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Curated industry news and original merchant playbooks.
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general
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Brickk partners TransUnion to help UK renters build credit history
Brickk and TransUnion partner to turn monthly rent payments into higher credit scores, expanding the pool of qualified shoppers for retailers.
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industry-news
Paymentus Revenue Surges as Businesses Seek to Deliver Smooth Billing Experiences
Paymentus reports record growth as businesses invest in seamless billing experiences to drive customer retention and payment speed.
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industry-news
This Week in Consumer Financing: The Rise of the Machine Buyer
Retailers must prepare for a shift from human shoppers to AI agents while navigating a tightening regulatory and fraud landscape.
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Frost CEO warns of ‘race to the bottom’ on Texas loan structure
Frost Bank’s CEO warns that aggressive loan structuring is a 'dangerous' game, signaling a potential shift in credit availability and lender stability.
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Retailers Report 69% Increase in Phone Scams as Shoplifting Dips
As physical shoplifting declines, retailers face a 69% surge in phone-based scams targeting financial operations and store data.
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automotive
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AutoNation CEO Bets Affordability and Resilient Buyers Will Fuel Rebound
AutoNation signals a rebound for high-ticket retail as stabilizing rates and strong lender appetite boost consumer buying power.
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Lightspeed: Merchant Cash Advance Business Key to Delivering Long-Term Shareholder Value
Lightspeed CFO identifies Merchant Cash Advances as the company's top growth priority, signaling a shift toward embedded financial services.
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Chime to cut 10% of workforce
Leading fintech Chime cuts 10% of staff to lean into AI and efficiency, signaling a shift in how digital banking partners operate.
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Apple’s installment payments target affordability
Apple partners with Klarna to offer installment plans, signaling a shift toward 'affordability' as a core sales strategy for premium hardware.
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How concentration risk hit one banking-as-a-service provider
A major partner bank for fintech lenders reports a $69 million hit, signaling potential instability for consumer financing programs.
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Capital One provides Discover community investment update
Capital One defends its $265B community investment plan as it fights to clear regulatory hurdles for its massive Discover acquisition.
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Capital One gives update on Discover community investment plan
Capital One details a multi-billion dollar investment plan to win approval for its Discover acquisition, signaling potential shifts in consumer credit access.
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BNPL fintech Cashea raises $100 million
Venezuelan BNPL leader Cashea secures $100M to expand interest-free installments and financial services for over 1,500 partner brands.
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Robinhood Takes an Option Out on Owning Customer Transactions
Robinhood’s shift into credit cards and transaction ownership marks their evolution from a trading platform to a major player in consumer spending.
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Stripe vet buys a bank for his fintech
Fintech infrastructure firm Increase acquires a community bank, promising more streamlined and reliable financial products for merchant platforms.
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SoFi's revenue soars, but increased expenses hinder earnings
SoFi sees massive revenue growth driven by loan demand, though rising expansion costs weigh on the lender's bottom line.
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PayPal and Amazon launch BNPL payments for customers in Germany and Austria
Amazon integrates PayPal's Buy Now, Pay Later service for German and Austrian shoppers, signaling a shift toward more flexible checkout options.
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Visa Expands Money Movement as Card Spending Accelerates
Visa reports 10% growth in U.S. spending as it shifts focus toward digital money movement and AI-integrated payments.
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Ebanx and Pagaleve blend Pix and BNPL to expand access to instalment plans in Brazil
Ebanx and Pagaleve launch Pix-based installments, opening Brazil's booming BNPL market to customers without credit cards.
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Visa says AI is helping to enable workforce cuts
Visa cuts 1,400 jobs as the payment giant pivots to AI-driven operations and faster tech development for merchants.
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Tech jobs go as Visa cuts workforce by 7%
Visa cuts 1,400 jobs to pivot toward AI, signaling a major modernization shift for the world's largest payment network.
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Rent payment fintech Flexible Finance applies for bank license
Flex Rent applies for a Utah bank charter, signaling a shift toward fintechs becoming full-scale lenders to better control consumer financing terms.
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Rent fintech Flex applies for ILC charter
Rent-splitting fintech Flex applies for a Utah bank charter to bring its consumer lending operations in-house and expand nationally.
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PayPal leans into financial services
PayPal focuses on Buy Now, Pay Later and consumer credit expansion to drive higher shopper engagement and transaction volume.
