EMEA

Earlier this year Ripple announced that it has dedicated $50 million toward the University Blockchain Research Initiative, partnering Ripple with 17 universities around the globe from the U.K. to Brazil, with the aim of accelerating new innovations in blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

Starbucks has established itself as a model for mobile payments among coffee drinkers, but Barclays is partnering with a U.K. coffee chain to take it a step further by bringing the coffee cup itself into play.

The company is selling 14 branches, including several around Chattanooga, Tenn., and its mortgage business to FB Financial so it can focus on its Atlanta operations and national lending businesses.

A former Lloyds Banking Group executive is joining financial messaging service provider Swift as its head of U.K., Ireland and Nordics operations.

Barclays is leveraging its global network of offices and its business expertise to sponsor fintechs through its Accelerator programs in London, New York and Tel Aviv.

The Swiss banking giant has been accused of helping wealthy French clients hide assets from tax authorities.

LVMH Group, makers of Louis Vuitton handbags and other luxury goods, leans heavily on cross-border transactions to distribute its products. To streamline its processes, the company has partnered with FIS.

France-based Ingenico has named a new CEO a month after receiving an unsolicited takeover bid, signaling a strategy shift in the face of increasing pressure on the last of the independent payment terminal hardware giants.

The Bank of England issued a challenge for consumers who usually pay with cash to go cashless for a week, as an educational experience prior to its upcoming conference, Future Forum 2018.

The $20 million-asset Stephens-Franklin Teachers Credit Union will merge into Peach State later this week.