Banks aren't likely to undercut cards with Zelle

The banks earn billions of dollars from credit and debit card interchange fees so why would they want Zelle stepping in to connect consumers directly to bank accounts? "Banks would never want to jeopardize interchange revenue," said one analyst.

By Lynne Marek • April 7, 2022

There was no stopping credit card fee hikes this year

Merchants are incurring tens of millions of dollars in additional interchange, or "swipe," fee increases that the big credit card companies Mastercard and Visa are deploying. There was a loud silence about the inevitability of those boosts this year.

By Lynne Marek • April 7, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Cross-border payments targeted for upgrades

When it comes to cross-border payments, businesses, non-profits and governments alike are determined to increase the speed of transactions and cut the cost.

By Payments Dive staff

Startup Fast abruptly shuts down

The one-click checkout startup announced Tuesday it’s shutting down, despite the CEO promising heady growth this year as recently as January. Fast will "permanently discontinue" its Fast Checkout service on April 15, the company said.

By Caitlin Mullen • April 6, 2022

Checkout startup Fast seeks buyer: report

In January, CEO Domm Holland said his company was fielding "incredible demand" from investors and planning big growth this year. Now, the San Francisco-based one-click checkout startup has reportedly hired Morgan Stanley to consider a sale and may lay off hundreds of employees, according to the publication The Information.

By Caitlin Mullen • April 5, 2022

To ease fuel-price pain, subsidies, rebates gain momentum

Chicago and California propose giving prepaid gas cards to eligible residents and assistance to public transit users. State and federal efforts to suspend gas taxes face criticism for potential economic and environmental impacts.

By Dan Zukowski • April 5, 2022

U.S. Bank teams with Lithia on real-time payments tool

U.S. Bank and Lithia Motors are teaming up to test a new real-time payments tool for customers selling their used cars to the auto dealer in their driveways. The pilot in Portland, Oregon, is expected to be rolled out nationwide this year.

By Lynne Marek • April 4, 2022

Small businesses adjust to inflation, supply chain disruptions: survey

A new survey from American Express and its Kabbage unit found nearly two-thirds of small businesses will keep their inflation-adjusted pricing for the next six months.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 31, 2022

Credit card late fees likely to keep climbing, CFPB says

Total credit card late fee volume is rising again after a dip during the pandemic, and current inflation levels mean the largest issuers are likely to keep increasing fees, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 29, 2022

PayPal's Happy Returns to add service in Ulta stores

PayPal's Happy Returns services will now be available at the beauty products store chain. PayPal has integrated its returns services into multiple retailers’ brick-and-mortar locations over the past few years.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 28, 2022

Advocacy group points to BNPL 'warning signs'

As scrutiny of buy now-pay later comes to a head, a survey from advocacy organization Financial Health Network revealed financially vulnerable households are almost four times more likely to use BNPL to make purchases than those that are financially healthy.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 25, 2022

Affirm CFO leans in for CFPB inquiry

A top executive at Affirm, the biggest independent U.S. buy now-pay later company, says he understands the way in which the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is trying to get a handle on the new industry.

By Jonathan Berr • March 23, 2022

Retail, financial trade groups beg for coins

A U.S. coin shortage subsided for a bit early last year, but the problem is back. That led a group of trade organizations to complain to the Treasury Department this week, and to ask for help in making consumers aware of the coin crisis.

By Lynne Marek • March 22, 2022

ChargeAfter raises $44M as competition grows

The New York-based company is stockpiling dollars as new and old payments players arrive in the buy now-pay later arena. Consumers are predicted to increase their BNPL spending, but the service also faces regulatory scrutiny.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 22, 2022

Consumer group US PIRG seeks BNPL crackdown

A report this month from the organization outlines a litany of complaints about buy now-pay later, such as hidden fees, and suggests the industry is trying to evade consumer protection laws.

By Jonathan Berr • March 21, 2022

Stripe snags a new crypto customer

Payments software juggernaut Stripe said it has landed crypto company Blockchain.com as a new customer and that it's aiming to aid the digital currency client in international expansion.

By Lynne Marek • March 21, 2022

Payments industry makes a tempting target for hackers

The industry might not be experiencing a major uptick in cyberattacks as a result of Russia's war on Ukraine, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be on high alert, cybersecurity professionals say.

By Jonathan Berr , Caitlin Mullen , Lynne Marek • March 18, 2022

Merchants lose North Dakota debit fee case

Merchant trade groups that sued the Federal Reserve Board in federal court last year over what they alleged was the central bank's failure to keep debit card fees in check had their case dismissed this week. They said they'll appeal the ruling.

By Lynne Marek • March 18, 2022

Wealthy BNPL consumers give Affirm a boost

A new survey from one equity analyst suggests installment financing from the buy now-pay later company Affirm has appeal for rich and poor alike. "The demand for our service is going up because consumers are trying to ration their money,” Affirm CEO Max Levchin told CNBC.

By Jonathan Berr • March 16, 2022

How does Gen Z feel about credit cards? It's complicated.

Each generation has approached credit differently; Gen Z is no exception. As they turn toward credit cards, industry analysts say these consumers are likely to keep card companies on their toes.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 16, 2022

PopID aims to expand demand for its face-pay tech

As payments technology evolves, the use of biometrics is poised to take off. Software firm PopID is seeking to raise about $50 million in capital to scale its face verification services for payments applications in the U.S. and abroad.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 15, 2022

EBay creates digital wallet, plans storage vault for collectibles

The company expects its new vault service to open next quarter, and to eventually secure up to $3 billion in assets over the next few years.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 14, 2022

Frictionless checkout tech startup AiFi raises $65M

The frictionless checkout technology provider plans to use the funds, which it raised from investors including Aldi South Group, to expand its technical staff and more quickly put its gear into grocery stores, sports venues and universities.

By Sam Silverstein • March 14, 2022

Walgreens joins PayNearMe bill pay network

Consumers seeking another nearby location to make bill payments in cash can now turn to about 9,000 Walgreens store locations as a result of the new tie-up.

By Lynne Marek • March 10, 2022

New BNPL study raises concern about 'debt spiral'

Some consumers are charging buy now-pay later installment payments to their credit cards, and that should serve as a "warning flag" to regulators, said three economists who authored the research paper.

By Jonathan Berr • March 10, 2022

Inside the Store: The first Whole Foods with Just Walk Out is beautiful. Just don't look up.

Grocery Dive’s Catherine Douglas Moran visited the chain's Washington, D.C., store in Glover Park to see how its specialty soul meshed with Amazon’s checkout-free technology.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • March 8, 2022