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PayPal leaves door open for acquisition after Stripe reports
PayPal CEO signals openness to strategic moves and acquisitions as the payments giant overhauls its technology to better compete with Stripe.
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Rent fintech Flex is latest firm to ask for a bank charter
Rent-splitting fintech Flex applies for a bank charter to gain more control over its lending and customer experience.
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Stressed parents turn to BNPL for back-to-school shopping
New data shows nearly half of parents will use BNPL for school shopping, making flexible payments a must-have for retail conversion.
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Upstart wins preliminary approval to establish US bank
AI-lender Upstart moves to become a regulated bank, promising more stable funding and consistent credit access for retail partners.
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This Week in Consumer Financing: The Tech-Tide and the Regulatory Wall
Retailers weigh a future of AI-driven checkout and stablecoin payments against a tightening regulatory environment for fintech providers.
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Weave’s $8,000 Robot Finally Folds Your Laundry
Weave Robotics launches an $8,000 home robot, leaning on a $449 monthly payment plan to drive consumer adoption.
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Amex Turns Gen Z Loyalty Into an AI Advantage
Amex earnings reveal Millennials and Gen Z now drive a third of total network spend as AI-driven personalization takes center stage.
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Upstart nabs conditional bank charter
AI lending giant Upstart secures preliminary approval for a national bank charter, signaling more stable funding for consumer credit.
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Amex ups marketing, tech spend
American Express ramps up marketing and tech investment to attract younger shoppers and streamline digital checkout experiences for merchants.
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automotive
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What to know about new proposed tariffs on Canadian goods
New proposed tariffs on Canadian imports could disrupt the automotive market, driving up sticker prices and straining consumer credit limits.
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general
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Resilient Shoppers and Confident Small Businesses Drive Enova Lending to Record High
Enova sees record lending growth and improving credit quality, signaling strong consumer demand and better approval odds for retail shoppers.
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Retail Stores Are Becoming Financial Destinations
Modern retail success now depends on the financial tools you offer customers before they even reach the checkout counter.
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Banks see $68 billion in scam losses Washington misses
A $68 billion fraud gap is forcing banks and payment apps to tighten security, potentially impacting merchant checkout friction and costs.
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Nubank Strikes Bank Deal to Secure Brazilian License
Nubank’s acquisition of a banking license signals more robust and competitive credit options for South American retail markets.
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Three ways banks can defend themselves against the fintech charter boom
A historic wave of new bank charter applications from fintechs is reshuffling the landscape for consumer financing and sponsor-led lending models.
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Nubank to acquire Banco Porto Real de Investimentos, strengthen Brazil operation
Nubank’s latest acquisition moves the digital lender toward a full banking license, promising more robust credit options for millions of Brazilian consumers.
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Capital One Tests Moving Credit Cards to Discover Network
Capital One begins shifting card volume to Discover's network, signaling a major shakeup in payment processing for retailers.
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Capital One highlights Discover, Brex integration
Capital One's focus on the Discover and Brex integrations signals a push for a more tech-forward, vertically integrated consumer lending network.
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industry-news
Apple Teams With Klarna to Debut Device Leasing Program
Apple and Klarna launch a cross-device leasing program, signaling a major shift toward subscription-based hardware ownership.
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Revolut secures Australian banking licence
Revolut secures an Australian banking license, clearing the path to launch direct consumer lending and BNPL products.
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Ant International raises $1.2 billion in Series A round
Ant International secures $1.2 billion to expand global digital payment tools and merchant financing technology.
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Affirm to provide installment payments for Amazon Business customers
Amazon Business partners with Affirm to offer flexible installment payments at checkout, bringing consumer-style BNPL to the B2B procurement market.
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Banks Tap FinTechs and Embedded Finance for Deposits
Major banks are doubling down on embedded finance partnerships, providing more stability and scale for consumer lending programs at the point of sale.
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Payments M&A spools up
A surge in fintech mergers signals a shift toward more integrated payment and financing tools for retail operators.
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Why pricey credit cards may soon cost more
A landmark settlement may allow merchants to charge extra for premium rewards cards, making alternative financing more competitive at the point of sale.
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furniture
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QVC will stick with pre-bankruptcy turnaround strategy after emergence
QVC wins court approval for restructuring plan, ensuring the retail giant continues its financing-heavy sales strategy.
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general
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Why PayPal makes sense for Stripe now
Stripe merchants can now integrate PayPal, opening easy access to PayPal's popular ‘Pay in 4’ BNPL tools and a massive loyal user base.
