Payment processing

Often overlooked as prospects by financial services institutions who have increasingly focused on the wealthy, hourly workers represent a massive pool of underserved consumers with distinct financial needs.

Interchange rates on payments in the fuel and energy sectors can be so complicated that energy marketers can lose thousands of dollars a year because of mistakes they make in coding their authorized credit card transactions.

Chief financial officers have to wear many hats to help new payment and fintech companies respond to a fast-evolving market, says Brex's Michael Tannenbaum.

As the urban mobility trend of scooter rentals continues to grow, PayPal's Hyperwallet will have a role in handling outbound payments from rental platform Lime to its network of freelancers who recharge the fleet of scooters.

Ensuring a good experience for buyers not only gives companies an edge over their competition, but it has practically become a requirement for company growth. With the increasing popularity of information-sharing websites and apps like Facebook or Yelp, reputations can expand or shatter within moments, writes Nvoicepay’s Alyssa Callahan.

Amazon is moving into new markets armed with local storage lockers and partnerships, while many traditional retailers still lack the proper online capabilities, claims Arik Shtilman, CEO and co-founder of Rapyd.

Sensing a profitable opportunity in an underserved market, a variety of companies — ranging from traditional banks to fintech startups and even Amazon — are rushing into selling secured credit cards and other products designed for consumers with poor or thin credit.

U.K.-based small business lender Capital on Tap has partnered with small business software provider Receipt Bank to launch a new credit card with access to credit lines.

Installment payments are catching on quickly with merchants and their customers, creating a fierce competition among rivals who are building competing technology and business models to approach the new market.

Platforms like Ethereum’s IPFS enable immutable document access, so token issuers and purchasers can provide all necessary financial documents, audits and inspections directly to those who own the token.