McObject Extends Capabilities of eXtremeDB in Version 8.3

McObject has released version 8.3 of eXtremeDB, a hybrid in-memory and persistent database management systems (DBMS) that can be used as an embedded database with or without SQL, a client/server database, and a distributed database. New features in eXtremeDB 8.3 include: server-side authentication when using eXtremeDB as a client/server DBMS; addition of authentication to the JDBC driver; C# SQL API for .NET 5 and .NET 6;  and SQL execution engine improvements.

FI Feedback Sought in Creation of GFANZ Corporate Climate Data Hub

Financial institutions and auditing companies have been invited to offer their expertise and feedback on the creation of a global corporate climate performance database backed by the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ). The One Planet Data Hub would be handed over to the United Nations once it is complete, and a prototype service is expected to be unveiled next year. Regulators and standards setters are already involved in the project, as are data providers including Moody’s and S&P.

Bloomberg Expands Sustainable Fixed Income Index Offering

Bloomberg has added new sustainable bond indices to its suite of ESG-focused products. The Bloomberg Global Aggregate Green, Social, Sustainability Bond Indices will be built on the financial data giant’s Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index, the Bloomberg Sustainable Finance Group’s green, social and sustainability bond indicators, and metrics aligned to the International Capital Market Association Green Bond, Social Bond and Sustainability Bond Principles and Guidelines.

Bloomberg Widens Carbon Emissions Scores to 100,000 Companies

Bloomberg has expanded its carbon emissions dataset to 100,000 companies thanks in part to a newly developed in-house estimation model. The new tech has been used to derive carbon scores from companies that haven’t reported their own data. Bloomberg said the latest dataset offers “greater precision in Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions”.

S and G Being Overlooked by Most Reporting Companies: KPMG

Social and governance data is being left out of disclosures by more than half of companies, according to a survey by professional services firm KPMG. In its latest bi-annual Survey of Sustainability Reporting, established in 1993, KPMG also found that 79 per cent of “leading companies” now provide sustainability reports. The report said there remains a “disconnect between the urgency of addressing climate change and social equity”.

Financial Institutions Spend $1,500 to $3,000 to Complete One Client KYC Review

Financial institutions are spending millions of dollars every year inefficiently onboarding and maintaining clients, according to research from Fenergo, a provider of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) software solutions. A global study of over 1,000 C-level executives across corporate and institutional banks found that, on average, over half are spending between $1,500 and $3,000 to complete just one client KYC review.

The findings also show over half of financial institutions spending between 61 and 150 days on KYC reviews for clients, much of which is spent gathering and inputting data across multiple systems. Overall, more than 80% of respondents have between 1,000 and 2,500 employees working on KYC tasks. Some 90% said labour-intensive KYC impacts their ability to make better risk decisions. However, the data also shows financial institutions now focusing investment on automation with 62% prioritising spend for technology.

ESMA Makes ESG Data and Markets a Priority

Europe’s markets overseer has placed improving the quality and access to ESG data and financial markets among its priorities for the next five years. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) said also in its 2023-2028 Strategy report that it was ready to put the European Union’s sustainability regulations in place and act as supervisor of them.

Know Your Customer and HAWK AI Partner to Strengthen Defence Against Financial Crime

Know Your Customer, a provider of modular digital client onboarding solutions, and Hawk AI, a provider of anti-money laundering surveillance technology for financial institutions, payment firms and fintechs, have made a strategic partnership that will build a stronger defence against financial crime.

The partnership combines Know Your Customer’s digital onboarding and business KYC solutions with Hawk AI’s transaction monitoring capabilities, giving clients access to an integrated offering that will help them centralise and harmonise multiple and often complex elements of their AML programmes. As well as a stronger defence against financial crime, the partnership should provide an improved end customer experience, and gains in operational efficiency.

Snowflake Opens Operations in Mexico to Drive Latin America Customer Growth

Snowflake has opened operations in Mexico with a view to expanding its local and multinational customer base in the country and across Latin America. Sergio Sanchez Polo, country manager for Mexico and LATAM sales lead, heads up the operation and will be by hiring across Latin America with a focus on sales. Snowflake now has offices and operations in 23 countries.

Apex Offers EU Taxonomy Alignment Product

Clients of global financial services provider Apex Group now have access to a new European Union Taxonomy product, which enables investors to assess their portfolios’ alignment with the sustainability classification guideline. The four-step process will give financial clients the opportunity to identify which of their investments are sustainable, manage data collection on the taxonomy’s strict “do no significant harm” tests, gauge alignment and report performance.