Leaders In Payments

In this first episode of a new series on the Leaders in Payments podcast, host Greg Myers sits down with Chris Aristides, Founder and CEO of Jaris, to explore what it truly takes for payments companies and ISOs to remain competitive as the market shifts toward owned, embedded finance experiences.Chris brings an unconventional background to the payments world, having spent 22 years in the hedge fund industry as an analyst and portfolio manager before making the move into building a company. The conversation begins with the origin story of Jaris, which set out to bring a Square Capital-style lending product to the broader payments market. Rather than following the typical merchant cash advance route, Chris made the deliberate choice to build on a bank-backed model with a modern tech stack, prioritising regulatory alignment and a foundation flexible enough to eventually expand into multi-product banking services.A significant portion of the discussion centers on the complexity of working with legacy payment processors. Unlike vertical SaaS platforms, which offer high conversion and seamless integration, the legacy world is fragmented, running on outdated infrastructure with no easy outlet to plug into. Jaris has spent years building around this challenge, developing its own cloud-based core and processor-agnostic settlement infrastructure to bridge that gap.Chris also addresses the broader vision, making the case that lending alone is insufficient and that engaging the full merchant base requires a suite of products including instant payouts and commercial banking. He closes by framing Jaris not as a disruptor, but as a complement to the existing infrastructure, doing the hard work the industry has long needed done.

In this episode of the Leaders in Payments podcast, host Greg Myers sits down with Alex Dewison, Director of Digital Solutions at Global Payments, to explore the rapidly evolving world of online commerce and checkout experiences. Alex brings a rich background to the conversation, having started his career in software development before moving into payments at Worldpay, where he worked with major UK retailers like Tesco and Next, and eventually transitioning into his current role overseeing digital product strategy across Europe, Asia, and Oceania.The discussion covers how consumer payment expectations have shifted dramatically, with digital wallets now accounting for over twenty percent of transactions and instant refunds becoming a baseline expectation rather than a perk. Alex argues that friction at checkout is no longer tolerable and that the industry is moving toward what he calls "invisible" or zero-click commerce, where the act of paying becomes seamlessly embedded in the shopping experience itself.The conversation also tackles the tension between platform simplicity and merchant control, the dangers of offering too many payment options, and the importance of localizing payment methods when expanding internationally. Alex shares practical guidance on how merchants can reduce cart abandonment by addressing surprise fees, slow page loads, and poor mobile optimization.On the topic of AI, Alex separates genuine near-term value, such as intelligent payment routing and adaptive fraud detection, from the longer-term hype around fully autonomous AI agents. He closes with a pointed message for e-commerce leaders: in 2026, your payment experience is your product, and the winners will be those who relentlessly remove friction rather than add features.

Payments leaders are feeling the squeeze of shrinking margins, price-driven churn, and rising expectations from merchants who want funding that feels as seamless as a card transaction. We sat down with Aarati Soman, Head of Product at Parafin, and Jaron Ruckman, Product Manager at NMI, to map the new playbook: embedded lending that meets merchants where they already work, backed by real-time data, AI-driven underwriting, and modular infrastructure that launches fast and scales cleanly.We unpack how moving capital inside your existing workflows changes the relationship with your merchants. Instead of sending them to third-party portals or closed ecosystems, you present pre-underwritten offers based on sales data, bank transactions, and relevant third-party signals. Machine learning models spot revenue patterns, seasonality, refunds, disputes, and expense profiles; LLMs structure unstructured data to speed decisions. The impact is tangible: faster approvals, fairer pricing, higher eligibility for SMBs that banks often overlook, and the kind of stickiness that turns payment processing from a commodity into a growth engine.Aarati outlines how Parafin carries the heavy lifts - capital, risk, servicing, and compliance so partners can focus on distribution and experience. Jaron shares how NMI's API-first approach and embeddable components get partners live with offers before any deep development, with the option to integrate more tightly over time. We explore strategic positioning against Stripe and Square, why contextual placement at the point of pain drives adoption, and where product innovation is headed: fit-for-purpose capital for inventory spikes, equipment, payroll, and beyond. We close with practical advice on choosing partners - breadth of products, ease of integration, transparency, and program durability so you avoid costly rip-and-replace cycles and deliver fast funding your merchants trust.

Fraud hasn't disappeared - it got smarter. Organized rings now aim upstream at SaaS platforms and ISVs that embed payments, where a single gap in onboarding, transaction logic, or refund flows can be scaled into thousands of attacks overnight. We sit down with Brian Rust, SVP and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Worldpay, to map the real fraud journey (entry, action, exit) and the concrete moves product and security leaders can make right now to protect merchants and brand trust.We start with the why: platforms offer leverage. Brian explains how bots and AI generate convincing synthetic businesses that pass weak KYC, and what early signals still break the spell - impossible form completion times, IP and address mismatches, and brand-new domains claiming long histories. From there, we dive into the middle of the kill chain: card testing. You'll hear how velocity spikes, elevated decline rates, and geo anomalies betray large-scale testing and how adaptive limits for new merchants can contain losses and prevent network penalties. Then we confront refund abuse, where attackers exploit trust by refunding to different instruments or flooding high-value returns. The fix isn't blanket friction - it's precision: refund-to-original-card only, refund velocity caps, and targeted reviews that slow bad actors while keeping good customers moving.Brian lays out the layers that matter now: device fingerprinting, behavioral analytics, and transaction monitoring that can halt suspect money movement before funds leave your orbit. He also makes the case for a fraud-cyber fusion model, aligning teams and intelligence using frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK to anticipate tactics as cyber and financial motives blend. Finally, we close with three actions you can ship this quarter: audit onboarding with bot controls and threat modeling, enforce velocity controls that adapt as trust grows, and tap your processor's data and filters (AVS, CVV) to harden defaults.If you lead product, risk, or engineering for a payments-enabled platform, this conversation gives you a practical blueprint to raise attacker costs, protect your merchants, and guard your reputation. 

Ever launched a beautiful product only to watch payments derail the experience? We sat with Viktoria Soltesz - founder of PSP Angels and the Soltesz Institute - to map the hidden decisions that make or break money movement. From onboarding demands and documentation to routing choices and settlement timelines, Viktoria shows how banking and payment flows now shape product, compliance, data, and brand trust. The takeaway is bold and practical: treat payments as strategy, not plumbing.We dig into messy, real-world stories: a global group juggling multiple entities, providers, and file formats; a luxury e-commerce brand whose purple checkout clashed with a green identity and crushed conversions; and a marketplace shut down over a single high-risk SKU. Viktoria explains why “cheapest fees” can cost the most when integration pain, risk appetite, and provider incentives are ignored. She also exposes conflicts in referral-driven deals and makes the case for an ethical, merchant-first approach that starts with a comprehensive payments health check.The conversation builds toward a clear solution: appoint a Chief Payments Officer. This role owns the end-to-end flow, negotiates with a holistic lens, and adapts strategy to each market - whether that means leveraging UPI in India, adopting open banking in the US, or planning redundancies that protect authorization rates and cash flow. We also scan the horizon: instant payments in the EU, QR adoption beyond Asia, and the rise of agentic commerce where AI discovers, orders, and pays. With new rails come new risks - refunds, disputes, and fraud models must be redesigned for machine-initiated purchases.If you care about lower fees, fewer shutoffs, stronger UX, and faster global expansion, this is your playbook. Learn more about PSP Angels here and The Soltesz Institute here. Viktoria has also written two books both available on Amazon and here.Moving Money How Banks Think The CPayO - The Chief Payment Officer The Role Which Doesn't Exist (But Should!)

If your AR feels like a maze of phone calls, spreadsheets, and “we'll match it later,” this conversation shows a cleaner path. We sit down with Fauwaz Hussain, Senior Director of B2B Partnerships and Strategy at Global Payments, to break down what actually speeds cash and what quietly stalls it. From card-not-present realities to complex terms and partial shipments, we map the B2B differences that make order-to-cash harder and the practical changes that remove friction fast.We get specific about embedding payments inside your ERP so invoices, settlements, and the general ledger line up automatically. That shift kills rekeying errors, collapses department silos, and gives support, sales, and finance the same live truth. Security gets stronger when card data never touches email or recorded calls, and PCI compliance becomes manageable when you use certified, cloud-based vaults and enforce simple rules like “no cards by phone.” Fauwaz explains why publishers like Microsoft, SAP, and Sage now run tighter marketplaces, how VARs and ISVs evaluate payment apps, and why a one-stop provider reduces risk across gateways, vaults, and processing.We also cover the cash-flow moves that work right away: self-serve portals with open invoices, one-click payment links by email or text, stored credentials for auto-pay, and accepting multiple methods from ACH to single-use virtual cards. Then we look forward - AI-driven cash application, predictive delinquencies, Level 2/3 data validation, and API-first architectures that connect e-commerce, field service, and ERP into a single payment fabric. If you're leading AR, finance, or operations, you'll leave with a clear playbook to modernize without compromising compliance.

