conducted by Ipsos Canada from June 21 to 25 2024. A total of 2001 surveys were self-completed online by Canadian adults (Age 18+), represented in six different regions (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan/Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada). Representative sample results are weighted to reflect the Canadian population. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ±3 percentage points had all Canadian adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population represented. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to, coverage error, and measurement error. About RBC Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our

Fintech, Hot News

Enhancing Financial Wellness Through Rewards Programs: Dave Pouliot, CoinMiles

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TechBeat Canada recently met with CoinMiles, an innovative platform that makes perks exciting and accessible for businesses and their employees. In an exclusive interview, CEO Dave Pouliot shed light on the potential of rewards programs to enhance employees’ financial wellness and purchasing power. Pouliot revealed that the inspiration behind CoinMiles was the financial struggles faced by Millennials & Gen-Z. “Both generations are struggling to make ends meet. 50% live paycheck to paycheck, and 68% may never be able to buy a house based on their income alone,” Pouliot stated the obvious problem in today’s world. CoinMiles offers part of the solution by launching CoinMiles+, the new perks platform for organizations, with huge rewards at major brands like Amazon, Uber Eats, Walmart, and more while also promoting Bitcoin adoption. “A user would usually get 1,000+ in their pockets every year.” “CoinMiles was the first company to offer Bitcoin rewards in Canada. We’re made by Millennials & Gen-Z, for Millennials & Gen-Z, and are quick to integrate new tech trends into our platform.” Reflecting on significant challenges, Pouliot recounted, “Initially, being tagged a ‘crypto app’ brought stigma. But we never sold or promoted crypto; we simply offered users Bitcoin rewards as an option .” He continued, “Now, most people understand that our company’s vision goes far beyond Bitcoin rewards.” Unique positioning of CoinMiles in the market is highlighted by its focus on promoting the platform through an employer-based channel. Pouliot stated, “Our SaaS platform enables employers to craft their own perks with the help of the latest tech like open banking and AI. A lot of incredible features are coming soon.” Drawing from his experience, Pouliot offered valuable advice to aspiring tech entrepreneurs: “If you can figure out a good distribution channel from the start (for example, knowing a company that will adopt my platform once I execute on X), your journey will be incredibly easier.” Discover more about CoinMiles and the rewards for your business and employees. If you’re a company looking to put more in your employees pocket for a fraction of the cost, CoinMiles is currently in beta and seeking partners. Reach out at partners@coinmiles.io and mention the “TECHBEAT” offer to gain early access. Yugbodh Singh Yugbodh (YB) is a contributing writer at Tech Beat Canada, he skillfully weaves captivating stories. For him music and movies serves as an escape, and he finds them fascinating as they constantly evolve. If you have interesting tales to share, feel free to reach out via email at: info@techbeat.ca

Featured, Fintech

Scotiabank Accelerates its Cloud Adoption Strategy Through an Expanded Partnership with Google Cloud

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Scotiabank’s use of Google Cloud will enhance the Bank’s commitment to its clients’ digital experiences   TORONTO and SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 8, 2024 /CNW/ – Scotiabank today announced an expanded partnership with Google Cloud, naming it the enterprise cloud platform of choice for the next phase of the Bank’s cloud acceleration journey. The Bank will leverage Google Cloud technology to enhance client and employee experience, strengthen Bank security, and adopt new technologies, like generative AI, more quickly. This announcement builds on Scotiabank’s strategic partnership with Google Cloud, extending its cloud-first commitment and accelerating its global data and analytics strategy.  “Scotiabank’s partnership with Google Cloud reinforces the Bank’s commitment to investing in strategic growth initiatives that make it easy to do business with us,” says Michael Zerbs, Group Head, Technology & Operations, Scotiabank. “We have an aggressive goal of moving the majority of the Bank’s information and systems to the cloud over the next three years, maximizing the productivity of our business and the safety of our information, further demonstrating Scotiabank’s investment in the long-term success of our clients, shareholders, and employees.” “Google Cloud has a long history of working with Scotiabank, and we are proud to expand our partnership at such a pivotal time for the Bank,” says Matt Renner, President, Global Field Organization, Google Cloud. “Scotiabank has demonstrated its commitment to transforming their operations with Google-powered cloud and AI technologies, creating more engaging client experiences, with safety and privacy at the core.” Scotiabank continues to prioritize innovation, digitization, and modernization of its operations. The Bank is already seeing the added value in the expanded partnership with Google Cloud, including: “Through our work with Google Cloud, we are bringing efficiencies across the business – streamlining processes, migrating platforms, modernizing applications and data, and accelerating the delivery of enhanced capabilities,” says Aris Bogdaneris, Group Head, Canadian Banking, Scotiabank. “These efforts will help to further enable Scotiabank’s vision of being our clients’ most trusted financial partner, and help us adapt more quickly, innovate safely and meet our transformational business objectives.” Scotiabank’s long partnership with Google Cloud has enabled Scotiabank to create a more personal and predictive banking experience for its clients, including powering its award winning chatbot. The Bank’s chatbot continues to elevate the Bank’s digital offerings and highlights the value of AI technology to enhance the digital client experience. Learn more about this work at Google Cloud Next, where Grace Lee, SVP, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Scotiabank, will be participating on a panel on AI for Banking. At its Investor Day in December 2023, Scotiabank introduced its refreshed enterprise strategy, outlining its vision for a strong future for the Bank, focused on delivering sustainable, profitable growth through four strategic pillars: Growing and scaling in priority markets, Earning primary client relationships, Making it easy to do business with the Bank, and Winning as one team.

