Kate Fitzgerald is an Arizona-based senior editor for American Banker and longtime payments reporter. Fitzgerald began her journalism career at the San Diego Tribune, and has worked as a reporter and editor at several other publications, including Advertising Age and the Arizona Republic. She is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College and holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
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The launch of FedNow, the Federal Reserve's instant-settlement system, raises many questions for banks, card networks and fintechs regarding costs, routing and other concerns.
July 20 -
Fintechs are expanding the definition of BNPL financing to include many longer-term, higher-interest loans that fall into a legal gray area, according to new research.
July 20 -
The Financial Conduct Authority is developing new rules that tighten how financial firms can use social media, Swift and a group of banks have successfully piloted instant payments between different countries and currencies, and more.
July 19 -
This week in global news, Lisbon takes contactless payments to the subway; U.K. politicians say AML actions rules are politically motivated; and more.
July 12 -
Accrue Savings' merchant-specific savings accounts, originally pitched as a way for consumers to fund major furniture and jewelry purchases, is finding a new market with vacationers.
July 12 -
The tech giant wanted to put the consumer first. This meant its banking partner was always second — and taking on more risk than most card issuers at a time of economic volatility.
July 10 -
The Federal Reserve's instant-payments rail may cut into card issuers' credit and debit card volume over time, but it could also help smaller institutions expand their services.
July 5 -
When consumers can't figure out how to discontinue a video-streaming app or other service, they sometimes initiate a merchant dispute — a costly process that the card network aims to curtail.
June 29 -
This week in global news, U.K. payment regs draw fire, Alipay expands, Italy considers a central bank digital currency and more.
June 28 -
The Block unit's new American Express card credits users with $1 in payment-processing fees for every $3 they spend on business expenses. It's also offering new loan terms and other tools for managing expenses and cash flow.
June 28 -
The fintech Zepz has added a new remittance method with an FDIC-backed mobile bank account.
June 27 -
The instant-payments rail, which was set to go live this month, has postponed its launch indefinitely. Experts say it's having trouble keeping the interest of the country's major banks.
June 26 -
In its ongoing quest to diversify beyond bank account data-aggregation, Plaid aims to help fintechs and banks to block fraud by sharing data about stolen consumer identities via a fee-based consortium called Beacon.
June 22 -
This week in global news, Mastercard teams with SimpliFi in the Middle East, Venezuela and Russia collaborate on payments, Alipay backs Asian Games and more.
June 21 -
Citizens Financial has teamed with Wisetack, which supports dozens of platforms connecting to thousands of home improvement, dental and veterinary service providers.
June 15 -
This week in global news: Stripe joins the MACH Alliance, GoCardless downsizes, CBA battles crypto crooks and more.
June 14 -
Relay Payments has signed a partnership with the operator of Pilot Flying J truck stops as it attempts to cut security risk by going digital.
June 14 -
Pesto, a San Francisco-based startup, invites consumers to ship their diamonds, gold and valuable jewelry to be appraised as assets backing a secured Mastercard. The firm has raised $11 million — and the eyebrows of some consumer advocates.
June 13 -
The slow rollout of Apple's buy now/pay later service contrasts starkly with the aggressive moves of leading BNPL fintechs. Analysts say Apple's restraint could pay off in time.
June 9 -
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has reintroduced a plan to reduce merchants' credit card acceptance costs, with more backing from bipartisan lawmakers.
June 7