Money keeps moving while the world sleeps, and the rails behind it are evolving fast. We sit down with Pat Antonacci, Chief Product Officer at The Clearing House, to break down how CHIPS, ACH (EPN), and RTP each power a different promise - liquidity, scale, and always‑on finality and why that mix is reshaping how businesses and consumers move funds.Pat explains why CHIPS dominates high‑value cross‑border flows and how its netting algorithm delivers 30:1 liquidity savings that matter on volatile days. We trace ACH's steady rise, including same‑day and intraday growth, and dig into record holiday peaks that reveal the hidden rhythms of settlement. Then we go deep on RTP: eight years in, 98% of U.S. real‑time traffic, rising daily volumes, a $10 million limit, and use cases spanning account‑to‑account moves, brokerage funding, wallet top‑ups, gig payouts, loan disbursements, and tuition deadlines that can't wait until Monday.The conversation tackles big questions: Are rails competing or complementing? Where are checks being displaced? How do Request for Payment and ISO 20022 unlock cleaner data and fewer exceptions? We explore the 2026 landscape - APIs, cloud, AI‑driven fraud controls, open banking momentum and why the smart strategy is matching the rail to the job: ACH for routine batches, RTP for precise timing and finality, and CHIPS for high‑value, cross‑border certainty. Pat also previews The Clearing House roadmap, from broader RTP ubiquity and fraud tools to extended CHIPS hours that bring wires closer to continuous availability.If you care about how money actually moves and how that movement shapes cash flow, customer trust, and the broader economy, this conversation is your field guide. 

In this Signal Series episode of the Leaders in Payments Podcast, I sit down with Matt Downs, President, Integrated and Platforms at Global Payments, to unpack the biggest platform-payments shifts heading into 2026. Coming off the newly closed Worldpay and Global Payments combination, Matt shares what scale means for ISVs and platforms, and why payments is no longer “just a feature.” It is a growth engine that touches product, operations, and trust.The conversation breaks into three practical themes: embedded payments, embedded finance, and AI-driven fraud. Matt explains how platforms are moving toward richer embedded experiences that extend beyond checkout into the full workflow, including onboarding, chargebacks, disputes, and support. At the same time, platforms are feeling pressure to expand into adjacent financial products such as working capital, banking services, cards, and payroll. He also points to a common blind spot: many leaders do not benchmark how competitors are using payments and financial services to differentiate their core product. That competitive context should directly shape the roadmap.On fraud, Matt argues that 2026 demands an end-to-end mindset. Threats now show up earlier in the lifecycle, operate in real time, and adapt quickly using AI, deepfakes, machine-to-machine attacks, and automation. He outlines the “non-negotiables” for security and compliance, including layered defenses that protect the entire transaction journey, from the first web visit through refunds and disputes, without adding so much friction that it slows growth.If you are an ISV or platform executive building your 2026 plan, this episode will help you pressure-test your partnership strategy, prioritize embedded finance by vertical, and make smarter decisions to stay ahead while avoiding costly execution pitfalls.

Money is changing faster than most teams can update a roadmap. We sit down with Farooq Malik, Co-Founder and CEO of Rain, to unpack how stablecoins and tokenized dollars are moving from crypto headlines to the hidden plumbing of real payments - powering card programs, cross-border payouts, and embedded finance at enterprise scale.Farooq breaks down Rain's vertically integrated stack: pay-ins and payouts across ACH, wires, and Visa; support for dozens of stablecoins on 11 blockchains; and account logic that makes tokenized value feel like a familiar account, not a science project. We dig into a standout use case - a margin-backed credit card where each swipe triggers instant receivable financing in stablecoin - cutting working capital needs by about 80% and transforming the unit economics of card programs. He also shares how one API can issue regulatorily compliant products in multiple markets, letting global platforms pay creators, freelancers, and merchants in “international dollars” without stitching together country-by-country integrations.We explore the surge in institutional interest fueled by emerging regulatory clarity, the 30x volume growth Rain has seen in the last 12 months, and why broader rules could unlock 10x–100x adoption across the ecosystem. Farooq contrasts Rain's approach with reseller patchworks, highlighting the benefits of being a principal Visa member and owning the core of the stablecoin stack. Beyond stablecoins, we touch on open banking, the rise of global-first consumer apps, and how nomadic work patterns are forcing finance to follow people, not addresses.If you lead payments, product, or finance, you'll leave with a clear view of where tokenized money creates immediate value: better card economics, faster global disbursements, and simpler enterprise integrations. 

Forget the hype - small merchants need tools that actually work when a line forms and a card won't tap. Andrew Helms, CEO USA at SumUp digs into a merchant-first approach that puts transparency, service, and growth at the center of payments. Andrew shares his unconventional path from Middle Eastern studies and consulting in Dubai to entrepreneurship, scaling Home Chef through acquisition, and ultimately leading SumUp's U.S. team from Boulder Colorado. That global lens shapes a practical strategy: localize for U.S. realities like tax complexity and tipping, keep pricing honest, and answer the phone when a sale is on the line.We unpack how SumUp's integrated ecosystem - payments, POS, invoicing, banking, lending, and loyalty - helps brick-and-mortar stores thrive. The spotlight is on inventory-heavy retail: convenience stores, liquor shops, toy and pet stores juggling large catalogs, aging stock, and tight margins. Andrew explains how POS plus loyalty surfaces what's expiring, what's stuck, and which promotions move units, turning shelf data into cash flow. He's candid about competitors' junk fees and makes the case for clear contracts and seven-day live support that's moving toward 24/7 coverage.Looking ahead, Andrew separates signal from noise on stablecoins, instant payments, and AI. Cross-border settlement and faster payouts hold real promise if they reach main street, while selective AI can power insights and smarter support without replacing the human layer. He also taps SumUp's global footprint for “crystal ball” learnings - from Brazil's Pix to London's kiosk boom - and shows how to translate those wins for U.S. merchants. We close with career advice to ask better questions and a call for ethics in payments: long-term success depends on enabling small businesses to build community, repeat revenue, and resilience. If you care about the future of main street retail, this conversation brings strategy you can use today.

Money that waits for Monday is losing ground to rails that never sleep. Greg sits down with Edward Woodford, CEO and Founder of zerohash, to explore how stablecoins and tokenized deposits are reshaping cross-border payments, account funding, and global payouts for merchants, platforms, and marketplaces. From MIT roots to building one of the largest movers of stablecoins, Edward explains why velocity of money matters and how interoperability solves the messy reality of assets, chains, and compliance at scale.We dig into concrete use cases: topping up trading or gaming balances instantly, paying freelancers in the Philippines or Brazil with automatic local currency conversion, and using stablecoins as a dependable 24/7 rail. Edward breaks down why abstraction is the unlock - users shouldn't pick chains or tokens, they should just send money. He also shares why banks are poised to become the biggest on- and off-ramps as regulatory clarity lands, and why tokenized deposits may deliver stronger economics for financial institutions than issuing their own stablecoins.Looking ahead, Edward maps a world of vertical integration, where processors launch their own networks and potentially bank charters, compressing costs and aligning incentives across the stack. He makes the case for streaming payments as a catalyst for financial resilience and agentic commerce, where instant settlement reduces payday lending and powers software-to-software transactions. The result isn't crypto vs. traditional - it's connected plumbing that makes payments faster, cheaper, and more inclusive.If you care about the future of payments, cross-border commerce, and the real-world path from crypto rails to everyday use, this conversation offers a clear blueprint. 

Payments shouldn't feel like a maze. We sit down with Kurv's CEO, Afshin Yazdian, to unpack how a legacy “lifestyle business” evolved into a modern payments platform by stripping out friction, investing in human-centered service, and doubling down on tools that make small businesses stronger. From tap-to-pay on everyday smartphones to faster access to funds, the strategy centers on clarity and speed so owners can focus on sales, staff, and customers - not statements and support tickets.Afshin walks us through his unconventional path from law to leading roles at iPayment, Priority, and Paysafe before acquiring and rebranding EMS as Kurv. He shares what it took to rebuild operations, unify a new leadership team, and scale applications and activations nearly 10x in 18 months. We explore why transparent pricing, intuitive onboarding, and self-service matter just as much as getting a live expert on the phone, and how that blend becomes a moat in a commoditized market.We also dig into the high-stakes frontier of AI and fraud. With more digital leads and synthetic identities hitting underwriting queues, Kurv deploys machine learning to protect onboarding and e-commerce merchants while preserving approval rates. Add in real-time payments for better cash flow and a truly omnichannel approach - retail, field services, and online and you've got a playbook for SMB payments that is powerful without being complicated. Along the way, Afshin makes a strong case for culture as strategy: communicate clearly, care for people, and let that pride carry through every interaction.If you're building, selling, or relying on payments, this conversation will leave you with practical ideas for simplifying workflows, reducing risk, and earning loyalty. 

What if account-to-account payments felt as dependable as swiping a card? We sit down with Keith Raphael, Co-founder and CEO of Straddle, to explore how a trust-first approach can transform ACH, RTP, and FedNow into fast, reliable options that product teams and finance leaders can actually count on. Keith's journey from hardcore compliance to building a unified API offers a rare, inside look at what it takes to replace “file uploads and hope” with identity-led orchestration and clear, real-time visibility.We unpack the core idea that money moves at the speed of trust and how the lack of a strong identity layer has kept A2A stuck in 1970s-era uncertainty. Keith explains how Straddle combines KYC, fraud detection, open banking connectivity, tokenization, and multi-rail routing to solve the “where is my money” gap for subscriptions, stored-value wallets, remittances, marketplaces, and B2B flows. We also dig into US-specific headwinds: no regulatory mandate for open banking or instant payments, incumbent pricing strategies that protect debit economics, and the resulting friction for adopters.From the rise of platforms and embedded finance to direct-to-rail integrations and the cautious reality of stablecoins, Keith lays out a pragmatic roadmap for scaling bank payments without sacrificing compliance or customer trust. The lesson from Stripe and Square still stands (simplicity wins) but it now applies to ACH, RTP, and FedNow. 

