I’m pleased to become a judge for the 2021 Emerging Payments Awards. Submissions open next Monday – check out http://emergingpaymentsawards.org for more.

Transferwise suggest that that the old, traditional banks don’t fare so well when it comes to price. But customers now have far better alternatives — fintechs, challenger banks and digital providers — who are setting far better standards for international transfers.  Transferwise ask whether these new dogs are up to old tricks when it comes to being transparent with their pricing? […]

A joint initiative that transformed the tackling of food poverty in Scotland takes top national award. The Scottish Government has replaced the old UK Government voucher scheme in Scotland with prepaid cards in tackling food poverty and has been saluted as Social Inclusion Project of the Year at the 2020 Payments Awards. It’s a win that recognises the work of top FinTech allpay and […]

Almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of UK citizens say they are in “better control” of their money now than before COVID, according to research. Global software consultancy ThoughtWorks commissioned research among over 2,000 UK adults about how technology had changed their banking habits during the pandemic. Almost one-in-three people (31 per cent) said they don’t use cash any more, and 22 per […]

Join us for an afternoon of entertainment and a week’s networking at the virtual Emerging Payments Awards on the 26th of November.  It’s free to attend for anyone in the payments industry and all registrants are entered into a prize draw to win one of 100 £50 reward vouchers, courtesy of our partner Banking Circle. Organised by the Emerging Payments Association, the #EPAwards […]

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” is the entirety of what has been described as a six-word story, making it an extreme example of what is called flash fiction or sudden fiction.  Although it is often attributed to Ernest Hemingway, the link to him is unsubstantiated and similar stories predate him. Last week subscribers of my Payments, Payments, Payments newsletter were invited to take […]

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” is the entirety of what has been described as a six-word story, making it an extreme example of what is called flash fiction or sudden fiction. Although it is often attributed to Ernest Hemingway, the link to him is unsubstantiated and similar stories predate him. How would you explain “digital payments” in six words? Two […]

Garanti BBVA has begun issuing a rewards-based credit card that stores credit card numbers, expiration dates and CVV codes on a separate mobile app, rather than on the physical card itself. Customers of the Turkish bank can already apply for the new Bonus Diji card digitally and have it approved in a matter of minutes without the need for a […]

In the latest episode of Pause for Payments, Kristy Duncan is joined by Liz Oakes, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Operations Banking, Mastercard for a discussion on the future of money – especially in the context of our new normal. Liz explains how people are making payments in the new normal and our recent adoption of contactless. Read, subscribe and […]

In brief items from this weeks Payments, Payments, Payments newsletter: On the last day of September and LINK reported an ATM peak of 6,349 transactions in one minute but what’s happening to ATM withdrawals following the digital payment habits we formed during COVID? Second premium account from Monzo? You had to read Starling Bank’s #reachingout Tweet very carefully – a few people were caught […]

Pay.UK contacted us a few days ago to provide updated figures for Paym: the UK’s mobile payment system so we’ve updated our Paym briefing: Paym: the UK’s mobile payment system. Paym is a mobile payment system operated by Pay.UK and offered by the majority of the UK’s banks and building societies. Recipients are identified by their mobile phone number rather than […]

Pay.UK, the UK retail payment systems operator, have announced the appointment of Mark Hoban as the new Independent Non-Executive Chair of its Board of Directors. Mark brings a wealth of experience in both public and private sectors, with a strong background in financial and regulatory arenas. Following a career in politics as Member of Parliament for Fareham where he held […]

The UK’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) have just published an infographic with a simplified picture of what happens during a consumer debit or credit card transaction (except for American Express cards) where a transaction is authorised. Check out the PSR’s infographic: Payment Systems Regulator infographic: What happens when you use a credit or debit card? Read, subscribe and share This blog […]

Far from being the end of fintech, this the moment where financial innovation and disruption assumes centre stage says Natalie Ceeney. …it’s clear that the pandemic is accelerating the need for financial innovation and disruption. There can be no debate that the future is more digital. For every bank, insurer, mortgage lender or payments enabler, a priority is how to […]

Creative use of branch window space by Barclays, helping their customers navigate their mobile banking app. Picture: Mark O’Keefe This helpful piece of customer education reminded me of a piece I wrote a few months ago about education being the secret ‘sauce’ for the successful implementation of payments regulation…. Education: the secret ‘sauce’ for the successful implementation of payments regulation It’s 1997 […]

Crumpled up in your coat pocket or bag, you’ll probably find a receipt. That never-read, rarely-used and bin-destined piece of paper is the acknowledgement that something has been paid for or that goods have been received. The oldest, discovered, receipt confirmed the sale five sheep, one lamb and four grass-fed male kids. It was written on a piece of clay […]