Fintech

Canadian securities regulators clarify interim approach to value-referenced crypto assets

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TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2023 /CNW/ – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is today providing further clarity and guidance to crypto asset trading platforms about its interim approach to the trading of value-referenced crypto assets (some of which are commonly referred to as “stablecoins”). On February 22, 2023, the CSA reaffirmed its view that value-referenced crypto assets, which are designed and promoted to maintain a stable value over time in relation to a reference asset, may constitute securities and/or derivatives. While crypto asset trading platforms operating in Canada are prohibited from trading crypto assets that are securities and/or derivatives, the CSA understands that value-referenced crypto assets may have certain uses for the Canadian clients of crypto asset trading platforms.   Accordingly, the CSA indicated that it may allow, subject to terms and conditions, the continued trading of certain value-referenced crypto assets that are referenced to the value of a single fiat currency (fiat-backed crypto assets). Today’s notice sets out interim terms and conditions that would apply to crypto asset trading platforms and the issuers of fiat-backed crypto assets if they wish to continue allowing Canadian clients to purchase or deposit these assets. “The transparency of value-referenced crypto assets about the composition and adequacy of their reserves and their governance are critical issues that must be addressed to protect Canadian investors and the integrity of our capital markets,” said Stan Magidson, CSA Chair and Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. “This interim framework, which we will build upon in the future, sets certain standards to help ensure that investors receive the information they need about the assets they are purchasing, including the risks associated with them.” The interim terms and conditions were informed in part by comments from Canadian crypto market participants, as well as developing international standards and regulations. They are intended to address investor protection concerns presented by value-referenced crypto assets and include, among other things, the following provisions: The complete list of terms and conditions, as well as instructions for crypto asset trading platforms that wish to continue allowing clients to buy or deposit value-referenced crypto assets is available in CSA Staff Notice 21-333 Crypto Asset Trading Platforms: Terms and Conditions for Trading Value-Referenced Crypto Assets with Clients on CSA members’ websites. The CSA cautions Canadian investors that value-referenced crypto assets, including any fiat-backed crypto assets that satisfy the interim terms and conditions, are subject to various risks and are not the same as fiat currency. The fact that an asset satisfies these interim terms and conditions should not be viewed as an endorsement or approval of the asset, nor give any indication that the asset is risk-free. The CSA welcomes submissions regarding the appropriate long-term regulation of value-referenced crypto assets, such as alternative criteria for trading other types of value-referenced crypto assets. Crypto asset trading platforms and value-referenced crypto asset issuers should contact their Principal Regulator with any questions or to discuss further. The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. For investor inquiries, please contact your local securities regulator. SOURCE Canadian Securities Administrators

