Payments

While U.S. regulators pressure Visa and Mastercard, there's ample choice, particularly when compared to the national debit rails that exist in most of the world, says Intrepid Ventures' Eric Grover.

CMSPI estimates that retailers lost about $30 billion in potential online sales last year from e-commerce transactions that were declined for a variety of reasons including fraud, insufficient funds, technical problems and errors.

Trustly Group AB’s plan to raise almost $1 billion through an initial public offering in Stockholm may be followed by a second listing in New York, according to its chief executive.

Circle Internet Financial Inc., a developer of the USD Coin digital token, has hired an executive from the Facebook Inc.-backed Diem Association to spearhead strategy and policy efforts.

User experience and efficiency matter. Consumers aren't going to do something more difficult just for the technology, says Computop's Jed Danbury.

Walmart, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Google are just a few of the non-financial companies that are using scale and innovation to compete in financial services.

The Baltimore community bank is experimenting with fee-based checking accounts that bundle cellphone protection, roadside assistance and other perks with an app that makes such services easier to use. Early returns are promising.

Other fintechs’ rush to become banks is being driven by investors seeking “crazy returns," says CEO Dan Price. But he acknowledged that at some point Gravity may need a charter of its own to remain competitive.

As competition becomes more about countering fintechs than beating other banks, alternative payment methods and broader services will be key, says Icon Solutions' Simon Wilson.

The industry’s most effective relationships come when providers serve as collaborators and an extension of their clients to serve customers and work in tandem to address a range of challenges and grow their businesses together, says Paya's Chris Scappa.

Banking and payments technology tester and certifier Fime is working with the government of India to develop the testing infrastructure for a national contactless transportation card and accompanying mobile app.

Issuers may provide relief for borrowers who fall behind on installment loans — and mitigate some of the reputational hit to merchants in the process.

Issuers may provide relief for borrowers who fall behind on installment loans — and mitigate some of the reputational hit to merchants in the process.

Both consumers and merchants are realizing the permanent benefits, says Azoya USA's Franklin Chu.

U.S. consumer borrowing surged in February by the most since late 2017 as a broader reopening of the economy from pandemic restrictions helped spark an increase in credit card balances.

PingPong and Perch want to make it easier for third parties, which are often accumulated into a larger group by acquisition, to sell overseas on Amazon's platform.

Instacart has reached a deal with JPMorgan Chase to offer a credit card to customers who’ve flocked to the grocery delivery service during pandemic lockdowns.

Gift card giant Blackhawk Network has partnered with Bakkt, which offers an app to manage various digital currencies.