PayThink

While U.S. regulators pressure Visa and Mastercard, there's ample choice, particularly when compared to the national debit rails that exist in most of the world, says Intrepid Ventures' Eric Grover.

The agency has suggested it could go beyond enforcing fair-lending laws to urge financial institutions to help narrow the wealth gap. But those very same laws pose obstacles to achieving that goal.

There's often more guidance on what not to do than what to do, says Texture Capital's Richard Johnson.

User experience and efficiency matter. Consumers aren't going to do something more difficult just for the technology, says Computop's Jed Danbury.

Too many Americans lack a sound grounding in personal financial management, which limits their opportunity to build long-term financial independence.

It's no longer a matter of if, but when, regulators will require banks to document the impact of global warming on their loan portfolios and other operations.

As competition becomes more about countering fintechs than beating other banks, alternative payment methods and broader services will be key, says Icon Solutions' Simon Wilson.

The industry’s most effective relationships come when providers serve as collaborators and an extension of their clients to serve customers and work in tandem to address a range of challenges and grow their businesses together, says Paya's Chris Scappa.

Both consumers and merchants are realizing the permanent benefits, says Azoya USA's Franklin Chu.

At a time when it’s never been more important for small businesses like salons and spas to improve economics, scalability and control, fintech can provide a path to better margins, says Boulevard's Biju Nair.