Flutterwave’s Acquisition of Mono Signals Broader Open Banking Implications in Africa
One of Africa’s largest payments processors, Flutterwave, is acquiring API-driven fintech Mono, a move that could reshape how lenders assess creditworthiness in the absence of standardized credit scores. Mono has made a splash since it was founded five years ago, and its APIs connect a significant portion of Nigeria’s digital banking system. For its part, […]
How Bank Websites Can Build Customer Relationships
A bank’s public website no longer has the luxury of serving as a passive storefront. AI-powered overviews, social media influencers, and other personal finance sites increasingly shape how consumers discover and evaluate financial products, making it harder for financial institutions to engage the public through their own digital channels. As a result, far more weight […]
Seeking Security, Consumers Are Not Giving Up on Cash
In an era of mobile wallets and instant payments, cash is proving far more resilient than many expected. More than half of U.S. consumers surveyed by Siena University say their use of cash has remained the same—or even increased—over the past five years. The vast majority of respondents said they had paid with cash in […]
Merchants Are Bearing the Burden of Debit Card Fraud
The costs of debit card fraud have increasingly tilted toward merchants, with retailers now bearing nearly half of the overall burden rather than banks or payment networks. That shift is documented in biennial data from the Federal Reserve, which publishes its debit card fraud report every other year as a snapshot of transaction costs across […]
To Track Down Stolen Data, Dark Web Threat Intelligence Is Key
In just two months of investigation, a form of malware known as Lumma Stealer was found on nearly 400,000 computers. This infostealer, which pilfers personal credentials like passwords, credit card numbers, bank account information, and cryptocurrency wallet logins, was ultimately shut down through a joint effort by Microsoft and law enforcement agencies. However, the damage […]
Why China Is Offering Interest on Its CBDC
China is stepping up its push for digital currency adoption. Starting January 1, users of the e-CNY—the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC)—will be able to earn interest, and their holdings will be protected under the country’s deposit insurance system, giving consumers more confidence in embracing the digital yuan. The move is intended to spark […]
The Trends That Will Modernize Payments Technology in 2026
The modernization of banks’ technology stacks, to this point, have only been the initial steps in a larger process. The adoption of real-time payments has shown how risk, compliance, and customer experience need to catch up to the instant payment environment. Even less visible functions like treasury services are being touched by modernization. These changes […]
Amid Digital Payments Surge, Australians Raise Concerns About Cash Access
Mobile wallet payments in Australia have grown 23-fold over the past six years, according to the Australian Banking Association. During this digital transformation, concerns have emerged that a significant portion of the population may be left behind. Alongside the rise of digital wallets, online banking has become the norm in Australia. As a result, the […]
Holiday Shopping Soars, Driven by AI and E-Commerce
Despite macroeconomic concerns, the holidays are still a priority for consumers. Early data from Visa shows that U.S. holiday retail spending rose 4.2% year-over-year, excluding inflation. The report is based on payments activity tracked from early November and excludes automotive, gas, and restaurant spending. While in-store purchases still account for nearly three-quarters of holiday spending, […]
Who Would Benefit from the Fed’s “Skinny” Crypto Accounts?
In a proposal that has drawn both interest and concern, the Federal Reserve is exploring whether crypto exchanges and fintechs should be granted limited access to its payments system through a type of “skinny” master account. Currently, these companies rely on intermediary banks that already hold master accounts at Federal Reserve Banks to process transactions […]