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IndustryUpdate

ACQUISITIONS of Mastercard's focus on offering retailers improved
data-driven services. The acquisition is expected to
enable the card brand to help companies worldwide
Hampleton advises FAST LTA deliver personalized, real-time offers in addition to
on acquisition by Afnum comprehensive campaign measurement, the card brand
noted. "Consumers’ expectations about their experi-
M&A and corporate finance advisory firm Hampleton ences with brands are changing," said Francis Hondal,
Partners advised FAST LTA AG, a provider of zero-loss president, loyalty and engagement at Mastercard. "We
archiving and backup solutions for mission-critical data, believe that the future of loyalty needs to be re-imagined
on its acquisition by Afnum Management. Afnum is an to enable seamless digital experiences, and SessionM’s
investor with expertise in small and midsize enterprises consumer-centric capabilities will help us broaden our
in Germany. FAST LTA stated it has built a strong posi- value to marketers across sectors in exciting new ways."
tion in the German market, "particularly in the health-
care, public sector and industrial verticals, helping
clients to comply with increasingly stringent regulatory APPOINTMENTS
data storage requirements in a secure and cost-effective
manner" and believes Afnum will help the company EPA taps three for advisory board
further develop its product offering, continue its growth
trajectory and enlarge its footprint in Germany and The Emerging Payment Awards appointed three fin-
abroad." tech's experts to its advisory board for a three-year term.
Jeremy Nicholds, CEO at Judopay; Anna Tsyupko, CEO
Mastercard to purchase SessionM at Paybase; and Muhammad Asim, CEO at Arro Money
will join the current EPA advisory board as of January
Mastercard agreed to acquire SessionM, a loyalty and 2020, per a vote by EPA members. Nicholds will focus on
customer engagement company specializing in the retail, helping the industry become more inclusive by involv-
airline and restaurant sectors. Analysts stated this is part ing a wider range of companies; Tsyupko will bring a

fresh enthusiasm for diversity in fintech and foster
the effective adoption of new regulations such as
MLD5 in a smooth, customer-friendly manner;
and Asim will help broaden EPA's range to include
emsagent.com fintech hubs outside London, and to create a bridge
with regions outside the UK and EU, the ETA said.
Edward Sander joins ThetaRay
Mobile Product ThetaRay, a provider of AI-based big-data analyt-

Steady Solution! ics, appointed Edward Sander as its chief product
officer. He is now responsible for all product-relat-
ed activities as well as identifying and developing
product/technology-related partnerships. Sander
Give merchants the power of a complete point of sale brings two decades of experience running global
solution that fits in their pocket. EMSmobile allows software enterprise organizations to his new posi-
merchants to process payments and manage their tion. He is also a recognized expert in financial
business on their mobile device, wherever they are. crime, compliance and risk. Sander joins ThetaRay
from Arachnys, where he served as president and
Features include: helped triple the company's annual recurring rev-
• EMV-certified enue, ThetaRay stated.
• Itemized order entry
• Cash payment management PSCU selects Kevin Spear
• Inventory tracking
• Multiple merchant accounts PSCU named Kevin Spear as its senior vice presi-
dent, service delivery. In his role, Spear is respon-
sible for driving the strategic direction, continu-
866.887.8907 ous improvement and operational effectiveness
of PSCU's Service Delivery team. Spear's appoint-
ment marks the return to the company for Spear, a
payments industry veteran who led client relations
Mobile devices and iPad and services at PSCU from 2006 to 2012. Spear
stand not included. has held several executive roles in sales, service
and client relations with firms including Card
Management Corp., PNC Bank and UPS Capital
Corp.

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