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Saudi super-app barq to absorb Bahrain's Beyon Money, gaining its licences. The telecoms group's wallet will become part of barq, which says the deal is about Beyon Money's regulatory licences. No terms were disclosed. Rudri Mehta Kachhy PAYMENTS CORRESPONDENT barq, the Saudi payments app that became a unicorn last month, has agreed to take over Beyon Money, the digital wallet owned by Bahraini telecoms group Beyon, mainly to get its licences. Beyon Money's operations will become part of barq, and Beyon will keep an economic interest in barq, the companies said on 7 October. The agreement was signed at the FinTech Forward 2026 conference in Bahrain. Neither side disclosed a price or the size of Beyon's stake. The deal still depends on final documentation, regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Beyon Money customers can keep using their accounts as normal. Buying a regulatory base. Mohamed Alsabea, barq's chief of staff and chief strategy officer, was direct about the reason. "Beyon Money's licences give us a regulated foundation to build on in new markets, the deal marks an important step in barq's growth." Beyon Money launched in January 2022, operating through three entities regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain: Batelco Financial Services, Batelco Remittance Services and Beyon Money Investments. In May 2023 the central bank granted it a Class 2 investment licence. Its app covers payments, transfers and remittances, and in January 2026 its business wallet was integrated with EazyPay's point-of-sale terminals in Bahrain. Beyon has not published Beyon Money's current customer numbers. In 2023 it said customers had grown tenfold in a year. Shaikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, chief executive of Beyon Digital Growth, said: "Beyon Money is a strong example of how we build and develop digital businesses with the potential to create long-term value." barq raised a $329.5 million Series A at a $1.85 billion valuation in September, the largest fintech deal in the Middle East and North Africa in the third quarter, according to Wamda. It says it has more than 15 million users and has processed more than SAR 440 billion ($117 billion) in transactions. It said the money would fund international expansion but didn't name markets. Its cross-border work so far has been through partners rather than licences of its own. barq has integrated with Western Union for international money transfers and partnered with Alipay+ in May 2026 to accept cross-border QR code payments. Owning Beyon Money would give it a licensed business of its own outside Saudi Arabia. The Beyon Money deal is the first sign of where that could start. Neither company has said which licences will transfer, whether the Central Bank of Bahrain must approve the change of control, or when they expect the deal to close.

VPBank and Western Union enhance digital remittance experience. VPBank and Western Union launched the APN Realtime service on October 12, enabling recipients in Vietnam to receive remittances directly into their bank accounts in real time, without having to visit a physical location to collect cash. Developed as part of the partnership between the two parties, the service addresses the growing demand for international money transfers that are faster, more convenient and offer greater flexibility in managing financial transactions. Compared with traditional cash collection at transaction points, APN (Account Payout Network) Realtime significantly streamlines the journey of remittances from overseas to Vietnam. The entire process is handled digitally in real time, allowing funds to be credited to recipients' accounts almost immediately after senders complete their transactions. Recipients no longer need to visit a bank counter or rely on banking hours. | Image courtesy of VPBank | In particular, the service operates 24/7, including weekends and public holidays, meeting the need to receive money at any time. Recipients are not charged any fees and face no limit on the number of remittance transactions they can receive. By transferring funds directly into bank accounts, the service also delivers a more seamless financial experience, enabling customers to make payments, spend or continue managing their cash flow through digital banking platforms without having to convert the funds into cash. "Every remittance transaction is linked to practical needs in daily life and financial plans. Recipients therefore care not only about whether the money arrives safely, but also expect the process to be fast and secure. Launching the APN Realtime service for receiving Western Union remittances is how we respond to these needs, while helping bring remittance services in Vietnam closer to international transaction standards," a VPBank representative said. Bringing the world closer with a single tap Vietnam received approximately $16 billion in remittances in 2024, with the figure continuing to rise to $17.7 billion in 2025. These figures highlight the sustained scale of cross-border money transfers and underscore growing expectations for speed, convenience and flexibility in receiving funds. For customers, the value of this connection goes beyond shorter waiting times. When remittances are transferred directly into bank accounts, recipients can continue to access payment, savings, investment and financial management services on a single platform, rather than having to convert the funds into cash first. By combining Western Union's global money transfer network spanning more than 200 countries and territories with VPBank's technological capabilities and advanced digital banking infrastructure, the message 'halfway around the world, connected with just one tap' captures the experience the two parties aim to deliver. Geographical distance is no longer a barrier as technology enables money sent from overseas to reach loved ones in Vietnam more quickly and conveniently. The APN Realtime remittance service also marks a concrete step in VPBank's efforts to realise its vision of 'Shaping the Future of Digital Remittances'. By leveraging technology to shorten processing times and simplify the receiving process, VPBank continues to reinforce its pioneering role in the digitalisation of financial services, helping