PayThink

Marketplace lenders and other alternative finance companiesshould be perceived not as a threat, but rather as a group of pioneers opening up opportunities for those banks that elect to buy, build or partner in this market.

Many community banks seem to have forgotten that they are most valuable for their ability to identify customers' pain and put an end to it. But fierce competition from fintech startups like Lending Club and Kabbage offers a reminder that they cannot afford to disregard this reality.

General purpose reloadable prepaid cards continue to evolve, exceeding the expectations of many, and in some ways are helping to shape the future of banking.

Families that use state-issued EBT cards often face ATM fees that eat away at their already-meager incomes. Banks should waive those fees in order to ensure that all public assistance dollars go toward household needs.

Some large U.S. banks are likely to be impacted by recent volatility in emerging markets like Brazil and China. But their opaque risk metrics make it difficult for investors to judge banks' level of exposure.

After an agency spokesman said NCUA will not revert back to the pre-crisis 18-month examination cycle, NAFCU CEO Dan Berger again urges the regulator to give the proposal due consideration.

Chip cards alone are just one option for EMV, as the technology is a foundation for other, more secure payment solutions beyond the chip.

NCUA Board Member J. Mark McWatters points to the agency’s rejection of proposals to revert to an 18-month exam cycle without any debate as further evidence of the need for public budget hearings and greater transparency from the regulator.

Prepaid cards appeal to a growing percentage of the population like millennials and other 21st century consumers who want to manage their money without being tied down to bank locations.

Bitcoin possesses the potential to transform the way we make payments, lowering transaction costs and vastly expanding the scope of commerce globally by creating access for markets and individuals excluded from the current system.