Ride-hailing and mobile payments company Grab has acquired iKaaz, a Bangalore, India-based payments technology startup, to power its growth in the Southeast Asia region.
The iKaaz mobile payments platform supports Near Field Communication, QR codes, audio-based payments, as well as online, person-to-person and bill payments with technology Grab plans to integrate into its services as it expands, the company said in a Wednesday press release.
“IKaaz’ technology has served merchants and partners across different industries and in different settings, from parking lots and airports to retail stores and hotels,” said Jason Thompson, managing director of GrabPay for Southeast Asia, in the release.
The iKaaz team will join Grab’s research and development center in Bangalore; financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
A Strides Transportation Pte taxi, operated by SMRT Corp., displays an advertisement for the ride-hailing application Grab, operated by GrabTaxi Holdings Pte, in Singapore, on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. Buyers in one of the world's most expensive car markets just missed their chance to snag one at the cheapest price in five years. Car-ownership permit costs in Singapore have gained since February after ride-hailing companies obtained licenses for their fleets and the regulator eased rules on vehicle loans in May. Photographer: Ore Huiying/Bloomberg
President Donald Trump's proposed budget would nix funding for Community Development Financial Institutions in minority heavy areas while expanding it for rural areas.
The administration is pitching a $26.7 billion reduction to the regulator's funding for rental assistance, public housing and elderly and disability housing.
Vectra Bank Colorado President Bruce Alexander is retiring after 25 years with the bank; Unilever Federal Credit Union in New Jersey was shut down by NCUA; Vista Bank hired Bob Mahalik in preparation for Texas bank M&A; and more in this week's banking news roundup.
