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Numeral and BNP Paribas Partner to Power WorldFirst and Europe’s Leading Payments Companies

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This partnership will enable WorldFirst to serve its European customers better.

Paris, France, 4th Jun 2024 – Numeral, the payments technology provider, and BNP Paribas, Europe’s leading bank, today announced a partnership to enable payment companies, including WorldFirst, Alma, Swile and Floa, to embed SEPA and local payments into their products seamlessly, become SEPA participants, and optimise their payment operations at scale. 

This bank-fintech partnership will enable WorldFirst, a one-stop digital payment and financial services platform for global businesses, especially SMEs in international trade, to better support its European merchant clients for Euro collections by offering these businesses accelerated payment processes and heightened security throughout the European Economic Area (EEA). 

WorldFirst is committed to integrating into more regional and local payment schemes, thereby empowering SMEs to seamlessly conduct trade and business operations across the globe. Currently, WorldFirst customers can have multi-currency World Account with payments to 200+ markets worldwide in over 100 currencies, 90% of which are settled within the same day.

”BNP Paribas has strong ambitions to support global and European fintech leaders in addressing the European market and helping the future champions emerge. As Europe’s leading bank, BNP Paribas offers the pan-European payment, treasury, and account solutions to do so. This strategic partnership with Numeral enables us to distribute these services more efficiently to our customers,” says Marc Espagnon, Head of Cash Management at BNP Paribas.

This partnership allows joint customers to easily access BNP Paribas’ services through Numeral’s single API and dashboard, which facilitates integration with fintechs’ modern architectures. As a result, payment companies benefit from faster time to market, reduced maintenance costs, and a future-proof payment infrastructure thanks to BNP Paribas’ extensive local payment systems coverage.

“Banks are critical to fintechs’ success, as they provide access to payment schemes, accounts and additional financial services that are core to fintechs’ offerings. Partnering with BNP Paribas gives our joint customers access to one of the biggest catalogues of services and the strongest expertise to scale in Europe,” says Édouard Mandon, co-founder and CEO at Numeral. “Numeral aggregates BNP Paribas best-in-class solutions into a single cloud-native, API-first platform from which joint customers can automate their payment operations across Europe”.

Through this partnership, joint clients can access SEPA, including SEPA instant, and Polish, Nordic, and Swiss payment schemes, access their BNP Paribas account information in real-time, and automate treasury payments to optimise their safeguarding operations.

“Originally established in London two decades ago, WorldFirst has evolved into a global company, proudly serving over a million SMEs. With a strong heritage and focus on the European market, WorldFirst will continue to offer tailor-made solutions that cater to the unique needs of businesses within this key region. To that end, we will work towards becoming a SEPA participant via partnering with a leading sponsor bank. This partnership will enable our European customers to benefit from Europe’s leading banking expertise and fintech innovation, so they can access fast, easy and secure payment and collection services in Euros through WorldFirst,” said Clara Shi, CEO of WorldFirst.  

For more details, contact Matthieu Blandineau from Numeral at press@numeral.io.

 

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas is the European Union’s leading bank and key player in international banking. It operates in 63 countries and has nearly 183,000 employees, including more than 145,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Turkey, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

 

About WorldFirst

WorldFirst is a one-stop payment and financial services platform for SMEs engaged in global or cross-border trade. WorldFirst is empowering SMEs to successfully execute their strategic growth plans with technology. Through the World Account, WorldFirst is meeting the needs of SMEs engaged in international trade or business, both online via marketplaces or websites, as well as offline to support importers and exporters. This includes collections (receiving payments), making payments, currency conversion risk management and supply chain financing to help customers reduce costs, improve turnover efficiency to generate more revenue and sales, and quickly capture global business opportunities.

 

About Numeral

Numeral is a payment technology provider which delivers the infrastructure for fintechs and banks to connect to partner banks, access schemes, and automate payment operations. 

Through its payments, reconciliations, treasury, and risk and fraud management capabilities, Numeral enables its customers to launch new products and expand geographically faster, reduce total cost of ownership and make their payments more resilient. 

Numeral provides the payment infrastructure for European and global fintech leaders like WorkdFirst, Swile, Argentex, Deblock and Alma. Numeral also partners with Europe’s leading banks, including BNP Paribas, Barclays, BNP Paribas, HSBC, BPCE, and ABN AMRO. Launched in 2021, Numeral has raised €13m from world-class investors like Balderton and eFounders.

Media Contact

Organization: Numeral

Contact Person: Matthieu Blandineau

Website: https://www.numeral.io/

Email: Send Email

City: Paris

Country: France

Release Id: 04062412827

The post Numeral and BNP Paribas Partner to Power WorldFirst and Europe’s Leading Payments Companies appeared first on King NewsWire. It is provided by a third-party content provider. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it.

