Mobile payments

Card issuers have pushed for more direct access to iPhones for years, and with the tech giant's policies facing fresh political and legal heat, Wells Fargo exec Ukrike Guigui says a more open mobile payment market would benefit merchants and consumers.

Apple will allow developers of some apps to link from their software to external websites for payments by users, addressing a longstanding App Store complaint and settling an investigation by Japan’s Fair Trade Commission.

The payments firm Boku is uniting hundreds of fragmented mobile apps to compete with Visa and Mastercard for unbanked consumers in different regions of the world.

The move means companies can give consumers options other than ACH transactions or debit cards to receive disbursements for insurance claims, health care or gig work.

The card network is bringing Verizon into its innovation lab to turn more phones into payment acceptance devices and use the growing number of consumer gadgets and digital assistants to better verify consumer identities.

While pandemic restrictions cloud the sector's outlook, the London-based payment and fintech company is making hotel booking and other services part of its financial super app strategy.

The card brand's spots will focus less on credit cards and more on real-time payroll, cryptocurrency and mobile commerce.

The payments technology provider is adding a handprint biometric digital ID to its authentication system through a partnership with the French fintech A3BC.

The social network now lets people send links and QR codes to request funds through the Messenger app, but users may have little incentive to switch — or to trust Facebook with more of their data.

The fintech, which is reportedly building a checking and savings account into its app, is using its banking charter to speed the development of new services as it races its rivals to deliver an all-in-one app.