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Letter from the editor

n addition to headline-grab-
bing inflation and concerns Empowering & Connecting
about the effects of the war
I in Ukraine on those directly
involved, as well as on people and today’s
markets worldwide, we, in the payments industry
continue to contend with many of the same issues payments
we've faced for decades. One of those issues is
interchange, a sore point for merchants and a neces- professionals
sary tool for those doing business along Visa and
Mastercard's payment rails. The major card brands
set the rules for using their networks and, in April
and October each year, they set new interchange
rates—except for 2020 and 2021, when rate hikes were
paused because so many retailers suffered during the
worst of the pandemic.

With new interchange rates in effect this month, mer-
chants are complaining again, and various govern-
ment entities are looking into the card brands' prac-
tices again. This issue's lead article goes into current
initiatives and probes and presents views on what is
and isn't likely to change when it comes to the long
reach of the card brands.

As reflected in the range of topics highlighted in our
News Briefs, interchange isn't the only issue people • Spotlight Innovator
in payments care about. Some of the stories covered Web Pages: Capture prospects with
include recent efforts to promote environmentally branded, customized web pages for
friendly practices among European fintechs; research
indicating future financial services will be inclu- innovators and leaders.
sive, agile and digitized; the continued growth of • Video Content Marketing: Educate
the 27-year-old gift card market; and the Electronic
Transactions Association's unveiling of its 2022 Forty and impress with animation and
Under 40 class of leaders who have made a measur- white-board explainer videos.
able impact on the payments technology ecosystem.
• Resource Guide: Grab attention with
Also making a major impact are our contributing advanced mini ads in print and
writers. In this edition they share insights on how to online.
get out of your own way and build self-confidence;
the growing demand for real-time payments in the • Targeted Email Campaigns: Reach
gig economy and what that might mean for acquir- responsive professionals who know
ers; awareness that the payments ecosystem is inter-
dependent and relies on stakeholders for much more and trust The Green Sheet.
than revenue; and the multiple benefits of merchant
cash advances for retailers and resellers. Rick Aston
Rounding out this magazine are updates on mile- Senior Media Partnership Specialist
stones in the payments and fintech community, new
company and product profiles, spotlights on leading Rick @greensheet.com
innovators, resource guide listings, and a few words
of inspiration to help you get the most from your ca-
reer. We are always eager to receive your feedback 707-284-1693
on what we're doing well and what we can do better.
Please send your comments to greensheet@greensheet.
com, and continue to send your latest news to press@
greensheet.com.

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