Payments

The company's new app bundles banking services such as payments, buy now/pay later and direct deposit. But the company plans to add features that could include stock trading, a popular offering from tech startups.

Bilt Rewards, which offers a loyalty program and credit card that converts rent into reward points, raised $60 million from investors including Mastercard and Wells Fargo, giving the startup a $350 million valuation.

Merchants and banks have taken predictably opposing positions on a Federal Reserve proposal to increase competition among networks that route online debit transactions. But amid the hundreds of comments, it's those from supposedly neutral parties — the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission — that stand out.

The consumer app, which was originally distinct from the company's merchant network, can now be used to pay via a QR code.

The wireless network will send digital request-for-payment messages, which can be paid immediately over The Clearing House's network from a Citigroup account.

Toast Inc., which helps restaurants handle payments, is seeking as much as $717 million in a U.S. initial public offering. 

Stripe, the digital payments company last valued at nearly $100 billion, is in early discussions with investment bankers about going public as early as next year, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The myWalgreens app functions as a hub for the retailer's growing range of financial products. It's designed to encourage consumers to use their Walgreens card accounts for deposits and payments.

Apple was ordered by a court to allow developers to steer consumers to outside payment methods for mobile apps, in a ruling that is a severe blow to the iPhone maker.

The revenue that banks earn from these loyalty programs provides a substantial offset to potentially shrinking interchange fees.