David Heun

The new U.S. Faster Payments Council states a clear mission — to promote faster payments in the U.S. But this new entity could butt heads with the Federal Reserve if it thinks the Fed isn't moving fast enough.

Payments software provider SpotOn Transact is partnering with terminal maker Poynt to provide loyalty, marketing and point-of-sale services in a new terminal for small and medium-size businesses.

After more than two years of successful operation in delivering Same-Day ACH payments, Nacha's request to add a third processing window has been delayed by the Federal Reserve, which says it has to obtain public comment on the concept.

Digital payment processing software provider OpenWay has integrated its platform with a Gemalto hardware security module to make it easier for clients to migrate to multichannel payment services.

Ideally, Swift would like to see its worldwide bank network fully adopt its Global Payments Innovation initiative as well as the ISO 20022 messaging standard for cross-border payments.

PayPal is expanding its Instant Transfer service beyond debit cards, establishing a service for instant money movement from PayPal accounts to bank accounts.

Italian payments provider Axepta-BNL Group is launching the WeChat Pay service to its clients, saying it is the first in the country to offer the popular Chinese mobile payment and social networking app.

Our annual Most Influential Women in Payments feature, now in its seventh year, highlights the women who are creating change and opportunities in the payments industry. For the first time, the editors of PaymentsSource have also recognized one woman for lifetime achievement.

Two years ago, Ellen Richey became Visa's vice chairman and chief risk officer, propelled to this role by over a decade of work that fundamentally changed how the average consumer makes a payment. Richey plans to retire this summer, ending a 40-year career in law and risk management.

As president of enterprise strategic partnerships at American Express, McNeal has been right in the middle of developing the technology and use cases for Amex to advance in a digital and virtual payments world.