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Letter from the editor

s we begin a new year, change remains the Let us help you
defining theme in merchant services. From
evolving fraud trends and rising data breach
A costs to advancements in AI and regulatory with your
shifts, the payments sphere has faced challenges and
opportunities in equal measure. 2024 underscored the
importance of innovation, security and value-added New Year’s Goals!
services in strengthening merchant relationships and
staying competitive. The lead article in this issue, which
completes our year-in-review begun with our final issue
of 2024, examines developments that shaped the indus- I’m working hard to help you increase
try and explores how businesses can prepare for success
in 2025.
your bottom line today!
Change has come to The Green Sheet, too. As of this
kick-off issue for 2025, we no longer mail out print maga- Customized advertising campaigns
zines to subscribers, a new focus we first announced in
December. We continue to publish our PDF flipbook and to fit any size company and budget
HTML versions online twice monthly, as well as provide
breaking industry news, calendar and datebook, news • Spotlight Innovators’ pages
from the wire, forums, Merchant Sales Podcast listings, (frequently updated content)
Community Voices links, and more.
• Ad (various size & live links options)
Also inside are news briefs drawn from breaking news
stories posted online, including the CFPB's placing of • Online options (website/twice month email)
Google Pay under bank-like oversight to address fraud • Resource Guide listing
complaints, despite Google's legal challenge; fintech
leaders' predictions that 2025 will see tighter regulations, (online/front page (option))
embedded finance growth, and advances in cryptocur-
rencies and social commerce; Visa's plan to enhance its • Email Blasts (to GS readership)
Visa Direct platform to enable near-instant payments;
the CFPB's lawsuit against Zelle and major banks for fail- • Video (website)
ing to prevent fraud, and seeking refunds and reforms; • Bundle advertisng campaign discounts
and Visa's bolstered fraud prevention capabilities, in-
cluding its acquisition of Featurespace, blocking numer-
ous fraudulent transactions and emphasizing secure, AI-
driven payment solutions.

One contributor to this issue addressed fraud in the Rick Aston
form of unscrupulous actions and called for ethical stan- Senior Media Partnership Specialist
dards, transparency and accountability to restore trust
and protect our merchants and ourselves. Other experts
explored such topics as Visa’s VAMP program, which 707-284-1693
monitors smaller acquirers' CNP portfolios, enforcing
fraud and dispute thresholds with fees; the need to mod- rick@greensheet.com
ernize the payments back office to reduce costs, enhance
agility and stay competitive in an era of rapid innovation
and rising expectations; how AI and automation are en-
hancing personalization, optimizing payments, stream-
lining operations and improving security; and why even
though DIY payment testing may seem cost-effective,
outside specialists offer multiple benefits that boost reli-
ability and competitive advantage.
Please also check out the updates, profiles, upcoming
events and special features included. We will welcome
your feedback at greensheet@greensheet.com and your
news at press@greensheet.com.
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