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Letter from the editors

elationships. It's impossible to envision
anyone succeeding in the payments world
without being able to build solid relation-
R ships with merchants and partners alike.
Sometimes merchant level salespeople (MLSs), ISOs
and super ISOs have legitimate gripes to be worked
out, but in today's complex world of merchant servic-
es and ever evolving payment transactions, industry
stakeholders are actually working together very well.
Many payment pros have established policies and
procedures that nurture their working relationships.
This issue's lead article presents viewpoints from
industry veterans who have gained wisdom on how to
prioritize the health of their professional relationships
in practice.

A type of relationship that may be novel to many U.S.-
based ISOs and MLSs is one that facilitates processing
with an overseas processor. Those serving merchants
in verticals that are typically hard to place sometimes
establish relationships with processors based outside
of U.S. borders. For this issue, one of our contributing
writers outlined the risks to consider carefully before
embarking on this type of arrangement. Other topics
explored by industry experts in this publication
include how lessons learned from history can help
present-day payment pros overcome challenges,
hurdles and, in some cases, significant roadblocks; how
to employ frameworks to make the EMV transition
easier, faster, safer and cheaper; merchant processing
basics for MLSs; key payment trends in 2017; and the
far-reaching contributions of one payment pioneer.

In the news, we covered progress made by the Faster
Payments Task Force; the call for merchants to become
compliant with the ADA; controversy regarding the
OCC's considering fintech banking charters; and
highlights from the National Retail Federation's recent
2017 show. We've also included briefs on the CFPB's
action against Mastercard and UniRush one day after
Green Dot heralded its intention to acquire UniRush;
an extension of the Fed's cyber risk comment period;
JetPay's fulfillment of a settlement with Merrick Bank;
and more.

In addition, you'll find herein new product and
company profiles, as well as updates in the mobile
sphere, awards and other company milestones, new
partnerships and acquisitions, industry research, and
executive appointments.

How is your business doing in 2017? Are there areas
of payments you'd like us to delve into further?
Remember, we are here as a resource for the industry's
feet on the street. What can we do to help you thrive in
your career? Let us know at greensheet@greensheet.com,
and continue to send you news to press@greensheet.com.

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