We all know that the evolution of payments systems in the U.S. is accelerating. That’s why Glenbrook has just published the third edition of our book, Payments Systems in the U.S. - Third Edition: A Guide for the Payments Professional, the definitive guide to the how and, in particular, the why of our multiple payments systems.

The third edition addresses that evolution through updated examples and, unique to this edition, a focus on payments innovation in all three payments phases: initiation, funding, and settlement.

Join Payments on Fire host George Peabody and Glenbrook’s Russ Jones as they talk about the new edition, what it covers, and the book’s relationship to Glenbrook’s Payments Boot Camp. Payments Systems in the U.S. – Third Edition is available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle format. 

Direct download: PSUS_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:51pm EDT

Interchange is fundamental to open look card system economics and a mystery to many, especially to merchants who must pay it but don’t perceive any benefit from it. It’s a non-optional component of what the merchant pays to accept cards. It’s one element of the merchant discount fee. Despite the stubborn fact of it, there are ways for some merchants to make sure they pay as low a rate as possible.

Join Angelo Grecco of CardConnect (now a part of First Data) and Glenbrook’s George Peabody for a conversation about interchange optimization, an approach that certain B2B merchants can employ to lower their acceptance costs.

In this episode of Payments on Fire we decode the payments industry terms:

  • Merchant discount fee
  • Interchange
  • Bundled pricing
  • Interchange plus pricing
  • Level II/III data

If you’re new to payments or just need a refresher on interchange, take a listen!

Direct download: InterchangeOptimization_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:49pm EDT

B2B payments are huge. Taken together, these supply chain payments exceed the gross domestic product. But supply chain payments remain an imperfect art. While consumers pay for one purchase at a time, a B2B payment may cover multiple invoices, each with different commercial terms. Given the amount of data about the payment that’s necessary to crisply communicate between a buyer’s accounts payable department and a seller’s receivables group, it’s no wonder paper checks are still in broad use.

While B2B payments have been resistant to “electronification,” the cloud, the mobile user interface, a new data standard (ISO 20022), and APIs into banks and payment schemes are enabling a renewed effort to streamline B2B payment transactions. B2B payments are hot.

Join Erin McCune, partner in charge of Glenbrook’s B2B practice, as she discusses:

  • How B2B payments are different from consumer payments
  • Why B2B is “hot” once again
  • What market forces are pushing B2B forward
  • Why Faster Payments in the U.S. and around the world could have a major impact on supply chain payments
Direct download: B2B1_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:28pm EDT

The Faster Payments Task Force has brought together a broad constituency with the payments industry thoroughly represented. And thanks to participation by organizations like Consumers Union, the people who bring us Consumer Reports, the voice of the consumer has been well represented in determining important evaluation criteria.

Christina Tetreault, staff attorney at Consumers Union, joins Glenbrook’s George Peabody for this podcast discussion on faster payments, the consumer benefits these new approaches could offer, and what to hope for from their deployment in the U.S.





Direct download: CU_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:27am EDT

Merchant adoption of EMV capability isn’t a done deal in the U.S. Glenbrook’s own estimates show that we’re only halfway there. Few people have as much insight into merchant payment acceptance and the technology that enables it as Larry Godfrey of Global PaymentsHeartland Payments business.

Take a listen to George and Larry’s discussion as they cover:

  • The EMV terminal transition
  • The chargebacks that many merchants have encountered (looking at you, LA)
  • Contactless payments
  • Security and encryption
  • Payment acceptance

 

Direct download: HPY57_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:18am EDT

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