Tech tracker round-up: Apple and Goldman Sachs make an unlikely team, Hut Group secures funding

Here the Evening Standard business team highlights all the major tech news today.

Top story surrounds Apple and Goldman Sachs teaming-up.

The two have been working for months on a new credit card product that would bear the Apple Pay brand. The move comes as Goldman Sachs seeks to make more money from consumer banking operations and the rumours are that this could launch early next year.

In the UK e-commerce retail giant the Hut Group has secured a revolving credit facility from a host of banks including Barclays and HSBC.

The Hut Group said it wants to make acquisitions in the beauty category, and wants to invest in more warehouses and its growing delivery network.

Matthew Moulding, founder and chief executive of The Hut Group, said: “We are delighted with the continued backing shown by our banking syndicate. This increase in our credit facilities through to 2021 is another important and powerful addition for the group and its business model, as we continue to deliver on our ambitions and drive forward our international growth.”

Founded in 2004, The Hut Group is backed by a number of retail veterans, including former Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy and ex-Marks & Spencer boss Lord Stuart Rose.

The compay says there are still no plans for a flotation.

While in the property sector online estate agent set up by television presenter Sarah Beeny is rumoured to be in merger talks with one of its main rivals.

Tepilo, which was founded by the 46-year-old in 2009 and is backed by former Daily Express owner Richard Desmond, is in negotiations with Emoov over a deal that would create a challenger to online agency Purplebricks.

Internet-based estate agents such as Purplebricks, Emoov and Tepilo have been disrupting the industry with radical changes to the traditional fees structure.

Today ZPG - which owns Zoopla - was snapped up for £2.2 billion by tech-focused private equity giant Silver Lake.