Industry Insights

Mobile Banking Apps in the Middle East: Transforming Customer Expectations and Experience

In recent years, the Middle East has emerged as a hotspot for digital banking innovation, driven by rapid smartphone penetration, government-backed digital transformation initiatives, and shifting customer expectations. Mobile banking apps are at the forefront of this revolution, redefining how customers interact with financial institutions. The Landscape of Mobile Banking in the Middle East According to the World Bank, smartphone penetration in the Middle East exceeds 85% in countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, providing fertile ground for mobile banking adoption. A 2023 study by Mastercard revealed that over 70% of consumers in the region prefer using mobile apps over visiting bank branches, highlighting a significant shift towards digital-first banking. Key Drivers of Change 1. Evolving Customer Expectations Middle Eastern customers, influenced by global tech giants like Apple and Amazon, now demand seamless, personalized, and secure digital experiences. A report by Deloitte Middle East in 2024 shows that 67% of customers in the GCC region prioritize convenience and personalization in their banking experience. 2. Regulatory Push for Innovation Governments across the Middle East are actively promoting digital banking. The UAE’s Vision 2021 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasize fintech and digitalization as key pillars. These initiatives have led to the proliferation of digital-only banks like Liv by Emirates NBD and STC Pay in Saudi Arabia. 3. The Rise of Fintech and Open Banking Fintech collaborations are driving innovation in the sector. Open banking regulations, such as those introduced by Bahrain’s Central Bank, are enabling greater data sharing between banks and third-party providers, paving the way for more innovative and customer-centric apps. Transforming Customer Experience through Mobile Apps 1. Personalization at Scale With advanced AI and machine learning, mobile banking apps in the Middle East now offer hyper-personalized experiences. For instance, Emirates NBD’s app uses AI to analyze spending habits and provide tailored financial advice. 2. Enhanced Security Measures Security remains a top concern for customers. Banks are leveraging biometric authentication, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, to enhance app security. A 2023 KPMG report noted that 81% of Middle Eastern banks have adopted advanced security measures to build customer trust. 3. Financial Inclusion Mobile banking apps are playing a crucial role in improving financial inclusion. In regions with limited physical banking infrastructure, such as rural areas of Oman or Jordan, mobile apps provide access to essential banking services. 4. Streamlined Digital Payments Digital payment solutions integrated into mobile banking apps, like Saudi Arabia’s Mada Pay or the UAE’s Apple Pay partnerships, are transforming the payment landscape. Statista forecasts that digital payments in the Middle East will grow by 19.2% annually, reaching $314 billion by 2027. Challenges Ahead Despite significant progress, challenges remain: Cultural Preferences: Some segments of the population, particularly older demographics, still prefer traditional banking methods. Cybersecurity Threats: As digital transactions increase, so do the risks of cyberattacks. Skill Gaps: Banks need to invest in upskilling employees to manage and innovate in a digital-first ecosystem. The Future of Mobile Banking in the Middle East Looking ahead, the future of mobile banking in the Middle East will likely be shaped by: 1. AI-Driven Banking: Predictive analytics and AI-powered chatbots will deliver even more intuitive and responsive banking experiences. 2. Blockchain Integration: Blockchain could enhance security and transparency, particularly for cross-border transactions. 3. Super Apps: Inspired by platforms like China’s WeChat, Middle Eastern banks may develop super apps that integrate banking with lifestyle services, such as travel and e-commerce. Conclusion The Middle East’s mobile banking landscape is undergoing a transformative journey, driven by technological advancements, customer-centric innovation, and regulatory support. Financial institutions that prioritize personalization, security, and seamless experiences will not only meet but exceed the evolving expectations of their customers. As the region continues its march towards a cashless, digital-first economy, mobile banking apps will remain pivotal in reshaping the financial services industry and improving customer experiences across all demographics.

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Maximizing Payment Efficiency with Smart Routing

The Digital Payments Roadmap report, recently published by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), identifies high merchant fees as a significant contributor to the low adoption and use of digital payments by merchants. Additionally, high interchange and merchant card processing fees deter smaller merchants from accepting digital payments, as these fees negatively impact profitability. Achieving optimal performance in digital payments is essential for businesses and for meeting the broader financial inclusion goals set out in the SARB’s Vision 2025 Framework and Strategy. The landscape of digital payments is constantly evolving, with new regulations, network mandates, and issuer preferences emerging regularly. To navigate these changes effectively, companies need a comprehensive toolkit that not only keeps them informed but also helps maintain high acceptance rates and ensures a seamless customer experience. Intelligent payment routing, or smart routing, is a critical component of this toolkit. It automates the process of directing transactions to the Payment Gateway that offers the highest likelihood of acceptance at the low-cost high success rate, addressing the significant issue of Transaction failures How Intelligent Payment Routing Works Intelligent payment routing determines the best path for processing a payment to maximize successful transactions while minimizing costs. This can involve routing through different payment providers (payment orchestration) or networks, considering factors such as efficiency, reliability, and cost. Merchants can set criteria for automated routing based on their specific objectives. Key Benefits of Smart Routing: Smart Payment Routing Through Different PSPs Payment orchestration involves smart routing through various payment service providers (PSPs). The routing software evaluates factors such as customer location, payment currency, transaction amount, and card type to determine the best provider for each transaction. This approach ensures that payments are processed through the provider with the highest Conclusion In conclusion, Smart payment routing is a vital tool for businesses looking to optimize their digital payment processes. By automating the selection of the most efficient and cost-effective payment routes, companies can significantly enhance their revenue, reduce processing costs, and improve overall payment performance. The ability to dynamically route payments, access real-time data, and integrate with multiple payment providers ensures that businesses can adapt to the ever-changing digital payments landscape. As digital transactions continue to grow, the importance of intelligent payment routing will only increase, making it an indispensable part of any comprehensive payment strategy.

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Enhancing Fraud Prevention with Risk-Based Authentication and Method URL

Preventing fraud while maintaining a seamless user experience is crucial for merchants and issuers alike in the rapidly evolving digital payment landscape. A key way to strengthen fraud prevention is by gathering more device and browser characteristics before authentication. This can be achieved through Risk-Based Authentication (RBA), Browser Fingerprinting, and the use of Method URL as part of the EMV 3DS protocol. Let’s explore how these elements work together to improve security and reduce fraud. The Role of Risk-Based Authentication (RBA) Risk-Based Authentication (RBA) dynamically assesses each transaction’s risk level based on multiple factors, such as device characteristics, location, and user behaviour. Instead of applying a blanket security protocol for all transactions, RBA allows issuers to adjust the level of authentication required based on the perceived risk. This improves fraud detection while minimizing friction for low-risk transactions, thereby creating a better user experience. Browser Fingerprinting: A Core Element of Fraud Detection Browser fingerprinting is a technique used to collect unique information from a user’s browser. This includes data like the device’s operating system, browser version, plugins, IP address, screen resolution, and more. By building a unique profile of the user’s environment, issuers can detect anomalies that may indicate fraud, such as sudden changes in the user’s device or location. However, to leverage this information effectively, additional data must be captured early in the transaction flow, which is where Method URL comes into play. Understanding Method URL Method URL is a critical step of the EMV 3DS protocol. It enables issuers to collect additional browser information during the early stages of the authentication process. This step, which occurs before the authentication request is fully processed, provides vital data that can enhance RBA and fraud prevention measures. How Method URL Works: Benefits of Method URL in Fraud Prevention The use of Method URL offers several benefits for both issuers and merchants in combating fraud: Best Practices for Implementing Method URL To maximize the benefits of Method URL, issuers and merchants should follow these best practices: Integrating Wibmo Protect Wibmo Protect is an advanced fraud prevention solution that seamlessly integrates with RBA, Browser Fingerprinting, and Method URL to provide an additional layer of security. By leveraging Wibmo Protect, issuers and merchants can benefit from: Conclusion Method URL, when integrated properly, significantly improves fraud prevention by enabling issuers to gather vital browser and device characteristics early in the authentication process. By leveraging this data for risk-based authentication, both issuers and merchants can reduce fraud, improve authentication success rates, and provide a better user experience for customers. As fraud prevention becomes more complex, using tools like Method URL and Wibmo Protect is essential for staying ahead of emerging threats and ensuring secure, frictionless transactions.

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Securing Digital Transactions During the Festive Season with Wibmo: A Trusted Partner for Seamless and Safe Payments

The festive season brings an immense surge in online shopping and digital payments. In 2023, Diwali sales alone saw a 49% increase in online transactions, along with a 35% rise in website traffic, making it one of the most lucrative periods for businesses. However, with this rise comes a higher risk of fraud and security breaches. Securing seamless transactions is essential for protecting both revenue and customer trust during this busy season. Wibmo Protect is designed to address these challenges, offering a comprehensive solution that ensures secure and frictionless transactions, even during the peak of the festive rush. How Wibmo Protect Safeguards Festive Transactions 1. Multi-Layered Security with Adaptive AuthenticationWibmo Protect uses dynamic, multi-factor authentication (MFA) to safeguard transactions by adapting security measures based on real-time risk. This reduces the friction for legitimate customers while ensuring robust protection against fraud. Given that the 2023 festive season saw a 72% spike in online sales just two days before Diwali, adaptive authentication is crucial to maintaining a seamless shopping experience without compromising security. 2. Real-Time Fraud Detection & PreventionThe festive season also brings an increase in fraudulent activities. Wibmo Protect’s AI-driven fraud detection engine continuously monitors transactions, instantly identifying suspicious patterns and blocking unauthorized activities in real-time. With eCommerce fraud expected to rise during high-traffic periods like Diwali, proactive fraud detection minimizes losses and protects businesses from financial threats. 3. Seamless Integration with Payment EcosystemsBuilt on industry-standard 3D Secure protocols, Wibmo Protect easily integrates into existing payment ecosystems, ensuring secure transactions without disruption. This is particularly important as conversion rates during the 2023 festive season increased by 22%, emphasizing the need for a frictionless user experience while handling high volumes of transactions. 4. Scalability for High Transaction VolumesThe Indian eCommerce sector recorded significant growth, with over ₹3.75 lakh crore in retail trade during Diwali 2023. Wibmo Protect’s scalable infrastructure is built to handle such high transaction loads, ensuring that businesses can maintain security and efficiency even when managing millions of transactions daily. 5. Compliance with Global and Local RegulationsWibmo Protect adheres to global standards like PCI-DSS and complies with local regulations, such as the RBI’s Additional Factor Authentication (AFA) guidelines. This guarantees that businesses remain secure and compliant, reducing the risk of regulatory fines during peak transaction periods. 6. Advanced Machine Learning for Fraud Pattern RecognitionWibmo Protect leverages machine learning to stay ahead of emerging fraud patterns. During high-traffic periods like the festive season, when fraudulent activities spike, Wibmo Protect’s system identifies and prevents new fraud attempts, ensuring businesses stay protected. Why Businesses Trust Wibmo Protect As businesses gear up for the festive season, securing digital transactions is crucial to providing a seamless shopping experience while protecting against fraud. With Wibmo Protect, businesses can confidently manage high transaction volumes and safeguard their customers from evolving threats during the festive season. Keep your payments secure this festive season with Wibmo Protect, your trusted partner for secure, seamless transactions.

