Technology

The online retailer’s plan to block certain credit card payments in Britain is seen as an opening move in likely negotiations with Mastercard and Visa ahead of the card networks' planned fee hikes in 2022.

Republicans on the House Small Business Committee question the wisdom of having the Small Business Administration depart from its traditional model of backing loans made by private-sector lenders. But agency Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman says the plan is necessary to fill "large gaps" in credit availability to the smallest companies.

Acquiring the company, which has a namesake savings app, would allow the Silicon Valley lender to accelerate its plan to offer more consumer banking services. The deal comes less than six weeks after Oportun withdrew its application for a bank charter, which it plans to refile.

After more than a year of collaboration, the Minneapolis bank is buying the company to enhance its corporate expense and travel management offerings.

Patriot National Bancorp was exploring a digital pivot, and American Challenger Development Corp. had been seeking a bank charter in its quest to become open an all-digital bank. They decided it was quicker to join forces.

The company’s software analyzes banks’ loan programs and rejections for signs of discrimination.

Mainstream lenders have long been reluctant to make short-term consumer loans because the costs involved make them expensive for borrowers. Upstart says its technology will enable partner banks to offer loans at annual percentage rates below 36%.

The way merchants handle payments is becoming just as important as the actual business they're in, says Jeremy Balkin, global head of innovation and corporate development at J.P. Morgan Payments.

Several rail and bus lines are working with Interac, the country's debit network, and its bank partners to allow the new fare payment option in addition to credit cards. They see the collaboration as a way to expand ridership among tourists and low-income residents.

Criminals are finding weaknesses in the complex network of applications on banks' sites and exploiting them to launch attacks.