Cash flow used to mean waiting and worrying. Today, it can mean deciding and doing. We sit down with Ana Garcia of JPMorgan Payments and James Chi of Block to unpack how real-time payments are reshaping the small business playbook - turning every sale into instantly usable working capital and replacing uncertainty with visibility you can act on.Ana pulls back the curtain on how instant payments actually work: APIs or portals trigger transactions, banks authenticate and screen for fraud and compliance, networks like The Clearing House RTP clear and settle, and funds land in seconds with instant confirmation. James maps those capabilities to real merchant needs - Square's instant transfers to linked accounts, immediate spend via Square Checking, and faster marketplace payouts for merchants - showing how speed enables on-time payroll, proactive inventory management, and smoother refunds.We also get real about adoption. Many owners still don't know they can move money this fast, so education in context is key - surfacing instant options exactly when cash is tight. On safety, both leaders emphasize layered defenses: identity checks, behavioral analytics, transaction limits, and step-up authentication, proving you don't need to trade security for speed. Looking forward, we explore request for payment for cleaner collections, the march toward near-universal bank coverage, and the promise of cross-border instant payments that could redefine supplier and marketplace flows. If you care about liquidity, predictability, and customer trust, this conversation shows how real-time payments turn pressure into momentum.This episode is part of our special series on The Future of Modern Payments sponsored by The Clearing House.

The backbone of the economy is feeling both confident and squeezed, and we wanted to get specific about what actually helps. In this episode I sit down with Shruti Patel, Chief Product Officer for Business Banking at U.S. Bank, to unpack fresh small business data and the concrete tools that turn payments into faster cash, lighter admin, and clearer decisions.We start with the Small Business Perspective survey: high optimism paired with pressure from inflation, tariffs, and supply chain uncertainty. Shruti explains why access to working capital and lower operating costs remain top priorities, and how owners are already using AI to sharpen marketing, streamline service, and simplify back office tasks. From there, we dig into U.S. Bank's strategy shift from methods of payment to jobs to be done - bundling what matters so owners can open, accept, pay, and reconcile without the swivel-chair fatigue.You'll hear how Business Essentials merges a no-fee operating account with Elavon acquiring, a free mobile reader, and same-day funds to ease cash flow. We explore Cashflow Central for bill pay across card, ACH, and e-check, plus embedded payroll via Gusto that replaces separate subscriptions many owners used to carry. Shruti also walks through spend management tied to small business cards, giving real-time controls and visibility. Looking ahead, we separate signal from noise on stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and agentic commerce, and we map where AI will make an impact in 2026 - faster underwriting, smarter support, and fewer steps for the jobs that happen every day.If you run a small business or build for them, this conversation lays out a practical blueprint: consolidate workflows, shorten time to cash, and adopt AI where it saves hours, not just headlines. 

In this episode, we dig into how modern SaaS platforms turn payments into a core product, a revenue engine, and a defensible moat without breaking customer trust or slowing product velocity. With NMI's CMO Peter Galvin and Product Director Luis Peña, we unpack the real path from “just accept cards” to a fully integrated commerce stack that handles fraud, chargebacks, compliance, and omnichannel experiences at scale.We start with the SaaS payments maturity curve: ship fast with basic acceptance, then refine UX with tokenization and branded flows, and finally operate payments as a true business line with pricing strategy and revenue share. From there, we explore the tough stuff most teams underestimate - risk management, underwriting discipline, and the operational muscle needed to keep approval rates high while keeping losses and support tickets low. If you're wondering when you've outgrown your current processor, we outline the telltale signs and how to plan a migration that is modular, phased, and invisible to your merchants.Omnichannel is also a major focus. We break down card-present choices like Tap to Pay, offline-capable devices for field service, and cloud APIs for always-connected point of sale - all while tying in text-to-pay, QR codes, wallets, and ACH via open banking. Beyond lending, we also highlight high-impact add-ons: instant payouts, network tokenization, invoicing, and loyalty programs that raise approval rates, reduce churn, and boost margin. And we look ahead at what's next: stablecoins for cross-border efficiency, open banking data for smoother experiences, and agent-driven discovery that transforms how buyers find and pay for products.

Growth shouldn't stall at the border. We sit down with Peter Dougherty, President of Spreedly, to unpack how an open payments platform helps global brands launch faster, reduce vendor risk, and optimize authorization rates without ripping out their stack. Peter traces the evolution from card‑centric orchestration to a broader layer that now includes tokenization, a secure token vault, fraud and KYC options, and connections to multiple processors and alternative payment methods. The takeaway: best‑of‑breed no longer means complexity and long timelines - it means resilience, data‑driven choices, and faster expansion.Peter also looks ahead to a future where agents become the front end of commerce. Discovery, selection, and purchase compress into milliseconds, and payments infrastructure has to keep up. We dig into how mandates, consent, and spending limits will work when agents transact on our behalf; how liability flows when something goes wrong; and why token management becomes the backbone for secure, delegated payments. He shares why platforms that can safely feed agents with PCI‑sensitive data will win as volumes surge across regions and rails.We ground the hype in reality too. Payments is the fastest moving oil tanker - innovation is constant, but adoption takes time. EMV took decades; stablecoins still trail cards and the fastest‑growing APMs. For leaders, the smart move is to build behind an abstraction layer that lets you A/B test processors, adopt new methods, and swap tools without disruption. If you're pushing into new markets or preparing for agentic commerce, this conversation will help you rethink checkout, time to market, and resilience at scale. 

Subscriptions aren't enough anymore. We dig into why the next wave of software winners are building full commerce platforms where payments are invisible to users yet central to growth. With NMI's CMO Peter Galvin and Product Director of Developer Experience, Luis Peña, we unpack how vertical SaaS turns checkout into a native, on-brand experience that drives revenue, cuts churn, and opens the door to embedded finance.We start with the big shift: horizontal tools are giving way to vertical platforms that automate every workflow and own the moment of payment. From dentist offices to gyms and home services, merchants want one system that books, bills, and gets them paid. Peter explains how integrated payments changes the business model - subscription fees plus payments monetization and new fintech lines like working capital - while strengthening loyalty through a consistent, secure merchant and consumer experience.Luis takes us into the build. He shares a practical roadmap for developer-friendly adoption: onboard merchants within your app, collect card data with tokenization and design for webhooks, and exception paths from day one. We talk sandboxes, test suites that simulate real failure modes, and AI-friendly docs that make it easier for modern teams to ship quickly without cutting corners. Then we zoom out to the data advantage - interchange optimization, card mix insights, network tokenization, and benchmarking that inform pricing, conversion, and cross-sell strategies.The takeaway is simple: treat payments as a growth engine, not a bolt-on. When software controls the workflow and the commerce flow, the product becomes stickier, the economics improve, and customers stop thinking about payments at all.

If you run a small or mid-sized retail business and feel stuck between legacy tools and rising customer expectations, this conversation is your playbook for breaking through. We sit down with Unzer CEO Robert Bueninck to unpack how bundling software and payments helps merchants deliver seamless experiences across in-store and online without enterprise budgets or heavyweight integrations.Robert traces his journey from early Klarna days to leading Unzer's “payments and beyond” ecosystem, and lays out why the mid-market is the most underserved (and most promising) space in European commerce. We dive into the practical ways software plus payments drives real outcomes: faster onboarding, unified reporting, and simpler support when QR ordering, click-and-collect, or in-store returns marry e-commerce and POS. He explains Unzer's focus on food services, beauty, and apparel, and how a clear build-partner boundary keeps products sharp while letting merchants scale when complexity grows.We also dig into Europe's unique payments fabric. Alternative payment methods and account-to-account rails already dominate online checkout in markets like the Netherlands and Belgium, changing merchant economics with lower cost and instant funds. BNPL fills the buyer-protection gap, while policymakers push toward a pan-European A2A framework and greater vendor independence. Robert separates hype from habit on agentic commerce and stablecoins, arguing that adoption only happens when the new flow truly makes life easier for shoppers and staff and that's where the mid-market wins.Looking ahead, Robert outlines Unzer's growth bets: expand combined software and payments across core markets, bring all products to all regions, and help “make Germany digital” as a foundation for broader European reach.  If you care about SMB retail, omnichannel checkout, A2A payments, BNPL, and the future of European payments infrastructure, you'll find plenty to act on here.

Fraud losses are climbing, checks are supposedly fading, and yet check fraud is hitting all-time highs. We sat down with Mike Timoney, a payments veteran now leading secure payments work at the Federal Reserve, to unpack that paradox and chart a path to stronger defenses across banks, fintechs, and businesses of every size. The conversation moves from frontline realities to system-wide fixes: why paper is still a prime target, how modern scams bypass technology to persuade people, and what practical tools can help teams react faster than criminals can pivot.Mike shares a global-to-local career arc (from international banking to ACH, wires, and cards) before taking on fraud across channels and ultimately joining the Fed. That perspective shapes a clear mission: keep the U.S. payment system trusted and reliable by educating the industry, building relationships, and mapping threats without prescribing vendors. We dive deep into two new resources: a check fraud mitigation toolkit with visual examples, pattern tells, and tips like positive pay; and a scams mitigation toolkit that decodes phishing, smishing, and business email compromise through case studies and actionable defenses. Both are designed as short, usable modules that help community banks train staff and help larger teams keep pace with evolving tactics.We also tackle the hard part: collaboration and transparency in a fragmented U.S. landscape. With thousands of institutions and varied state privacy rules, information sharing is tough - but not impossible. Mike outlines privacy-enhancing approaches that share patterns, not identities, so institutions can broadcast what criminals are doing without exposing who was hit. AI features throughout the episode as a double-edged sword: it supercharges detection and accelerates response, while giving fraudsters new ways to scale social engineering. The key is narrowing the response gap through better models, faster signal exchange, and continual education.Walk away with three priorities: make fraud everyone's job through constant micro-education, keep learning as tactics shift, and share signals across your peer network. If this conversation helps you see a new control, training idea, or partnership opportunity, subscribe, share the episode with your team, or contact Mike for more information. 

