As the payments industry evolves, so do the associations formed to support professionals working within it The Electronic Transactions Association, originally founded as the Bankcard Services Association in 1990, was renamed the Electronic Transactions Association in 1996 to reflect its focus on electronic payments and transactions beyond bankcards. The Secure Technology Alliance, founded as the Smart Card Forum in 2001 and renamed the Smart Card Alliance in 2002, transformed into the Secure Technology Alliance in 2017 to convey its broader focus on secure technologies beyond smart cards.
Another dynamic industry association, PayTech Women, is the subject of this issue's lead article. Founded as Women Networking in Electronic Transactions (W.net) in 2005 with the goal of helping women in payments connect, share resources and support each other, the organization became Women's Network in Electronic Transactions (Wnet) in 2012, and took on the arresting PayTech Women moniker in 2022, a rebranding that reflects its expanded mission and growing influence across the fintech sphere. Through a diverse set of programs, the group is working daily to create a more vital and diverse payments industry for us all.
Also elevating the industry for our common good, expert contributors to this magazine share herein knowledge of such topics as how businesses can use cash discounting and surcharging to mitigate processing fees; how to win by helping retailers capture and retain customer attention in today's competitive environment; why it's time to look into BTMs, which provide customers a convenient way to buy bitcoin and increase foot traffic for merchants; how Gen Z's preferences and habits are changing the world of finance; and why loosening restrictions on dual pricing could mitigate soaring interchange rates in the United States.
News stories highlighted for you include concern among senators in Washington sparked by increased use of buy now, pay later; recent U.S. Census data that confirms the National Retail Federation's robust holiday spending forecast; Elon Musk's intention to disrupt the payments industry by expanding X to become an "everything app"; AI's rise, enthralling both public and private sectors; new partnerships forming to combat new and increasing identity theft, first-party fraud and other financial crimes; and a delay in the Fed's debit cap plan.
We hope you find much value in the news, features, updates and profiles included in this issue. Please send your questions and suggestions to greensheet@greensheet.com and your news to press@greensheet.com. 
The Green Sheet Inc. is now a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals. Click here for more information.
Notice to readers: These are archived articles. Contact names or information may be out of date. We regret any inconvenience.
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