Record-breaking VC investment in fintech in first half of 2021

KPMG’s Pulse of Fintech reveals investment hit USD 98 billion

•  USD 98 billion in fintech investment (M&A, PE and VC) in H1’21, compared with USD 121.5 billion during all of 2020.
• Global VC investment in fintech reached a record USD 52.3 billion in H1’21 – more than doubling the USD 22.5 billion seen in H2’20.

KPMG: Local governments becoming more digitally enabled, data-driven and community-focused

News Highlights:

1. KPMG New Report Presents Key Trends Shaping Local Governments in a Hyper-Connected Reality.
2. Personalized Customer Service Stands Key Trend.
3. Saudi Arabia Transforming Customer Services Through Amana 940 App, Developed by Ministry of Municipalities.
4. Saudi Royal Commission for AlUla(RCU) has Taken Large Steps in this Direction where ‘Hammayah Programme’ is a CSR initiative to Encourage Community Engagement.

KPMG: ‘Digital Blended Learning’to TransformEducation Method

News Highlights

1. KPMG’s new report identifies tech integrated education as an opportunity to shape the future.
2. Education taking benefits of new tech tools – AI, MR, Gamification, AR, VR, smart gadgets.
3. Blended learning allows for flexible class time and curricula need to be reimagined.
4. Covid-19 caused rapid transition into distance and e-learning.

New index highlightsa need for more digitalized customer service across UAE banking sector 

• The UAE Banking Sentiment Index reportreveals consumer sentiment based on social media conversations related to major UAE banks
• According to the report’s findings, UAE banks fail to respond to over a third of priority conversationson social media and take an average of 13 hours to respond to direct conversations
• Service complaints account for half of the industry conversation on social media platforms