Most software teams still think of payments as a chore. We take you inside the playbook that turns it into a growth engine. I sits down with NMI CTO Phillip Goericke to unpack how embedded payments evolved from a basic checkout to a full-stack platform that handles onboarding, underwriting, payouts, analytics, and even embedded finance. The conversation is straight talk on what actually works when you're shipping fast and scaling globally.We dig into the architectural choices that matter: start with a no-code drop-in to activate revenue quickly, then progress to low-code SDKs and finally full APIs when you need deep control. Phillip shares where platforms stall - manual KYC, fragmented global rules, and data blind spots and how a modular approach fixes these without ripping out your stack. You'll hear how compliance-as-a-service, network tokenization, and adaptive 3D Secure can raise approval rates, reduce fraud, and simplify audits while keeping the checkout experience seamless.Looking ahead, we explore why identity, compliance, and data are the foundation for embedded finance. Philip outlines NMI's unified experience that brings payments, onboarding, insights, and new services like business capital into one place. We also tackle AI with clear eyes: use it to augment decisioning and anomaly detection, but wrap it with deterministic controls so money-critical outcomes are consistently right. The key takeaway is a mindset shift: stop treating payments as a feature and start using it as a strategic lever for revenue, retention, and product velocity.If you're building software with transactions anywhere in the flow, this is your blueprint for turning payments into a competitive moat. Subscribe for more deep dives, share with a teammate who owns monetization, and leave a review to tell us what topic you want next.

What if paying with crypto felt as effortless as tapping your card? We sit down with Jess Houlgrave, CEO of WalletConnect, to unpack how stablecoins, smarter wallet-to-app messaging, and a new wave of SDKs are collapsing the gap between crypto checkout and the one-click experiences consumers expect.Jess traces her path from investment banking to early Bitcoin research to leading a network that connects 700 wallets to 70,000 applications and moves hundreds of billions in value. We dig into the real merchant story: slashing fees from the typical 2–3% card rates to basis points, settling in seconds instead of days, and opening doors in markets where stablecoins are already everyday money. The caveat has always been clunky UX - QR codes, chain selection, gas fees - but that's changing fast as partners like Coinbase Commerce, Mesh, and Privy streamline onboarding and data sharing.We explore two frontiers set to unlock the next wave of growth. First, in-store payments, where WalletConnect's new POS SDK aims to meet the speed and reliability of retail environments and is already rolling out with partners in Asia. Second, recurring payments, where crypto's push model needs safer, revocable permissions to mirror subscriptions without sacrificing user control. Along the way, we zoom out to embedded finance, where neobanks become financial hubs offering custody, trading, and wealth tools, and to data privacy, where wallets enable selective disclosure so users share only what's needed for shipping, KYC, or age checks.Enjoy the conversation, and if it sparks ideas, subscribe, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Recorded live from the PayTech Women Leadership Summit in Atlanta, this episode brings together an inspiring cross-section of executives, founders, coaches, and industry veterans who are shaping the human side of leadership in payments and fintech. A special thank you to our episode sponsor, Global Payments.Across fast, heartfelt conversations, one thread is impossible to miss: influence grows when community grows. You'll hear how clarity of purpose fuels confidence, why intentional relationships compound over time, and how investing in your own presence, skills, and courage creates opportunities that span roles, companies, and career chapters.Valissa Pierre-Louis opens by grounding influence in self-awareness - truly understanding the value you bring and aligning your strengths to what the business needs most. She underscores the power of relationships that amplify that value. Outhay Lovan builds on that with a call to boldness, especially for those who don't see themselves as natural extroverts. Her message is simple: step into discomfort, expand your network, and watch your impact grow.Executive presence takes center stage with Eileen Nebhut, who highlights the importance of coaching, feedback, and stakeholder support systems. She notes that the Summit's unique “vibe” comes from leaders who intentionally pay it forward. Audrey Blackmon emphasizes being intentional with time and staying rooted in authenticity and integrity - two qualities she sees as non-negotiable for long-term influence.From the organizational lens, Dr. Gail Burgos encourages women to take risks, stretch beyond their functional lanes, and embrace curiosity as a pathway to growth. FIS's Kristen Slink brings a powerful distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, urging women to advocate for one another and elevate voices not yet in the room.Margie Kreutz adds a powerful mindset shift—reframing “risk” as courage—and reminds women that staying too long in a comfortable role can quietly stall advancement, while brave, timely moves create momentum and open doors. Longtime industry leader Linda Perry reminds professionals to stay deeply informed—follow the trends, read widely, and understand the ecosystem so you can chart where you want to go. And to close, Jonathan O'Connor spotlights the magic of “playing in traffic” - putting yourself in the flow of conversations, peers, and opportunity during a moment of massive industry transformation.If you care about accelerating your career, building meaningful connections, or leading with purpose in a competitive, fast-changing landscape, this episode offers practical insights you can put into motion today.

Payments shouldn't break just because a card changes. We sat down with leaders from NMI, G+D and Mastercard to unpack how network tokenization has moved far beyond basic security to become the backbone of higher approvals, fewer chargebacks, and smoother recurring billing. If you care about conversion, fraud, and customer lifetime value, this conversation goes straight to the signal.Tiffany Johnson, CPO at NMI, Mark Van Horn, Digital Solution Lead, North America at G+D and Ryan Francis, Vice President, Digital Product at Mastercard start the episode by clarifying what network tokens are and how they differ from traditional vault tokens, then dig into the metrics that matter: consistent 3–6 percentage point authorization uplift, real-world portfolio wins that stretch even higher, and measurable savings from reduced retries and smarter routing. You'll hear how merchant-bound and device-bound tokens give issuers reliable context, why lifecycle management keeps subscriptions uninterrupted, and how those improvements cascade into lower operational costs and stronger retention.From there, we look ahead. Tokens are becoming the default for card-not-present payments and will extend into open banking and account-to-account flows. With AI on the rise and agentic commerce coming into view, tokens provide portable trust - binding identity, device, and permissions so agents can transact safely on our behalf. The guests share how G+D and NMI make token adoption turnkey for ISVs and platforms, and how Mastercard is scaling token rails to power seamless, intelligent commerce.If you're an ISV, platform, or merchant seeking higher approval rates and lower fraud without adding friction, this is your blueprint. 

Money shouldn't take days to arrive while business waits. We sit down with Miles Paschini, CEO and co-founder of FV Bank, to unpack how a licensed digital bank can make crypto feel like normal banking - without the wallet headaches, exchange hops, or private key anxiety. Miles traces his journey from prepaid telecom innovation to Wavecrest's pioneering crypto cards, and explains why building FV Bank meant controlling the value chain: the bank license, the compliance stack, and the tech.We dig into how FV Bank issues traditional accounts with ACH, wires, and cross-border payments, then layers in bank-native wallet addresses for USDC, USDT, and PYUSD. That lets a merchant accept a stablecoin payment that lands as USD deposits, or send a million dollars internationally in minutes with on-chain settlement and integrated sanctions screening. Inside the bank, FVNet provides instant client-to-client settlement, turning treasury into an always-on function and freeing working capital from the friction of multi-day delays.Miles also explores the future: stablecoin growth accelerated by clearer regulation, peer-to-peer payment via X402 that removes chargebacks and middlemen, and how agentic and machine-to-machine commerce will quietly reshape e-commerce and everyday life. We touch on risk and compliance fundamentals - BSA/AML first, crypto-native forensics layered on top and why specialization in fintech and blockchain is a durable advantage. Looking ahead, FV Bank plans to expand Visa issuing, launch BIN sponsorship globally, and introduce Bitcoin-collateralized lending for long-term holders.If you care about faster settlement, lower risk, and payments that work at internet speed, this conversation maps where banking is headed and how businesses can get there without becoming crypto experts. 

Money doesn't just move; it travels across rules, rails, and risk decisions that either create trust or destroy it. In the first of three episodes, we sit down with Sal Karakaplan, Chief Strategy Officer at The Clearing House, to explore how a century-old operator keeps reinventing the core of U.S. payments while shipping modern capabilities at scale. From instant settlement to tokenized data, this is a close look at what it takes to wire an economy for speed without sacrificing safety.We start with the foundation: what TCH runs under the hood - RTP, CHIPS, EPN, and check image exchange - and why reliability and advocacy both matter when you're operating the plumbing. Sal opens the strategy playbook: scan market trends, pick where to build, buy, or partner, and relentlessly prioritize use cases that create measurable customer value. That lens frames a practical take on open banking, where market innovation and regulation advance in parallel. Expect straight talk on security, DDA tokenization, liability clarity, and user consent that's simple for people and robust for compliance.RTP steps into focus with concrete momentum: growing daily volumes, expanding bank enablement, and use cases that resonate; account-to-account funding, B2C disbursements, merchant settlement, insurance payouts, and early wage access. We get real about adoption hurdles in a fragmented banking market and how to make the business case stack up. Beyond speed, the conversation highlights ISO 20022 and data-rich messages that reduce reconciliation friction and sharpen risk controls - critical for CFOs, treasurers, and operations leaders chasing working capital gains.Then we tackle stablecoins with a bottom-up filter: where do they outperform existing rails? Cross-border stands out, from remittances to marketplace payouts, alongside emerging hypotheses in tokenized settlement. Sal lays out the next 3–5 years: push RTP to ubiquity, evaluate DLT and tokenized deposits with discipline, lean into AI for commerce and fraud defense, and elevate security and data as first-class features. It's a pragmatic roadmap for banks, fintechs, and enterprises that want real outcomes, not buzzwords.

