Competitive Strategies

Ransomware demands and payments declined in 2024, thanks to a combination of better law enforcement and defenses by companies, according to BakerHostetler’s annual Data Security Incident Response Report. The average ransomware payment totaled $501,338 in 2024, excluding the largest payment, a 33% decline from the previous year. The amount of …

In a dual announcement, Fiserv Inc. and Klarna AB said late Tuesday they plan to collaborate on offering Klarna’s installment-credit service through Fiserv’s popular Clover point-of-sale devices, starting with more than 100,000 U.S. merchant locations. An expansion of the rollout to more merchants is planned for early next year, the …

CPI Card Group Inc. added Web push provisioning to give card issuers the capability to more easily issue credit and debit cards directly to a consumer’s digital wallet. Gateway Funnel Pros, a developer of payment-gateway technology, said it has launched processing services for marketing agencies facing restrictions or denials from other …

Providers of restaurant point-of-sale and management technology continue to enhance their offerings as restaurants remain one of the hottest markets in digital payments. Par Technology Corp. announced its POS Spring Release early Tuesday, aimed at helping restaurants improve customer convenience and streamline operating costs. Key features include support for contactless …

U.S. Bank is stepping up its efforts to entice merchants to use its business checking account with the ability to accept credit and debit card payments. Announced Monday, the U.S. Bank Business Essentials account enables merchants to accept card payments and be eligible for free same-day access to their funds …

U.S. merchants achieved higher performance scores for their gift card programs in 2025, according to Blackhawk Network’s eighth annual review of the programs. Staples Inc. led all merchants with a score of 104%, followed by Amazon.com with a score of 101% and Best Buy Co. Inc. at 99%. Cosmetics retailer …

Block Inc. has been ordered to pay a $40-million fine to the state of New York for what the state’s regulator on Thursday called “significant failures in its Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering compliance program, which violated the [New York Department of Financial Services’ money transmitter and virtual currency regulations.”  The …

Fintech Branch launched a payroll debit card tied to a digital bank account instead of a prepaid card, as many payroll cards are set up. Schwarzwald Capital said it has invested an undisclosed amount in Vesta Corp., a transaction-guarantee platform for card-not-present payments. Bitcoin transaction-verification platform Branta said it has worked with Amboss, a provider of …

PayPal Holdings Inc. said will release a second wave of advertisements with actor Will Ferrell to promote its checkout services, PayPal Pay Later, its buy now, pay later service, and a sweepstakes that will cover, for 1,000 winners for 100 days, up to $100 of their transactions made with PayPal. PayPal launched the …

Online Asian grocer Weee! is adding SNAP/EBT acceptance to its site via a partnership with Forage Technology Corp. Inc. while financial services entity Synchrony Financial marks an integration with Adobe Commerce to offer its financial products on merchant Web sites. Fremont, Calif.-based Weee! says its agreement with Forage enables its …