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Letter from the editor

ot long ago, carrying a wallet full of credit
cards signified financial maturity. Today,
younger generations increasingly see plastic
N as a relic and favor instant payments through
Venmo, Zelle or digital wallets. This issue's lead article
explores the evolving nature of consumer payments,
from the steady rise of pay by bank to the continued
dominance of credit cards and the growing role of QR
code transactions. Reports from payments consultancies
Howdy
reveal a shift driven by convenience, security concerns
and generational preferences. Meanwhile, merchants Howdy
embrace lower-cost payment options, but consumers
Y’all!
remain attached to familiar methods—especially when Y’all!
rewards and fraud protection are involved. Despite this,
the question now isn't whether payments will change
but how quickly new habits will take hold. Dive into this
article for insights into where payments are headed and
what businesses can do to stay ahead.

One industry veteran contributing to this issue noted
that amid this evolving landscape, merchant level sales-
people are grappling with the erosion of their residu-
I’m working hard to help you increase
als as software companies consolidate market power, I ’ m w o rk in g ha r d t o he l p y o u incr e as e
prompting a shift toward all-in-one providers. Another
your bottom line today!
expert pointed out that payroll mismanagement threat- y o ur b o t t o m line t o d a y!
ens retailers with legal risks, financial losses and em-
N
ployee turnover, underscoring the need for accurate, se-
ull
o B
cure payroll systems. Two other topics key contributors No Bull
address are the surge in chargebacks, costing merchants
billions of dollars, necessitating the implementation of Customized advertising campaigns
authentication measures and dispute resolution services;
and the evolving legal landscape around non-compete to fit any size company and budget.
and non-solicit agreements, which presents complex
compliance challenges for businesses, requiring tailored • Spotlight Innovators’ Pages
contracts and legal guidance. (frequently updated content)

• Print (various size options)
• Resource Guide listing

(print/online/front page options)
News briefs cover further developments shaping the fi- • Email Blasts (to GS readership)
nancial landscape. X partnered with Visa to enable real-
time funding for its X Money Account, a step toward • Online (website/twice monthly magazine)
integrating social media with financial services. Mean- • Video
while, a new study warned that the Durbin-Marshall
bill could cost the U.S. economy $227 billion and weaken • Bundle advertisng campaign discounts*
credit card rewards. At NRF 2025, AI-driven innovations
dominated discussions on personalized retail, one-click
checkouts and omnichannel strategies. Real-Time Pay- Rick Aston
ments continues its rapid expansion, doubling transac-
tion volume in 18 months and increasing its transaction Senior Media Partnership Specialist
707-284-1693
limit to $10 million. And the CFPB was effectively shut- 707-284-1693
tered after President Trump fired its director, raising
concerns over consumer protections and financial over-

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