Recorded live from the PayTech Women Leadership Summit in Atlanta, we bring you a rapid, energizing tour of leadership lessons from executives, board members, and rising voices shaping the future of payments and fintech. A special thanks to our episode sponsor Global Payments. Across crisp conversations, a common theme emerges: community multiplies competence. You'll hear how curiosity fuels influence, why relationships beat résumés, and how owning your personal banner outlasts any company logo.Chrissy Wagner (FIS) opens with a hard truth many leaders overlook—self care is strategy. When your cup is full, you lead with clarity and generosity. Margaret Weichert draws on three decades across Bank of America, First Data, Accenture, EY, and The Clearing House to champion curiosity as a daily practice: learn the tech, the processes, and the business context so every presentation connects to customer value and shareholder outcomes. That framing travels across product, risk, and operations, especially as rails evolve and real-time becomes table stakes.Relationship building gets tactical with Rebecca Walden (Corvia), who shares how to deepen ties beyond LinkedIn: Zoom coffees, thoughtful introductions, timely articles, and in-person meetups that convert weak ties into trusted allies. Executive coach Cynthia Knowles underscores investing in purpose and skills, noting that the summit creates rare neutral ground where fierce competitors become generous collaborators. Melissa Desjardins (Protiviti) offers a powerful structure—build a personal board of directors who challenge your assumptions and push you to take bold steps, then return the favor for others.From the talent pipeline, Laura Gibson Lamothe (Georgia FinTech Academy) shows how belonging accelerates careers, especially for those who haven't always seen themselves reflected in leadership. Kathy Kmiotek urges leaders to own their personal banner—your story, your value proposition—through every career shift. And Naomi Donaldson (FISERV) connects the dots across industry change, from cash and checks to crypto, stablecoins, and agentic commerce, while navigating the realities of growth, family, and leadership on a shared stage with industry rivals.If you care about payments innovation, career momentum, or simply leading with purpose in a competitive market, this conversation delivers practical, repeatable moves you can use today. 

The fastest way to win more ISO and agent deals isn't adding more vendors; it's sharpening the story. We sit down with John Barrett and Andie Hill from Payroc to unpack how a focused core product strategy transformed recruiting conversations, accelerated close rates, and unlocked real wins in the SMB space. This is the third and final episode in our three-part series titled: Focus. Build. Win.John breaks down the four-part recruiting pitch that sets expectations and gets to fit fast: who Payroc is as a full-service acquirer, what the core solutions do, how infrastructure and culture support partners as customer number one, and where international expansion opens future lanes. Andie takes us into the field results: near sellouts of their terminal twice in a year, a step-change in win rates, and tangible gains when SMBs finally get pay by text, lightweight invoicing, and a polished countertop experience without enterprise POS cost or complexity. Service verticals like auto repair and landscaping benefit from simple scheduling, mobile-friendly payments, and fewer keyed transactions -practical improvements that agents can demo and merchants adopt quickly.We also walk through a vertical ISO case study that shifted to sending 95 percent of its business to Payroc after repeatable onboarding, underwriting alignment, and responsive support outperformed legacy processors. Throughout the conversation, feedback loops drive the roadmap: trade show questions, CRM win-loss data, and partner demos surfaced the need for features like scheduling, which moved from request to release. The core message is clear; focus doesn't mean fixed. The stack evolves, but the promise stays consistent: fewer products, better execution, stronger support, and a go-to-market that respects the time of the people closest to the merchant.

Europe isn't one payments market; it's dozens of overlapping preferences, currencies, and rails that can make cross‑border growth feel like threading a needle. We sit down with David Rintel, CEO of Finby, to explore how a one‑stop, proprietary stack can tame that complexity while giving merchants real control over speed, features, and cost. From rebranding TrustPay to Finby to securing a new European license, David shares why staking out a distinct identity matters when your strategy is to build infrastructure, not just resell it.We dig into what merchants actually need to win in new countries: curated payment methods that fit both their target market and their business model. David breaks down where cards still win, where local methods like BLIK and iDEAL dominate, and how recurring billing, chargeback rules, and settlement flows shape conversion and risk. He explains why direct scheme memberships beyond cards unlock first‑mile access to features, lower latency, and better product roadmaps and how a unified API can turn new market launches into configuration rather than fresh builds.Regulation gets real, too. EU‑level rules rarely land uniformly; national transpositions drive edge‑case complexity, while mandates like SCA and instant payments remake the pipes. David's advice is blunt and useful: stop trying to predict the winning rail and instead design for adaptability - teams, partners, and tech that bend without breaking. If you're leading payments for a cross‑border brand, you'll leave with a clearer playbook for method selection, integration depth, compliance guardrails, and the mindset to stay ahead of constant change.

In the second episode in our three part series titled: Focus. Build. Win, I sit down with James Derby, EVP of Merchant Facing Product at Payroc, to unpack how a core product strategy transformed scattered tools into a focused growth engine for partners and merchants. Instead of mastering dozens of third‑party options, the team picked a few products to go deep on, built vertical features that matter, and tightened the feedback loop from sales floor to roadmap.James walks through Roc Terminal+ for broad processing needs, Roc Giving for nonprofits, and Roc Services for field service teams, including a new scheduling component aimed at competing upmarket. The thread tying it all together is software-led sales: lead with the operational win and let payments follow. That shift brings faster deployments, better support, and real economics for ISOs and agents, with an 8–11% margin lift on new core placements and lower attrition as support improves. Owning the gateway and settlement stack gives Payroc the control to integrate acquisitions, standardize security, and ship features at speed without vendor drag.We also get into the commercialization playbook: building a business case with sales input, targeting underserved MCCs, choosing build vs. white label, and running disciplined pilots before GA. Post‑launch, James emphasizes data, not vibes - tracking adoption, revenue, support quality, and direct merchant feedback to keep product-market fit tight. Looking forward, tap to pay continues to rise, standalone terminals slowly recede, and consolidation among large processors creates room for agile teams that ship vertical SaaS with integrated payments.If you care about turning product focus into partner success, this conversation delivers practical detail you can use.

The U.S.-to-LATAM corridor is heating up fast, and the rules of getting paid are changing even faster. We sit down with PPRO's Therese Hudak to unpack fresh insights from their new Almanac, spotlighting what actually moves the needle for conversion and growth across Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina. From the meteoric rise of PIX in Brazil to the quiet power of cash vouchers in Mexico, we break down the methods your customers already use and why adopting them can transform your cross-border results.We explore how real-time bank transfers and digital wallets are overtaking traditional rails, what super app ecosystems like Mercado Pago, Nubank, Rappi, and PicPay mean for reach and retention, and why local acquiring often beats cross-border processing on authorization rates, costs, and customer trust. You'll hear concrete examples of local-only card schemes, the hidden fees that trigger chargebacks, and practical ways to present clean, transparent pricing that keeps buyers coming back.We also dive into vertical-specific tactics. Retail remains the growth engine with fashion, electronics, and beauty leading spend, while mobile-first behavior and social commerce reshape discovery and checkout. Gaming and SaaS face unique subscription hurdles as issuers scrutinize merchant-initiated transactions; we share ways to align with LATAM's installment culture and use wallet flexibility to lift acceptance. To wrap it up, we provide a simple checklist: activate local access, accept the right methods, manage performance - to help you enter, learn, and scale with confidence.If LATAM is on your roadmap, this conversation gives you the playbook to act now. Visit ppro.com/almanac to learn more. 

If you've ever tried to pivot a payments company from vendor sprawl to a product-led core, you know the hardest part isn't the code - it's the conviction. Greg Myers sits down with Payroc CEO Jim Oberman in the first episode in our three-part series titled Focus. Build. Win. to trace the inflection point that moved the company from relying on third parties to building and owning the core stack merchants now expect. We dig into the strategy behind choosing focus over FOMO, why omni and embedded experiences changed the rules, and how a disciplined product roadmap turned into a growth engine for partners and merchants alike.Jim opens the playbook on capital allocation and scale: a two-pronged approach that combined careful acquisitions of mature distribution with targeted technology buys to accelerate the roadmap and extend globally. We talk about integrating WorldNet and BlueSnap, rebranding decisively, and the operating principle that all new business must board on the core platform. The result is a clear throughline from M&A to product to outcomes, including core-platform growth near 37% year over year while legacy assets provide the cash to fund tomorrow.Execution is where it gets real. Jim shares how Payroc built a weekly cross-functional steering committee to avoid politics, return every debate to customer impact, and keep teams from chasing shiny objects. We explore the shift to vertical focus - unattended payments like vending, laundry, car wash, parking, and kiosks - where contactless demand is compounding. Data sits at the center, with a unified lake that reconciles to financials, enabling honest prioritization and faster, clearer decisions. We close with lessons learned and what's next: helping founder teams let go without losing their spark, centralizing support even if it's expensive, and keeping a “never again” list to avoid unwinnable arenas. The next chapter is about sales execution and taking global capabilities to mid-market clients that are ready to expand. 