deliver banking experiences that are faster, more convenient and increasingly seamless for customers. VPBank is one of Vietnam's leading private-sector banks, offering a broad range of financial services to individual and corporate customers, meanwhile Western Union is a global provider of cross-border, cross-currency money transfers and related financial services, operating through a combination of digital platforms and an extensive agent network across more than 200 countries and territories. | / | VPBank upgrades core banking with Temenos and Systems Limited VPBank, one of Vietnam's top five private commercial banks, has successfully upgraded to the latest Temenos core banking system, in collaboration with Systems Limited, deploying the platform on Red Hat OpenShift. | | / | VPBank strengthens auto supply chain finance with Suzuki partnership VPBank has expanded its supply chain financing activities in the automotive sector through a new partnership with Suzuki's official distributor in Vietnam. | | / | VPBank to raise $250 million via foreign private placement VPBank is planning a private share sale to a foreign investor as part of a two-stage capital increase that would raise its charter capital from $3.17 billion to $4.25 billion. | | / | VPBank signs maiden $1.44 billion sustainability-linked loan VPBank has signed its first sustainability-linked loan, totalling $1.44 billion, with 15 international financial institutions acting as Mandated Lead Arrangers, Underwriters, and Bookrunners (MLAUBs). |

Western Union selects Screenverse as exclusive programmatic technology partner for its DOOH network. October 13, 2026 The partnership gives advertisers access to more than 2,600 digital screens across 124 U.S. markets, reaching consumers during everyday financial transactions and money management moments. NEW YORK, NY - October 13, 2026 - Screenverse, a leading programmatic technology partner for digital out-of-home (DOOH), announced a new partnership today with Western Union, a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement, payments, and digital financial services. The partnership gives advertisers the opportunity to connect with consumers as they manage money, make payments, and navigate everyday financial decisions. Western Union's DOOH media network spans more than 2,600 digital screens across 124 U.S. markets and generates more than 623 million monthly impressions. With a strong presence in major markets including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston, advertisers can reach consumers at national scale while focusing on the markets and communities most relevant to their campaigns. What sets Western Union apart is the financial mindset of consumers visiting these locations. Screens are positioned across financial services and everyday retail environments, including check-cashing centers, banks, supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores. In this context, consumers are focused on accessing funds, managing finances, and making payments. With average dwell times of 15-20 minutes, brands also benefit from extended exposure as consumers spend time completing transactions. "Western Union brings something the DOOH ecosystem hasn't had at scale by creating a national financial services footprint that reaches consumers in the middle of real transaction moments," said Nick Sadler, Senior Vice President of Supply at Screenverse. "Financial services has been an underbuilt venue category, and this partnership opens it up with the reach and targeting rigor programmatic buyers expect. For advertisers, it's a rare combination of high-attention environments, a captive audience, and inventory that clears through the pipes they're already buying." Western Union provides audience insights highlighting strong representation across Hispanic, African American, Asian, and immigrant communities, creating opportunities for brands to reach diverse multicultural audiences. Its financial services footprint can also help advertisers reach consumers who primarily use cash or checks and may be less visible through traditional digital targeting methods. "Our partnership with Screenverse marks an important step in expanding the reach and sophistication of the Western Union Media Network," said Josh Bernstein, Director of Media Network Operations at Western Union. "Screenverse brings an unbiased, independent perspective that opens doors to new buyers and fresh demand. We're thrilled to work with a partner whose goals are fully aligned with helping us grow." The partnership helps advertisers reach consumers at key financial moments that other media channels can't replicate. Western Union's DOOH inventory is available programmatically through Screenverse via Place Exchange by Broadsign and Perion, giving advertisers flexible ways to plan and activate campaigns across the network. About Screenverse Screenverse is the leading partner for DOOH media owners, specializing in monetization and ad management solutions that scale programmatic revenue. Established in 2020, Screenverse has built the largest network of DOOH inventory in the physical world, with over 150,000+ digital screens across 29 networks, including billboards, urban panels, retail, and residential environments. Connecting advertisers to premium media nationwide through both programmatic and direct channels, Screenverse delivers meaningful results for brands, agencies, and media owners alike. For more information, please visit screenversemedia.com About Western Union The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is committed to helping people around the world who aspire to build financial futures for themselves, their loved ones and their communities. Its leading cross-border, cross-currency money movement, payments and digital financial services empower consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments across more than 200 countries and territories and over 130 currencies to connect with billions of bank accounts, millions of digital wallets and cards, and a global footprint of hundreds of thousands of retail locations. Its goal is to offer accessible financial services that help people and communities prosper. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com Media Contact: Alexandra Bell Screenverse [email protected] ID: 4 Share this Tasty content!