The Importance of a Modernised Custodial Process

Connor Coughlin, Chief Commercial Officer, Apex Fintech Solutions in his FintextraTV interview at the Communify Fincentric Experience 2025 gave his insights into an often overlooked and misunderstood element of payments: custody and clearing. Often, Coughlin says, many of our issues can come from a clunky, outdated custodial process, something that can be solved with evolving technologies and a more considered mindset.

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Daily Mail​

40 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

America crowns new favorite restaurant chain as LongHorn Steakhouse dethroned by bitter rival

Texas Roadhouse has been named America's favorite restaurant — beating the likes of Chili's, Olive Garden and its big steakhouse rival. It has beaten longtime rival LongHorn Steakhouse to claim the top spot on the closely watched American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for sit-down restaurants. The two steakhouses, which both scored 84 on the 2024 list, are now separated by a single point — with Texas Roadhouse notching 84 and LongHorn falling just behind at 83. Olive Garden was third with 81, and Applebee's and Cracker were fourth with 80. Outback Steakhouse, the third major US steakhouse chain, also cracked the top 10 despite a lower satisfaction score of 79, tied with Red Lobster. Chili's was eighth, along with IHOP and Red Robin, with 78. Both Texas and LongHorn had a bumper 2024 as they benefited from inflation-weary Americans seeking out good value meals. They both offer a steak, potatoes and vegetables for $20 to $25. Despite a rocky start to 2025 — including a sluggish 2.9 percent sales gain and weather-related closures — Texas Roadhouse, actually founded in Indiana, has maintained its value positioning in the face of inflation and tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. LongHorn experienced a 4.3% increase in customer traffic and operates over 500 restaurants worldwide Texas Roadhouse, which was founded nearly 30 years ago, now operates 655 restaurants across the United States. LongHorn, owned by Darden Restaurants, has grown into a global steakhouse empire with more than 500 locations worldwide since opening its first restaurant 44 years ago. Their success comes as many competitors falter. Both chains have overtaken Outback Steakhouse in sales In terms of sales, both have overtaken Outback Steakhouse — a dramatic shift for a brand that once dominated the casual steakhouse scene, fueled by the late-1980s Australian craze sparked by Crocodile Dundee. Sales have also fallen at Olive Garden, Starbucks, and TGI Friday's. Last year, Olive Garden also lost its position as the top-grossing US restaurant brand — a spot it had held for seven consecutive years — to Texas Roadhouse. The Italian-inspired chain — famous for its bottomless breadsticks and carb-heavy comfort food, also faced internal turmoil, including employee walkouts over new uniform policies. Meanwhile, Applebee's has been in a prolonged period of contraction, shuttering roughly 300 restaurants between 2016 and 2023 amid rebranding efforts and broader financial challenges. Texas Roadhouse is focusing on offering various low-priced entrees Red Lobster, ranking number eight on the list, closed hundreds of restaurants last year after filing for bankruptcy and exited last September after being purchased by asset manager Fortress. Chili's pulled off ' the best comeback of all time,' and landed in a three-way tie with IHOP and the struggling Red Robin chain. Its next entries, The Cheesecake Factory and Buffalo Wild Wings have had slight dips in sales this year, but not big enough to put them at risk of bankruptcy. Denny's concludes the list with a score of 75, which came after shuttering dozens of restaurants and implementing an egg surcharge. The ACSI rankings, considered a key benchmark of consumer sentiment across major industries, are closely monitored by investors and analysts for signs of shifting brand loyalty and operational performance.