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industry-news
This Week in Consumer Financing: The War for Your Checkout
AI takes the wheel in underwriting while industry giants battle for control over retail payment rails.
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general
industry-news
Velera CEO Chuck Fagan Exits With a Challenge to Credit Unions
Velera’s leadership transition highlights a major push for credit unions to adopt AI and real-time payments to compete in consumer lending.
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Stripe Capital, PayPal Working Capital Could Merge If Acquisition Offer is Accepted
A potential merger between Stripe and PayPal’s lending units could consolidate the working capital market and change how retailers fund their growth.
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ACI Worldwide Considers Putting Billing Division Up For Sale
ACI Worldwide considers selling its billing division, a move that could impact how thousands of merchants collect recurring consumer payments.
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PayPal balks at Stripe acquisition offer
PayPal rejects a $53 billion buyout bid from Stripe, signaling a heating battle for control over your store's checkout and financing options.
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Citizens to close about 100 in-store branches for 50 retooled ones
Citizens Bank pivots away from supermarket branches to focus on high-net-worth clients and digital-first banking services.
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PayPal board considers $53bn Stripe-Advent offer inadequate - Reuters
PayPal rejects a $53 billion takeover bid from Stripe, citing undervaluation and potential regulatory hurdles in the payments space.
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Creditspring surpasses £1 billion in loan disbursements
Creditspring hits £1 billion in loans, proving that subscription-based, transparent credit models are winning over modern consumers.
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industry-news
What Barclays gets from its Frontier Airlines extension
Barclays secures a decade-long extension with Frontier Airlines, signaling a strong future for co-branded consumer credit programs.
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industry-news
Nubank names Livia Chanes CEO, Latin America
Nubank's new regional leadership points to faster growth for digital consumer financing and merchant credit tools across Latin America.
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industry-news
Strata Decision Technology acquires c. myers
Strata’s acquisition of c. myers signals a more tech-driven future for the regional banks and credit unions that power consumer financing programs.
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Hacked fintech Nayax refuses to pay ransom
Global payment platform Nayax refuses ransom demands following a data breach, highlighting security risks for integrated retail merchants.
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industry-news
With BNPL mainstream, Klarna shifts its focus to better economics
Klarna pivots from rapid growth to a banking-first model, signaling a more mature and AI-driven era for the BNPL industry.
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industry-news
ABN Amro's ICS to cut 450 staff as it outsources operations to Worldline
ABN Amro’s credit card arm outsources core operations to Worldline in a bid to modernize consumer lending tech.
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How a PayPal may benefit Stripe
A potential tie-up between payment giants Stripe and PayPal could simplify checkouts and streamline merchant financing tools.
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industry-news
How PayPal may benefit Stripe
A potential Stripe-PayPal tie-up could simplify how retailers manage point-of-sale financing and digital wallets through a single platform.
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industry-news
How PayPal may benefit Stripe
A potential deal between Stripe and PayPal could merge dominant payment rails with popular consumer BNPL tools, simplifying retail checkout flows.
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industry-news
As fintechs chase OCC licenses, are sponsor banks at risk?
Fintech lenders are pursuing national bank licenses, potentially shifting the regulatory landscape for consumer financing providers.
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industry-news
Is BNPL financing raising prices?
New report warns that merchant BNPL fees may be inflating retail prices, potentially triggering fresh regulatory oversight for 'hidden' costs.
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industry-news
Stripe takes another swing at PayPal acquisition
Stripe’s $53 billion bid for PayPal could consolidate the checkout experience and reshape how merchants offer Buy Now, Pay Later.
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industry-news
Revenue financing fintech Float raises €4.5 million
Stockholm-based Float secures €4.5M to expand its revenue-based lending platform for growth-stage technology businesses.
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industry-news
Stripe and Advent table bid for PayPal
A potential $53 billion merger between Stripe and PayPal could revolutionize the checkout experience and the future of consumer BNPL options.
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industry-news
Perpetuals.com Won’t Acquire Trump-Linked Payments Firm
Perpetuals.com terminates acquisition of Alt5 Sigma, signaling continued volatility in the crypto-integrated payment processing market.
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industry-news
AI private banking startup Flex raises $70m
AI banking startup Flex secures $70 million to streamline financial services and credit access for business owners.
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industry-news
Klarna Aims to Offload $516 Million in Credit Risk to Fund Growth
Klarna is offloading $516 million in credit risk to free up capital, signaling a shift toward more sustainable, bank-like growth strategies.
