Online payments

Starting today, banks and credit unions will get two extra chances every 24 hours to handle Automated Clearing House (ACH) credit payments. But by itself, same-day speed may not be enough to meet the demands of an increasingly digital world.

The Clearing House has selected hardware from IBM to help build the real-time payments system scheduled to roll out in 2017.

Cloud-based technology is bringing mobile shopping and payments to more companies, but it also increases risk due to the complexity of how these more open and remote technology tools get used.

CloudPay wants businesses with global operations to have an option to handle payroll and other human resources tasks through cloud-based software.

Alipay got its start in 2004 as a way for the customers of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to more easily buy goods online. Now the business’s parent company may be worth $75 billion, or more than Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

At the start of its fourth decade, the Automated Clearing House — a payment method most commonly known for facilitating payroll direct deposits — has found itself firmly in the crosshairs of the card networks and alternative payment providers.

The expanding base of contract workers who use mobile apps to set up jobs and receive payment is upending traditional payroll practices, requiring new levels of speed and efficiency from financial services companies.

Android Pay has added scale, winning support from banks including Chase, Santander and TSB, and broadening its Web payment capabilities.

As the threat of card not present (CNP) fraud continues to rise, a recent survey suggests many consumers are willing to take extra steps during a transaction to block online card fraud if their bank offered the option.

Health care stands to benefit from automated and easier-to-understand billing and payments, but PatientPay is betting that ridding the system of paper is required on the benefits end as well.