Cash flow shouldn't depend on how many supplier portals your customers force you to use. We sit down with Bill360 president Kevin Sisk to unpack how true accounts receivable automation flips the script for small and midsize B2B companies, turning invoice chaos into a clean, controlled path to getting paid. Kevin's journey from the Marine Corps through major processors and complex joint ventures to his first startup gives him a rare vantage point on why back-office change is hard and why now is the right time to make it stick.We break down the pain most owners know too well: dozens of buyer-driven AP systems, manual steps, scattered approvals, and aging invoices. Kevin explains how Bill360 couples AR software with embedded payment facilitation to remove handoffs and deliver one accountable partner. The result is faster payments, automated reminders and dispute handling, and a full audit trail even as teams change. We also explore why a B2B-first design matters, where live human support fits into a “light touch” platform, and how partnerships with vertical software vendors complete industry workflows without forcing users to switch systems.The conversation digs into the network effects that emerge when suppliers invite their buyers into a shared environment - suddenly the platform sees real relationships and behaviors instead of isolated transactions. That visibility powers smarter insights and, with AI, personalized recommendations that improve cash flow, reduce friction, and even execute actions with user consent. We zoom out to the broader payments landscape too: real-time rails, cross-border options, embedded finance and lending, and the rising need for security as fraudsters adopt AI. If you're ready to reduce DSO, standardize invoicing, and bring clarity to collections, this episode is a blueprint for modernizing receivables without adding complexity.

Ruston Miles, Founder and Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Bluefin and I start with the origin story: telecom roots, fiber‑rich Tulsa, and the overlooked reality of call centers that needed real‑time authorizations long before shopping carts ruled the web. Ruston explains why Bluefin moved into security early - serving higher ed, nonprofits, and faith‑based media where brand trust is everything and how that path led to P2PE. Then comes the turning point: a decision to decouple encryption from acquiring, offer P2PE as a service, and even power competitors. That platform approach now supports around 150 devices across 17 manufacturers and underpins airlines, transport systems, fuel networks, and more, often quietly and often by requirement.From there, we look ahead. Network tokens are rising, wallets are changing, and AI is pushing commerce from clicks to intent. Ruston separates hype from reality, showing how today's “agentic” automation schedules deliveries and completes checkouts, while tomorrow's agents will present payment credentials securely without platforms ever seeing raw card data. That shift demands virtual P2PE, inter‑agent boundary mediation, and standards that let authentication and encryption travel with the transaction. We also get practical: how Bluefin's P2PE‑as‑Proxy reduces integration pain, why security must keep pace with innovation, and what skills newcomers need as software continues to digest payments.If you care about payments security, PCI, P2PE, tokenization, gateways, ISVs, and the future of agentic commerce, you'll find plenty to take back to your roadmap. 

In the final episode of Powering Payments Together: How Payroc Helps ISVs Scale Smarter, we turn the spotlight on CenterEdge Software and their journey to building a payments program that drives real business value. Leslie Legel, Director of Payments at CenterEdge, joins the conversation to share how Payroc has become a trusted partner in helping them overcome challenges, strengthen their platform, and deliver a seamless experience for their clients.Leslie explains why payments are mission-critical for family entertainment centers, where more than 90 percent of transactions are digital and downtime isn't an option. From July 4th waterparks to cashless operations, reliability isn't just a nice-to-have—it's the foundation of customer satisfaction. She reflects on a tough lesson learned when a gateway integration didn't meet expectations, and how those setbacks ultimately led CenterEdge to develop a more reliable and scalable payments strategy.The episode also explores how CenterEdge built and branded “CenterEdge Payments,” giving them control over the customer journey and creating a more transparent, feature-rich solution for their clients. Leslie shares how Payroc stood out as a partner, not just for their technology and APIs, but for their willingness to understand CenterEdge's business, answer tough questions, and provide the tools and flexibility needed to scale.Finally, Leslie offers advice to ISVs navigating the high-stakes world of payments: do your homework, know your limitations, and find a partner who is as invested in your success as you are. Looking ahead, she discusses how CenterEdge and Payroc will continue to grow together, exploring new solutions and opportunities to strengthen their offering in the family entertainment space.

Bridging the gap between Treasury, Accounts Receivable, and Accounts Payable represents the critical "last mile" in financial automation. John Rubenetti, President of B2B Payments at Deluxe, reveals how leading organizations are connecting these traditionally siloed functions to create seamless, intelligent financial ecosystems.The challenge isn't implementing individual automation solutions—it's connecting them. "The friction shows up in the handoffs," Rubenetti explains. When data and money flow through disconnected systems, finance leaders lose visibility and control. True transformation happens when organizations align technology, people, and processes to create end-to-end financial workflows.Many CFOs underestimate the complexity of integration. They may believe they understand departmental processes but miss critical dependencies or manual workarounds. Data quality becomes another stumbling block—if information isn't clean today, automation won't deliver promised insights. Rubenetti advises starting with a clear vision, taking a phased approach, and choosing partners who understand both the technology and change management aspects.The conversation explores how modern thinking must accompany modern tools. While dashboards provide visibility, embedding intelligence directly into workflows creates transformative value. Instead of merely reporting numbers, advanced systems prioritize actions, handle exceptions through AI, and trigger automated responses—shifting from static reporting to dynamic decision support.Rubenetti highlights three significant B2B payment trends: mid-market automation (where 70% still lack automated AP/AR processes), enhanced security (as "fraud thrives in manual processes"), and payment modernization. Despite technological advances, paper checks remain surprisingly prevalent, particularly among small and mid-sized businesses who value the detailed information that accompanies them.Deluxe has evolved far beyond its reputation as "the check company" to become a comprehensive payments and data organization. Their solutions now span the entire financial ecosystem—from treasury management to merchant services—helping businesses move money faster, safer, and more efficiently while maintaining the data integrity essential for strategic decision-making.Ready to complete your financial automation journey? Start by mastering the basics before pursuing flashier technologies. The foundation you build today will determine your success tomorrow.

Dive into the transformative world of B2B payments with Brandon Spear, CEO of TreviPay, as he reveals how their platform is revolutionizing trade credit for businesses worldwide. Operating across 32 countries and primarily serving enterprise clients, TreviPay has created a comprehensive solution that manages the entire order-to-cash cycle - from credit applications and underwriting to invoice generation, collections, and cash application.What sets TreviPay apart? Their global underwriting platform delivers real-time credit decisions while combating sophisticated fraud schemes that have become increasingly convincing in the AI era. By generating invoices on behalf of merchants, they enable powerful data management capabilities that solve industry-specific challenges. For automotive manufacturers, this means enforcing contract pricing across dealership networks, reducing pricing errors from one-in-three to approximately one-in-thousand. For businesses expanding internationally, it eliminates the complexity of producing tax-compliant invoices across diverse jurisdictions.The pandemic marked a turning point for B2B payments, exposing the vulnerabilities of manual processes when employees couldn't be in the office. Rising interest rates further accelerated adoption as working capital became more expensive, pushing companies to optimize receivables management. These market shifts have positioned TreviPay for explosive growth - they estimate a $20 billion revenue opportunity emerging in their target markets over the next 5-7 years.Perhaps most importantly, Brandon emphasizes that payment experiences directly impact customer loyalty: "Experience loyalty is becoming more important than brand loyalty." Businesses that offer accurate invoices and flexible payment options capture a larger share of wallet - a powerful reminder that even the most technical aspects of payments ultimately come down to creating exceptional customer experiences.

Swift's colossal impact on global finance remains largely invisible to most people, yet its messaging infrastructure moves the world's entire GDP every 2-3 days. Leigh Amaro, Head of North America for Swift, pulls back the curtain on this financial powerhouse in a fascinating conversation about the present and future of global payments.Founded in 1970 as a cooperative, Swift now connects approximately 11,000 financial institutions across 200 countries, processing an astounding 50+ million messages daily with just 3,000 employees worldwide. "We're like the backbone of financial services around the world," Amaro explains, highlighting Swift's role in providing secure messaging and value-added services like sanction screening and fraud detection.The payments landscape has transformed dramatically in recent years. What was once a "black box" process with unpredictable delivery times has evolved into a system where 90% of payments reach beneficiaries within one hour. This revolution in transparency comes through innovations like Swift's GPI tracker, addressing a major pain point for corporate treasurers who previously couldn't predict when payments would arrive.Looking forward, several developments promise to reshape global payments. The implementation of ISO 20022 in November will create a richer data layer enabling enhanced compliance, error reduction, and automation. Digital assets - including tokenized money and stablecoins - represent another frontier where Swift aims to support financial institutions through secure messaging. Meanwhile, AI continues to transform fraud detection and pattern recognition across the payment ecosystem.Amaro's passion for women's education and mentorship shines through as she shares the story of her great-grandmother, born in 1905, who emphasized education's importance despite having to leave school at age 11. This personal connection drives her work supporting women in technology and developing mentorship communities. Her advice for those entering payments? "Trust yourself more and don't wait for permission. No one has it figured out, no one's got all the answers... The sooner you believe in yourself, the sooner others will too."