Featured, Fintech

FutureVault Lands Clifton Schaller as Chief Growth Officer

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TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — FutureVault Inc. (“FutureVault”), an industry-leader in secure document exchange and digital vault solutions pioneering the Personal Life Management Vault™ for financial services and wealth management organizations, announced earlier today the appointment of Clifton Schaller as the company’s Chief Growth Officer.  “We could not be more pleased to introduce Clifton Schaller as our Chief Growth Officer, whose strategic vision and expertise in driving business expansion will be instrumental in our company’s success,” commented Daniel Kenny, Chief Executive Officer at FutureVault. “With a proven track record in developing innovative growth strategies at well-known organizations, Clifton brings a wealth of industry experience and expertise to our executive team.” Clifton holds an extensive professional background in the North American Wealth Management and WealthTech (Wealth Technology), having previously served in key leadership roles at prominent organizations, including Capital One, Morningstar, and Nitrogen Wealth (formerly Riskalyze). Clifton also serves as an advisory board member for the rising startup, Smart KX. Clifton has a passion for customer-driven insights, striving to identify the biggest trends, pain points, and opportunities for innovation across the entire financial services ecosystem, and then looking for people or technology best positioned to address them. With an impressive background spanning corporate development, product management, and strategic partnerships. As the company’s Chief Growth Officer, Clifton will be responsible for managing multiple departments and driving FutureVault’s corporate strategy. “I’m thrilled to announce my new role here at FutureVault as the company’s Chief Growth Officer and I look forward to accelerating product led growth with an incredibly talented executive team and strong company culture,” commented Clifton Schaller. FutureVault Co-founder and Executive Chair, G Scott Paterson, commented, “Clifton is a world-class product, growth, and technology leader who brings deep strategic experience and corporate development expertise that will position FutureVault to grow, scale, and become an industry leader in digital vaults and Personal Life Management.” For media inquiries and additional information about FutureVault’s patented, industry-leading Digital Vault technology, please visit futurevault.com. About FutureVault Inc.FutureVault is an industry-leader in secure document exchange and Digital Vault solutions for financial services and wealth management organizations, changing the paradigm of document and information management with the Personal Life Management Vault™ and Business Life Management Vault™. FutureVault’s multi-tiered platform is transforming enterprise, advisor, and client value propositions by significantly improving the way documents, data, and information are managed within a secure, audit-ready, single source of truth. FutureVault’s white-labeled platform and mobile applications help firms meet books and records compliance, improve data privacy, drive front and back-office efficiency with automation and open APIs, and deliver an enhanced digital client experience to better engage with households and the next generation. Data extraction and AI-driven patterns to gain additional efficiency and insight are available for enterprise customers. FutureVault is recognized as a 5-star WealthTech provider and a top 100 most innovative global WealthTech solution provider. Visit futurevault.com to learn more.

AI, Fintech

Small businesses are underestimating their cyber risk despite increased threats

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TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2023 /CNW/ – Most small businesses don’t believe they will experience a cyber attack, yet many employees are concerned they are putting their organizations at risk, according to a recent poll by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). IBC’s 2023 Cyber Security Survey found that more than 60% of small businesses believe their business is too small to be targeted by cyber criminals. This number rises to 73% for sole proprietors. The majority of business owners surveyed were not concerned about their staff posing a cyber risk, however, three out of four employees surveyed admit to having taken at least one action that poses a cyber security risk.The poll also showed growing employee concerns with cyber safety. For example: 25% of employees don’t feel they have the tools and training needed to identify potential cyber threats at work 22% of employees are concerned their actions could contribute to a cyber attack or data breach 10% of employees have shared confidential information with a publicly available chatbot or artificial intelligence (AI) platform. “While large companies are often common targets for cyber criminals, small and medium-sized businesses are also at a heightened risk,” said Liam McGuinty, Vice President of Strategy at IBC. “Both employers and staff play an important role in cyber security, and regular staff training is a critical component in reducing risk.” Despite nearly 40% of small business employees indicating that they had seen an increase in scam attempts over the last 12 months, employer responses showed that they may not be making enough investments in cyber protection: 69% do not consider cyber security a financial priority Only 20% have any intention of purchasing cyber insurance within the next year 17% don’t think they would qualify for cyber insurance. “All businesses, but especially those that rely heavily on an online presence and use e-commerce, should consider contacting their insurance representative to help find ways to manage their cyber risk,” added McGuinty. “However, cyber insurance is just one component of an overall cyber risk mitigation strategy – it is not a replacement for cyber resilience.” IBC’s new Cyber Savvy Assessment provides information for small business ownersAs part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, IBC is launching a self-assessment tool to help business owners understand the steps most cyber insurers want businesses to take to reduce their cyber risk. While this free tool cannot provide an assessment of a business’s actual risk profile, its questions can help business owners gauge their level of readiness for cyber insurance and help determine which areas they may need to focus on to bolster their cyber resilience. The Cyber Savvy Assessment is available until October 31 at cybersavvycanada.ca, along with resources and information about the proactive measures businesses can take to help reduce their cyber risk. About IBC’s Cyber Savvy ResearchBusinesses Findings are from a survey conducted by Insurance Bureau of Canada from August 3 to 9, 2023 among n=305 Canadian business owners and decision makers who work at companies with up to 500 employees. All respondents were members of the online Angus Reid Forum. Interviews were conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a sample of this size would yield a margin of error of +/- 5.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Employees Findings are from a survey conducted by Insurance Bureau of Canada from August 3 to 9, 2023 among n=1,506 employed Canadians aged 18+ who work at organizations with 2 to 499 employees and work primarily on a computer or other digital device. The sample was balanced on age, gender and region to the profile of the working Canadian population. All respondents were members of the online Angus Reid Forum. Interviews were conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a sample of this size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. About Insurance Bureau of CanadaInsurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties. For media releases and more information, visit IBC’s Media Centre at www.ibc.ca. Follow us on X (Twitter) @InsuranceBureau or like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC’s Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canad

