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Karen Joy Bacudo

Finance Editor

Karen wears two hats at TechDay, balancing her role as an editor while assisting with finance tasks. She bridges writing content and reconciling numbers to support the team, with the same level of accuracy and precision.

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Asian Stories

Written by Karen Joy

Banma, Alipay launch voice payment system for cars
Wearables

Banma, Alipay launch voice payment system for cars

Banma and Alipay bring voice-led in-car payments to smart cockpits, with drivers able to book tickets, hotels and food hands free.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week

Global Stories

Written by Karen Joy

Payment firms expand into broader merchant services
Customer Relationship Management

Payment firms expand into broader merchant services

Stripe, PayPal, Adyen and Block are pushing into loyalty, lending and AI checkout tools as payment groups seek a bigger role in merchant commerce.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last week
AI shopping agents reshape retail buying & checkout
Digital Transformation

AI shopping agents reshape retail buying & checkout

AI shopping agents are moving retail from clicks to chat, as Walmart, Amazon and Google test protocols that let software search, compare and pay.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Amazon, Meta & Microsoft join UCP technical council
Customer Experience

Amazon, Meta & Microsoft join UCP technical council

Amazon, Meta and Microsoft join Universal Commerce Protocol council as AI shopping standard draws major backing from retailers and payments groups.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Borderless AI launches crypto payroll for global staff
Crypto

Borderless AI launches crypto payroll for global staff

Borderless AI rolls out crypto-native payroll tool as demand grows for flexible pay options among globally dispersed workforces.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Banks must modernise core systems, says Temenos report
Digital Transformation

Banks must modernise core systems, says Temenos report

Temenos and Bain warn banks that cloud, AI and stablecoins will reshape competition, with core modernisation now key to growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Written by Karen Joy

Broadridge AI project in Ireland to simplify disclosures
Fintech

Broadridge AI project in Ireland to simplify disclosures

Broadridge's Irish AI project aims to turn dense fund disclosures into plain English for retail investors, with IDA Ireland backing the study.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Astor raises USD $5 million to guide retail investors
Fintech

Astor raises USD $5 million to guide retail investors

Astor secures USD $5 million in seed funding as the AI adviser broadens access to portfolio guidance for everyday investors.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last week
Pine Labs acquires Shopflo to boost online checkout
Software-as-a-Service

Pine Labs acquires Shopflo to boost online checkout

Pine Labs buys Shopflo to lift online conversion as the fintech widens its reach from in-store payments into a full-stack commerce platform.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Thunes launches real-time bank transfers into New Zealand
Fintech

Thunes launches real-time bank transfers into New Zealand

Thunes widens Asia-Pacific reach with real-time New Zealand bank transfers, giving businesses and consumers faster local-currency settlement.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Monk raises USD $25 million to tackle invoice delays
Customer Relationship Management

Monk raises USD $25 million to tackle invoice delays

Monk lands USD $25 million to expand software that spots invoice errors, portal rejections and missed contacts before finance teams chase payment.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
KPMG launches AI assistant for month-end financial close
Digital Transformation

KPMG launches AI assistant for month-end financial close

KPMG, Workday and Google Cloud unveil AI digital assistant to speed month-end finance close, automate routine checks and preserve human sign-off.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
LendingClub to rebrand as Happen Bank in summer 2026
Fintech

LendingClub to rebrand as Happen Bank in summer 2026

LendingClub will rebrand its bank as Happen Bank in summer 2026, as Chief Executive Officer Scott Sanborn says the new name better fits its wider banking push.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Zelle & Truist test bill payments in network pilot
Fintech

Zelle & Truist test bill payments in network pilot

Zelle and Truist begin a controlled test of recurring credit card bill payments, aiming to give consumers clearer confirmation and reduce late-fee uncertainty.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Canadian startup coalition launched to bridge funding gap
Entrepreneurship

Canadian startup coalition launched to bridge funding gap

Canadian coalition launches to connect early-stage investors as founders face shrinking pre-seed funding and greater reliance on foreign capital.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Wise gains Payments Canada membership to target RTR
Fintech

Wise gains Payments Canada membership to target RTR

Wise wins Payments Canada membership, paving the way for a bid to join the Real-Time Rail and boost faster, cheaper transfers for Canadians.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
UK construction firms face delays in final accounts
Document Management

UK construction firms face delays in final accounts

More than half of large UK construction firms face frequent or occasional delays in final accounts and retention releases, survey finds.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month