The Monday Roundup: what we are watching this week | July 7th

By Puja Sharma

The Monday Roundup sets the scene for the week’s biggest news stories, industry deals, and upcoming events. For Prime subscribers only.

Everyday bank account

Adyen has launched its Global Partner Programme to deepen collaboration and help partners unlock greater value for clients through structured support and incentives.

The updated initiative aims to deepen collaboration across its network of more than 1,000 partner organisations, supporting greater joint success through a clearer structure and dedicated resources.

The refreshed programme introduces a more comprehensive framework designed to help partners make full use of Adyen’s single platform, offering integrated tools, guidance and incentives to deliver more value to shared customers.

Zopa Bank to open a regional office in central Manchester this August, as a part of its UK expansion plans and underlining its commitment to growth beyond London.

The move will see the digital bank establish a permanent presence in one of the country’s fastest-growing technology and financial services hubs. Zopa’s Manchester office is expected to provide an initial base for more than 50 employees, with long-term ambitions to build a team of up to 500. Key roles will focus on product development, engineering and specialist operations.

The decision to expand to Manchester reflects Zopa’s continued investment in digital banking services and its ambition to access talent in major regional cities. It comes after the launch of Biscuit, Zopa’s everyday bank account designed to offer competitive value with the convenience of a mobile-first experience.

Zopa cited Manchester’s established reputation as a technology and innovation centre as a driving factor in its location choice. The city is home to more than 10,000 digital and technology businesses and five universities enrolling over 100,000 students, providing access to a large pool of skilled graduates.

Strengthen global fund distribution capabilities

Broadridge Financial Solutions is set to acquire Acolin, a Zurich-based company that specialises in cross-border fund distribution and regulatory services, to strengthen its global fund distribution capabilities. Acolin connects asset managers with over 3,000 distributors across more than 30 countries and supports over 350 clients with services such as fund registration, legal representation, and compliance management. This acquisition will allow Broadridge to offer a more comprehensive, end-to-end solution by integrating Acolin’s distribution network and regulatory expertise with its own data and analytics tools. The deal, which is expected to close in the first half of fiscal year 2026, is subject to regulatory approval.

Stripe has expanded its “Pay by Bank” service to Germany and France through a new partnership with TrueLayer. This move is part of Stripe’s broader strategy to offer more seamless and cost-effective payment options across Europe. The “Pay by Bank” feature allows customers to make direct payments from their bank accounts, bypassing traditional card networks. By integrating TrueLayer’s open banking technology, Stripe aims to reduce transaction fees for merchants and improve the checkout experience for users. This expansion reflects the growing demand for alternative payment methods and highlights Stripe’s commitment to innovation in the European FinTech space.

What is the Buzz

The Payments Association is calling for stronger efforts to promote diversity and inclusion (D&I) within the payments industry. This follows the release of its 2025 D&I survey, which revealed significant shortcomings in how companies collect and use data related to sexual orientation and gender identity. While most firms gather gender data during hiring, only a small fraction collect information on sexual orientation (14%) or gender identity (27%).

Interestingly, all companies that collect data on sexual orientation also analyse it, demonstrating its potential value in shaping inclusive policies. However, only 11% of firms actively prioritise sexual orientation in their D&I strategies, and 25% don’t focus on any protected characteristics at all.

PridePay, a payment app by Cardaq focused on the LGBTQIA+ community, is setting an example by becoming the headline sponsor of Pride in London 2025. Their involvement includes branding across public spaces, interactive events such as a QR code treasure hunt, and donation stations that support LGBTQIA+ causes. Cardaq’s CEO, Hugo Remi, emphasised the ongoing challenges LGBTQIA+ individuals face and the importance of visibility and support.