Live From All Payments Expo & FinTech Partnerships - Evening of Day 1

This evening at All Payments Expo there was an insightful panel - New Tender Types: The Payments Evolution

Panelists:
Ben Milne - Dwolla
John Berkley - Mercury Payment Systems 
Rob Pfeifer - Affirm, Inc

Moderator: 
Matt Harris - Bain Capital Ventures

Take Aways: 

"One of the hardest things to do in capitalism is create a new tender type" - Matt Harris

Merchants are worried about user adoption and ROI - needs a high return and low price while being hassle free.

Interchange is a big deal - there is a better way. Big business and small business both need a better way. The internet will eventually replace the card.

Emerging Tender Types Hot or Not:
Bitcoin - will have less than 1% market share in 10 years
Level Up - Focus on merchant and consumer experience merchant funded rewards drives loyalty
Chase Wallet & Merchants - If merchants adopt theoretically it will become a new tender type. 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for more updates on All Payments Expo & FinTech Partnerships! 

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Live From All Payments Expo & FinTech Partnerships - Afternoon of Day 1

This afternoon we had a thought provoking panel discussion at All Payments Expo - The Future of Interchange, and How Your Business Model Will Change

Moderator: Ron Mazursky - Mercator Advisory Group

Panelists:
Chris Larson - Ripple Labs
Barry McCarthy - First Data
Fred Brothers - FIS

Key Take Aways:

- Rewards programs won't go away - low liability or no liability (ex. Groupon) 

- Crypto-currency is just the tip of the iceberg. Transactions without a central operator, this opens up all types of new possibilities - a neutral protocol on this new payments rail.

- Lower the friction in the marketplace to make it easier to conduct business and commerce across boarders. 

- The marketplace is questioning the value of interchange, opening up windows for innovators. 

- A currency that you can't regulate is a threat to national security and national banks. They will pivot towards a secure value interchange. 

- The biggest barrier in the adoption isn't protocols it's the reputational risk 

- Merchants will adopt whatever consumers want to use. 

- Data is the new oil in the banking industry - we have hundreds of years of reserves. The nature of rewards and offers will change, using the data is a great way to monetize these transactions.  

- Alternate solutions will continue to emerge and the ground is wide open for specific use solutions (ex. PayPal)

- P2P  innovation (ex. Venmo)


Thank you to the outstanding panel and stay tuned for more live recaps from All Payments Expo & FinTech Partnerships!

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Live From All Payments Expo & FinTech Partnerships - Morning of Day 1

This morning we had a lively panel discussion at FinTech Partnerships - The Mash-Up: When Big Meets Start-Up

The panel consisted of:
Jim Hale - FTV Capital
Mike Diamond - Mitek Systems
Steve Carlson - Intuit
Robert Schiff - McKinsey & Company
Moderated by Jane J. Thompson of Jane J. Thompson Financial Services 


Discussion highlights: 
Think of it in terms of elephants and mice, the big banks and issuers are the elephants and the innovators and start ups are the mice.

For elephants, fewer and fewer people are empowered to say yes, while more and more are empowered to say no. So mice need to have a way to solve a problem for the elephants to be interested in the potential partnership - they want certainty.

Key points to remember as the innovator: 
- Keep your eye on the ball; natural alignment focused on selective objectives
- Be wary of side agreements like revenue sharing agreements and exclusivity agreements 
- Be stingy with control 
- Partners' ownership is additive
- Think long term; begin with the end in mind

What makes a partnership successful? 
- Be clear about the problem you are trying to solve 
- Internal champions are critical - career risks, putting a lot on the line
- Make sure goals and objectives are aligned early on

Currently the consumers are driving innovation - this creates new challenges for the elephant and the mouse. Further cementing the importance of aligned goals and objectives between all parties involved. 

Thank you to the outstanding panel and stay tuned for more live recaps from All Payments Expo & FinTech Partnerships!

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Prepaid Debit Cards: Safety & Security in Logistics Warehousing

Guest Post by ODW Logistics 


Third-party logistics providers work to ensure that the supply chain management of prepaid debit cards includes consumer protection. Safety and security are important factors when handling this sensitive product.


 Here are some factors to consider:

• To be a sophisticated provider, the first area of protection starts with the warehouse entrance gate. All visitors and employees are registered to keep potential security threats at bay.

• Other important safety and security precautions to consider in a prepaid products warehouse provider include: automatic police dispatch, alarm fitted fire doors with a safe escape, trip hazard floors, semi annual inspections on equipment to ensure everything is working properly, disaster recovery plans and required certifications.