Featured, Fintech

Aware but unprepared: Canadians know fraud is on the rise, but don’t know what to do if their data is compromised

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RBC poll finds number of Canadians whose personal information was exposed is on the rise TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2023 /CNW/ – With new scams becoming more frequent and sophisticated, a majority of Canadians (88 per cent) report they’ve experienced an increase in attempts at fraudulent activity, and seven out of 10 (73 per cent) say they were knowingly targeted, according to a new survey from RBC. In addition, more than half (57 per cent) say they received notifications their personal information was exposed in a data breach, which is up considerably from 20 per cent in 2022. Yet, while Canadians’ awareness of scams is high, most (68 per cent) don’t know what actions to take if their personal data is compromised, leaving plenty of room for education and preparedness. “Cybercrime is continuously evolving as fraudsters polish their approach, whether online or through digital communications,” says Adam Evans, chief information security officer, RBC. “The poll reveals that while most Canadians have a healthy skepticism and high awareness of fraudulent activity, there’s still a lack of preparedness and knowledge around how to handle a data breach, which can lead to anything from loss of finances to identity theft.” Most common methods of fraud attempts The most common ways in which Canadians experience fraud attempts are via email (55 per cent) followed by phone calls (47 per cent) and text message (40 per cent). While nine out of ten (87 per cent) Canadians feel that they can tell the difference between legitimate and fraudulent communication, more than one third (36 per cent) report feeling helpless to protect themselves from all the fraudulent calls and emails they receive. Younger Canadians (18 to 34 years old) are more likely to feel helpless (41 per cent) compared to other age groups. Interestingly, this younger generation is simultaneously less likely to be concerned about cyber security threats than their older counterparts. Top concerns Overall, Canadians worry most about unauthorized access to their online accounts and/or personal information (82 per cent) followed closely by having their email or social media accounts hacked (78 per cent). Three quarters (76 per cent) of Canadians are concerned about identity theft and being the victim of a corporate data breach (73 per cent) or being the victim of an online scam (72 per cent). AGE Concerns about fraudulent activity Total 18-34 35-54 55+ Unauthorized access to online accounts/personalinformation (i.e. hijacking accounts) 82 % 77 % 85 % 84 % Having your email or social media accounts hacked 78 % 72 % 81 % 81 % Identity theft 76 % 67 % 80 % 79 % Being the victim of a corporate data breach 73 % 66 % 76 % 75 % Being the victim of online fraud/scam 72 % 68 % 74 % 72 % How Canadians deal with suspicious communications When it comes to the most common actions taken as a result of receiving suspicious calls, emails, or messages, two thirds of Canadians say they simply delete it (66 per cent) and block the number or email (64 per cent). Fewer than half either ignored it or reported it (44 per cent, respectively). Meanwhile, they use several techniques to determine the legitimacy of these suspicious calls, texts, or emails, including: 78% never open unexpected attachments whenever they receive them 76% always trust their instincts; if it feels wrong, it likely is 70% always pause to think before replying 68% always check communications they receive for bad grammar, spelling mistakes, and unusual language 48% say they always report suspicious emails as spam in their inbox In contrast to younger generations, older Canadians 55+ are more likely to employ counter measures like never opening unexpected attachments (85 per cent), always pausing before replying (81 per cent) and always checking the message for grammatical and spelling mistakes (73 per cent). RBC has articles, tips and guides for Canadians on its Be Cyber Aware website, including: Change the account’s password to lock out the hacker Notify your contacts that your account was hacked. Let them know they may receive spam messages that look like you sent them Make sure your security software is up to date. Scan your system for malware, especially if you suspect your computer might be infected with a virus Disable any remote access permissions on your computer Report your breach to your local enforcement authorities and financial institution About the RBC Study These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of RBC. The survey was conducted in English and French. A sample of 1,500 Canadians over 18 was surveyed online via the Ipsos I-Say panel from August 14 to August 17, 2023. ABOUT RBC Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 97,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com. We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact. SOURCE RBC

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