Five At Five: Amazon’s Online Ad Push Gains Steam

Welcome to Five at Five, your late look at today’s commerce and payments news. Today’s coverage includes the latest on Amazon’s ad efforts, along with a boost for the prospect of biometrics. Also, Samsung has a new plan to capture millennial consumer loyalty, there is new clarity at the Bank of England and a new scam hits home buyers.

Amazon Increases Its Push To Capture Online Ad Dollars

The push on the part of Amazon to go after the online ad market means customers — including Prime members — are going to see ads in places they haven’t seen them before on Amazon platforms.

1.5B Mobile Users To Rely On Biometrics Security By 2023

Juniper Research predicted in a new report that the biggest shift coming in the mobile payment security industry is a movement toward software-based methods for verification that rely on standard smartphone components.

Samsung Eyes Millennials With Smartphone Revamp

The company plans to bring cutting-edge features to the lower-end models, with the first of the new devices slated for later in 2018. CNBC said the hope is that the new features at a cheaper price point will fuel sales.

Bank Of England’s Carney Signals He Will Stay On Past His Term

With the U.K. gearing up to leave the European Union, the country got a bit of stability when Bank of England Governor Mark Carney signaled he would stay on as head of the central bank longer than planned.

Home Buyers, Tricked By Business Email Scams, Lose Six-Figure Sums

A scam targeting homeowners is leaving some without the down payment for the closing on the day their loan is to be signed.