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  • The Fintech Brief | 4 Rounds. 24 Hours. How Henley’s Used Embedded Finance to Thrive

The Fintech Brief | 4 Rounds. 24 Hours. How Henley’s Used Embedded Finance to Thrive

Plus, payments volume will more than double by 2034—see what’s driving it.

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Editor’s Pick 📌

Henley’s of Wivenhoe isn’t your average chippy. After 40 years in business, this award-winning fish and chip shop is still expanding—even as local competitors cut back.

So what’s the difference?

A recent case study explores how Henley’s unlocked growth through a seamless embedded finance experience, accessed directly via their payments provider. In partnership with Worldpay and Liberis, the business secured four rounds of funding—with capital landing just 24 hours after application.

💡 Highlights:

  • Built a new outdoor pick-up station, creating a fresh revenue stream

  • Saw a 20% uplift in turnover, even in a tough trading climate

  • Replaced friction with transparency, speed, and repeatable access to capital

It’s a clear example of how smart finance—delivered inside the tools businesses already use—can make growth not just possible, but practical.

🎤 On the Ground at Money20/20? So Are We.

We’ve launched a dedicated publication sharing exclusive insights, interviews, and takeaways straight from the show floor: 👉 money2020.unofficialinsights.com

Want behind-the-scenes access?

Follow the Bobsguide team on TikTok and Instagram for real-time updates, speaker clips, and hot takes from the event.

Industry Trends & Innovation 💡

PAYMENTS INNOVATION

Payments are expected to soar from $716.3 billion in 2024 to $1.77 trillion by 2034, mainly due to the surge in smartphones, contactless methods, and eCommerce. Growth hotspots will be Africa and Asia Pacific, with credit transfers and non-bank financial institutions outpacing traditional segments. Businesses must prioritise secure, multi-mode payment acceptance and data-driven efficiency to thrive.

PAYMENTS INNOVATION

Payments modernisation is urgent for financial institutions facing mounting pressures from real-time transactions, regulatory demands, cyber risks, and shifting customer expectations. Without updating to tools like ISO 20022, AI-driven systems, and cloud-based payment hubs, banks risk falling behind on compliance, efficiency, and client satisfaction. Embracing these changes now enables institutions to enhance customer experience, reinforce fraud prevention, and remain competitive in an unpredictable landscape.

PAYMENTS INNOVATION

Real-time payments (RTP) enable immediate, 24/7 transfers between bank accounts, improving cash flow for individuals and small businesses and supporting wider financial inclusion. With over 70 countries adopting RTP and usage surging—like India’s 129.3 billion transactions—cross-border payments, eCommerce, and peer-to-peer transfers are now faster and more reliable. However, instant settlement presents new fraud risks, prompting stronger AI-driven safeguards and regulatory responses.

FINTECH INFRASTRUCTURE

Flagright and Integrated Finance have combined their platforms to simplify compliance integration and core banking workflows for fintech teams. By aligning their APIs, teams can quickly implement real-time AML checks, risk scoring, and payments infrastructure without protracted build times. This directly addresses the frequent bottleneck of compliance, speeding eCommerce product launches while maintaining high regulatory standards.

BUSINESS FINANCING

Choosing between a bank loan and embedded financing depends heavily on your business’s confidence in the economic climate: stable companies prefer traditional loans for their sizeable limits and predictability, while less certain firms lean defensively on accessible options. Despite the allure of speed, embedded financing lags in adoption due to concerns over process transparency and higher costs. Understanding your risk tolerance and operational certainty can help you select the most effective capital source for your business circumstances.

FINTECH EXPANSION

Byline Bank is expanding its Payments and Fintech Banking division by hiring leaders with proven track records in managing embedded payment solutions and sponsorship banking, following the recruitment of David Prochnow and Joe Wolsfeld. This increased focus on direct, compliant partnerships meets the clear demand from fintech firms seeking knowledgeable banking partners for tailored digital payment needs. For digital finance professionals, this signals tangible opportunities to access faster, relationship-driven banking support for creating robust, compliant payment platforms.

Bobsguide is a ClickZ Media publication in the Finance division