What shapes consumer transactions and payment technologies, and where is it going?

Any conventional wisdom about payments—how they’re made, the currencies being used, the cards presently in favor—doesn’t last long before the next wave of technology, innovation, and regulation. Javelin’s analysts conduct research at the forefront of payments, identifying the emerging trends for financial services companies and payments providers and offering insight into how they can best position themselves not just for what is current but also for what is coming.

Payments Research

Reports

What’s Next for the PayFac Model

  • Javelin Report
  • Date: May 18, 2023
  • Author(s): Daniel Keyes
  • Research Topic(s): Merchant
The model established by payment facilitators—known as PayFacs—enabled millions of businesses to accept a range of payments. Now, however, the model is maturing, prompting PayFacs to look at other avenues for growth and to deepen their merchant ...

The Global Regulatory Environment: Commercial Payments Still Rely on a Safe, Sound Traditional Banking System

The recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and others have the global community once again calling into question the quality of bank regulations, the ability of government personnel to be stewards of those regulations, and the diligence of bank ...

Fleet Cards in 2023: An Industry in the Fast Lane

Fleet operators face a variety of challenges in fueling and maintaining their vehicles, and they have a range of payment options available to them, involving closed-loop and open-loop card products. New technology is coming fast to an industry t...

How Pay-by-Bank Could Shake Up Payments

  • Javelin Report
  • Date: May 2, 2023
  • Author(s): Sophia Gonzalez
  • Research Topic(s): Debit
As older payment methods recede, pay-by-bank is emerging as a contender at the point of sale. It allows consumers to continue using the funds in their checking accounts, as they do with ACH payments, but adds greater security with real-time auth...

Generative AI: It's Here, and It Defies Static Definition

Generative artificial intelligence is not just hype. It is a high-impact technology that requires the attention of leaders in every industry. Payments and financial services products and business models are at risk, but they will not be affected...

Expanding The Use of Prepaid for Underserved Communities

Prepaid cards continue to emerge as effective tools to address the financial needs of underbanked communities and cater to the particular requirements of developing underserved communities, including young people and those providing elder care. ...

Real-Time Payments at the Point of Sale

  • Javelin Report
  • Date: April 19, 2023
  • Author(s): Sophia Gonzalez
  • Research Topic(s): Debit
With the pending launch of the FedNow service in the United States, real-time payments (RTP) are poised to transform the way large numbers of Americans go about their transactions. Hosting RTP at the point of sale is a particularly attractive pr...

Private-Label Credit Cards: Still Relevant but Losing Luster

  • Javelin Report
  • Date: April 17, 2023
  • Author(s): Ben Danner
  • Research Topic(s): Credit
Private-label credit cards are an essential part of the U.S. card market, but they are a product in slow decline and face several threats, including instant point-of-sale financing and buy now, pay later loans.

U.S. Real-Time Payments: A Catalyst for Payments Modernization

This report, sponsored by Volante Technologies, reviews the challenges and benefits associated with banks’ adoption of real-time payments in the United States given the increased options that are currently available.

The Case for Card Networks’ Embrace of Interoperability

Card networks are at a crossroads after decades of dominance. New payment methods and heightened regulatory scrutiny are eroding the competitive advantage Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover have historically enjoyed. This combinati...

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