VIAINVEST blog

Cash has always been the king, but consumers have grown weary of digging in their pockets for spare change for fare or carrying a cash horde around with them. Now that people can make an online purchase with the click of a button, they are looking for the same type of convenience when shopping at the till in a brick-and-mortar store. Having to enter a PIN invites germs, slows the process down, and makes the line move slower, all of which are frowned upon now that mobile and contactless payments have come on the scene. Continue reading The Rise of the Contactless Payments Era

Everyone should manage their personal finances in line with what they earn so that they can effectively balance their needs (and wants). Circumstances for everyone are different and everyone must spend their money wisely to ensure they do not spend more than what they have. Continue reading What You Need to Know about Budgeting

With 2020 in the rear-view mirror, investors are hoping that the new year will usher in greater returns for their portfolios. And while economic recovery has begun around the globe, the health crisis and subsequent lockdowns have triggered some shifts in the investment landscape that are expected to persist for the foreseeable future.

As a result, certain asset classes are poised to perform better than others. Categories like alternative investments are all the rage, especially in this environment of extremely low interest rates where it is difficult to find yield. And while there is no crystal ball for how the remainder of 2021 will play out, there are certain investment themes that the experts are touting as they navigate the new normal, such as e-commerce, sustainability, and telehealth, to name a few.  Continue reading Which Asset Classes Are Set to Shine in 2021?

For some, the 2008 world financial crises could feel like a very long time ago, and yet, its effects are still felt today. It was the catalyst to a forever-changed banking and financial services industry worldwide and the beginning of an exciting FinTech journey that would disrupt everything we know about finance.

The year 2020 was also a disrupter that reminded us to never become complacent. It necessitated the need to look at the top podcasts, books, and blogs that can help any aspiring Fintech enthusiast stay informed and at the forefront of changes to this growing disrupter of all things finance in 2021.

The lists here will aim to give you a peek at global perspectives that might help sketch a more deeply rooted awareness of FinTech movements that are not just focused on Europe or the United States, but global. The aim wasn’t to look for what’s most popular, but rather most thought provoking. Enjoy! Continue reading Must Read and Must Watch on FinTech in 2021

After being thrust into a sudden recession in 2020, the European economy is looking toward the second half of 2021 for a recovery to be in full swing. That is when Europe in particular is expected to reach herd immunity from the pandemic, which is widely expected to lead to the lockdown restrictions being eased across the eurozone. Indeed, that is when many countries expect to begin moving away from economic contraction and toward expansion once again. In the interim, 2021 could still be slow going, with the expectations set for the European economy to shrink by 7% this year.  Continue reading A Light at the End of the Tunnel for European Economic Recovery

Since the referendum in the United Kingdom resulted in voters deciding to leave the European Union, “Brexit” became a long stretched-out path to “independence” that left many uncertain about financial services. Brexit has taken years to finalize and it even involved a rotation of multiple prime ministers to get it done. Continue reading How to Brexit: Payments and Finances After the Divorce

Few ever imagined that the social and economic status quo would be severely impacted with the onset of Covid-19. What initially looked like an isolated outbreak in China soon became a global concern. Continue reading The Impact of Pandemic on P2P Lending in Europe

It’s been over 100 years since the paper money was created, with cash dating back to the 19th century. Technology has given rise to the internet and mobile payments, and the global financial system is ripe for a modern version of money. Digital assets have caused a paradigm shift in the global economy. No longer is cash king, though it is arguably still needed. Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, however, have reshaped the financial landscape. Bitcoin is not the only cryptocurrency but it is the biggest — with a market capitalization of USD 291 billion — and was the first on the scene nearly 12 years ago.  Continue reading Central Bank Digital Currencies Poised to Disrupt the Global Financial System