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Scams on the Internet: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe

The internet has become an essential component of our everyday life in the current digital era. Almost all facets of our lives, including banking, socializing, and employment, have shifted online. But the ease of using the internet also carries the risk of becoming a victim of fraud. Cybercriminals are continuously coming up with new ways to trick naïve people, and internet scams are becoming more common. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) documented over 2.2 million fraud cases in 2023 alone, resulting in losses of over $8.8 billion, underscoring the critical need for awareness and prudence. This blog will discuss typical internet scam types, how to identify them, and important online safety advice. Common Types of Internet Scams How to Spot Internet Scams Tips to Stay Safe Online Bottomline Internet scams are an unfortunate reality of the digital age, but by staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself from falling prey to cybercriminals. Remember to always verify the source of online communications, use strong passwords, and be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. By following these tips and educating yourself about common scams, you can enjoy the benefits of the internet while staying safe and secure.

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Transforming India’s Digital Payments: The Rise of AePS and Its Challenges

A Decade of Digital Evolution India’s digital landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. With the advent of digital payment channels such as UPI, IMPS, and net banking, the country has achieved unprecedented growth in digital transactions. Despite these advancements, one specific demographic—rural middle-aged to senior citizens—was not fully utilizing this ecosystem. To address this gap and make basic banking services accessible in areas with limited banks and ATMs, the government launched the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS). Introduction of AePS The Aadhaar Enabled Payment System, introduced by the NPCI in 2016, is a digital payment method based on the Unique Identification Number (UIN) linked to the Aadhaar card. It allows Aadhaar cardholders to conduct financial transactions via Aadhaar-based authentication without needing to visit a bank. Instead, these transactions are facilitated by business correspondents (Bank Mitras) using micro-ATMs. AePS empowers all sections of society by making financial and banking services accessible to everyone through Aadhaar. It supports seamless fund transfers, cash deposits, withdrawals, balance inquiries, and more. Additionally, AePS facilitates the disbursement of government welfare schemes such as NREGA, social security pensions, and old age/handicapped pensions. Exponential Growth Since its launch, AePS has seen a significant boost in utilization. In 2019, the revenue from AePS transactions was around INR 5 billion. Within five years, this figure skyrocketed to INR 51 billion in 2024, a tenfold increase. By 2025, it is projected to reach INR 67 billion. In 2023 alone, over 370 million customers conducted transactions through AePS, highlighting its widespread adoption and success. Rising fraud concerns However, the rapid growth of AePS has also attracted fraudsters, targeting the predominantly rural, middle-aged, and senior population. Over the past 2–3 years, numerous reports of AePS-related fraud have surfaced. For instance, in Hyderabad, a gang of cybercriminals was arrested for fraudulently withdrawing ₹14.64 lakh from 149 customers. Such incidents underscore the growing risk of cyber-financial scams associated with AePS. According to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), AePS frauds accounted for 11% of cyber financial scams originating in India in 2023. Addressing Fraud: RBI and NPCI Initiatives In response to the increasing fraud cases, the RBI has instructed banks to streamline the onboarding process for AePS touchpoint operators, including mandatory due diligence. Additional fraud risk management requirements are also being considered. The NPCI has released circulars addressing customer withdrawal limits, account statements, and Business Correspondent (BC) onboarding procedures. Strengthening onboarding processes AePS providers must rigorously scrutinize the onboarding processes for business correspondent agents. This involves conducting comprehensive background checks to verify the authenticity and credibility of potential agents. Additionally, a risk-based categorization system should be implemented, where agents are classified based on an assessment of their history, including any previous instances of fraudulent activities or non-compliance. By adopting a detailed and systematic approach to onboarding, AePS providers can ensure that only trustworthy and low-risk agents are integrated into the system. Moreover, continuous monitoring and periodic reassessment of BC agents are crucial to maintaining high standards of integrity and security. Regular training and awareness programs should be conducted to keep agents updated on the latest security protocols and fraud prevention techniques. By strengthening these onboarding and monitoring processes, AePS providers can significantly reduce the risk of fraud and enhance the overall security and reliability of the payment system. This proactive approach not only safeguards the interests of users but also fortifies the reputation and operational efficiency of the AePS ecosystem. Common fraud scenarios One prevalent fraud scenario involves unauthorized cash withdrawals, where users receive no indication of the transaction. Fraudsters often impersonate fingerprints or deceive customers about the success of transactions. In some instances, BC agents have been known to use silica gel to replicate fingerprints, further complicating the detection of fraudulent activities. These sophisticated methods of fraud underscore the necessity for AePS providers to enhance their security measures and address these specific threats comprehensively. To combat these issues effectively, AePS providers need to strengthen their ecosystem and focus on specific patterns to identify and mitigate fraudulent activities. Key Areas of Focus Preparing for Future Challenges Currently, the primary issue revolves around cash withdrawals. However, with the increasing volume of fund transfers, there is a potential risk of anti-money laundering activities. As AePS providers continue to expand their services, they need to be adequately equipped to handle these emerging challenges. This involves not only detecting and preventing fraudulent activities but also complying with stringent regulatory requirements to ensure the integrity of the financial system. Conclusion The AePS industry is booming, and as it grows, fraudsters will seek new ways to exploit the system. To sustain growth and protect users, financial institutions must enhance fraud and risk management systems by investing in advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning for real-time monitoring and anomaly detection. Continuous education and training for users and service providers on potential risks and best practices are also crucial. By implementing robust security measures, the AePS ecosystem can mitigate fraud risks and continue to flourish, driving financial inclusion and transforming India’s digital payment landscape. Collaboration with regulatory bodies is essential to stay ahead of emerging threats and ensure a secure, seamless payment experience. With a concerted effort towards enhancing security and compliance, the AePS industry can thrive, paving the way for a more inclusive and digitally empowered India.

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Cross Border Payments in India

What are cross-border payments? Payments or transactions done across borders are part and parcel of international trade. So, playing the role of medium between the vendor and customer, cross-border payment is one of the crucial entities that enables cross-border trade. Any export or import is dependent on cross-border payment, and its growth is crucially dependent on smooth and seamless transactions. Why are cross-border payments significant? The significance of cross-border payments is proportional to the significance of cross-border trade. The size of cross-border payments is significant, with export merchandise alone contributing to about 15% of the total GDP. This alone is enough to look into the cross-border payment facilities that we are enabling our traders with to boost our country’s economic growth. India is looking at becoming a $5 trillion economy, and one of the major contributors can be cross-border trade. However, the fact on the ground is that of the 17 states that share their borders with other countries, only nine of them can actively engage in safe trade. Digital India has thrown the doors to cross-border trade wide open to not just the conglomerates but also MSME in India. Talking of MSME contribution, Livemint.com reports that “In FY 2022–23, MSME products accounted for 43.6% of India’s exports.” What are the major challenges to cross-border payments in India? Charges: With different countries come different rules and different financial charges. Many of the charges are informed only at the time of transactions, which either the vendor has to absorb or charge to the customer, irritating them in the least. Cumbersome process: With most local banks dealing with only a few currency options, time is taken for the standard international payouts, and both time and transparency are lost. SWIFT and international wire transfers come with their own set of challenges with regards to cost and time. Risk of fraud: Digitalization has thrown the door open to not just traders but also to cyber criminals. Cybersecurity has been constant and updated with the ability to come up with new solutions for the threats emerging daily. And yet be cost-effective. Compliance changes: Different borders dictate different laws at different points in time. The law of the land is often tweaked to combat raising threats or cementing the loopholes of existing laws. Currency volatility: With VUCA, is it a surprise that every country has a relatively fluid economy when compared to the currency woes that have been an age-old story? Only the present digitization has removed the buffer that the lag of communication offered earlier. How do we provide a solution to one of the pillars of our economy? Fintech India needs its fintech industry to find a one-stop solution for not just an easy and transparent transaction but also a safe one. A solution that authenticates easily but with foolproof scrutiny. Though many start-ups are working on solving individual issues discussed, most of them are working on their expertise, which is limited to one area.  The need of the hour is an aggregator who would collect all this expertise on one platform and provide a holistic solution. The future looks bright with a possible blend or amalgamation of both seamless and secure transactions across borders.