The Guardian

an hour ago

• The Guardian

Small business owners aren't jumping for joy about the US economy – but they still aren't jumping ship

Small businesses in the US account for approximately half of the country's jobs, so when small businesses are doing well, it's likely that the economy is doing well. Media reports recently indicated that many small businesses are challenged by Trump's tariffs, ongoing inflation, labor shortages and higher financing costs. So how are small businesses doing so far in 2025? Not great. But not that bad either. In just the past two months, there have been no less than seven comprehensive surveys conducted by well-known companies and brands that altogether surveyed or drew from their internal data of tens – even hundreds – of thousands of small businesses. And they give a pretty good idea of how they're doing. Wealth management firm Principal Financial's Well-Being Index from June found that 56% of the companies they surveyed reported business growth and 90% of employers have either maintained or grown their workforce over the past year, with 49% increasing wages in just the past three months. However, optimism remains tempered by a weakening outlook on future economic growth and many have reported 'significant declines' in the financial health of their business, their local economy and the US economy, 'eroding the sense of optimism expressed in years past'. According to a survey by accounting giant EY, 95% of those polled were 'confident in business growth' over the next year. Additionally, 73% of entrepreneurs reported experiencing revenue growth this year compared with last year, with 29% reporting growth of 20% or higher. However, 43% said that current economic conditions are hurting them, but many still plan to pursue funding and strategic transactions, with investment in AI and M&A considerations leading the list. Software provider Intuit's QuickBooks Small Business Index draws on actual information from its customers, derived from anonymized employment and payroll data. The company found that job growth among small businesses – the great majority of their customer base – was stable with employment increasing in seven of the 12 sectors tracked. That's good, but unfortunately the study also found that average real monthly revenue for small businesses with one to nine employees decreased about 0.06% from the month before. Like Intuit, HR services giant Paychex said in its Small Business Employment Watch reports that job growth derived from its 350,000-plus customer database in May 'stayed flat' month over month and hourly earnings growth decreased to a four-year low. 'Caution persists' in both wage and hiring trends. The closely watched Small Business Optimism Index published monthly by the National Federation of Small Businesses reported a tick up in small business optimism in May to a level above its 51-year average. The survey found that the top concerns of the federation's members shifted from inflation to taxation and that although sales expectations and hiring plans are 'improving', uncertainty remains. Finally, in its June Small Business Perspective report, US Bank said that 96% of the small business owners it surveyed reported their business as currently successful and 88% saw growth in the past year. Two-thirds said the country's economy is 'moving in the right direction', with only 18% saying it's going in the wrong direction. Interestingly, this sentiment was even stronger among younger business leaders (gen Z and millennial), with 74% saying it was moving in the right direction, versus 52% of leaders from older generations (gen X and boomer). Although four out of five owners felt at least 'somewhat stressed' about tariffs, those leaders were 'slightly more likely to anticipate a positive rather than negative impact'. My take? Despite all the headwinds and uncertainties such as tariffs, federal and local policies, geopolitical conflicts, inflation, labor shortages and other challenges – small businesses, so far, in 2025 remain optimistic about the future and are maintaining employment levels mostly reporting average financial results. Few are jumping for joy. But it seems that fewer are jumping off the ship.