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Press Release

Sheryar Shah Predicts Major Decline in Hong Kong Graduate Entry-Level Jobs by 2028

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Sheryar Shah, Head of AI Growth at sher.hk, highlights a 55% year-on-year drop in Hong Kong graduate entry-level vacancies — the lowest in five years — as companies adopt AI for routine junior tasks.

Hong Kong S.A.R., 9th Mar 2026 – Sheryar Shah, Head of AI Growth at sher.hk, has drawn attention to a notable trend in Hong Kong’s graduate employment market: full-time entry-level graduate vacancies have fallen by approximately 55% year-on-year — reaching the lowest level recorded in five years — as companies increasingly adopt generative AI and automation tools for routine junior tasks.

“The entry-level pathway that Hong Kong graduates have traditionally relied on is undergoing visible change,” Shah noted. “We are seeing a clear 55% reduction in advertised graduate positions through the public university portals, and AI is already handling many of the basic starter tasks that used to be managed by new hires. Current trends suggest this shift will continue in the coming years.”

Current data indicates ongoing change in the market

Hong Kong’s graduate recruitment environment is showing clear movement:

  • Full-time graduate vacancies through the eight public universities declined approximately 55% year-on-year in the most recent reporting period — the lowest figure in five years.
  • Generative AI is now commonly used for functions previously assigned to new graduates: basic email drafting, data entry, customer-service responses, simple translation, content generation, junior administrative support, and routine compliance monitoring.
  • Surveys of employers from late 2025 into early 2026 show many companies planning continued adjustments to graduate intake, with AI often identified as an alternative for repetitive entry-level work.

Shah points to the 55% drop as evidence of a broader structural shift, supported by international workforce analyses (McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, IMF 2023–2025) that expect continued automation in administrative, clerical, and service-oriented sectors. “When AI reliably performs 70–80% of a junior role’s output at significantly lower cost, the economic rationale for retaining the human equivalent becomes more challenging,” he explained. “Across many Hong Kong businesses, this reasoning is contributing to the changes we observe in traditional graduate entry opportunities.”

A changing job market structure

Shah highlighted an important distinction:

  • Overall employment levels in Hong Kong are not expected to decline sharply. New roles will continue to emerge.
  • Emerging demand is increasingly focused on positions that require immediate AI fluency combined with specialised human judgment — a combination that most current graduates are not yet fully prepared to meet from day one.

“The graduate entry market is shifting noticeably,” Shah observed. “Premium opportunities now often require AI proficiency from the outset. The large volume of ‘learn-as-you-go’ starter positions that historically served as the bridge is contracting. The middle ground is narrowing.”

This observation comes as Hong Kong experiences a pronounced contraction in graduate employment in recent years, with ongoing youth unemployment pressures and companies placing greater emphasis on AI solutions for routine functions.

(The 55% figure reflects reported year-on-year vacancy data from Hong Kong’s public university job portals. Future developments will depend on upskilling initiatives, economic conditions, and policy responses. The observed direction is consistent with current trends and international analyses.)

Media Contact

Organization: trustbanana

Contact Person: Sher

Website: https://trustbanana.com

Email: Send Email

Country:Hong Kong S.A.R.

Release id:42312

The post Sheryar Shah Predicts Major Decline in Hong Kong Graduate Entry-Level Jobs by 2028 appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

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Press Release

Pure Tax Investigations Provides Specialist HMRC Tax Compliance and Disclosure Services Across the UK

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Pure Tax Investigations, led by tax specialist Amit Puri, supports individuals and businesses navigating HMRC tax enquiries and voluntary disclosure procedures.

London, United Kingdom, 9th Mar 2026 – Pure Tax Investigations, a specialist firm focused on HMRC tax compliance and voluntary disclosures, continues to assist individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses across the United Kingdom with tax enquiry and disclosure matters. The firm brings more than two decades of professional experience to each case, helping clients work through complex tax compliance requirements.

Based in the City of London, Pure Tax Investigations regularly contributes commentary and professional insights to leading industry publications. These include Bloomberg Tax, FT Adviser, Accounting Today, AccountingWEB, Tax Insider, Taxation Magazine, and The Negotiator. The firm shares analysis and information to help professionals and the public better understand the tax disclosure and compliance process.

Most recently, Amit Puri authored a piece on crypto tax disclosures, drawing on his experience in the field of tax compliance and voluntary disclosure procedures.

Puri has also been an active speaker at industry events. He previously presented at Accountex in London and is scheduled to present at FAB 2026 at the Birmingham NEC on March 11.