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Exploring the Foundation of Modern Banking: 9 Essential Core Banking Modules for Comprehensive Insight

Core Banking Systems (CBS) are the bedrock of modern financial institutions (FIs), serving as the linchpin for delivering accessible, flexible, and scalable banking services. With FIs allocating significant investments towards upgrading their legacy CBS, it’s paramount to grasp the pivotal modules embedded within these systems to maximize their capabilities. Recent industry data underscores the critical role of CBS in shaping the banking landscape. According to a report by BankingTech, investments in CBS upgrades have surged by 25% over the past two years, reflecting the industry’s commitment to modernization and innovation. This substantial increase underscores the growing importance of understanding the core modules that drive CBS functionality. As financial institutions navigate the complex terrain of modern banking, insights from a study conducted by Deloitte reveal that institutions leveraging comprehensive CBS solutions witness up to 30% improvement in operational efficiency and a 20% increase in customer satisfaction. These statistics underscore the transformative impact of CBS modules on enhancing banking operations and customer experiences. In light of these trends, delving into the intricacies of CBS modules becomes imperative for financial professionals seeking to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. By gaining a deeper understanding of these modules, banks can unlock new opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and customer-centricity, driving sustainable growth and success in the digital era. Let’s delve into the core modules that underpin the functionality of modern Core Banking Systems: Payment Processing Module: · Precision and efficiency characterize the Payment Processing module, managing diverse transactions with finesse. · According to recent industry reports, the adoption of contactless payments has witnessed a staggering growth of over 40% globally in the past year alone, emphasizing the critical role of payment processing modules in facilitating seamless transactions. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Module: · Personalization takes center stage with the CRM module, enriching user interactions beyond mere data storage. · Recent data suggests that banks utilizing advanced CRM capabilities experience up to a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and retention rates, highlighting the significance of personalized experiences in today’s competitive landscape. General Ledger Module: · The General Ledger (GL) Module serves as the centralized repository for recording all financial transactions systematically. · Studies indicate that organizations leveraging advanced GL modules witness up to 30% improvement in financial reporting accuracy, enabling informed decision-making and regulatory compliance. LMS and LOS Module: · The Loan Management System (LMS) and Loan Origination System (LOS) streamline the loan lifecycle, from application to repayment. · Recent market analysis indicates that FIs adopting comprehensive LMS and LOS solutions achieve up to a 25% reduction in loan processing time, enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Digital Banking Module: · The Digital Banking Module revolutionizes customer interactions by offering seamless online and mobile banking experiences. · Recent market analysis indicates that banks embracing digital banking solutions witness up to a 25% increase in customer engagement and retention rates, as customers increasingly prefer digital channels for their banking needs. Data Analytics Module: · The Data Analytics Module harnesses the power of data to drive informed decision-making and personalized customer experiences. · According to industry insights, organizations leveraging advanced data analytics modules experience up to a 30% improvement in cross-selling effectiveness and revenue generation, as data-driven insights enable targeted product recommendations and marketing campaigns. Fraud Detection Module: · Proactive fraud prevention defines the Fraud Detection Module, leveraging data analytics and machine learning to identify suspicious behaviour. · According to industry research, organizations with robust fraud detection systems experience up to a 40% decrease in fraud-related losses, safeguarding both financial assets and customer trust. Expense Management Module: · Methodical oversight characterizes the Expense Management Module, ensuring strict adherence to budgets and optimal resource utilization. · Recent surveys indicate that businesses implementing advanced expense management solutions witness up to a 35% reduction in administrative costs, driving bottom-line savings and operational efficiency. Tax Module: · Automated tax management simplifies tax-related responsibilities for FIs and customers alike, ensuring financial integrity from income to corporate taxes. · Market trends reveal that organizations leveraging integrated tax modules achieve up to a 30% reduction in tax compliance costs, streamlining processes and mitigating risks. These core banking modules operate seamlessly behind the scenes, ensuring a smooth and secure banking experience for customers. As FIs embrace the evolution of their legacy systems, the integration of these modules not only streamlines transactions but also enhances customer experiences, fortifies security measures, and drives operational excellence. Curious to learn more about Core Banking Systems and their transformative impact? Stay tuned for deeper insights and innovative solutions! You can also visit www.wibmo.co Banking Platform, Banking Tech, Banking Technology, Core Banking Solutions, Modern Banking

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Wibmo Protect — Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication Solution

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has embarked on a transformative journey by proposing a Principle-Based Framework for the authentication of digital transactions. This pioneering initiative underscores the RBI’s commitment to fostering a secure, seamless, and customer-centric digital payments ecosystem. The primary objective of this framework is to propel the adoption of alternative authentication mechanisms, transcending the traditional SMS OTP paradigm. By embracing innovative authentication solutions, the RBI seeks to elevate the customer experience while fortifying the security infrastructure of digital payments. Furthermore, this strategic move is poised to empower businesses to embark on a journey of innovation, enabling them to explore cutting-edge solutions while upholding the highest standards of security and integrity. In essence, the Principle-Based Authentication Framework heralds a new era of digital transactions, characterized by enhanced security, heightened user experience, and unparalleled innovation. Challenges with OTP Authentication: Traditional SMS OTPs, while prevalent, present significant limitations and risks. They heavily rely on mobile service providers, are susceptible to interception, and contribute to transaction delays and failures, leading to user frustration and financial losses. Limitations of Traditional SMS-Based OTP Authentication: – Reliance on Mobile Service Providers: SMS OTPs are entirely dependent on mobile service providers, making them susceptible to network coverage issues and unable to support offline mode. – Inadequate Support for Cross-Border Transactions: Due to network dependencies, SMS OTPs face challenges in facilitating cross-border transactions and international access. – High Transaction Authentication Failure Rate: In the current scenario, the authentication failure rate for card transactions using SMS OTPs averages between 5% to 8%, primarily due to network dependencies. – Vulnerability to Cyber Threats: SMS OTPs are prone to interception, phishing, MITM attacks, and sim swapping, lacking robust protection for authorized access. – Rising Instances of Fraud: Cybercrimes, including fraud cases involving SMS OTPs, have surged, with approximately 1.1 million fraud cases registered in 2023, amounting to Rs 7,488.6 crore. Additionally, UPI fraud cases reached over 95,000 in the 2022–23 fiscal year. – User Experience Disruptions: Delays or delivery failures in SMS OTPs disrupt the user experience, leading to frustration and contributing to merchant conversion losses. – Increased Operational Costs: Constant intervention is required to manage authentication experiences across various channels, leading to additional costs. The average SMS cost per transaction is 12 paise, which escalates based on the chosen channels. Wibmo Protect: A Revolutionary Solution: Wibmo Protect, a cutting-edge platform, aligns seamlessly with the RBI’s framework. Utilizing a risk-based contextual authentication approach, it leverages machine learning and deep data analytics to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions in real-time. Contextual authentication further enhances security, enabling swift and secure payments without OTPs. Key Benefits of Wibmo Protect: Wibmo Protect offers a multitude of benefits, including: – Fraud Detection & Prevention – Dynamic Risk-based Authentication – Preference-based authentication with multiple modes – Multi-channel support for various transaction types – Reduced chargebacks and increased revenue growth – Merchant opt-out feature – Enhanced consumer authentication experience Wibmo Protect combines three powerful modules: 1. Access Control Server (Accosa ACS): A holistic payment authentication platform integrated with an intelligent risk engine. 2. Enterprise Trident FRM: A comprehensive cross-channel, self-learning risk assessment engine. 3. Tridentity: A multifactor out-of-band authentication solution offering secure, password less authentication. Wibmo Protect emerges as a game-changer in digital transaction security. By embracing innovative technologies and adaptive authentication methods, it sets new standards for security, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. With its comprehensive suite of modules, Wibmo Protect stands as a beacon of trust and reliability in the evolving landscape of digital transactions. Through continuous innovation and commitment to security, Wibmo paves the way for a secure and seamless digital future. Author: Anand K Khanna, Product Manager — Fraud & Risk Management Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Digital Payment, Fraud Detection, Multi-Factor Authentication, Payment Security, RBI

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Unveiling the Future: Fintech Innovations Redefining Finance in 2024

As we navigate the intricate landscape of finance, the year 2024 unfolds with a myriad of fintech innovations that promise to reshape the industry fundamentally. Fintech, a portmanteau of “financial technology,” has become synonymous with innovation and disruption, revolutionizing how we manage, invest, and transact in the digital era. In this comprehensive blog, we’ll explore the groundbreaking fintech trends that are set to dominate the stage in 2024. Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Decentralized Finance, or DeFi, stands at the forefront of fintech innovation in 2024. This paradigm shift involves leveraging blockchain technology to create a decentralized financial ecosystem that operates outside traditional banking systems. DeFi platforms facilitate peer-to-peer lending, borrowing, and trading without the need for intermediaries. Smart contracts on blockchain networks ensure transparency, security, and efficiency in financial transactions. As we move forward, the DeFi space is expected to mature, offering more sophisticated financial services while challenging the conventional norms of the finance industry. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Central Bank Digital Currencies are gaining prominence as central banks worldwide explore the digitization of national currencies. In 2024, CBDCs are not just theoretical concepts but tangible initiatives that aim to provide a secure and regulated digital alternative to physical cash. Countries like China have made significant strides in piloting CBDCs, aiming to enhance the efficiency of financial transactions, reduce costs, and ensure greater financial inclusion. The widespread adoption of CBDCs holds the potential to redefine the global monetary landscape. AI-Powered Personalization: Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be a driving force in fintech, particularly in the realm of personalization. In 2024, AI is set to transform the user experience by providing hyper-personalized financial services. Machine learning algorithms analyze vast datasets to understand user behaviors, preferences, and financial patterns. Fintech platforms leverage this data to offer tailored investment advice, customized budgeting tools, and personalized recommendations. AI-driven personalization not only enhances user satisfaction but also fosters a deeper connection between users and their financial platforms. Embedded Finance: Embedded finance is revolutionizing the way financial services are delivered by seamlessly integrating them into non-financial platforms. In 2024, we witness the expansion of embedded finance into various sectors, allowing users to access financial services without the need to switch between different applications. E-commerce websites, social media platforms, and even ride-sharing apps now offer embedded financial services such as payments, loans, and investments. This trend is breaking down traditional silos, creating a more interconnected digital ecosystem. Green Fintech: Sustainability takes center stage in 2024, and fintech is not exempt from this global shift towards environmental responsibility. Green fintech initiatives are emerging to address climate concerns and promote eco-friendly financial practices. This includes the development of digital currencies with lower carbon footprints, sustainable investment platforms that prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, and tools that encourage responsible spending and consumption. Fintech is becoming a driving force for positive environmental change, aligning financial activities with broader sustainability goals. Biometric Authentication: The quest for enhanced security in financial transactions has led to the widespread adoption of biometric authentication methods. In 2024, we see a surge in the use of biometrics, such as facial recognition, fingerprint scans, and voice recognition, to verify user identities. These advanced authentication methods provide an extra layer of security against fraud and unauthorized access. As fintech platforms prioritize user safety, biometric authentication is becoming integral to ensuring secure and convenient financial transactions. The year 2024 marks an important turning point in the growth of fintech when creativity and technology combine to reshape the financial environment. From the decentralized revolution of DeFi to the digitization of national currencies via CBDCs, the fintech industry is undergoing transformational change. AI-powered personalization, embedded finance, green fintech efforts, and biometric authentication all work towards a future in which financial services are not just technologically advanced but also sustainable, secure, and seamlessly interwoven into our daily lives. As we welcome the advancements in fintech, it’s crucial to acknowledge their profound impact on money management. Heading into 2024, the future of financial technology promises ongoing empowerment, bridging financial divides, and fostering a more inclusive and sustainable global economy. Leading this transformative journey is Wibmo, a key player in fintech, utilizing innovative technologies. With our robust payment security and digital payment services, we play a pivotal role in seamlessly integrating financial services, ensuring heightened security and transaction efficiency. In this era of significant shifts in the financial industry, we are happy to be able help banks and fintech firms in reshaping the landscape of finance. 2024 Trends, 2024 Trens, Digital Finance, Financial Services, Fintech, Fintech Trend

