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Letter from the editors

or most of the payments industry's history,
"aggregation" was a naughty word describ-
ing an activity forbidden by the card brands.
F When it came to merchants' payment pro-
cessing, it was a one merchant, one account world.
Period. Letting one merchant process other merchants'
transactions opened the door to high-risk and illegal
activities, right? Then Square came along. It wasn't the
company's dongle that was revolutionary. Roam Data
had already introduced such a device before Square
made its big splash. It was the company's business
model that changed the game. At first, some industry
stalwarts dismissed the upstart, saying that it's just
going after micro merchants, a sector we don't want;
it's losing money by the day; it's an aggregator, and
the card brands will clamp down.

Then Visa invested in Square. A few years later, the card
company created a new category of "master merchants"
that could provide processing services to smaller "sub-
merchants." The other major brands followed suit,
and payment facilitators (payfacs) became new forces
that are enriching the industry. There's a lot more to
payfacs than merchant aggregation. Their dynamic Bridge the Gap
entrepreneurship and new technologies are creating
innovative ways to provide new benefits to merchants, between your
while creating revenue streams for payment companies
that learn how to work with them. advertising dollars
This issue's lead article is the first in a two-part series and bottom line.
that delves into payfacs ‒ their evolution, as well as
current and potential future impacts. Complementing
the lead article is commentary in our Views section on Customized advertising campaigns
why payfacs need acquirers and vice versa. Another to fit any size company and budget.
View article shares insights gleaned at the ever-
growing Money20/20 conference, which was held in • Spotlight Innovators’ Pages
October and hosted a whopping 15,000 attendees.
(frequently updated content)
Other articles by contributing writers look at why • Print (various size options)
viewing opportunities from 10,000 feet above provides
clarity when making business decisions, and further • Resource Guide listing
exploration of how to assist merchants during the
holiday season, a discussion that began among our (print/online/front page (option))
Advisory Board members in ""Helping merchants • Email Blasts (to GS readership)
thrive during holiday season 2017," The Green Sheet,
Oct. 23, 2017, issue 17:10:02. • Online (website/twice month newsletter)
You'll also find inspiring individual, company and • Video
product profiles; a recap of the industry's latest news; • Bundle advertisng campaign discounts*
and briefs on appointments, partnerships, acquisitions,
research, awards and other victories celebrated by
members of the payments community. Danielle Thorpe

Thank you for sharing all the news you've shared with AVP Media Partnerships
us at press@greensheet.com, as well as the comments
and questions you've sent to greensheet@greensheet.com. 707-284-1686
We look forward to hearing more from you. .

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