Geeky Gadgets

2 hours ago

• Geeky Gadgets

Maximize Your iPhone Dynamic Island: Essential Tips for 2025

Dynamic Island, a feature introduced on iPhones, has transformed how you interact with your device. By merging live activities and app interactions into a compact, multitasking-friendly interface, it provides a seamless way to stay productive and informed. The detailed video below from Pete Matheson explores its setup, core functionalities, practical applications, and third-party integrations, helping you maximize the benefits of this innovative tool. Watch this video on YouTube. Getting Started: Setup and Activation To begin using Dynamic Island, ensure the feature is enabled on your iPhone. Follow these steps to activate it: Open your device settings. Navigate to the 'Live Activities' option and toggle it on. Once activated, Dynamic Island integrates effortlessly with Apple's native apps and an expanding list of third-party applications. It becomes a central hub for live updates and quick interactions, streamlining your multitasking experience. By allowing this feature, you unlock a powerful tool designed to enhance both productivity and convenience. Core Functionalities: What Dynamic Island Can Do Dynamic Island is designed to provide real-time updates and enable quick actions without disrupting your workflow. Its core functionalities include: Live Updates: Stay informed about music playback, timers, navigation, phone calls, and Face ID authentication in real time. Stay informed about music playback, timers, navigation, phone calls, and Face ID authentication in real time. Quick Actions: Perform tasks like pausing music, switching audio sources, or dismissing notifications with a single tap. Perform tasks like pausing music, switching audio sources, or dismissing notifications with a single tap. Multitasking: Monitor updates from up to two apps simultaneously, allowing you to keep track of multiple activities without switching screens. For example, you can track a countdown timer while navigating directions, all within the Dynamic Island interface. This functionality ensures you remain informed and in control, even during busy moments. Practical Applications: Everyday Use Cases Dynamic Island is more than just a visual enhancement; it's a practical tool for managing daily tasks. Here are some ways you can use it effectively: Timers: Keep track of countdowns for tasks like cooking, parking, or work breaks without unlocking your phone. Keep track of countdowns for tasks like cooking, parking, or work breaks without unlocking your phone. Navigation: Receive turn-by-turn directions and updates from apps like Apple Maps or Google Maps directly in the interface. Receive turn-by-turn directions and updates from apps like Apple Maps or Google Maps directly in the interface. Phone Calls: Manage call duration, mute, or switch audio sources without leaving the Dynamic Island. Manage call duration, mute, or switch audio sources without leaving the Dynamic Island. Screen Recording: Pause or stop recordings with a single tap, making it easier to manage content creation. Pause or stop recordings with a single tap, making it easier to manage content creation. Accessory Monitoring: Check battery levels and connection status for AirPods or other Bluetooth devices at a glance. Check battery levels and connection status for AirPods or other Bluetooth devices at a glance. Flashlight Control: Adjust brightness and beam width without navigating through multiple menus. These features make Dynamic Island a valuable tool for simplifying everyday tasks, improving efficiency, and staying organized. Third-Party App Integrations: Expanding Functionality Dynamic Island's compatibility with third-party apps significantly broadens its utility, making it a versatile tool for various needs. Notable integrations include: Health and Fitness: Apps like Sugar display blood glucose levels, while Heavy tracks gym workouts and rest timers, helping you stay on top of your health goals. Apps like display blood glucose levels, while tracks gym workouts and rest timers, helping you stay on top of your health goals. Travel and Transportation: Use apps like Flighty for real-time flight updates or Uber to track your driver's arrival and journey progress. Use apps like for real-time flight updates or to track your driver's arrival and journey progress. Weather: Apps like Carrot Weather provide rain forecasts, temperature updates, and other weather insights directly in the interface. Apps like provide rain forecasts, temperature updates, and other weather insights directly in the interface. Customization: Personalize your experience with apps like Shelf , which lets you add shortcuts, photos, or daily affirmations to the Dynamic Island. These integrations enhance the functionality of Dynamic Island, making it a central hub for everything from health monitoring to travel planning. Entertainment: Adding Fun to Functionality Dynamic Island isn't just about productivity—it also brings an element of fun to your iPhone experience. Here are some entertaining features: Hit the Island: A Pong-style game that incorporates the Dynamic Island as part of the gameplay, offering a unique and interactive experience. A Pong-style game that incorporates the Dynamic Island as part of the gameplay, offering a unique and interactive experience. Pixel Pals: A virtual pet that lives in the Dynamic Island, adding a whimsical and playful touch to your device. These features demonstrate how Dynamic Island can cater to both practical needs and entertainment, making your device more enjoyable to use. Whether you're taking a break or looking for a lighthearted distraction, these options add a layer of fun to your daily routine. Maximizing the Potential of Dynamic Island Dynamic Island is a powerful tool that enhances productivity, simplifies multitasking, and adds convenience to your daily routine. By exploring its core functionalities, using third-party app integrations, and embracing its entertainment options, you can transform your iPhone into a more efficient and enjoyable device. Whether you're managing tasks, tracking fitness goals, or simply having fun, Dynamic Island offers a versatile and customizable solution to meet your needs. With its blend of practicality and entertainment, it's a feature that continues to redefine the smartphone experience. Stay informed about the latest in Dynamic Island by exploring our other resources and articles. Source & Image Credit: Pete Matheson Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. 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