Square

Financial services organizations increasingly need an unwavering commitment to customer experience in order to compete, or the competitor down the street will do it first, writes Chris Millner, a principal of financial technology and a payments consultant at North Highland.

Some are in new roles or replacing legends, others are embracing new strategies or eyeing big deals and at least one is currently out of banking — but could soon resurface. Here are the industry executives to keep an eye on in 2018.

On his last day at the agency, Keith Noreika called for scaling back the Bank Holding Company Act, arguing that it burdens banks with duplicative regulation and restricts their economic potential.

CFPB director’s departure gives President Trump the chance to revamp the agency; the bank regulator is reverting to its industry-friendly ways.

It may seem odd at first that Square is using the Cash app as a testbed for bitcoin, but if Square Cash is ever to distinguish itself from the bigger options in P-to-p, it needs to take risks that Square can't afford with its primary customer base.

The influx of mobile point of sale systems created an odd situation for retailers that now had to turn their screens around or hand over their smartphones to consumers. More manufacturers are addressing this awkwardness by giving shoppers their own screen — but innovation comes at a price.

Over the years, Square has evolved from a supplier of simple card readers to a provider of diverse omnichannel services. But the consumer market has always eluded it.

Barros has no answer for Senate committee on encryption; a bitcoin network split won’t happen … for now.

Square Inc. reported earnings that exceeded analysts’ expectations and raised its full-year forecast, bolstered by larger merchants that are increasingly using its platform for payment transactions and buying business software services.

Square has integrated several pieces of hardware and software to sell a point of sale system that goes beyond its single-screen design, incorporating many of the company's moves to attract a wider range of merchants.