Author profile

Karen Joy Bacudo

Finance Editor

Karen wears two hats with us, balancing her role as an editor while assisting with our finances and accounting. This means she has her finger on the pulse whether its writing content or reconciling numbers. On both sides she brings the same level of accuracy and precision.

Previous publications

The Kawayan Communicator

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Global Stories

Written by Karen Joy

Data Protection

Visa launches AI financial assistant for bank apps

Banks can keep customers inside their apps as Visa rolls out chat-based spending insights, card controls and account guidance.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

Blockchain partners Polymarket to add prediction markets

Crypto app users can now trade on elections, rates and sport without leaving Blockchain, as Polymarket expands its regulated prediction markets reach.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Digital Transformation

CSI acquires Qolo to expand embedded finance offering

The deal gives community banks more tools to compete with larger rivals as demand rises for embedded finance, real-time payments and cash visibility.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

Gaia Learning raises GBP £400,000 for Bloom platform

The funding will speed rollout of Bloom, a SEND platform aimed at helping schools evidence support for children with additional needs across the UK.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Data governance

Warburg Pincus backs Oxylabs in USD $130 million deal

The deal values the web data infrastructure group at USD $3.6 billion as investors back the systems helping AI agents gather online information.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Written by Karen Joy

Software-as-a-Service

Pinch Payments opens national hackathon with AUD $50K

Developers can win AUD $50,000 by building payment tools on the firm's API, with finalists pitching to fintech investors after a week-long sprint.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

US workers want human review of AI financial advice

Most US employees using AI for money advice still want a human check first, as financial stress rises and retirement plans slip later.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

Linarc adds scheduling, offline app & finance tools

Commercial contractors gain tighter control over live projects as Linarc adds offline field logging, scheduling and finance tools.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

Payouts.com launches AI agents for finance operations

Finance teams may cut manual work as the new system handles invoices, payouts and reconciliation under guardrails and human approval rules.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

Chexy adds Mastercard for Canadian bill payments and rewards

Canadians can now earn card rewards on rent and other household bills as the platform broadens access to recurring payments.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

TD Merchant Solutions launches Clover platform in Canada

Canadian small businesses will gain bundled payments and management tools as TD folds Clover point-of-sale devices into its merchant services.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Digital Transformation

UK accountants could add GBP £463,000 from clients

Existing client relationships could be worth far more as UK firms miss demand for extra advice and support, Ravical found.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Small Business

British Business Bank backs Soho Square fund with GBP £50m

The deal is aimed at plugging a funding gap for established UK SMEs seeking expansion money without surrendering control to buyout investors.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

Merchants urged to check BNPL compliance at checkout

Shoppers could face clearer repayment terms and stricter affordability checks as UK oversight of buy now, pay later products tightens.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Data Analytics

Moneyhub powers Paragon's new Open Banking Cash ISA

The app's first Cash ISA lets savers move money automatically from current accounts, as Spring passes GBP £1 billion in deposits.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

Most Buy Now, Pay Later users unaware of new UK rules

Many shoppers could soon face affordability checks at checkout as 59% of BNPL users say they have not heard of the new rules.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last month

Data Protection

UK banks face stealth cyber attacks, SonicWall says

Banks are seeing attackers favour stealthy access over ransomware, with a UK-specific exploit hitting nearly half of monitored sensors.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Crypto

Velocity raises USD $38 million in Series A funding

The London-based startup will use the new capital to expand banking and payments links as firms test stablecoins for faster settlement.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Data Protection

Integrity360 boosts FBD cyber defences across Ireland

Tighter regulation and rising cyber threats are pushing insurers to bolster defences for customer data and operational systems.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Fintech

Payoneer opens Gurugram innovation hub for global tech

The hub will deepen Payoneer's engineering and AI work, as India becomes central to its global platform and cross-border services.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month