• Hiring trustworthy employees to join your staff is quite possibly the most important factor.  Your product and customers are not going to be safe if your 3PL does not screen employees and verify they undergo the correct training.  

Each prepaid fulfillment operation will have its own characteristics based on customer demand. When choosing a 3PL or other fulfillment company to manage your prepaid products, some or all of these factors may or may not apply.

_________


Guest post by All Payments Expo exhibitor, ODW Logistics

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Last Chance to Register for All Payments Expo

There is just 1 week left until All Payments Expo – a gathering of 1,500+ industry doers and thinkers. With new business opportunities across the entire payments ecosystem, this is a must attend event for all payments industry professionals. Don’t miss out – register for APEX today! Use code XU2748BLOG to receive your 10% discount.

Register Here 

See you in Las Vegas!

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10 minutes can send you to APEX 2014 on a free pass!

What does compliance cost your organization? What are the risks? How does your organization navigate the regulatory environment? The All Payments Expo (APEX) is just around the corner March 3-5 and more than 1,500 payments pros will converge on the Las Vegas Mirage Hotel to share their expertise, hear the latest industry updates and find real solutions to their business challenges.

If you've been hoping to attend, but haven't made it happen, you are in luck! The prepaid compliance experts from Card Compliant want to send you to APEX on a free conference pass, and give you access to some of the latest industry thinking and trends on regulatory, accounting and unclaimed property compliance.

Simply take this short 10-question survey to be registered to win a free APEX conference pass, valued at $2,295 and obtain access to Card Compliant's exclusive compliance survey report.

 Take the survey now.

The survey closes Monday Feb 24, so respond now to be included in the drawing for a free pass. Respondents will receive the survey report in the few weeks following the show and can get a sneak peak during one of the APEX Immersion Lab sessions on Tuesday, March 4 at 11:30 am: Regulatory and Revenue Strategies: Maintaining a Profitable Program.  Hope to see you there!

Questions about the survey or regulatory compliance?  Email us at info@cardcompliant.com.

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TAS Group’s New Card 3.0 Card Management Platform Increase Profits for Prepaid Card Programs

All Payments Expo exhibitor, TAS Group, is a global leader of software solutions for electronic money, payment systems and financial markets.  It is at the forefront of innovations in payments. Its solutions have been implemented in many large issuing and acquiring institutions globally.

TAS Group’s new card 3.0 card management platform increase profits for prepaid card programs. With card 3.0 program managers, processors and card issuers can now design and deploy prepaid products to market quicker than ever before…

To learn more about card 3.0, read the full press release from TAS Group here.

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5 Reasons to Partner at All Payments Expo

All Payments Expo is less than 3 weeks away, and attendees and speakers are already starting to cement their partnering plans for the event.

Here are 5 Reasons Why You Can't Miss The Partnering Opportunities at All Payments Expo:

1) Market Size: All Payments Expo is home to 1,500+ players looking for partners, including card networks, processors, issuers/acquirers, retail banks, start-ups, new technologies and 300+ merchants. Register now and start messaging them immediately to book onsite meetings. 

2) Interoperability: The future of payments relies on an interoperable infrastructure, which can only be achieved by leveraging partnerships with numerous stakeholders, including incumbents and newcomers fresh out of beta testing.

3) Investment Potential: Venture capitalists, banks and major corporations are all on the hunt for the next investment or acquisition. The potential licensing agreements, investments and acquisitions are why so many investors, banks and start-ups attend All Payments Expo.

4) More Merchants: Retailers will continue to play a hugely important role in emerging payments acceptance. Without a frictionless consumer experience and a strategic loyalty play, many new payments types won't find merchant acceptance -- or get off the ground. This is the only payments event with 300+ merchants in attendance.

5) The Future of FinTech: New non-bank companies are reinventing the ways consumers borrow, buy and bank. These newcomers often compete with hefty industry mainstays and grapple with uncertain regulations. With more than two days devoted to FinTech content, you'll meet new companies looking for scale and established firms looking to innovate quickly.

Register now to make a big impact on your 2014 strategy.

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Square Inks Payments Partnership with Whole Foods

Via Mashable
 
Early this morning, Square and Whole Foods announced a partnership to process payments at select locations.

This is Square’s first partnership with a major grocery chain – this Whole Foods partnership is Square's most prominent retail partner since Starbucks agreed to use the startup's digital payment products in 2012.

