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

Crypto

Hyundai tests stablecoin remittance between US & Mexico

The trial cut an internal dollar transfer between Hyundai units in the US and Mexico to seven minutes, far faster than bank rails.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Orange

Findex names 41 senior partners across Australia & NZ

Most of the 41 promotions are in regional centres, as the firm seeks to strengthen local leadership amid a wider talent battle.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Crypto

Australian compliance teams flag data silos as key gap

Nearly half of Australian compliance teams said fragmented systems were their biggest weakness, hampering efforts to spot sanctions and scam risks.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

Xero adds AI tools to JAX for small business finance

The rollout aims to cut manual bookkeeping and speed cash flow decisions for Xero's 5 million customers worldwide.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

ThetaRay appoints Santander veteran to strategy role

The hire brings Santander compliance expertise into ThetaRay as banks face tougher anti-money laundering oversight and demand proof their controls work.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

Sovos launches global tax compliance intelligence platform

Governments' real-time checks are forcing multinationals to reconcile tax data across systems before discrepancies trigger regulatory scrutiny.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

LemFi buys Wealth8 to add investing to its platform

The deal broadens LemFi's UK offering as it seeks to help internationally mobile customers move from transfers and savings into investing.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Data centers

LG reports record quarterly revenue as profit doubles

Higher-margin services and tariff refunds lifted operating profit above forecasts, as home appliances, TVs and air conditioners drove record sales.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Fintech

Flix expands Klarna payments across 21 US & Europe markets

Travellers on Flix services in 21 markets can now spread ticket costs over time as Klarna rolls out across Europe and the US.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Gaming

Paysafe expands Tebex partnership for gaming payments

More game studios and server operators will be able to cut checkout friction as Tebex adds Paysafe card processing and alternative payment methods.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Written by Karen Joy

Fintech

Monzo launches automated debt consolidation with ClearScore

Automating repayments could ease strain for borrowers juggling multiple debts, as the bank aims to cut admin and improve approval odds.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last month

Fintech

HeirWealth launches MCP server for AI wealth queries

Advice firms can now query consolidated client wealth data in plain language, as HeirWealth opens Atlas to MCP-compatible AI assistants.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

Keeper Security hits USD $225 million ARR on AI demand

Rising demand for AI-era identity controls has lifted the cybersecurity group to USD $225 million in annual recurring revenue.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Human Capital Management

Connext opens Cebu office as revenue & hiring grow

The new site widens Connext's offshore capacity for US clients, as first-half revenue rose 15% and headcount climbed to 2,620.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Software-as-a-Service

Axos Financial buys Arc Technologies in digital push

The deal gives Axos a newer software platform to court underserved US small businesses and tech start-ups more effectively.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Fintech

TD Asset Management launches global real estate vehicle

Canadian accredited investors gain access to a global real estate strategy as TD Asset Management widens its private markets push with iCapital Canada.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

Haventree launches digital bank with consumer deposits

Canadian savers get a new 2.50% fee-free account as Haventree moves beyond brokered mortgages into retail deposits.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Fintech

Canadians turn to pay-later services for groceries

Pay-later use for essentials is rising as Canadians face higher grocery bills and turn to discount chains to stretch budgets.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Fintech

Float launches card-linked instalments in UK market

Shoppers with spare card headroom can now spread bigger purchases over 12 months, as Float enters the UK with Visa and Mastercard support.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Customer Experience

UK banks vow to improve access to basic bank accounts

FCA findings show vulnerable customers are still missing out on basic bank accounts, prompting nine banks to tighten offer and application processes.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month