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Empowering Digital Transactions: A Comprehensive Guide to Payment Gateways and Wibmo Areion’s Innovation

The dynamic landscape of digital payments has posed challenges and opportunities for stakeholders across the financial ecosystem. From merchants and payment facilitators to issuers and payment gateways, each entity grapples with considerations of customer convenience, operational costs, compliance, security, and value-added services. This comprehensive guide explores the critical decision of selecting the right payment gateway, emphasizing the importance of compliance, security, transparent costing, and value-added services. Additionally, we delve into the innovative features of Wibmo Areion, a cutting-edge payment gateway that redefines the digital payment experience. Understanding the Landscape: The payment ecosystem operates as a connected network of platforms, where the considerations for selecting a payment gateway vary based on the role of the player. The two primary providers of payment gateway services to merchants are acquiring banks or intermediaries such as Payment Aggregators, Payment Facilitators, or PSPs. Table Stakes and Prerequisites: Before embarking on the payment gateway journey, certain prerequisites must be addressed. Compliance with supported payment schemes and robust technological infrastructure, complying with standards like PCI DSS and NPCI for UPI, is crucial for a seamless and secure digital payment experience. Key Business Considerations: Cost per Transaction (MDR): Derived from the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), transparent costing is complex and varies based on factors like merchant category code, payment limit, and payment instrument type. Transaction Success Rate (SR): Paramount for all stakeholders, payment gateways strive to offer the highest success rate through innovative payment flows and partnerships. Fraud Management: A robust fraud management platform is essential to minimize chargebacks and secure payments, especially in online transactions. Billing, Reporting, and Dashboards: Transparent billing and reporting are crucial for stakeholders to gain clear insights into transactions through simple and informative dashboards. Differentiators and Value-Added Services: Beyond core capabilities, payment gateways seek to differentiate themselves through value-added services: Frictionless Check-Out: Using biometrics for seamless authentication. Loyalty Programs: Allowing customers to earn and redeem loyalty points at checkout. EMI Options: Providing affordable instalment options at checkout. Diverse Payment Methods: Supporting additional payment methods such as wallets, net banking, and local payment methods. Unveiling the Future: Exploring Wibmo Areion Payment Gateway In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital payments, having a robust and versatile payment gateway is crucial for businesses seeking seamless transactions and enhanced customer experiences. Wibmo, a leading player in the fintech industry, introduces its cutting-edge payment gateway — Wibmo Areion. Let’s delve into the features, benefits, and potential impact of this innovative solution. The Rise of Wibmo Areion: Wibmo Areion represents a significant leap forward in the world of payment gateways, offering advanced features and capabilities designed to meet the dynamic needs of modern businesses. From security enhancements to a user-friendly interface, Wibmo Areion aims to redefine the digital payment experience. Key Features: Enhanced Security Protocols: Prioritizing transaction security with state-of-the-art protocols and compliance with PCI DSS standards. Seamless User Experience: Commitment to a smooth and seamless user experience for quick and hassle-free transactions. Adaptive Fraud Management: Employing adaptive fraud management tools to stay ahead of evolving fraud tactics and minimize chargebacks. Multi-Channel Support: Recognizing the diverse nature of modern transactions, Wibmo Areion offers support for various channels, including e-commerce, mobile payments, and in-app transactions. Flexible Integration Options: Providing businesses with flexible integration options through Rest-based APIs, ensuring a hassle-free implementation process. Benefits for Businesses: Enhanced Security: Instilling trust among customers by providing a secure and reliable payment environment. Improved Customer Experience: Contributing to an enhanced customer experience, leading to higher satisfaction and retention rates. Reduced Fraud-related Costs: Minimizing the financial impact of fraudulent activities, reducing operational compliance costs. Scalability and Multi-Channel Reach: Scaling with businesses as they grow and ensuring support for various platforms and channels. Efficient Integration: The flexible integration options make the onboarding process smoother, allowing businesses to quickly adopt and benefit from advanced features. The selection of a payment gateway is a nuanced decision that traverses various dimensions based on the role of the payment player. As stakeholders navigate this landscape, the emphasis on compliance, security, transparent costing, and value-added services will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital transactions. Let us work together and ensure that we, as one family, soar to new heights in the coming year. None of this would have been possible without each one of you. Your dedication and hard work have been the driving force behind our success. As we bid farewell to this incredible year, we express our deepest gratitude. We look forward to seeing you grow with us in the coming years. Author: Ravi Battula, Vice President- Merchant Acquiring Business Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Card Payment, Online Payments, Payment Gateway, Payment Processing, Payments Technology

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UPI Fraud Trends and Their Possible Mitigation

With over 2 billion transactions worth over INR 4.5 trillion processed every month, India’s United Payment Interface (UPI) has revolutionized the digital payment ecosystem. UPI has been emerging as the most preferred payment method among Indians. However, at the same time, we are witnessing a rise in fraudulent transactions in recent times. A total of 1,46,495 unified payments interface (UPI) fraudulent activities were reported on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) during the first and second quarters of 2022, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Up until now, banks and financial institutions have predominantly relied on educating consumers against fraud. But, in cases of fraud, the consumer is at the mercy of the grievance process, which adversely affects the consumer experience and dents customer loyalty. Fraud Trends and Their Possible Mitigation Impersonating Sellers and Customer Care It is more of a habit to google customer care contacts when facing issues with our online purchases. Fraudsters are flooding the internet with fake customer care details to lure in consumers. After gaining the trust of gullible customers over the phone, refund collect requests are shared via QR codes, SMS links, and so on. Financial institutions can integrate with technological solutions that detect and alert the customer in the event that a payment is made over the phone. Spoofed VPA IDs In the name of disaster relief or support, fraudsters created multiple spoofed VPA IDs that are remarkably similar to the original ones. In recent times, we witnessed an unprecedented rise in VPA IDs, similar to the PM Cares Fund. Maintaining a list of suspicious keywords such as support, relief, care, disaster, army, minister,” etc. and running risk rules over transactions being made to VPA IDs containing high-risk keywords have the potential to curb fraudulent transactions. Screen mirroring apps and malware Through malicious links, fraudsters get consumers to download screen-sharing or remote-access apps or malware. Once installed, the fraudster gains access to confidential UPI details, which are then used in combination with other modus operandi, such as SIM-swapping. Payment apps should have the capability to detect potential malicious apps already downloaded on the device and restrict payments from going through. Collect Request Through classified ads, fraudsters initiate conversation with sellers they are impersonating as potential buyers. Creating a sense of urgency, the fraudster intends to make a quick payment without much negotiation and sends a collect request, sometimes in the form of a QR code. The VPA IDs used by fraudsters are generally gibberish and at times have numbers or alphabets in sequence. Banks or financial institutions’ apps should have the capability to detect such patterns on beneficiary VPA handles. UPI has made digital payments more accessible and convenient for millions of people in India, and it is expected to continue to play a significant role in India’s digital payments ecosystem in the coming years. With continued efforts of educating consumers against frauds, banks and financial institutions should leverage the technological advancements against the mushrooming UPI frauds. Author: Sujit Kumar Mahato, Product Manager Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company BaaS

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Regulator asking your bank to migrate from SMS-based OTPs to more secure authentication options? Use the opportunity to derive multiple benefits