Areas of Practice

Pure Tax Investigations supports clients across several areas of HMRC tax compliance and voluntary disclosure, including:

  • HMRC tax enquiry guidance
  • Code of Practice 9 (COP9) compliance procedures
  • Contractual Disclosure Facility (CDF) voluntary disclosures
  • Complex matters benefiting from prior HMRC inspector experience

The firm’s focus is on helping clients understand their tax position and work through disclosure procedures in a structured and compliant manner.

Expert Perspective

“Many individuals and businesses are simply unaware of their options when it comes to making a voluntary tax disclosure. Our role is to guide people through that process clearly and professionally, so they can resolve their tax position with confidence,” said Amit Puri, Founder, Pure Tax Investigations

Background of Amit Puri

Amit Puri brings more than 21 years of experience in tax investigations and disclosures. He spent over a decade as a senior tax inspector with HMRC, including a period as head of the tax disclosures team.

That background gives Puri a grounded understanding of how HMRC approaches enquiries and disclosures, knowledge he now applies in advising clients. He is regularly sought out by individuals looking to address past tax matters and by professional publications seeking industry perspective on tax compliance trends.

About Pure Tax Investigations

Pure Tax Investigations was established to provide specialist advice on HMRC tax matters. Amit Puri has been working in tax investigations for over 21 years and has spent nearly 12 years in private practice advising clients on compliance and disclosure matters.

The firm operates from the City of London and serves clients across the United Kingdom, including individuals and businesses with overseas connections and UK tax obligations.

To learn more, visit https://pure-tax.com/

For any inquiries, call +44 203 757 5669 or send an email to info@pure-tax.com.

For the latest updates, follow Pure Tax Investigations on social media: 

Instagram: @pure.tax.investigations

YouTube @AmitPuri-PureTaxInvestigations

LinkedIn @amitpurigt

LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/pure-tax/

Media Contact

Organization: Pure Tax Investigations

Contact Person: Mr. Amit Puri

Website: https://pure-tax.com/

Email: Send Email

Contact Number: +442037575669

City: London

Country:United Kingdom

Release id:42303

The post Pure Tax Investigations Provides Specialist HMRC Tax Compliance and Disclosure Services Across the UK appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

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Press Release

Elmark Sign Company Elevates Brand Visibility with Expert Custom Signage Solutions

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West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States, 9th Mar 2026  Elmark Sign Company, a leading provider of custom signs, office branding, and vehicle graphics, continues to set the standard for high-impact visual communication with industry-trusted craftsmanship and strategic design expertise. With over 40 years in business and a track record of more than 50,000 completed projects, Elmark reinforces its commitment to helping businesses enhance visibility, strengthen branding, and create memorable customer experiences.

At a time when a standout presence matters more than ever, Elmark delivers tailored signage solutions that help organizations of all sizes—from local small businesses to global corporations—bring their brand messages to life. The company’s comprehensive portfolio includes acrylic panel signs, ADA & Braille signs, carved signs, dimensional letters, LED-illuminated signs, exterior and interior signage, plaques, vehicle wraps, wall and window vinyl, and wayfinding systems.

Approaching each project with a “client first” mindset, the Elmark team provides a high quality customer experience from start to finish.  They work closely with clients to understand their goals, challenges, and unique brand identities, delivering customized signage that not only looks exceptional but also performs under real-world conditions.

Unlike generic sign providers, Elmark offers end-to-end project management, including site surveys, permit acquisition, engineering, and installation services. This holistic approach ensures that each sign is not only visually striking but also compliant with local regulations and optimized for maximum impact.

Elmark Sign Company’s portfolio spans industries and applications—from enhancing retail storefronts and corporate environments to transforming vehicle fleets into mobile billboards. With decades of experience, Elmark has earned the trust of clients across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, serving markets such as Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, and New Castle County.

In addition to custom signage, Elmark’s professional design services support brand development through thoughtful visual strategy and creative execution. Whether a business needs new branding assets or a refresh of existing signage systems, Elmark’s experts guide each client through a seamless process from concept to completion.

With a legacy built on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, Elmark Sign Company continues to champion innovative signage solutions that help organizations increase brand recognition and engage their audiences more effectively than ever before.

About Elmark Sign Company

Elmark Sign Company is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier manufacturer of custom signs, vehicle wraps, and branding graphics. With 40+ years of experience and thousands of happy clients, Elmark delivers creative, high-quality signage solutions backed by exceptional service and a commitment to excellence.
Website: https://www.elmark.com/

Media Contact

Organization: Elmark Sign Company

Contact Person: Matthew Bayley

Website: https://www.elmark.com/

Email: Send Email

Contact Number: +16106920525

Address:307 Westtown Road

City: West Chester

State: Pennsylvania

Country:United States

Release id:42430

The post Elmark Sign Company Elevates Brand Visibility with Expert Custom Signage Solutions appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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