In this revealing conversation with Conn Byrne, Executive Director of Integrated Payments at Payroc, we uncover the secret sauce behind their remarkably successful ISV program.Having fallen into payments during a six-week temporary position that turned into a 14-year career, Byrne brings a wealth of experience from his journey with WorldNet (acquired by Payroc in 2022) to his current role leading integrated partnerships. His perspective reveals why payment integrations fail when they focus solely on revenue shares rather than comprehensive support."My team is pretty wide at this stage," Byrne explains, describing how Payroc surrounds partners with experienced business development resources, highly skilled sales engineers, integration engineers, and their newest differentiator - a dedicated go-to-market team. This collaborative, high-touch approach means partners never wonder where to turn when challenges arise or opportunities emerge.The conversation explores how Payroc has built a truly omnichannel solution supporting over 50 payment terminals alongside comprehensive card-not-present options. Byrne illustrates this advantage through compelling examples like car wash operations, where a single integration handles everything from license plate recognition with tokenized payments to unattended terminals, mobile POS, and subscription billing.Looking forward, Payroc continues expanding its capabilities through their cloud integration method (allowing implementation in under a week), enhanced API suite, and expanded hardware support - particularly for Android devices and unattended solutions. The company's flexible partnership models create multiple entry points for ISVs at different growth stages.The most telling insight? When Payroc recently gathered their largest partners for an advisory council, the recurring themes weren't about technology or pricing - they were about trust, flexibility, and the journey they'd shared together. Some partners who began with small referrals 7-10 years ago have grown alongside Payroc into sophisticated payment operations.

Our Modern Finance series continues with episode three, featuring Steve Buchberger and Heather Dawood from Deluxe. We explored why more than 80% of businesses are still managing accounts payable manually — and the insights may surprise you. The pair explain how today's finance professionals are caught in a challenging paradox: highly skilled individuals spending countless hours on manual tasks, serving as the frontline against fraud while having little time to implement strategic improvements. This has created peculiar workplace phenomena like "CFO Tuesdays," where executives come into the office specifically to manually process ACH payments – a clear misuse of talent and time.Beyond the inefficiencies, we explore the very real risks these outdated methods create. From human error and payment delays to check fraud and the burden of managing sensitive banking information, these challenges affect both operational efficiency and vendor relationships. As Heather pointedly observes, "Financial fraud was a white collar crime. Now it's an everyone crime."The conversation takes an encouraging turn as we unpack Deluxe's innovative approach to AP automation. Their solutions integrate directly with businesses' ERP systems to simplify payment processes regardless of method, while their recent acquisition of CheckMatch from Kinexys by J.P. Morgan creates a more secure digital alternative to mailing checks. Perhaps most compelling is how these improvements translate into stronger vendor relationships – offering payment choice, ensuring timely delivery, and providing transparency transforms the payment process from a potential friction point into a relationship-building opportunity.What stands out most is how Deluxe reframes AP from an operational burden into a strategic advantage. By delivering secure, streamlined processes and giving vendors more choice and transparency, automation transforms payments into a foundation for stronger, more trusting business relationships. 

In the first episode of our three-part series with Payroc, Powering Payments Together: How Payroc Helps ISVs Scale Smarter, I sit down with Payroc President Adam Oberman to explore the shifting landscape of integrated payments. Once seen as a simple feature, payments have now become the financial backbone of successful software companies.Adam explains why the relationship between ISVs and their payment partners has never been more strategic. The most successful software providers now generate 20–40% of their revenue through payments, making it a critical driver of both growth and valuation. As he puts it, “ISVs don't outgrow payments - they outgrow their payment partners.”We discuss how market expectations have evolved dramatically. ISVs are demanding global payment capabilities from day one - multi-currency processing, cross-border compliance, and frictionless user experiences are now table stakes. At the same time, the integration process itself has shifted toward low-code solutions that enable faster deployment without sacrificing functionality.What stands out most in Adam's perspective is the human element of payments. Clean APIs may get an integration live, but it's strategic guidance, problem-solving, and white-glove support that build long-term partnerships. “People do business with people,” Adam emphasizes, highlighting why technical capability must always be paired with trust and service.Looking ahead to 2026, Adam predicts payments will no longer be viewed as a utility but as a core competitive advantage. Companies that fail to prioritize their payment strategy risk falling behind more agile competitors not just in features, but in valuation and market position.Whether you're an established ISV or just beginning to explore embedded payments, this episode offers essential insights into selecting a partner who can scale with you, adapt to change, and deliver value far beyond transaction processing.

What happens when you give ambitious entrepreneurs around the world the financial tools previously reserved for multinational corporations? John Caplan, CEO of Payoneer, reveals the transformative impact of enabling truly global commerce for small businesses on this episode of the Leaders in Payments Podcast.Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Payoneer serves as a "foreign bank alternative" for 2 million active customers in virtually every country worldwide. With $80 billion in payment volume flowing through their platform annually and $7 billion in customer funds held in balance, Payoneer has established itself as a trusted financial partner for global entrepreneurs. Caplan explains how their multi-currency accounts and payment solutions help businesses receive international payments and manage global operations without the delays and excessive fees of traditional banking.The diversity of Payoneer's customer base highlights the universal need for better cross-border financial services. From goods exporters in China selling on Amazon to business process outsourcers in the Philippines, software developers in Argentina, and marketing firms in Dubai – Payoneer empowers businesses across sectors to participate in the global economy. Caplan's own journey to Payoneer reflects the value of fresh perspectives in payments. With an entrepreneurial background spanning Arizona Iced Tea, Starbucks, Ford Models, and transforming Alibaba.com from $800M to $3.5B in revenue, he brings cross-industry experience to financial services. He emphasizes that payments should evolve beyond mere "pipes and plumbing" to become truly value-accretive services, and encourages career-switchers to question industry conventions with persistent "why" questions that drive innovation.Looking ahead, Payoneer is expanding further into B2B payments, exploring stablecoins and blockchain for treasury operations, and developing workforce management tools – all aimed at making global business operations seamless for ambitious entrepreneurs. For listeners interested in financial innovation that empowers global commerce, this episode offers valuable insights into how technology is democratizing access to the world economy.

Jonathan O'Connor brings a unique global perspective to the payments landscape as Division President of Third-Party Payments at Synovus, the oldest bank in Georgia. His journey from Dublin, Ireland to becoming a key player in Atlanta's "Transaction Alley" reveals how traditional banking and cutting-edge fintech can create powerful synergies.At Synovus, community remains the cornerstone of their approach. With $61 billion in assets, 244 branches, and nearly 5,000 employees, the bank has built its reputation on exceptional customer service and deep community engagement. O'Connor leads three key divisions: merchant services supporting bank customers, a sponsorship bank division enabling ISOs and fintechs to process card transactions, and a Money as a Service operation. What truly sets them apart is their consultative approach - they don't just provide payment processing but help businesses leverage payment data for growth while protecting against fraud.O'Connor's wealth of global payment experience shines throughout the conversation. From conducting Y2K reviews across Africa to witnessing the birth of e-commerce with early versions of now-giants like Adyen, his career spans continents and transformative industry shifts. Now firmly established in Atlanta's fintech ecosystem as Vice Chairman of Fintech Atlanta, he's passionate about positioning Synovus at the heart of "Transaction Alley" where 70% of global payments flow through.His enthusiasm for mentoring the next generation of payment professionals is evident as he shares his work with UGA students launching their own payment company. His advice resonates for anyone in the industry: "Be passionate but link passion with purpose. Be curious, embrace change, build your brand, and play in traffic." Looking ahead, O'Connor sees transformative changes on the horizon with agentive AI, stablecoins, and blockchain reshaping how payments function - though he cautions that technology continues outpacing regulation.Discover how Synovus is bridging traditional banking with payment innovation and why Jonathan believes we're on the cusp of the most significant transformation the industry has ever seen. 

Jared Ronski, Co-founder and President of Payarc, takes us behind the scenes of how modern payment technology is empowering independent sales agents and merchants alike.The conversation reveals Payarc's unique approach to partner relationships, where "growth through alignment" isn't just a catchy phrase but a business philosophy that has kept agents loyal since the company's earliest days. At a time when margins are under pressure and regulations constantly shift, Payarc has doubled down on relationship equity, transparency, and technological innovation.The spotlight shines on Payarc's groundbreaking PIE AI pricing advisor, a tool that transforms the traditionally time-consuming process of statement analysis into a streamlined, self-service experience. "It's like having a seasoned sales coach whispering in your ear during merchant conversations," Ronski explains. This AI-powered assistant helps agents confidently navigate complex pricing structures, even in challenging verticals like microtransactions where interchange economics can quickly erode profits if mishandled.What truly sets Payarc apart is their approach to agent relationships – treating them "like enterprise customers" with dedicated support teams, shared dashboards showing real-time data, and proactive risk monitoring that spots potential issues before they affect merchant processing. While some industry voices have long predicted the decline of the agent model, Ronski sees the opposite trend, with Payarc signing new agents daily and creating pathways for them to thrive in evolving markets.Listen now to discover how Payarc is turning payment complexity into opportunity and building lasting partnerships one transaction at a time.

