Finance Awards 2019

16 | SME NEWS - Finance Awards 2019 In the world of finance and technology, remaining agile and responsive to changes is a key element for any company. Prepaid Financial Services, or PFS, offer that much-needed agility in delivering robust payment technology solutions through world-class innovation in e-commerce. A true pioneer and innovator, discover what has made this firm one of the most worthy winners in SME News’ Finance Awards 2019. Best FinTech Company 2019 - Europe Prepaid Financial Services Technology continues to permeate business and society across a multitude of platforms, and there are a myriad of companies just waiting to take advantage. Spearheading the evolution of the fintech ecosystem, PFS are at the forefront of the industry. Offering award-winning and innovative solutions such as eWallets, physical and virtual prepaid cards, and IBAN accounts across Europe and the United Kingdom, this firm are leading the charge to incorporate technology into society even more. Since the firm’s inception in 2008, PFS has returned profits consecutively for each of its eleven years in business. Now one of Europe’s largest eMoney issuers with programmes active in twenty-five countries and growing all the time, this fantastic fintech firm has the ability to transact in twenty-three currencies. Using state- of-the-art technology, PFS’ products are trusted and used by governments, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, mobile network operators, traditional banks, and a plethora of corporations. In the years since the firm was formed, PFS has remained one of the fastest-moving, innovative, and dynamic organisations within the fintech industry. With such a broad client base and rapid growth levels, PFS’ competitive advantage and strength comes from the ability to deliver solutions quickly. Improving performances and processes with structured and systematic approaches, this fintech firm are shipping new products out the door in the fastest timeframes that the industry has ever seen, whilst their competitors are still developing them. Despite rapid advancements, new technology alone is not enough. PFS are an innovative company that actively looks for tailored solutions, and how best a solution can serve a client. Those clients can talk to subject matter experts within the business, encouraging supportive and helpful dialogue rather than a controlled list of advice. The whole team looks after a client, making sure that everything regarding a fintech experience runs smoothly. Not content to simply lead the fintech industry in terms of technological innovation, PFS is also the industry’s most diverse and inclusive company. In 2019, the firm’s Wilmslow office boasts a staff that is two-thirds female, as well as 59% in Regent Street, and 57% in Ireland. Also, PFS’ Head of Operations and Client Relations, Valerie Moran, recently made history by being the first and only black female to make it into The Sunday Times Rich List 2019. She has also just been named in an FT 100 list for 2019. As technology continues to become an increasingly commonplace part of life across many industries, advancements within technology continue to take centre stage. For PFS, that means understanding and developing eMoney solutions that capitalises on those advancements. Fintech will likely see the complete eradication of physical cards over time, instead focusing on contactless, mobile, and biometric payments, using eyes, fingers, and voice-activated payment. PFS are working hard to include those advancements in future technology developments. Finance and technology have gone hand in hand for many years, since the implementation of contactless payments, and well before that. Whilst remaining reverent of fintech’s past, PFS are taking the industry into a new era of prosperity and technological advancement through its innovation, inventiveness, and ingenuity. Company: Prepaid Financial Services Contact: Lee Britton, Chief Commercial Officer Website: www.prepaidfinancialservices.com/en/ PFS’ Valerie Moran, global Diversity & Inclusion thought leader