August 18, 2016: Rakuten announced the opening of the Rakuten Blockchain Lab (R.B.L.) in Belfast, UK, planned for August 22, 2016. R.B.L. will be a dedicated research and development organization within Rakuten, focused on blockchain technology and its potential applications in the fintech and e-commerce sectors.

The establishment of R.B.L. follows the acquisition by Rakuten of IP assets from Bitnet Technologies Ltd., operators of a digital payments platform powered by blockchain. R.B.L’s day-to-day operations will be headed up by chief technology officer Stephen McNamara and vice president of engineering Fergal Downey, both of whom will join from Bitnet. The Lab will be part of Rakuten’s Ecosystem Services organization under its Technology Division, which is led by Fernando Paulo, Executive Officer, Rakuten, Inc.

Yasufumi Hirai, group executive vice president, CIO, CISO and head of the technology division, Rakuten commented, “Drawing on the significant IP assets and deep engineering expertise of the Bitnet team and combining that with Rakuten’s leadership in fintech and support of innovative solutions, the new Rakuten Blockchain Lab will be our first step towards unlocking blockchain’s potential to revolutionise the way that financial and e-commerce transactions are conducted.”

“We are delighted that Rakuten have chosen to open their new Blockchain Lab here in Belfast.  There are so many great opportunities for blockchain technologies inside Rakuten and the newly created lab will be instrumental in delivering new and innovative solutions” said Fergal Downey, VP of Engineering of the new Rakuten Blockchain Lab.

Rakuten is committed to leading global innovation in fintech and providing world-class solutions to our customers.

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July 22, 2016: Financial Town demonstrated the banking industry’s first overseas mobile video transmission at the 2016 World Credit Union Conference in Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The broadcast, from Belfast to the United States, marks the first mobile video banking call made internationally. Financial Town creates computer, web, mobile and video software solutions to bridge the gap between customers and financial groups across all industries, including banking, insurance, hospitality, healthcare, retail and beyond.

“As one of the fastest-growing channels in financial services history, mobile banking is an integral means of meeting the growing demands of mobile-first customers worldwide,” said Financial Town founder and CEO Gene Pranger, who pioneered the video banking market with the uGenius platform in 2010. “Mobile video is poised to revolutionise the industry yet again, both at home and abroad. We’re delighted to demonstrate these next-generation capabilities in an international setting using BankOn Mobile Video.”

The BankOn Mobile Video platform utilises face-to-face mobile video and customizable management software to help banks and credit unions offer unprecedented access to live financial service representatives, tools and other services, regardless of time or location. By accessing the BankOn mobile app or web portal, members can use their own mobile devices to initiate live video chats, participate in presentations by sales and service representatives, deposit checks, upload documents and electronically sign documents in real time—removing the need for either party to be in an office or branch location.

Designed for high-level credit union leaders from around the globe, the World Credit Union Conference, held from July 17-20, 2016, will feature experts in financial services and examine pressing topics of interest including emerging technologies, cybersecurity, mobile payments, international development and compliance.

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