Pat Moye, Executive Director of Product Innovation at Deluxe, unveils the surprising reality of accounts receivable departments still trapped in manual processes despite technological advances elsewhere in business. As he aptly points out, AR professionals often describe themselves as "cash detectives," spending valuable time hunting down payment information across disconnected systems - a critical bottleneck in business cash flow.The heart of modern AR transformation isn't flashy AI algorithms but rather solid data foundations. Pat emphasizes that payment information typically exists across multiple fragmented systems: "The data from ACH and wire payments is with the bank. The data from lockbox payments is with a company like Deluxe. The data about open invoices is in their ERP." This fragmentation creates significant challenges when attempting to implement automation, as these disparate data sources must first be unified and standardized.Organizations seeking to modernize their AR operations should resist the temptation to overhaul everything at once. Instead, Pat advocates for an agile approach that tackles specific pain points incrementally: "Don't think about making these big swings. Think about the incremental gains you can have by just changing some pieces of the puzzle." This methodical journey begins with consolidating basic payment data sources before expanding to incorporate unstructured data and advanced analytics - allowing teams to transform from operational cost centers into strategic business partners.Discover how Deluxe has evolved beyond its 110-year history as "the check company" to become a comprehensive payment and data solutions provider, helping businesses eliminate AR friction points and accelerate cash flow. Whether you're just beginning your automation journey or looking to enhance existing capabilities, this episode offers practical insights for finance leaders ready to transform their receivables operations.

Zac Schneiderman shares a deeply personal journey from political science student to VP of ISV at Payarc, where he's become a driving force behind the company's innovative approach to payment integration for software platforms.What does it take to build successful partnerships in the fast-evolving payments ecosystem? For Schneiderman, it begins with understanding what software companies truly need: feature-rich payment solutions that deliver reliability, flexible pricing models, and exceptional support. "Speed to revenue is the name of the game," he explains, detailing how Payarc's approach combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise to activate partners quickly.The conversation reveals fascinating insights into the integration process – often the make-or-break moment for ISV partnerships. Schneiderman estimates a third of signed contracts fall apart during integration, which is why Payarc invests heavily in dedicated sales engineers, weekly check-ins, and robust sandbox environments. Their proprietary AI tool, PIE AI, represents the next frontier, helping debug code and streamline developer experiences.Looking toward the future, Schneiderman predicts a significant "decoupling of SaaS and payments" as technology evolves at breakneck speed. Software companies will increasingly rely on specialized payment partners rather than building in-house payment departments. Meanwhile, AI applications continue expanding beyond integration support to include lead generation, external developer tools, and merchant conversion campaigns.

Ever wonder what it takes to transform a basement startup into a global payments powerhouse processing over a quarter trillion dollars annually? In this fascinating conversation, Taylor Lauber, CEO of Shift4, reveals the remarkable journey that's taken the company from a small payment processor to an innovative force reimagining commerce across 75 countries worldwide.Taylor's own path to leadership wasn't straightforward. After beginning his career at Merrill Lynch and Blackstone, he initially resisted joining Shift4 despite his teenage connection to founder Jared Isaacman. His skepticism about the sustainability of the payments business model eventually gave way when he recognized that Shift4 wasn't just riding a fintech wave but actively creating their future through strategic innovation and problem-solving. "This was not luck," Taylor explains. "This is a team that can identify opportunities and manufacture success."What sets Shift4 apart in the crowded payments landscape? According to Taylor, it starts with humility – "If we stand still, we will not survive" – coupled with the ambition to tackle problems others avoid. Unlike competitors who choose a single strategy, Shift4 employs a three-pronged approach: building proprietary solutions when necessary, acquiring strategic assets that shouldn't be standalone features, and partnering intelligently where ownership might alienate collaborators. This flexibility has allowed them to serve diverse markets from single-location restaurants to massive enterprises like casinos and stadiums.Taylor offers particularly valuable insights about global expansion opportunities. While integrated payments have reached relative maturity in the United States, international markets remain in the "early innings," with payment experiences often resembling those in the U.S. from 15-20 years ago. This represents an enormous opportunity for companies that can adapt proven solutions to new cultural contexts.Listen now to discover how Shift4 balances innovation with execution, and how Taylor maintains his own equilibrium between leading a global enterprise and preserving sacred family time around the dinner table.

Stepping into the world of small business banking requires a fresh perspective, and that's exactly what Eyal Lifshitz brought when he founded Bluevine twelve years ago. Having watched his father run a physical therapy practice, Eyal witnessed firsthand the financial challenges small business owners face daily. Today, as Bluevine's CEO, he's transformed that understanding into a revolutionary banking platform serving over 750,000 small businesses across America.Traditional banking has long overlooked the unique needs of businesses generating less than $5 million in annual revenue. These companies represent half of the U.S. GDP and typically operate without finance departments, leaving owners to handle everything from payroll to invoicing themselves. Bluevine's solution? A comprehensive financial operating system that brings checking accounts, credit products, accounts payable, and receivable management together in one digital platform.What makes Bluevine truly stand out is its branchless, digital-first approach. While most banks still require small business owners to visit physical locations weekly, Bluevine delivers a fully online experience with no monthly fees and competitive yields on deposits. This approach resonates particularly with younger entrepreneurs who expect the same digital convenience in business that they enjoy in personal banking.Looking ahead, Eyal sees several transformative trends reshaping small business finance: accelerating adoption of digital-first banking, demand for real-time payment capabilities across all rails, and integration of AI-powered financial guidance. Listen to Eyal's full interview for insights on breaking free from traditional banking limitations and embracing the future of small business finance.

We're proud to kick off our four-part Modern Finance series with a conversation with Deluxe's Yogs Jayaprakasam, SVP, Chief Technology & Digital Officer. AI isn't just changing treasury - it's completely reimagining how financial teams operate, transforming them from back-office functions into strategic business advisors.Yogs Jayaprakasam reveals how treasury departments are leveraging artificial intelligence to solve age-old challenges in revolutionary ways. While treasury has always focused on managing liquidity, cash flow, risk, and compliance, today's AI-powered tools are eliminating manual workloads and enabling real-time, data-driven decision making that wasn't possible before.The impact is already measurable. Document extraction accuracy has jumped from 65% to 95% using AI agents, dramatically reducing the need for manual matching and reconciliation. This frees treasury professionals to focus on strategic questions: What's driving cash flow delays? Why are dispute rates increasing? How can we optimize working capital? Real-world implementations at companies like McNaughton McKay demonstrate how these technologies improve not just receivables functionality but credit management as well.What makes today's AI revolution different from previous technological advances? As Yogs explains, "AI is moving at a speed I haven't seen before in my 25+ year career." The convergence of big data, cloud computing, and specialized hardware has created perfect conditions for transformative change. Yet the fundamentals remain constant - treasury's core problems haven't changed, but how we solve them has.For treasury leaders looking to navigate this transformation, Yogs recommends his "3×3" talent development framework, tailoring AI skills development across both proficiency levels and career stages. The message is clear: AI is here to stay, and the organizations that thrive will be those that embrace these technologies while maintaining unwavering focus on solving their customers' financial challenges.To learn more visit: https://www.deluxe.com/receivables-management/cash-application/ 

What happens when you combine lightning-fast payments with sophisticated identity verification? James Neville, CEO of Yaspa, reveals how his company is transforming financial transactions by connecting these two critical elements.Yaspa stands at the cutting edge of real-time payment processing, offering the fastest account-to-account transfers across Europe with expansion plans for the US market. But speed is just one part of their innovation. The company's true differentiator lies in how they package these payments with bank-based identity verification and financial health assessment using proprietary machine learning algorithms creating a comprehensive solution especially valuable for regulated industries.The gambling sector has become a particular focus, where Yaspa works closely with regulators to establish affordability standards and identify markers of potential gambling addiction. This approach represents a fundamental shift in how payment companies view their responsibilities: not just moving money, but ensuring transactions are appropriate and safe for all parties involved.With a recent $12 million funding round from Discerning Capital, Yaspa is establishing an Atlanta office, strategically positioning themselves in one of America's payment technology hubs. Neville sees significant opportunity to shape the US regulated gaming market while it's still in its relative infancy, bringing lessons learned from Europe's more mature regulatory environment.Looking toward the future, Neville offers fascinating insights on everything from stable coins and central bank digital currencies to the potential (and limitations) of agentic AI in payment flows. He challenges conventional wisdom about account-to-account payments at point-of-sale, highlighting how consumer habits and technical constraints create barriers that many industry observers overlook.Tune in to discover how payments and identity verification are converging to create safer, faster, more intelligent financial ecosystems.

From her journey through marketing roles at large payments companies to building out the marketing function at Paysafe, Alisa Barber, CMO reveals the continuous learning and adaptation required to thrive in the rapidly evolving payments landscape. Her leadership philosophy centers on providing clear direction while creating space for team members to shine, emphasizing that growth comes not from singular defining moments but from getting better every day: "What we did yesterday is not good enough for tomorrow."Women bring unique strengths to payments, Barber explains, particularly empathy and a deeper understanding of consumer experiences. This perspective is invaluable when designing products and building systems, especially considering women make many household financial decisions yet are underrepresented in the industry. Their collaborative leadership style becomes increasingly crucial as artificial intelligence transforms payments – a change Barber predicts will be "as big as the internet was."The conversation explores mentorship's vital role in career development, with Barber noting that while most of her mentors were men, she now prioritizes mentoring women to provide the guidance she lacked early on. Her practical advice for aspiring payment professionals? Embrace change, speak up, view challenges as opportunities, and invest in relationships – because in an AI-driven world, human skills will differentiate the truly successful leaders.Whether you're a seasoned payments veteran or considering entering this dynamic industry, this episode offers valuable insights on navigating leadership with authenticity, building inclusive teams, and preparing for the technological transformation reshaping our financial landscape.