As we prepare our first issue of 2018 for publication, like individuals and businesses everywhere, we are reflecting upon milestones that occurred in the past 12 months and looking toward what 2018 may have in store. While the lead article in our Dec. 25 issue shared a trove of data pertaining to the payments realm's performance in 2017, this issue's lead article delves into challenges brought by natural disasters, which have caused significant harm to communities across the country.
In exploring this topic through research and interviews, we found much to be optimistic about. Many companies have plans in place to aid merchants whose businesses are harmed by hurricanes, fires, floods and other devastating events. They have deployed technologies to either keep merchants going during disasters or to get them up and running shortly thereafter. Help comes in the form of new mobile solutions, free or loaner equipment, deep discounts on services, quick cash advances with flexible terms, and more. Additionally, the generosity exhibited by individual payment professionals, who donate without seeking credit to help colleagues through crises, is inspiring.
Also inspiring are the contributing writers who share their expertise with you, our readers, issue after issue. This installment of our industry experts' ongoing educational efforts includes results from a survey of merchant level salespeople on what they value most in terms of products and services, a look at what good talent means in today's changing industry and why it's hard to find, information on how to plan a fraud budget for the coming year, steps to prevent being caught off guard by acquisitions, and the walking back of new prepaid card rules under new CFPB leadership.
News briefs include excerpts from some of the latest stories we've posted online under Breaking Industry News at www.greensheet.com. Highlights cover progress on the Vantiv/Worldpay merger; threat of data breach aggregation; investigation of FBME Bank's credit card unit; dismissal of an NYDFS lawsuit against the OCC; objectives of TSYS' Cayan acquisition; and yet another risk to data security: exposure of sensitive information of 123 million households by analytics firm Alteryx Inc.
We've also included company and product profiles, along with numerous industry milestones reached at the close of 2017. Thank you for continuing to rely on us. We wish you a happy and prosperous new year and look forward to receiving your feedback at greensheet@greensheet.com and press releases at press@greensheet.com. 
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