“Whole Foods Market and Square share a focus on supporting local sellers and creating amazing shopping experiences,” Jack Dorsey, cofounder and CEO of Square, said in a statement. “With Square, Whole Foods Market will enable commerce in more parts of their stores with easy, accessible tools that showcase the best of what’s achievable in the service of retailers and customers.”

Square's point-of-sale system – The Square Stand – is currently being used at seven different Whole Foods locations and will be at more stores this year. However, Square is not being used for Whole Foods' main checkout lines - rather, the payment tool is being used at "in-store venues," including sandwich counters, juice bars and pizzerias.

As Square has been rumored to be prepping for an IPO, this partnership between Square and Whole Foods comes at a perfect time. Square reportedly generated more than $100 million in revenue last year and major partnerships like this one could help boost that number even higher.

All Payments Expo is where payments partnerships get started. The annual meeting place for payments professionals focused on areas of growth and convergence in payments. Our mission is to catalyze the partnerships necessary to build the next generation of payments, from the mobile environment to the brick-and-mortar POS.

Don't miss out - Register Today! 

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King of the Payments Jungle?

If you’re taking charge of the payments jungle, we want to give you your rightful crown. Enter the 2014 Paybefore Awards Europe, recognising ferocious innovation and a mighty commitment to excellence in prepaid, mobile and emerging payments in Europe. In 2014, Paybefore Awards Europe will honour winners in 10 categories, which reflect the vibrant market for prepaid, mobile and emerging payments.

The nominations submission deadline is Friday, 14 March 2014. Download the Nomination brochure today. Paybefore subscribers and members of UKGCVA, PIF, or IMA organisations receive a discount on the nomination submission fee.


Benefits of Winning:
Because Paybefore Awards Europe (http://bit.ly/1byo4R6) involves rigorous analysis of nominations by an independent, experienced judging panel, the value of the awards is unparalleled.

• Roaring rights. Recognition from colleagues, clients and prospects of winning in a rigorous and highly competitive juried competition. There’s no more impressive way to let the world know the value of what you do than by winning a Paybefore Award.
• Brand building. All winners may publicise their awards in appropriate ways, such as issuing press releases, posting information on Websites and using the 2014 Paybefore Awards Europe badge for winners and Best in Category in advertising and other communications— extending your influence and building your brand.
• Paybefore coverage. Coverage in Paybefore publications and Paybefore.com, reaching thousands of industry members worldwide. As a winner, your accomplishments will be highlighted in our extensive media coverage.


Awards Presentation:
The Paybefore Awards Europe presentation will take place during All Payments Expo Europe, being held 19-21 May 2014 at the Don Carlos Resort and Spa in Marbella, Spain.

All Payments Expo Europe converges 500 executives from diverse industries to build the next generation of prepaid, retail payments, emerging technologies and alternative financial services. With a focus on innovation and interoperability, this is the most relevant gathering of Europe's payments stakeholders, including retailers, card networks, processors, issuers/acquirers, programme managers, financial institutions, payments start-ups, technology and investors.

All Payments Expo Europe is co-located with Retail Payment Innovations, a one-day event, focusing on retail innovation and payment technology. This event dissects the future of shopping, omnichannel merchant perspectives, mobile payments and wallets, as well as e-commerce & m-commerce. Leading organizations will have the ability to showcase their game-changing technologies in mobile loyalty, M-POS, and mobile payments & wallets through interactive on-stage demonstrations.

Download the programme.

Register now to lock in the lowest rate.

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20% of U.S. Smartphone Owners Used a Mobile Wallet in 2013

One-fifth of U.S. smartphone owners – 40 million Americans – used a mobile wallet in 2013, according to Parks Associates. The firm goes deeper and forecasts that the number of mobile wallet users will continue to grow 183% to 113 million by 2017 – that is 43% of the U.S. smartphone owners.

The significant increase in mobile wallet adoption is projected due to the surge in new payment technologies. These new technologies have a much broader application than mobile wallet technologies of old – mobile loyalty programs along with in-store marketing, will give smartphone users and merchants a greater incentive to start using/accepting mobile wallets.

When thinking of mobile wallets, one often thinks NFC. However, the most used mobile wallet apps actually use barcodes/QR codes – for these apps there is no need for merchants to replace their POS hardware, a simple upgrade allows for adoption (unlike NFC wallets that require a new POS system).

At All Payments Expo this March, find partners to expand your commerce capabilities and determine how new devices are reshaping the payments business model. This is the only event that attracts the highest volume and caliber of decision makers from across the payments ecosystem. Attendees span every link of the value chain - allowing you to take your business to the next level, and solidify relationships with existing clients and customers.