Central Banks are proactively taking steps to reduce the risk of banking/financial fraud The phrase “two sides of the same coin” applies to the world of digital banking and financial services as well. Internet/mobile based banking capabilities have undoubtedly enabled convenience and speed for consumers and reduced costs for service providers. Simultaneously, however, there has also been a steady rise in digital frauds and scams around the world. New ways of scamming consumers are constantly emerging because omni-channel digital first banking has given perpetrators more options based on how banking transactions are authenticated. Central banks around the world have regularly been raising the bar for digital security within their jurisdictions, given their responsibility for orderly conduct of a country’s banking and financial services system and ensuring the highest levels of consumer safety and protection. Individual banks and fintech players are proactively integrating new technologies and protocols to provide customers with the additional security of multi-factor authentication. About a month ago, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM, the Malaysian central bank) announced that banks operating in that country needed to adopt authentication methods for online activities (opening accounts, making payments and other transactions) that go beyond SMS-based OTPs (One Time Passwords). BNM’s new measures also cover changes to default customer account settings, cooling off periods for new accounts, using just one device for authentication, etc. The rules pertaining to the detection of scams/frauds and the triggering of blocking actions are also being tightened. While many of the steps will kick in after suspicious transactions are detected, what is essential for banks is to strengthen measures that can minimize the occurrence of frauds and scams through superior digital authentication and the detection of risky transactions. OTPs and two-factor authentication are no longer adequate Over the past years, OTPs have become ubiquitous and deeply embedded in our lives as the primary means to authenticate all banking (and many other) transactions. But the two-factor authentication provided by OTPs is no longer enough to provide customers with the desired levels of safety and protection. Authentication is based on entering the 4 or 6 digits sent by the service provider to the customer’s mobile number. It does not verify the identity of the person who has entered the OTP. This means anyone with access to the OTP can easily impersonate a customer and complete transactions without the genuine customer being aware until it is too late. Think about three commonplace scenarios that customers might routinely face: a lost or stolen mobile phone, an unlocked phone on their office desk while they briefly step out, or a phone given for repairs (where unscrupulous staff members have the chance to copy/access personal data). In each of these situations, unauthorized persons can easily access OTPs and other transaction-related messages sent by banks to the phone and essentially “authenticate” transactions that will go through as legitimate transactions initiated/approved by you. If such impersonation risks are not bad enough, think about phishing frauds and scams where users are induced to click on links that they believe have come from their bank or other service providers via SMS. A world of non-banking digital payment apps and platforms gives fraudsters even more opportunities to scam customers by voluntarily giving out information that is needed to complete unauthorized financial transactions. In such a high-risk environment, online authentication must necessarily be made a more rigorous and fool-proof process that is inherently harder to circumvent. Rather than relying on an OTP that can be entered by anyone (and not just the genuine customer), banks must adopt authentication protocols that use multiple data points that can be collectively used to establish customer identity and authenticity of transactions. Multi-factor authentication can make a big difference to the reliability of your authentication and hence customer experience Banks need to balance secure and reliable authentication with the associated costs and impact on customer experience. Working even when there is mobile network latency (or lack of network coverage) is another requirement. Compliance with the bank’s own security norms and complete adherence to prevailing regulatory requirements also needs to be considered. The solution must be such that it can be used seamlessly with mobile banking as well as internet banking. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions tick all these boxes. A robust MFA solution uses a combination of three distinct sets of data points for authentication: · Knowledge- what the customer knows (e.g., password, security question); · Ownership/access- what the user has (e.g., mobile device, USB token); and · Inherence- something that is inherent to the customer (e.g., fingerprint or other biometrics) A world-class MFA solution must provide banks (and other organizations) the option to authenticate customers and transactions based on a variety of authentication touchpoints that cater to customer preferences and risk profiles. It must be used either on a standalone basis or be capable of easily being integrated with a bank’s existing assets. It must support Out of Band (OOB) authentication- which means that the channel used for authentication must be distinct from the one used to sign in or perform a transaction. Ideally, the OOB authentication element must reside in the customer’s registered mobile phone, making it easier to leverage ownership- and inherence-based data points as well for authentication. The MFA solution must be compatible with EMV 3-D Secure and 3-D Secure 1.0 protocols and support CNP transactions as well. Wibmo’s Tridentity is an MFA solution that is designed to address the above needs and deliver the above capabilities. It supports authentication based on Push notifications, Offline OTP, and Biometrics. It is available as a simple SDK or downloadable as an Android/iOS app. Tridentity is compliant with the EU’s PSD2 initiative. Please click on https://www.wibmo.co/tridentity/ for more information on Wibmo’s Tridentity solution and how it can help your bank in Malaysia or elsewhere. If you have specific questions and would like to speak to one of our experts, write to us at sales@wibmo.com. Author: Edward Chien, Director- Sales, South-East Asia Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Authentication, Multi-Factor Authentication, Online Payments, Out of

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Moving beyond SMS OTP Authentication

If you have ever transacted or purchased online, you must have come across the OTP Authentication. The system-generated code delivered through SMS on your device serves as a verification of the claim that you are the actual owner of the device as well as the account/card/wallet through which the transaction is initiated. The authentication or verification of our identity as who we claim ourselves to be is a part of our day-to-day lives. Be it checking in at the airport or going past the security desk of an office, though we identify ourselves with our name, we authenticate ourselves with some other form of ID card. With growing security concerns, both in the physical and digital worlds, authentication methods have evolved not only to protect but also to provide a seamless experience to users. The ways in which one can be authenticated fall into three categories: · Knowledge: Something the user knows (eg. Password) · Ownership: Something the user has (eg. ID card) · Inherence: Something the user is (eg. Fingerprint) The above categories are referred as the Authentication Factors and the use of the number of factors in an authentication process derives its name. · Single-factor Authentication: Requires providing only one piece of verifiable information such as a password · Two-factor Authentication(2FA): Requires providing two pieces of verifiable information such as a password and then proof of possession of their smartphone (through an SMS OTP delivered on that device) · Multi-factor Authentication: Required to provide two or more pieces of verifiable information. As in the case of 2FA, where two categories (factors) of information are required, it is also considered an MFA. The idea of an OTP was first suggested in the 1980s by Leslie Lamport. With growing attacks and increasing authentication requirements, many patented OTP algorithms were developed. Today, OTPs are synonymous with two-factor authentication and are thought to augment existing passwords with an extra layer of security. Yet, fraudsters manage to circumvent it every day. SIM SWAP: In this scenario, a fraudster uses the stolen identity (name, email, government ID, etc.) to trick a mobile service provider into issuing a new SIM card for an existing phone number. Once the new SIM card is active, the original SIM card will be shut down, and the fraudster will try to gain access to the user’s financial application. Once the fraudster has gained access, the last line of defense—2FA or SMS OTP, is compromised. JAILBREAK or ROOT: Removing software restrictions put in place by manufacturers, to gain full access to the device’s operating system is called “jailbreaking” for iOS and “rooting” for the Android operating system. Generally, it is aimed at customizing the user experience or gaining access to a greater variety of unofficial apps. Jailbroken and rooted devices are susceptible to malware and viruses due to the weakened built-in security features of the devices. This eliminates security controls made by the manufacturer, which enables hackers to steal personal information, attack the network, or introduce malware, spyware, or viruses to circumvent the authentication measures in place. Investigating the feasibility of implementing a code by financial institutions that checks if the device is rooted or jailbroken prior to the installation of the mobile application and disallows the mobile application to install or function if the phone is rooted or jailbroken, can save its customers from possible fraud. Increasing layers of security is not a feasible solution for financial institutions when consumers prefer speed and convenience, even when it comes to accessing financial services online. User experience has become one of the determining factors when it comes to user adoption in any industry globally. Not receiving an SMS OTP, is one of the most painful experiences one can have as a user. Latency, in addition to the SMS cost, is a challenge for financial institutions in the exponentially growing digital era. Maintaining a balance between fighting fraud and improving the consumer experience is a challenge. Leveraging inherence-based authentication, such as biometrics, or ownership-based authentication, such as push notifications on the registered device, are some of the authentication measures that cater to both security and the consumer experience. Technological solutions with multiple authentication measures other than SMS OTPs and device binding are the way forward for providing a delightful customer experience without compromising security. Author: Sujit Kumar Mahato, Product Manager Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Authentication, Fraud Prevention, Global Digital Payments, Payments

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Importance of Fraud and Risk Management Solutions for Financial Institutions

Technology and trust must go hand in hand Technologies are undoubtedly transformative for businesses and their customers. But to fully deliver the promised benefits, technologies must consciously build trust amongst all legitimate users and stakeholders. Trustworthiness is becoming critical by the day in an increasingly digital world because of the rising incidence of online fraud. Just as quality at the source is a mantra for manufacturing companies, the detection, and prevention of fraudulent transactions as soon as they originate is important for banks and financial institutions. At the same time, customer convenience has to be balanced out. Regulators expect banks to enhance their digital abilities to detect/prevent frauds/crimes Regulators play a key role in ensuring the safe, smooth, and efficient functioning of the banking and financial systems within their individual jurisdictions. As such, central banks worldwide have begun to tighten various regulatory requirements in order to reduce the risk of fraud made possible by technological or process loopholes in the systems used by banks and other financial institutions. In March 2022, the Bangko Sentral NG Pilipinas (“BSP”, the central bank of the Philippines), published amendments to its “Regulations on Information Technology Risk Management” with the specific objective of enhancing customer protection. To ensure that digital banking channels are made safer and more reliable, the BSP requires banks operating in the Philippines to implement automated and real-time fraud monitoring and detection systems capable of identifying and blocking suspicious or fraudulent online transactions. Starting 1 September 2022, banks must be prepared to show BSP their action plans; and full compliance with a readiness plan is expected by 31 December 2022. While the Fraud Management systems implemented must commensurate with the bank’s operations and the scope of its digital platforms, BSP does expect that the solutions that banks put in place will, at a minimum, deliver the following capabilities: · Monitoring, collecting, and analyzing transaction data arising from all physical and digital banking and non-banking channels; · Integration with the bank’s Anti Money Laundering (AML) systems to provide a more robust and comprehensive mechanism to prevent financial crimes (and not just detect them); · Building customer profiles and analyzing behavior to detect frauds based on changes in usage patterns; and · Secure scalability to handle growing transaction volumes. FRM solutions must give robust Fraud detection and prevention capabilities without damaging customer relationships Frauds and other operational risks not only damage customer confidence in individual banks (and the banking system as a whole) but can also lead to financial losses (reparations, penalties) and harm your brand/reputation. Clearly, the costs of not having a state-of-the-art Fraud & Risk Management System (FRMS) are high. While there are many FRMS solutions out there, not all of them are equally efficacious. This is because each one uses different protocols to detect and analyze risks and thereafter, determine further courses of action. Wibmo’s Trident FRM platform offers multiple advantages Wibmo’s Trident is an enterprise fraud and risk management platform that uses advanced authentication protocols and ML-driven statistical models. Our platform makes approval/ challenge/ decline decisions based on rigorous, real-time assessment of more than 100 parameters related to the device, user, and transaction (e.g., merchant, location, IP address, time of the transaction, value, etc.). This Risk-Based Authentication (RBA) approach provides a more robust and reliable assessment of the risk of every individual transaction. The omnichannel capability of the platform is an added advantage wherein the bank’s operations team gets a central view of their customer’s transactions across channels For banks operating in the Philippines, Trident can ensure full compliance with BSP’s amended regulations within the stipulated timeframe. However, irrespective of where your bank operates, there are many other reasons why Trident could be the right FRMS solution for your bank: · Many banks rely on disparate legacy systems and point solutions for specific functions (e.g., AML, branch-based KYC transactions, etc.). Integrating data from myriad systems is neither easy nor efficient; the chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Therefore, our risk management platform is API-driven. What is more, it uses 360o degree customer data and insights to detect anomalous behaviors that might indicate fraud or misuse. · Trident is sensitive to the need for banks to deliver a seamless, speedy, and superior customer experience for every legitimate transaction; this minimizes customer friction– key to building loyalty and enhancing lifetime value. · Customers (and fraudsters) can use multiple channels to effect transactions (e.g., 3DS, mobile payment, ATM/POS, online retail/corporate banking). The FRMS solution your bank adopts must be able to function equally effectively- and seamlessly- across channels (to handle situations where customers legitimately switch channels). Our platform uses AI/ML to safeguard customers, merchants, card issuers, and networks in an omnichannel environment. Sometimes, frauds are perpetrated at the merchant level (e.g., by employees misusing customer cards for fraudulent transactions). The Trident platform can detect and prevent such misuse as well. Trident enables full compliance with FATF and AML-CFT, thus helping to prevent financial crimes. · Your bank works with various card networks (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). Trident is compatible with all networks; it gives you get a network-agnostic RBA score thus strengthening your bank’s overall ability to detect, prevent and manage fraud risks. · Trident can be fully deployed on Cloud, thus assuring high availability and scalability so that 100% of your bank’s transactions are processed in real-time to validate the authenticity and assess risk before completion. · Our FRMS platforms are rules-driven. This lets your bank respond quickly to emerging threats with the help of “quick rules” and “expression rules” for more complex threat scenarios. The bank will also be equipped with Rule Wizard wherein the operations team can build rules on the fly · Quick investigation and resolution of transactions are important to ensure customer satisfaction, and regulatory reporting/compliance as well as enhancing the bank’s preparedness to prevent future false positives. Efficient and workflow-driven case management capabilities built into our platform allow investigators to track, investigate and resolve transactions quickly. This also reduces your bank’s operational expenses– a major benefit gave the pressure on margins. · Banks that adopt

