Financial News

How Trade Financing Can Help the Gaming Industry Overcome Their Financial Woes?

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2023

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Peter Maerevoet, Global CFO and Regional CEO for Asia, Tradewind Finance

The digital gaming sector is one that many compare to a rollercoaster; experts describe it as a hit-or-miss market. Similar to a roller coaster, the gaming industry experiences spikes in demand during certain seasons and drops to near-zero sales during other times.

As people were confined to their homes and had to turn to internet entertainment during the pandemic, the video game industry experienced a significant uptick in growth. The pandemic also witnessed multiple new gaming companies jumping into the pile to take advantage of the massive and sudden demand.

However, once everyone resumed their typical routine of returning to the office and most physical grounds and sections had opened up after the pandemic, most video game firms reported their lowest-ever quarterly profits. The gaming business previously reported a drop in its fortune due to the pandemic squeeze. The US gaming sector reported a dip in video games of 11%, with a further decline of 8.7% projected for this year.

Additionally, this year had the lowest sales for consoles, including Nintendo, Sony’s Playstation, and Microsoft’s Xbox. The digital gaming market is not invincible and tends to prosper only during specific times of the year. This puts brands under a lot of pressure to make the most of the demand while it lasts.

How can gaming businesses ensure they have the proper financial support to capture the $3.14 billion MENA gaming industry?

Despite the ups and downs, it is predicted that the MENA gaming sector, particularly in the UAE, KSA, and Egypt, will increase to $3.14 billion by 2025. It is well known, however, that obtaining quick capital for a business is difficult despite the market potential, and it is critical to get your foot in the door when demand is high.

Opening a bank account specifically for an SME can take up to a year, and getting a loan is considerably more challenging because SMEs lack collateral and track records. This begs the question, what is the best alternative method of securing funding, especially when time is of the essence?

One way is to sell your receivables rather than apply for a loan. Loans are a time-consuming and complicated process, especially when it comes to financing an industry that is purely based on the right timing.

Selling your receivables can make better financing possible. In a financial transaction known as “accounts receivable financing,” a business sells its invoices to a factor.

3 things to consider when looking for financial solutions for the gaming industry:

Opt for accounts receivable financing rather than loans

In a general setting, most games go without promotions as developers usually put all their money into making the game/app and have nothing left for promotions. Obtaining loans in these cases is often complicated as, other than predicted revenue, there needs to be more proof or collateral for the banks to rely on. This is where accounts receivable financing or trade financing is the most beneficial. A trade finance company can pay you for the predicted income upfront, which generally takes at least 90 days. The instant cash flows help the gaming industry clear up its bills and concentrate on other aspects of the business. Trade finance is an excellent substitute to fill the gap between when you issue an invoice and when you will receive the money. It also allows you to concentrate on other aspects of the business.

Opt for simple and quick bankless finance methods

Banking has always been an intense procedure for new or upcoming businesses. According to a survey by the Pearl Initiative GCC in the first half of 2022, 39% of SMEs cited a shortage of cash or finance as one of their key challenges. A straightforward bank account can become complicated since banks see SMEs as a risky industry and have high minimum balance requirements and bureaucratic processes.

Therefore, as an upcoming business, starting with a financing company that does not require intense banking is good. In fact, there is no need to have a bank involved in a factoring or accounts receivables transaction – all transactions are handled through the trade finance company. It is one of the simplest and easiest methods for gaming companies to get the funding they need to ensure all finances go well.

Choose a source that provides multiple injections of finance rather than just one major initial injection

A steady income stream is essential if one is working in the “prone to hiccups” gaming industry. The major problem with traditional financing is that it never produces constant cash flow because traditional accounting is based on a one-time sizable initial investment in the company. This makes it challenging to keep the wheels running after the initial investment is used and the accounts receivables still need to be submitted.

On the other hand, trade financing is a constant stream of capital into the business and is not dependent on a one-time injection. This occurs when a trade finance company purchases accounts receivable so that you can begin working on your next project immediately and avoid waiting 90 days. You will have consistent revenue from trade finance as long as you continue to serve your clients and have bills to collect.

Related Topics:Banking MENA Pandemic Profit Service Trade Financing UAE

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Wio Bank and Fiskl Embark on Groundbreaking Journey to Redefine Financial Management with AI

Published

1 day ago

July 1, 2024

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Wio Bank announced a groundbreaking partnership with Fiskl, marking a significant step forward in advancing digital banking and AI-powered financial management solutions. This collaboration leverages Wio’s world-class banking APIs to integrate with Fiskl’s advanced AI-driven financial management platform, setting a new benchmark for digital banking and financial management services in the region.