Our mission is to catalyze the partnerships necessary to build the next generation of payments, from the mobile environment to the brick-and-mortar POS.

This is a MUST attend event – Register Today!

See you in Las Vegas!



Read the full article here.

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Register for APEX by Friday 1/31 to Save $200!

As a valued reader of our blog, you will receive an EXTRA 10% off the current conference rate! That is over $200 in extra savings – over $400 in total savings.

Register Here: http://bit.ly/1anEGNC

All Payments Expo is taking place March 3-5 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. All Payments Expo is the annual meeting place for payments professionals focused on areas of growth and convergence in payments. Our mission is to catalyze the partnerships necessary to build the next generation of payments, from the mobile environment to the brick-and-mortar POS.

It's a new year, and 2014 promises to be a big one for payments players. With new products being developed, competition intensifying and regulation and interchange rulings expected this year, partnerships are powering major moves in the next fiscal year.

Register now and lock in the lowest rate: http://bit.ly/1anEGNC

See you in Las Vegas!

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Win a Free Pass to All Payments Expo 2014

All Payments Expo, alongside our event partner Global Processing Services (GPS), are conducting market research to better understand the relationship between program managers and their processing partners. You will automatically be entered to win one free event pass to All Payments Expo 2014 (which can be used by you or transferred to a colleague) in exchange for filling out this brief survey.  The survey will take you less than 3 minutes to complete!

Please click the following link to take the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MD26VT6

      


The winner will be announced on Tuesday February 18, 2014.

In advance, thank you for participating.  We look forward to receiving your answers.

Thank you,
Diana Middleton
Global Payments Director
All Payments Expo

Neil Weeks
Chief Commercial Officer
Global Processing Services FZLLC

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Q&A with Matt Davies, Executive Director, Gift Card Network

2014 All Payments Expo speaker Matt Davies, Executive Director, Gift Card Network sits down with APEX for a brief Q&A about the future of the payments industry. To hear more about the landscape of the payments industry from Matt, make sure you register for APEX today! And remember, blog readers receive a 10% discount - register here.


1) What is the most overheated opportunity for payments players? What is the most overlooked that should get more attention?

Mobile Wallets and its many iterations has dominated the discussion without bothering to define it. There are so many different concepts and approaches that the market is confused and will stay stagnant until a major player comes in and pushes the market in a specific direction with a goal that the public and merchant population has bought into and finds value in.

Education about the payments space is the most important thing for us to focus on. Startups needing merchant support must look at the things that merchants care about, and go about building their own brand and market share prior to asking for support, and educate and market themselves to their potential clients in a comfortable way.

2) What is one thing blocking innovation for payments in the U.S.?

The cultural difference between entrepreneurs, who are have incentive to break the rules, and the decision makers, who have incentive to create new rules or play by them. There is a vast difference between what CAN be done and what SHOULD be done for each particular merchant- we need to break down the psychological barriers and engage in neutral problem-solving conversations.

3) In ten years, what will be the new payment type that’s gotten the most traction?

Flat transaction rate credit and debit card providers. It's an ideal state for retailers to get away from the percentage based model, and it allows consumers to utilize credit.
 
That, or monkey-bucks.

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Register for All Payments Expo by Friday 1/10 to save $400!

Register Now. 

All Payments Expo is taking place March 3-5 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. All Payments Expo is the annual meeting place for payments professionals focused on areas of growth and convergence in payments. Our mission is to catalyze the partnerships necessary to build the next generation of payments, from the mobile environment to the brick-and-mortar POS. 

Save $400 if you sign up for All Payments Expo by Friday, Jan. 10. After Friday, rates go up. Register online by clicking here.

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Partnering Round Up: 12/23 – 1/3

All Payments Expo is committed to catalyzing value add partnerships for the betterment of the ecosystem. Here’s the weekly roundup of partnership news:

•  “FAA Federal Credit Union, University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union and Valley Credit Union have selected industry partners CheckAlt, iParse and CU Wireless as their mobile deposit solution provider. The move signals the company’s intention to expand their partnerships into 2014.” To learn more about this partnership, click here.

• “MasterCard, eServGlobal and BICS have announced the formation of HomeSend, a joint venture which will enable consumers to send money to and from mobile money accounts, payment cards and bank accounts regardless of their location.” To learn more about this partnership, click here.