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Understanding ONDC and what banks must do to benefit from it

Introduction: what is ONDC and why it is a game-changer for India India’s digital commerce industry is growing rapidly. From around US$38 Billion in 2021, it is expected to touch US$120 Billion by 2026 (source: KNN India), and possibly cross US$200 Billion by 2029 (source: India TV News). Given the country’s demographics and internet penetration, digital commerce is still an underserved market in India. Thus far, its biggest beneficiaries have been large monopolistic marketplaces/platforms because of the massive investments needed. But there is a change in the air. Technology-led innovations such as India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce (“ONDC”) are creating open, network-centric digital commerce models to compete with existing platform-centric models. ONDC promises to revolutionize the country’s digital commerce landscape by democratizing access/participation. Over the next few years, the transformative effect will be similar to what UPI has done for digital payments. ONDC is a public infrastructure project being executed by a non-profit organization under the aegis of the Government of India’s Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. In April 2022 pilot projects began in five Indian cities; 100 cities are to be covered by the end of August 2022. A number of public and private sector banks (e.g., SBI, PNB, Kotak Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank) have already invested in ONDC. The “my way or the highway” approach taken by many proprietary e-commerce platforms has led to predatory practices. Smaller businesses are disadvantaged because they inherently lack bargaining power vis-à-vis these e-commerce marketplaces/platforms. ONDC aims to create a level playing field for thousands of small businesses across India as well as customers living in rural areas and smaller towns so that they can all benefit from digital commerce. ONDC is effectively a platform that allows you as a consumer to search and buy products/services that are currently offered only on multiple marketplaces, without having to log into each of them. You can conveniently browse and buy products that are listed on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Myntra, Neu, or indeed anywhere else- using just one app. As a seller, registering on this platform gives you access to customers of multiple marketplaces. There is no need to list on multiple marketplaces, be tied to specific delivery partners, or comply with the different requirements of these platforms. The main beneficiaries of ONDC ONDC is designed to benefit three main categories of stakeholders: · Small businesses/suppliers of goods and services, who can access a larger market; · Customers across India (especially those in smaller towns and rural areas), who will get greater choice and better prices; and · Banks, who get another chance to be a relevant intermediary in digital commerce (both in the retail and SME space). Since the launch of UPI-based payments in 2016, proprietary payment platforms owned by non-banking players such as Google, Amazon, PayTM, etc. have accounted for a majority of digital payment transactions, especially in the retail space. Banks found themselves left behind. Both sellers/merchants and buyers/consumers are banks’ traditional customers, but third-party digital apps have effectively disintermediated them. By registering on ONDC, banks can offer solutions to both sets of customers. Banks get the opportunity to efficiently monetize their relationships with customers- a key source of competitive advantage in an increasingly digital, ecosystem-driven world. ONDC will give banks access to a much larger base of prospects and customers; it will also allow banks to offer these customers a larger bouquet of products/services (both banking as well as those offered by partners on the network). For example, banks can target retail customers with offers related to insurance, wealth management, loans, deposits, etc. Just as important is the opportunity that ONDC will provide banks to deepen their relationships with Current Account customers. India’s SMEs in particular have begun to gravitate towards fintech players and if this trend intensifies, it can spell trouble for corporate banks. Given that ONDC is designed to attract large numbers of SMEs, it affords banks a good opportunity to build and strengthen their relationships with customers in this segment by offering a larger portfolio of services, including working capital loans, Capex loans, export credit, etc. Thus, banks that choose to be part of ONDC can expect to capture greater mindshare (and hence, wallet share) of customers who choose to be active on the ONDC network. Given the “all-digital” nature and national/global reach of the ONDC, banks no longer need to worry about catering only to “local” customers (whether retail or corporate). Across segments, ONDC can help banks reduce costs of customer acquisition and service delivery, thereby boosting profitability and margins. Banks will need to upgrade their technology stacks to benefit from ONDC To offline merchants/sellers, banks either offer QR codes or PoS-based payment solutions or Open Banking based Payment Gateways to e-commerce players. Therefore, banks need a deep integration of their mobile apps with those of partner merchants and/or aggregators to enable customers to use their mobile banking apps. The objective is to build stickiness for the banks’ mobile apps, but the absence of an industry-standard protocol makes this expensive and time-consuming. All this will change with ONDC. Instead of direct integration with merchant apps, banks will need the capability to connect with the ONDC platform using a standard Beckn protocol, which is an “open, interoperable and universal transaction protocol to enable a decentralized digital economy,”(source: beckn). This will enable customers to use the bank’s app to: · easily register on the ONDC platform and discover products/services; · search for products/services they need using criteria such as geo-location, sellers, price ranges, etc.: · Make purchases; and · Manage returns and resolve disputes more easily and speedily. Provided banks are ready with the necessary technology components for ONDC, they can thus deliver access to a wider range of products/services as well as a smoother customer experience. Merchants joining ONDC will expect banks to provide a complete Digital Commerce solution that seamlessly integrates offline/online registration on the platform with transaction experience and banking services such as collecting customer payments and paying suppliers. Banks

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Things you must know about Tokenization — talk of the town

After the industry requested more time to comply with the latest data security rules, the Reserve Bank of India mandated the implementation of tokenization of card transactions, with a deadline of June 30, 2022, which is further extended to September 30, 2022. So, what exactly is tokenization? And how would it aid in the security of online transactions? Tokenization is a process of replacing sensitive information with non—sensitive information [token]either completely or partially, rendering the token useless for the unintended users. Tokens are irreversible, original data cannot be derived back using a key, unlike the cryptographic process. It follows the principle of ‘pseudonymization’ [Pseudo Anonymization or simply put alias or surrogate] for sensitive data like Aadhar, SSN, Credit Card, Bank ac/c, phone, or DOB. A tokenization system links the original data to a token but does not provide any way to decipher the token and reveal the original data. For e.g. in the case of a card/PAN, Token PAN is generated using the Format Preserving Hash which is irreversible PAN, and Lunch’s check is passed on the same so all the card validations on the token are also successful and follow card network rules. Original PAN: 7654 1111 1111 1111 Token PAN: 6667 2397 1422 2655 [Identical to PAN but of no value for a bad actor as it cannot be used without the valid Token Requestor and Merchant Id combination.] Any token generated for a card will inherit the key attributes of the original card e.g. expiry date, product code, card art, etc. Tokenization is a secure method of storing payment information. In essence, a token (an alias or a Pseudo number) is generated for the stored payment card. As a result, simply possessing the token does not grant you access to the card information without first passing through the tokenization system. When we apply this to the real world, we can see the benefits. Consider a website that sells specific products but also offers recurring deliveries. When a client purchases from the website for the first time, they will enter their credit card information themselves; however, for recurring transactions (such as the delivery of specific cosmetics on the first day of each month, for example), the information must be stored by the website in order for a monthly payment to be made. If card information is not stored securely, unauthorized personnel or even bad actors can gain access, causing a nuisance for the consumer and a serious problem for the merchant resulting in chargebacks. To solve this problem in the simplest way possible, we turn to tokenization. When a client first enters his card details, the payment platform collects the information and sends it to the tokenization system, which returns the token to the website and processes the payment. The token will be stored on the website in conjunction with the information entered during the registration process. For a Standing Instruction when the merchant website needs to charge the client on a recurring basis, it will simply send the amount and the token to the payment platform. The payments platform will then send the token to the tokenization system, which will map the card number against the token and complete the transaction on behalf of the customer. The website does not need to store the actual card details to process recurring payments using this method, and the payment process is limited to the dialogue between the tokenization system and the payment platform, both of which have high levels of security. Tokenization inherently uses a pseudonymization process to replace sensitive data with random data. Card tokens are intent-based which is unique per merchant. Card tokens generated at one merchant cannot be used at other merchants. In case of any data compromise at a particular merchant/entity, it cannot be used for any other purpose. Even if the bad actor wants to use the stolen token at the same merchant, they will also need the cryptographic keys to initiate any transactions which are almost impossible to get access to organization cryptographic keys. Hence tokenization makes the data storage, data transmission, and data usage very secure without worrying about misuse. In this case, the user would simply delete/cancel the token for a particular merchant only as opposed to canceling the card and managing storage at all other locations Because online shopping is becoming more popular by the day, cybercrime has skyrocketed so as data proliferation, both businesses and their customers must now rely on secure online solutions for all types of transactions. This means that more credit card information is being stored and processed, providing more opportunities for cybercriminals. Security solutions such as tokenization are arguably more important than ever before, as they can assure clients that their sensitive data is much more secure, thereby fostering trust and loyalty between businesses and consumers. Benefits of tokenization on your cards : · With rising subscriptions and recurring economy, intent-based unique tokens enable users to manage multiple subscriptions (COF or SI) very securely · Can be used for an online card on file and device-based tap n pay contactless payment on mobile devices · Greater protection against data theft due to higher storage security · Higher customer control to view and manage tokens and set controls · Bring standardization for card storage across the ecosystem rather than every entity implementing their own standards The Wibmo Areion ‘Token Hub,’ built in accordance with EMVCo standards, is the only unified tokenization solution for merchants, acquirers, Issuers, and Fintechs. It ensures that you are in compliance with the latest RBI guidelines while also providing a frictionless payment experience. To find out more, write to: sales@wibmo.com Author: Ravi Battula, Vice President, Merchant Acquiring Business Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Card Payment, Card Token, Digital Payment, Online Payments, Tokenization

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Why is Biometric Authentication becoming the headline in the world of Digital Payments?

