Banks are no strangers to artificial intelligence. For years, machine learning and deep learning models have quietly powered fraud detection, transaction monitoring, and risk analysis. But the industry is now approaching a more consequential shift: agentic AI—systems that don’t just analyze data, but can act on it. With that shift comes a fundamental question about how much authority banks are prepared to give to machines. Trust sits at the center of the debate. Is AI ready t

Transit agencies across the U.S. are investing in infrastructure and systems to create modern and frictionless rider experiences. The popularity of contactless payments is rising in the U.S., driven by demand for convenient and secure transactions. In fact, research estimates that more than 50% of in-store transactions in the U.S. are completed with a contactless card or mobile phone tap. While widespread in grocery stores, restaurants and salons, contactless payment adoption

The rise of faster payments also means faster fraud. When money moves instantly from one domestic account to another, the sender often has little to no recourse to recover funds—regardless of whether the loss stems from fraud or simple error. The rise of artificial intelligence is coinciding with a shift toward instant payments that are increasingly difficult to stop once fraud occurs. Real-time payments put a stopwatch on fraud prevention, leaving businesses with only moment

Types of fraud like check fraud, social engineering and wire transfer fraud are common and increasingly sophisticated. Learn how your business can fight fraud and cybercrime. While today's digital landscape offers your business plenty of growth potential, it also brings greater security risks. One thing is certain: Cyberattacks are a risk for everyone, from entry-level employees to your C-suite executives. Therefore, implementing effective business fraud prevention strategies

In the post-COVID era of remote work, organizations often struggle to find meaningful ways to recognize their top performers. In-person celebrations are not always possible, and traditional physical gifts can sometimes feel impersonal or difficult to deliver effectively. In this context, digital gifting platforms have risen dramatically as a powerful tool to celebrate achievements, boost morale, and drive sales performance. Beyond their versatility, digital gift cards also pr

Scammers and telemarketers are calling businesses pretending to be your credit card processor. Most of the time, they are not who they say they are. If you ever get a call about your rates, equipment, “required updates,” or anything that sounds urgent, hang up and call us directly. We can confirm if it’s a real person from a real company. To give you an idea of how serious this is: one of our customers recently got talked into a full POS system they never wanted. The telemark

Why do you need a merchant account when starting your business? A merchant account is one of the core building blocks for your business, whether you sell online or in person. Together with your payment gateway, a merchant account enables you to get paid for the goods or services you sell. Getting your new business up and running If you’re starting an eCommerce business, you’ve probably put a lot of thought into the customer-facing website that showcases your products or servi

After a decade of constant disruption and regulatory woes, 2025 marks the year fintech finally entered an era of durable transformation. The industry’s leaders are no longer experimenting at the edges. Instead, they’re embedding innovation into the core of their operating models. What was once a race to reinvent finance has become a disciplined pursuit of scalability, resilience, and measurable value creation. Banks and fintech firms are quickly professionalizing their AI cap

When financial institutions think about protecting against new-account fraud, they usually focus on the customer who has already applied and is being onboarded. But with the fraud typologies out there now, onboarding may be too late. Fraud detection needs to start as soon as the application for an account is being filled out. In a new report, New-Account Fraud: Old Problem, New Challenges , Jennifer Pitt , Senior Analyst in Fraud Management at Javelin Strategy & Research, loo

The Better Business Bureau has issued a new warning about a scam targeting tap-to-pay chips in credit cards and mobile wallets. So-called ghost tapping abuses the near-field communication (NFC) technology embedded in contactless payment chips and digital wallets, which allows devices to exchange data at very close range. The scam can happen without the victim noticing. In crowded spaces like a festival or train stations, a criminal may get close to a victim—and sometimes eve

A roaring fireplace radiates warmth and light while a snowstorm rages outside—a classic holiday scene. But these days, it’s just as likely to have been created by artificial intelligence. Perhaps Santa and Mrs. Claus sit in armchairs beside the fire—or perhaps not. It’s all up to the content creator. In today’s hyperconnected world, even the age-old traditions of the season are being reimagined through technology, updated for the modern era. The same is true for gift giving.

As the 2025 holiday season approaches, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) everywhere are gearing up for one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. Whether you're a boutique retailer, a local service provider, or an online merchant, the stakes are high—but so are the opportunities.  This holiday season, we can help you scale confidently with secure payment solutions that are tailored to your business needs. Here are seven fresh strategies to help you prepare. 1. Captu

Once a humble piece of plastic tied to a single merchant, gift cards have evolved into flexible ecosystems that sit at the forefront of many brands. A major driver of this transformation has been digital gift cards, which have reshaped the way the industry views prepaid products. Today, gift cards are not only central to loyalty programs and employee engagement efforts but also remain consumers’ go-to choice for gifting. Yet, the evolution of the gift card industry is far fro

Emerging rails like real-time payments, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies have quickly created a fragmented payments ecosystem. This environment presents both an opportunity and a challenge for digital wallet companies: they could become the nexus for all payment types if they can build mechanisms to connect disparate sources into a single solution.  Although digital wallets have gained solid momentum in peer-to-peer and e-commerce spaces, they are not yet an a

Celebrating the holidays is still a top priority for consumers, but several factors make this season unique. Shoppers are balancing tighter budgets, adapting to a rapidly evolving digital landscape, and carrying ever-higher expectations. At the same time, many employers are grappling with how best to show appreciation to their teams. In a recent PaymentsJournal webinar, BHN’s Director of Global Research, Sarah Kositzke , Head of Global Commerce, Brett N arlinger,  and Head of

Great CX doesn’t require perfection—it requires intention. A genuine commitment to listening, learning, and putting people first will always make a difference. Customer experience is no longer just a part of your business—it is your business. In a world where expectations are higher than ever, overlooking the importance of delivering excellent service can be one of the most costly mistakes a company makes. Why? Because we know that the true cost of poor customer experience (C

For eCommerce businesses, choosing the right payment gateway to help you accept payments is critical. What are the top four things you...

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The other day, I pre-ordered my coffee in an app, stopped into my local shop, and walked out with my drink. No wallet, no personal...