The Green Sheet Online Edition
November 24, 2025 • 25:11:02
Letter from the editor
In the second installment of our multipart series on what merchants want, a clear picture is emerging, one shaped as much by economic pressure and operational complexity as by evolving consumer habits. Payments leaders responding to our query in this issue's lead article describe merchants who are juggling rising costs, fragmented systems, inconsistent connectivity and a growing need for guidance that goes far beyond rate quotes. What stands out most is how universal these challenges have become.
Whether it’s a small retailer seeking predictability, a midsize restaurant working through integrations, or an enterprise merchant pushing for reliability at scale, each is looking for partners who listen, respond quickly and deliver real value.
Providing real value is also at the heart of articles from our contributing writers, one of whom describes how AI-driven risk monitoring is transforming merchant oversight, reducing false positives, strengthening compliance, and providing acquirers with intelligence that enhances risk expertise. Other experts delve into 10 avoidable behaviors that cost ISOs and MLSs valuable deals, and how recognizing them can drive stronger merchant engagement; why research parks and innovation hubs are strategic engines for financial services growth; ways in which orchestration unifies fragmented payments data, enabling merchants to optimize routing, boost approvals and strengthen fraud defenses; and a reminder that not all lending offers are equal, and businesses should choose borrowing options wisely.
Recent breaking news stories summarized in this issue include a shift in holiday shopping trends as small businesses ramp up marketing and consumers increasingly rely on AI tools to guide purchases; a federal court ruling affirming the Federal Reserve’s discretion to deny master account access to fintechs like Custodia; the National Retail Federation's prediction that holiday sales will surpass $1 trillion for the first time, fueled by consumer demand and strong gifting traditions; Juniper Research's projection that digital wallet usage will top 6 billion global users by 2030, transforming how people store and spend money worldwide; and a PwC report predicting a comeback for cash this holiday season, even as gift cards, credit cards and evolving fulfillment preferences continue to shape the checkout experience.
You'll also find herein new product profiles, company spotlights, updates on milestones in the payments community and other resources designed to help empower you in your career.
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