•  “Q2, a provider of enterprise solutions for secure virtual banking, together with Urban Partnership Bank, has announced the successful implementation of upbAnywhere for online and mobile banking. Using the Q2platform, Urban Partnership Bank account holders can now securely access their bank accounts and manage money whenever and wherever they want using a computer, tablet or mobile phone.” To learn more about this partnership, click here.

• “Bank of America Merill Lynch has signed a multi-year agreement with cross-border PSP Earthport that will significantly expand the bank’s low value clearing capabilities worldwide, and advance the efficiency of its high volume, low value payments.” To learn more about this partnership, click here.

Click here for more information on partnering and how you can guarantee ROI at All Payments Expo.

See you in Las Vegas!

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The Future of Payment Processing

By Marc Putman, SVP, First Data Prepaid Solutions

"As technology advances and becomes simpler to use, modern tools are being transformed into smart business solutions. In a world where people turn to smart devices for entertainment, engagement and life management, businesses are obligated to do the same.

Luckily, merchants can get the most for their money by investing in technology that consolidates payments and business management. Investing in new payment processing technologies gives business owners the time to do what they do best: run their business.

Next generation point-of-sale (POS) systems can help. Packaged as a tablet or mobile app, these systems can accept cash, contactless and mobile payments, and barcodes, enabling customers to pay how they want…"

To continue reading, please download the full PDF here.

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Partnering Round Up: 12/9 - 12/13

All Payments Expo is committed to catalyzing value add partnerships for the betterment of the ecosystem. Here’s the weekly roundup of partnership news:

• “Lemon, a digital wallet platform which allows users to store their ID, payment, loyalty cards and more on their smartphone, has been acquired by identity theft protection service LifeLock for approximately $42.6 million, the companies [announced.] LifeLock is also now launching a new application called “LifeLock Wallet,” which is based on Lemon Wallet Plus technology.” To learn more about this partnership, click here.
• “Barclays Accepting Applications for New UK Fintech Accelerator – Barclays announced Monday a partnership with Techstars to launch a three-month accelerator program in the UK next year.” To learn more about this partnership, click here.
• “Wells Fargo & Company and Isis, the mobile commerce joint venture created by AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Verizon Wireless, has announced the first phase of an agreement that allows Wells Fargo Visa consumer credit card holders to load their cards into the Isis Mobile Wallet.” To learn more about this partnership, click here.
• “Payment processing firm Dwolla on Thursday announced the launch of a partnership with online service marketplace Fiverr in a move to help spur adoption of its payment option.” To learn more about this partnership, click here.
• “Coda Payments scores $2.3 million to make mobile payments without credit cards a cinch” To read more click here.
• “MasterCard is partnering with Samsung to bring tap-to-pay functionality to Australian shoppers who own a Samsung Galaxy S4 and have the Commonwealth Bank of Australia app loaded on their phone.” To read more click here.

Click here for more information on partnering and how you can guarantee ROI at All Payments Expo.

See you in Las Vegas!

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Readers Receive 10% Discount to the 2014 All Payments Expo

Save 10% when registering for All Payments Expo 2014 - Use Code: XU2748BLOG

At All Payments Expo, you will hear from and interact with 2,000+ attendees from the most powerful payments companies. For companies both large AND fresh out of Silicon Valley, it's a gathering of industry doers and thinkers, who come together to do business and generate new partnerships.

See you in Las Vegas!

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Register for All Payments Expo by Friday Dec. 6 to Save $700!

Save up to $700 if you sign up to attend All Payments Expo by Friday, Dec. 6. This is the best possible price for All Payments Expo - after Dec. 6, rates go up. 

Here's All Payments Expo's Mission: 

• Focused on drilling down into the bedrock of payments innovation, including alternative financial services, prepaid, acquiring, technology, omnichannel retail, lending & gifting. 
• Biggest business development event in payments, and the only event with an exclusive partnering tool to help you generate real ROI with clients and potential partners on-site. 
• The largest number of retailers of ANY payments event, with more than 300 omnichannel focused merchants in attendance. 
• Designed to make the most of team attendance. Make sure your company's leadership, product, business development, marketing functions are in attendance (group discounts are as high as 20%) and build business & buzz at the show. 
• Home to FinTech Partnerships, an exclusive 2-day forum designed to catalyze strategic alliances between banks and non-bank innovators in mobile banking, PFM, in-branch technologies, lending and more. 

Take advantage of this discounted rate – Register today!

Raise Your Profile at APEX: A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. If interested, please contact Terri Sobol at 646.895.7473 or tsobol@iirusa.com  

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See you in Las Vegas!

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