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industry-news
Visa-Mastercard payouts inch forward
The $5.5 billion Visa-Mastercard swipe fee settlement moves into the audit phase as officials verify thousands of merchant claims.
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industry-news
Amex, Delta card spending soars
Amex reports record spending on Delta co-branded cards, signaling strong premium consumer demand even as the lender braces for potential credit risks.
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industry-news
Nubank receives banking authorisation in Mexico
Nubank secures a Mexican banking license, signaling an expansion of digital credit options and competition for consumer financing.
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industry-news
Robinhood Weighs Its First Sale of Card Receivables-Backed Bond
Robinhood moves to securitize credit card debt, signaling a major push to expand consumer credit limits and lending capacity.
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industry-news
What Robinhood’s June product blitz was really about
Robinhood is evolving into a major consumer lender, arming a new generation of shoppers with high-reward credit cards and personal loans.
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industry-news
This Week in Consumer Financing: The Rise of the AI Shopper and the War on Invisible Fraud
Retailers pivot toward smart orchestration and automated security as AI-driven consumers begin converting 50% faster than traditional shoppers.
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industry-news
Nubank Unit Secures Authorization to Become Mexican Bank
Nu Mexico secures official banking license, paving the way for expanded consumer credit and retail financing options.
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industry-news
FirstSun joins list of banks hit by borrower fraud
FirstSun reports major fraud losses, signaling a period of tighter credit and stricter verification for consumer and business lenders.
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industry-news
How a serial borrower fooled 7 banks out of $39 million
A decade-long $39 million fraud scheme highlights critical vulnerabilities in bank verification processes and the persistent risks of document forgery.
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industry-news
Bernanke joins Anthropic's oversight trust, JPMorgan inks NBA deal
Nubank secures a banking license in Mexico while JPMorgan Chase deepens its ties to consumer markets through an NBA partnership.
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industry-news
Revolut recruits JP Morgan exec to lead European operations
Revolut poaches JP Morgan’s Chase UK chief to scale its European banking and credit operations.
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industry-news
Lendable raises $670m for global expansion
Digital lender Lendable secures $670 million to scale its AI-powered personal loan platform and challenge legacy banks.
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industry-news
Security Home Mortgage, CCBank to rebrand as Accordia
Utah’s CCBank and Security Home Mortgage consolidate under the new Accordia brand to streamline national lending operations.
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industry-news
Citizens' latest move further positions Coughlin as next CEO
The architect of Citizens Pay is set to lead the bank, signaling a permanent commitment to merchant financing and POS lending.
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industry-news
U.S. Bank pursues payments-first strategy
U.S. Bank shifts focus to payments-led growth, aiming to win over Gen Z and retailers with integrated digital checkout tools.
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industry-news
Fiserv's executive turnover continues with president's resignation
High-level leadership turnover at Fiserv could signal shifts in strategy for Clover users and merchant processing partners.
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Starling to whittle headcount by 3%
The UK challenger bank is cutting 100 roles to streamline its internal structure and speed up product delivery for customers.
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home-improvement
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Home Depot adds 7-Eleven, Jimmy John’s as pro loyalty partners
Home Depot expands Pro Xtra loyalty perks, signaling a push to own the contractor's full business lifecycle beyond just building materials.
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general
industry-news
Fiserv president exits
Fiserv reshuffles top leadership to sharpen its focus on merchant services and digital payment technology.
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industry-news
Fiserv president exits
Fiserv renovates its executive suite, elevating segment leaders to streamline operations for its merchant and financial services divisions.
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industry-news
Equifax agrees $750m acquisition of Mexican credit bureau
Equifax's $750M acquisition of Círculo de Crédito signals a major tech upgrade for consumer credit reporting and lending approvals in Mexico.
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industry-news
NextGen FinCrime 2026: What the UK really thinks about fraud
New fraud data reveals shifting consumer attitudes that could impact your financing conversion rates and merchant security protocols.
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industry-news
Fiserv President Dhivya Suryadevara Resigns Citing ‘Good Reason’ Contract Clause
The President of payment giant Fiserv resigns unexpectedly, potentially signaling internal strategy shifts for the merchant services provider.
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industry-news
NatWest Boxed and Mettle CTO Wayne Freeman leaves
The departure of a top tech executive at NatWest’s BaaS unit highlights the evolving leadership in the embedded consumer financing space.