The last decade has witnessed a progressive adoption of technology in almost all the industry. Few industries like banking and fintech have embraced the technology to grow in leaps and bounds. The revolutionizing spread of internet has ushered in an incredible increase in the number of the users and in turn the addressable market. The hitherto latent yet humongous body of rural population is today enabled with fintech services like online payment and transaction and even Ecom. The one word which has propelled the whole population into the digital payment however is rather old fashioned -TRUST Let’s dive deeper with an example. When a small business owner from a village in Bihar pays a vendor residing in another state, he needs be assured that the payment would indeed be done. Similarly, a migrant labourer, slogging in the southern state need to believe that his hard earned money is indeed going to reach his family in a matter of minutes if not seconds. However both the people also need assurances that it would be paid only to the intended parties and not to anyone else! Authentication: The foundation of trust in the digital payment space Authentication is used most commonly to assure the consumers of reliability. However, the question remains if the authentication mechanisms used currently produce the highest levels of trustworthiness. Let’s delve into the circumstances where multifactor authentication is the best option. The following two out of the three ways have proved to be a strong medium for payment authentications: · Possession: for example, a documented identify or device, etc. · Knowledge: for example, a password or secret, etc. · Inherence: for example, their fingerprint, hand, face, etc. History of Biometrics — An evolved tool used in payment securities Although biometrics go way back into human history, the contemporary commercial usage of biometric authentication began in the mid-nineteenth century using fingerprints by William James Herschel, a British administrator in India. Biometric authentication gained popularity among consumers and service providers with the rising usage of feature-rich smartphones and other devices enabled with high-resolution cameras. The instant gratification was stoked with the biometric authentication as it is based on the biological traits which are unique to every individual and cannot be faked. One of the most widely used examples of biometric usage is that of Aadhaar card in the Indian Market: All Indian residents are given an Aadhaar number, which is a 12-digit unique identification number. This figure is derived from their biographic and biometric data (a photograph, ten fingerprints, two iris scans). The concept was originally related to government subsidies and unemployment benefits, but as its authenticity is proved, it now includes a payment scheme. The growth of biometric payments in a post-pandemic world According to global surveys, the pandemic has heightened awareness and acceptance of biometric payments. This popularity doesn’t show any signs of abating as we step into the post-pandemic era, thanks to a focus on sanitation and contactless payments. Biometric authentication is popular due to the simple and uncomplicated process that it entails. Unlike the conventional authentication techniques, which suffer from glitches like not getting an OTP or issues with the strength of the internet network. Biometric payments are becoming more popular in large and densely populated countries such as Russia, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ukraine, India, and others. Consumers sense the simple and foolproof option of biometric authentication is safer, quicker, and simpler. Biometric authentication provides several advantages over knowledge-based and possession-based authentications: 1. It’s universal, as these metrics can be found in every human. 2. It is unique. 3. It is permanent, as metrics like fingerprint or dental don’t change. 4. It can be easily recorded if the consumer wants it to be so. 5. Finally, it can be measured for comparison and cannot be falsified. Conclusion: Though there have been cases where Biometric authentication based on statistical algorithms may occasionally provide false positives, resulting in erroneous results, the benefits of using biometric authentication for digital payments outweigh the drawbacks. This is causing a significant shift towards its adoption, and it seems to be continuously growing. In a diverse socioeconomic environment like India which has a population that is both cost-sensitive and aspirational, there is no other solution that can beat biometric authentication. Author: Shatrughan Sharma, Global Head- Payment Security Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Authentication, Biometric Authentication, Global Digital Payments, Payments, Secure Payment

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Identification, Authentication, Authorisation — Know the Difference

We undergo the process of Identification, Authentication, and Authorization every day in both physical and digital worlds. Let’s first start with the physical world. You have been planning for a weekend vacation for a long time but have been stalling because of the busy work schedule. After months of long hours of work, you finally find a weekend for a getaway. After work hours you meticulously plan the vacation — the place to visit, the hotel to stay, the to-do activities, and whatnot. Finally, the getaway weekend has arrived and the first thing that you do after reaching your destination: is Check-in into the hotel 1. Identification — You walk to the hotel reception and mention that you have a prior booking at the hotel. The first thing the receptionist asks is for your name. The receptionist then checks through the register to confirm of your booking. By providing your name, you claimed your identity. Your name, more or less, is unique and used for identification. 2. Authentication — Once the receptionist has got your name in the booking register, you are asked to present an ID card. The ID card verifies that you are the person whose name is on the reservation Here, the ID card facilitates the process of authentication and verifies your identity. 3. Authorisation — After the receptionist has done the necessary authentication process/paperwork, you receive a guest keycard. The guest’s keycard grants you access to your room, the guest elevators, and the pool — but not other guests’ rooms or the service elevator. Hotel employees have a service keycard, authorized to access more areas of the hotel than guests are. You enjoy the next few days to the fullest and finally be well-rested and rejuvenated. It’s time to go back to your work and give your best. It’s time to check out and walk to the reception desk. You hand over your card to the receptionist to pay the bill. At this moment you have jumped into the digital world of identification, authentication, and authorization. 1. Identification — The receptionist puts your card through a POS terminal. The information stored on your magnetic strip/EMV chip enables the banking systems to identify your valid account details — a bank that has your account, your account details, etc. Here the information on your card’s magnetic strip/EMV chip is analogous to your name which you used during check-in. 2. Authentication — You are then requested to enter your card PIN. Your card PIN is confidential to you — only you know it (an ideal case). By providing the PIN, you establish the validity of you being the owner of the card, associated with the bank account. The PIN authenticates that you are the owner of the bank account, from which money would be transferred to the hotel for its services. 3. Authorisation — There are multiple stakeholders involved when you are making transactions through your card. The bank in which you have your account, the card networks — Visa/Mastercard/Amex/Diners, the bank which has the hotel account, the software provider for the POS terminal, etc. Each stakeholder has a specific role to play. For example, the bank — which has your account- confirms that your account has enough balance amount. It then authorizes the deduction of the bill amount from your bank account. It may seem that all three steps — identification, authentication, and authorization are inseparable. But that’s not true. Remember the last time you uploaded a file on your Google Drive/One Drive and shared a public link. Here, you have authorized anyone with the link to access that file without any prior identification or authentication. Probably, the value of the file is far less than the value of the money in your bank account. Hence, the banking world uses cutting-edge solutions to predict, prevent and detect fraudulent transaction attempts on your card. Author: Sujit Kumar Mahato, Product Manager Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Authentication, Authorization, Digital Payment, Identity Management, Security

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Why cultivated BFSIs are moving from Cyber Defense to Cyber Resilience

Cyber threats like APT (Advance Persistence Threat), Malware, hacking, phishing, ransomware, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks have the potential to cause enormous challenges for organizations. Not only can companies suffer serious service disruption and reputational damage, but the loss of personal data can also result in huge fines from regulators. Some experts define cyber defence as preventing hackers from attacking your network and accessing your systems and data. Cyber resilience, they may view it, is about responding and recovering after an attack has happened. While they position cyber defense and cyber resilience as two separate activities, the reality is more complex than that. Cyber security can be seen as the first step in cyber resilience meaning any cyber resilience strategy must encompass cyber security. This blog explains more: If we map these two strategies with NIST -CSF (Cyber Security Framework), Cyber Défense is limited to Identify, Detect and protect pillars, however, Cyber Resilience also touches other two pillars i.e. Respond and Recover. It should be clear by now that cyber security and cyber resilience are different but symbiotic. Some companies do still treat them as separate and inter-related solutions, often establishing cyber security and resilience policy frameworks and strategies. However, there is more value when cyber security forms an element of overall cyber resilience. Why Cyber resilience over cyber security? Cyber resilience starts with nailing the cyber security basics; at Wibmo, we call it “doing the common uncommonly well.” This includes regular risk assessment, patching vulnerabilities, detecting and mitigating threats, and awareness on how to defend company assets. But we need to be doing these things continuously, not just once a year. The aim of cyber resilience is clear enough: to ensure operational and business continuity with minimal impact. But the reality can be harder to pin down because there’s currently a no good way to measure cyber resilience. As leaders, we need to have a certain level of confidence in our ability to respond to an attack, to maintain our customers’ trust, absorb the financial, legal, and brand impact and get back to business. But there is no widely-accepted cyber resilience framework, no maturity model, and I think there should be. The four elements of cyber resilience: I recommend a four-part approach to cyber resilience: 1. Manage and protect The first element of a cyber resilience programme involves being able to identify, assess and manage the risks associated with network and information systems, including those across the supply chain. 2. Identify and detect The second element of a cyber resilience programme depends on continual monitoring of network and information systems to detect anomalies and potential cyber security incidents before they can cause any significant damage. 3. Respond and recover Implementing an incident response management programme and measures to ensure business continuity will help you continue to operate even if you have been hit by a cyberattack, and get back to business as usual as quickly and efficiently as possible. 4. Govern and assure The final element is to ensure that your programme is overseen from the top of the organisation and built into business as usual. Over time, it should align more and more closely with your wider business objectives. Benefits: A cyber-resilient posture helps you to: Reduce financial losses; Meet legal and regulatory requirements: Improve your culture and internal processes; and Protect your brand and reputation Author: Pravin Kumar, CISO Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Cyberattack, Cybercrime, Cybersafe, Cybersafety, Cybersecurity

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What are Pre-Paid Cards and how do they work?

