January, 2024

• 1 January

  Here’s Why COTS Is a Myth

  

  It’s a positive, hopeful one. But, for the time being, a myth just the same. The landscape of payments technology is rapidly evolving in many directions, serving previously unserviceable merchant environments and supporting electronic payments where they were once unsupportable. It’s easy to dismiss the role mobile technology plays in …

December, 2023

• 1 December

  Cutting Fraud Down to Size

  

  These days, fighting bad actors without automation is worse than useless. It’s dangerous to the bottom line. Automation is often thought of as a threat to humans’ jobs. I’d argue that mindset is very limiting. Technology and humans are complementary. Automation is here to enhance human actions and increase their …

November, 2023

• 1 November

  The Rising Tide in Digital Gift Cards

  

  Here’s how smart providers will ride the wave by pleasing customers. The gift card industry has significantly transformed over the past decade. With our modern world becoming more and more digital, brands must find ways to adopt the changing technology while keeping customer experience and protection at the center of …

October, 2023

• 1 October

  The Next (R)evolution in Embedded Services

  

  Here’s why more merchants and service providers are starting to embrace embedded finance. This year marks the 25th anniversary of PayPal. While e-commerce existed in some form as early as 1979 (once any new technology arises, it’s not long before someone monetizes it), PayPal changed the game for small- and …

September, 2023

• 1 September

  Miscoded Merchants Can Be a Seven-Figure Mistake

  

  Pay attention to your MCCs, or pay a hefty price later on. Merchant category codes (MCCs) play a central role in payments risk management, but too many service providers and acquirers take them at face value. Now, in the wake of renewed focus on MCCs by the payment networks, miscategorized …

July, 2023

• 1 July

  Leave E-Money to the Private Sector

  

  The case for the Fed running digital dollars is at best unclear, at worst unwise. Like many central banks, the Federal Reserve has been studying, and socializing, the idea of issuing digital currency, which in some form might be held and used by individuals, firms, banks, and other central banks. …

June, 2023

• 1 June

  When Payments Go to College

  

  Bringing digital technology to campuses can engender loyalty for a lifetime. Most businesses are facing the new normal of lean operating staff and growing overhead, but colleges and universities have an added hurdle. They must anticipate constantly changing needs and expectations for a tech-savvy and digital-native student market while navigating …

May, 2023

• 1 May

  Digital Payments As a Competitive Advantage

  

  Small businesses can take on bigger rivals and win—if they’re open to the latest technology. Small- and medium-size businesses respond differently to major shifts in how people find and purchase products and services. Some look at major changes as an opportunity to adopt new resources for getting the most bang …

April, 2023

• 1 April

  It’s Time For Digital Driver’s Licenses

  

  It’s the surest way to combat application fraud, which may reach $1 billion this year. Although today’s account-opening paradigm is guided by sound regulations and solid best practices, vulnerabilities remain. Indeed, for as long as they’ve existed, digital applications have been a veritable playground for identity criminals. Barring a dramatic …

March, 2023

• 1 March

  It’s Not the Food, It’s the Plate

  

  Banks are gearing up to launch their own common wallet for consumers. But what value, exactly, will the new product really add? This comes from an announcement on Early Warning Services’ Web site: “We hear from consumers that they want to utilize online payments from their trusted financial institutions,” said …