Fannie Mae to Drop Minimum Credit Score for Homebuyers
Fannie Mae is lowering its minimum 620 middle credit score requirement for purchases and refinance loans—a move that could broaden access to homeownership for borrowers with thinner credit files or lower scores. Following Freddie Mac’s lead, Fannie Mae is removing the threshold from its Desktop Underwriter (DU) eligibility determination system. While DU may no longer […]
Massachusetts Updates Money Transmission Laws
Massachusetts is the latest state to update its money transmission laws—a move welcomed not just by consumers but also by the fintechs the law is meant to regulate. The primary goal of the new legislation is to strengthen consumer protections for users of services such as Venmo, PayPal, and CashApp, “With this new law, consumers […]
The Challenge of Monetizing Value in Digital Banking
The financial services industry has been increasing the pressure on digital channels to produce revenue, diversify revenue streams, and provide returns on investment. Because digital banking is becoming more expensive, the challenge is to not just save money but also actually create new revenue. For forward-thinking financial institutions, the opportunities are there to turn their […]
Agentic AI Is Still Prone to Human-Type Mistakes
As Agentic AI continues to emerge as a force shaping the future of shopping, Microsoft has conducted an experiment to test its effectiveness—running several AI agents through a simulated marketplace. The study found that these agents are susceptible to manipulation and tend to struggle when faced with too many options—much like humans. The results suggest […]
Amex and Emburse Launch Virtual Card Program for Expenses
The travel and expense reimbursement process is a common pain point for many organizations—an issue American Express and Emburse aim to solve with virtual cards. Within Emburse’s expense management platform, Amex is introducing virtual card issuance capabilities, coupled with real-time transaction data that give organizations visibility into card activity. For example, a customer could issue […]
Deck the Holograms: How AI Is Redefining Holiday Magic
A roaring fireplace radiates warmth and light while a snowstorm rages outside—a classic holiday scene. But these days, it’s just as likely to have been created by artificial intelligence. Perhaps Santa and Mrs. Claus sit in armchairs beside the fire—or perhaps not. It’s all up to the content creator. In today’s hyperconnected world, even the […]
EU Institutions Challenge the Merits of the Digital Euro
The digital euro has faced a difficult path to fruition, with many of Europe’s leading financial institutions questioning whether a central bank digital currency (CBDC) can deliver real value to EU citizens. Discussions around the project began in 2020, as lawmakers explored ways to provide EU consumers with a digital alternative to cash. The initiative […]
Google Opens Digital Gift Card Shop
Google Play is launching a dedicated section within its App Store that allows shoppers to search for, purchase, and send digital gift cards, featuring brands ranging from Starbucks to American Eagle. While the move could generate some ancillary revenue for Google, it remains unclear whether consumers will start viewing the Play Store as a primary […]
How Digital Wallets Could be the Answer to the Student Loan Repayment Crisis
Student loan repayments have followed an erratic path since March 2020. Payments were suspended at the start of the pandemic, resumed in October 2023, and many borrowers received forgiveness under the Income Based Repayment plan before that program was suspended again in July 2025. The regulatory whiplash has created predictable consequences. As of April 5, […]
When Security Professionals Turn to the Dark Side
The indictment of three cybersecurity professionals accused of running their own ransomware operation is a frightening reminder that those entrusted with protecting digital systems often possess the same skills required to exploit them. While few want to imagine their own cybersecurity experts acting with malicious intent, the case reinforces the importance of a zero-trust approach—one […]