By referring to Prepaid Cards, we first need to agree on what do we understand by Prepaid Card, and how do we see it? Do we see it as a closed card program or an open card program? Many get confused in the definition of what exactly is a Prepaid card? A Prepaid Card can be defined as a secured card (a plastic) that enables users to process transactions in order to make purchases of goods and/or services. We can then say that we do have two types of Prepaid Cards: Closed Card Programs. Open Card Programs. A Closed Card Program is usually referred to as a closed-loop, mostly in the form of Gift Cards, used by many stores. On the other hand, an Open Card Program is usually referred to as a debit card, which is linked to a bank account. Both solutions could be referred to as Prepaid Card solutions; however, one does not require the need of having a bank account but for the other, having a bank account is a must. To some extent, some countries around the world are now initiating closed-loop programs, as a debit card, for domestic card transactions. For instance, a country may opt to have a closed-loop domestic card program that can only be utilized in the country, in form of a domestic prepaid card scheme. In today’s world, Financial Institutions (FI) are working hard to promoting Financial Inclusion by providing financial services and/or products to customers at a very affordable cost. However, despite, the efforts and times put together by Financial Institutions, the results for getting everyone inclusive into the Financial Ecosystem is still low. Therefore, FI is constantly improving their products/solutions in order to meet customers satisfaction by positioning solutions such as Prepaid Cards in order to make inclusion attractive. That is why, to meet customer’s satisfaction, Financial Institutions have opened up to the closed/open loop payment program to reach out to all markets and/or segments. These programs have been put in place to solving problems for Consumers, Retailers, Corporates, and Governments. The benefit of those cards is that consumers can make use of the solution to make a purchase, pay bills, transfer funds, and/or withdraw cash from an ATM, Merchant/Retailer stores, or an Agent (Agency Banking), in a very convenient and secure way. Prepaid Cards used by the bank (“the debit card”), can also be offered to customers who do not qualify for credit facilities. By these means, the bank is offering a product to customers which will enable them to transact by using their own funds. On the other hand, Retailers or Merchants are also offering similar solutions to customers in form of Gift Cards, for instance, as previously mentioned. Once a Prepaid Card has been offered to a customer, the Service Provider will immediately issue a card to the customer in order to enable the customer to start transacting from day one. Nevertheless, to make this mechanism fully functional: A plastic card will have to be issued to the customer. Customer will have to load own funds onto the cards. The card will have an Expiring Date, Card Number, and a PIN. Customers can now start transacting. Yet, for Prepaid Card such as Gift Cards, cards can only be used within a network of retailers, and most of the time, the card does not have a PIN number for acceptance of transactions. However, transactions are authorized on a signature basis. So, Prepaid cards could be considered as a fast-growing segment for Retail Banking and Merchant Services Industry despite entries of new innovative payment technologies. Author: Nsele P. Bokuma, Director-Sales, South Africa Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Card Payment, Digital Payment, Online Payments, Prepaid Card

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DevSecOps — A necessity in the current landscape

Let’s start with the basics here. Traditionally, we followed Software Development Life Cycle, in short SDLC, a structured approach to develop quality software that meets customer requirements. With a rapid evolution in lifestyle, we moved to the Agile method which is one of the variants of SDLC to develop software in an iterative and fast way. While the agile methodology aims to develop a software or a component of software quicker, there is a need to deploy that component at equal speed in production set up to make it available to the user community. This development process along with the deployment process is together referred to as DevOps. Essentially, DevOps refers to the continuous integration of a software component and its continuous deployment. Now, thinking of security from the early stage of the development cycle instead of retrospectively fitting at the end of the cycle, transcends DevOps to DevSecOps. Here, we are shifting Security at the early stage of the cycle, i.e., shifting to the left of the cycle, which is referred to as Shift Left. To establish an analogy, may not be exact but a crude analogy to understand better, let’s look at some of the household work like cooking. I cook in my free time at home. After cooking, I request my wife to serve the food to family members. Here, the cooking process is Development, serving process is Operations, together with cooking and serving process is DevOps. Now, it’s important to understand in this example what is DevSecOps. While cooking, I am concerned about the hygiene of the food from the beginning, else, retrospectively fitting hygiene is very difficult. Therefore, the cooking and serving process along with maintaining hygiene in the entire process is DevSecOps. In a rapidly moving world where technology is easing the way we do business and lead life, there is a rapid increase in threats to the technology landscape by fraudsters or individuals with malicious intent. Therefore, it’s imperative that security is looked at from the very early stage of the development cycle and all possible threat vectors are identified and appropriate controls or safeguards are built into the software to protect the software and therefore protect its user community and ultimately customers. Let’s look at some of the benefits of DevSecOps. Continuous integration (CI) — merges code changes to ensure the most recent version is available to developers. Continuous delivery and continuous deployment (CD) — automate the process of releasing updates to increase efficiency. Microservices — builds an application as a set of smaller services. Infrastructure as code (IaC) — designing, implementing, and managing app infrastructure needs through code. Common weaknesses enumeration (CWE) — improves the quality of code and increases the level of security during the CI and CD phases. Threat modeling — implements security testing during the development pipeline to save time and cost in the future. Automated security testing — test for vulnerabilities in new builds on regular basis. Incident management — creates a standard framework for responding to security incidents. Fast delivery — achieve ensure fast delivery of application by embedding automated security controls and tests early in the development cycle. Enriched efficiency — higher efficiency by scanning code for vulnerabilities as it’s written. Automotive: reduce lengthy cycle times while still meeting software compliance standards. Digital Transformation: enable digital transformation efforts while maintaining the privacy and security of sensitive data per regulations such as GDPR. Code analysis — deliver code in small chunks so vulnerabilities can be identified quickly. Compliance monitoring — be ready for an audit at any time that means being in a constant state of compliance, including gathering evidence of GDPR compliance, PCI compliance, etc. Threat investigation — identify potential emerging threats with each code update and be able to respond quickly. Vulnerability assessment — identify new vulnerabilities with code analysis and accordingly analyze how quickly they are being responded to and patched. Security training — train software and IT engineers with guidelines for set routines. Source: https://accelera.com.au/ To conclude, DevSecOps is a cultural shift which means security is a shared responsibility, and everyone participating in SDLC has to a play very vital role in building security into the DevOps workflow. Author: Ravi Bhushan, Head- GRC and Ritesh Prasad, Manager DevOps+SRE Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Compliance, DevOps, Infosec, Risk Management, Security

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How to prevent identity theft?

With unprecedented growth in online transactions, it is no surprise that online fraud has increased. One of the major malpractices is identity theft. In a country like India which is striding towards the number one position in online shopping, the rise in this kind of fraud cannot be overlooked. Accessing and retrieving personal information is a child’s play in an increasingly digitized country like India. With social media and the deep web or darknet getting more and more accessible to a larger population, the prevalence of identity theft is getting increasingly difficult to control. Who can be the victims of Identity Theft? Have you used your Credit or Debit card to shop online/POS? Have you paid the utility bills using your Card? Have you used UPI or other payment methods? In short, anyone who has used plastic money is in danger of identity theft. Everyone who has shopped online or used any payment portal using their payment credentials is at risk of falling prey to synthetic identity theft. It is, in essence, stealing your identity i.e., impersonating you digitally, and riding on your credibility and creditworthiness. It is done by gathering data that confirms the identity like phone number, Aadhar card number, or PAN card number along with Bank Account number and utilizing this data to impersonate and transact digitally. With widespread social media and the data captured by almost all websites, it is nearly impossible to stay completely private. The Conditions favouring Identity theft In a densely populated country like India, identity theft is spreading like a disease more due to Cyber security laws are in place but reporting and actual implementation of those laws is not easy in a developing country like ours. It is getting easier to lay hands on social security details like Pan and Aadhar Data breach is increasingly difficult to prevent crime by identifying the perpetrators and isolating them. Also, the timeline that the entire fintech industry works, is very limited i.e., the journey of the card to merchant to verification or access control and back to the transaction approval takes just thirty seconds on average. This renders a very small window to our lenders but an easier getaway to the fraudsters. It, therefore, makes more sense to fortify defences at our end through our payment gateways. Usage of multi-layered security makes it a herculean task to track perpetrators while they on other hand enjoy accessibility from any corner which has internet. The Impact It is an indisputable fact that digitization of the financial transactions in India has accelerated beyond what the experts forecasted. Part of it was contributed by the covid waves and the awareness of “cashless transactions and contactless delivery”. It can however not be denied that as the younger population of the country is swelling, we find a major part of the population turning net-savvy and preferring mobile transactions. They demand seamless experience and connectivity through IoT. This has not only provided traction to digitization but has also enhanced the effectiveness of creating an antifraud and secure transactional environment to retain the credibility of the digitized transactions. Role of FRM like Trident in Detection of fraud The simple logic that Wibmo uses is that the more you know your customer, the more difficult it becomes for the fraudsters to impersonate you. E.g., while a person might impersonate another with a banker, it is almost impossible to impersonate him with his family. The difference lies in the fact that the family knows the person in question too well. This is the exact logic we use at Wibmo through our TRIDENT. In essence, the more you use our services, the more difficult it becomes for fraudsters to steal your identity. Collecting various data points through ML or machine learning offers the most effective defence against identity theft. Based on the past patterns, the current transaction can be evaluated and analysed in a fraction of seconds, and thus the fraud detection and prevention can occur without increasing the transaction time. The continuous learning by the machine will only improve as the data points collected are only going to get the virtual persona of the customer more precise. The long-term utility and credibility that such a system can give to the issuer and acquirer are worth every penny spent and every effort taken. Role of end-users in the detection of the fraud There are few steps that you can take to reduce the risk as an end-user. 1. Take time to check the authenticity of the sites where you are planning to use the card. Do not simply click on the links sent over SMS or WhatsApp or mails offering you cashback or discount vouchers 2. Download the apps from a trusted origin and use that for repeat purchase rather than using links that might have been sent to you. 3. Never share the OTP, UPI pin, and other bank details. However, at times this has been reiterated it is surprising how even the educated crowd is taken in. Do not hesitate to change them in case you even suspect them having been compromised. No one can deny that Identity theft is a very real threat but reducing our transactions fearing this is akin to not using roads fearing accidents. Neither is it fair to throw the onus of this onto the end-users or customers. The only sustainable and robust solution lies in fortifying our defences at the PG level. Author: Krishnan KN, Advisor in Wibmo’s Agile PMO Wibmo A PayU/Naspers FinTech Company Fraud, Fraud Detection, Fraud Prevention, Identity Management, Identity Theft

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