Latest news with #BenEllis
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
West Lynn and King's Lynn Ferry to reopen 'during school holidays'
A small passenger ferry which runs across the River Great Ouse is set to reopen during the school holidays, a councillor service was previously closed in January after the stairs to the boat, at West Lynn and King's Lynn in Norfolk, were damaged, and fears about passenger safety were raised. Norfolk County Council and West Norfolk Council funded repairs at a cost of £100,000. West Norfolk Borough Councillor Michael De Whalley confirmed the ferry would be back up and running "during the school holidays", with most schools in the county breaking up on 22 July. There has been a ferry service across the river for 600 years, the council said. Ben Ellis, who runs the West Lynn Ferry, said he had struggled to support himself financially since the closure in January. After taking the ferry out on a practice run across the Great Ouse, he said: "You've got the tide and the wind that wants to push me in the mud on the West Lynn side."I thought I'd have to have several attempts to get back on the west Lynn steps and the King's Lynn steps, but it's just like riding a bike".Mr Ellis was keen to get back to transporting passengers as soon as possible but admitted the early alarms were going to be a challenge. "I'm down here for about half five, quarter to six," he added."Just to get all the boats ready, fuelled up and get them all set". De Whalley thanked ferry users for their patience while the work took place and said he was excited to see it return. "The main issue has been safety," he said."We've had to review root and branch safety measures for the ferry operation at both landing stages. It's been complicated by working on a 190-year-old jetty". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Business Wire
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Visa Releases Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report for North America
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) today unveiled its Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report, highlighting the growing influence of digital remittance applications in North America, driven by convenience, security, and user-friendly experiences. "Digital remittances are being embraced across North America due to their ease of use, reliability, and improved security," said Ben Ellis, SVP and Head of Visa B2B Connect. "As digital remittances become more prevalent, transparency and customer satisfaction will be essential to meet evolving consumer expectations." Key Findings for North America Digital App Dominance: App Preference: In the U.S., 69% of surveyed respondents prefer using digital apps for sending remittances, while 61% prefer using them for receiving. In Canada, the preference is similarly strong, with 65% preferring digital apps for both sending and receiving. Traditional Methods Lag: The use of traditional methods like cash or checks is declining, with only 5% to 8% of respondents in the U.S. and 3% to 6% of respondents in Canada favoring these options. Ease of Use: Ease and Peace of Mind: A significant portion of surveyed respondents in the U.S. (38%/34%) and Canada (45%/40%) appreciate the ease of using digital apps for remittances, while security and privacy are crucial for 36% of U.S. survey respondents and 40% of Canadian survey respondents. Primary Reasons: Unexpected needs (36% in the U.S., 32% in Canada) remain the top reason for sending remittances for survey respondents, followed by holidays and special occasions. Pain Points: Fees: High fees remain a concern, with 27% of U.S. and 30% of Canadian respondents citing this as a major issue when sending digitally. Traditional methods and hidden fees: 35% of U.S. and 28% of respondents said they had experienced some kind of hidden fee when using cash, checks or money orders. With one billion people globally involved in remittances and stable engagement in North America, Visa continues to innovate with solutions like stablecoins to help enhance cost-efficiency and broaden financial access. "Digital remittances have revolutionized the industry and offer consumers more options than ever before to send funds, but there's still room for further innovation," added Luba Goldberg, SVP, Visa Direct Product. "Continued expansion of digital options to send money around the world, and emerging technologies such as stablecoins, are poised to improve the speed, cost, and security of international remittances." About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 markets. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere uplift everyone everywhere, and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at