Innovative Digital Banking Solutions and Beyond

Wio transcends traditional banking by not only embracing but leading technological innovation, offering its customers in the UAE an enhanced way to manage their finances. The availability of Wio’s banking API and its direct integration with Fiskl establishes a new standard in digital banking. This collaboration merges reliability with real-time API banking data access and leverages advanced AI-driven financial management to deliver a comprehensive and seamless experience for Wio business banking customers.

Empowering SMEs with AI-Driven Financial Management

Fiskl’s integration with Wio Bank simplifies financial management for SMEs by combining cutting-edge AI technology with real-time API banking data access. This strategic partnership provides Wio Business banking customers with a unified, user-friendly platform that fully automates financial processes, enabling them to optimize their financial operations and make informed decisions more effectively.

Transformative Benefits of the Wio – Fiskl Integration

● Seamless Connectivity: A direct link between Wio accounts and Fiskl’s platform ensures efficient financial management and real-time cash flow overviews.

● Instant Financial Clarity: Real-time transactions keep businesses aligned with their financial status, without the need for manual updates.

● Automated Transactions: Exclusive to Wio, this feature automates internal and cross-currency transfers, simplifying complex financial reconciliation with Fiskl’s AI-based engine.

● Mobile First: The integration provides a comprehensive accounting mobile experience, enabling on-the-go financial management with full Wio Bank sync capabilities.

● Simplified financial flow: Simplifies the process of adding and managing new Wio accounts within Fiskl, enhancing user experience.

Setting up Small Businesses for the Future

The need for modern, compliant financial and accounting tools is paramount for UAE businesses navigating corporate tax and digital tax submissions. Wio, through its partnership with Fiskl, is at the forefront of addressing these requirements, offering businesses the solutions they need to navigate the evolving financial landscape with confidence.

Prateek Vahie, Chief Commercial Officer of Wio, shared his vision: “Wio’s direct integration with Fiskl underlines our commitment to pioneering digital banking solutions and empowering our customers to manage their finances. We continue to work with our partners to develop and provide innovative financial services that make banking easier and more transparent for SMEs.”

Alina Lapusneanu, CEO of Fiskl, remarked, “Our collaboration with Wio is more than a partnership; it’s a pivotal step forward in our quest to make sophisticated financial management accessible to all small businesses. By joining forces with Wio, a leader in banking innovation, we’re enhancing our AI-powered banking to accounting services to better serve the broader UAE market. This ensures that small businesses can navigate the complexities of new financial regulations not just with ease, but with confidence. It stands as proof of the transformative power of technology when aligned with visionary partners.”

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Ajman Bank Partners with Magnati to Leverage Merchant Acquiring Services for its Customers

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1 day ago

July 1, 2024

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Ajman Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Magnati to enhance the digital payment capabilities of its corporate and business banking clients. Through this collaboration, Ajman Bank will leverage Magnati’s merchant acquiring services to offer secure payment solutions for both online and in-store payments.

With Magnati’s expertise in payment processing and Ajman Bank’s robust banking infrastructure, clients can look forward to a more streamlined and efficient payment experience.

Mr. Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO of Ajman Bank, said, “Our collaboration with Magnati will enable us to offer our corporate and business banking clients with state-of-the-art technology and innovative payment solutions. It aligns with Ajman Bank’s strategic vision of fostering innovation and embracing cutting-edge technologies to push boundaries of excellence. We are committed to providing top-tier banking solutions that cater to the evolving needs of businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital economy by supporting their growth and success.”

Mr. Ramana Kumar, CEO of Magnati said, “We are excited to partner with Ajman Bank to implement our advanced merchant acquiring services. Our solution is designed to offer improved experiences and increased efficiency with fast, secure and convenient payment options. With a vast network of partners and state-of-the-art platform, we ensure an efficient connection across the ecosystem.”

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Ajman Bank Among the First in the UAE to Accept Jaywan Cards Across its ATM Network

Published

6 days ago

June 26, 2024

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Ajman Bank is among the first banks in the UAE to successfully integrate Jaywan card acceptance across its ATM network, facilitating seamless cash withdrawals for Jaywan cardholders.

The Jaywan card, launched by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, is designed to boost efficiency and sovereignty in the national payment landscape by promoting digital transactions in the local currency.

Mr. Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO of Ajman Bank said, “We are proud to be one of the first banks in the UAE to accept Jaywan cards on our ATMs. This initiative reflects our dedication to innovation and our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s domestic payments agenda. We are confident that this will enhance the payment experience for Jaywan cardholders while supporting the broader economic goals of the nation.”

Jan Pilbauer, CEO, Al Etihad Payments, said, “Jaywan has been launched in line with a vision to expand the national financial market infrastructure in the UAE. Jaywan cards are designed to offer convenience for customers of UAE’s Licensed Financial Institutions, being progressively accepted across all payment channels – ATMs, Point of Sale, and eCommerce. Our partnership with Ajman Bank, along with other financial institutions in the UAE, marks a significant step towards enhancing convenience and accessibility for users throughout the UAE.”