The payments industry has many leaders with vision who not only shape the rich and plentiful options available to ISOs and merchant level salespeople today, but they also ask hard questions that enable them to envision and create the future well beyond next month or next year. They are bold; they are confident; they know how to take measured risks. This issue's lead article shares the perspectives of three such leaders who share their professional journeys and visions for tomorrow's transactions. Their insights point toward an increasingly mobile, global and rewarding future for merchants, consumers and service providers.
If you've wondered how smartcards fit into the mobile future, Readers Speak addresses whether all significant focus has shifted to smartphones and left smartcards high and dry. Industry experts contributing to this issue also explore the shifting payments landscape, asking such questions as whether reps have taught their merchant customers how to accept new forms of payment, what will really make merchant accounts enduringly sticky, whether ISOs will still play a vital role amid continued consolidation and innovation, why the demise of cash is not imminent, and what's at stake when merchants ask, what's in it for me?
In breaking news, we reported from the floor of the seventh annual National ATM Council's annual convention, which began with presentations on video gaming kiosks, cash discounting and route management optimization. We covered Square's new pricing scheme, which more closely mirrors traditional card acceptance fees and is drawing the ire of representatives of smaller merchants in the process. We also reported on a recent study indicating consumer concerns about privacy and security have slowed mobile payments adoption in the United States. This was according to research by the Pew Charitable Trusts, which found ecommerce has grown three times faster than traditional payment cards and transactions initiated on smartphones. And separate studies from Harris Poll and Experian found that fraud is up and consumer confidence is down, while a report from ABI Research found that contactless ticketing volume may exceed 1 billion in 2024.
Along with new product stories, which highlight instant statement analysis and a POS designed by ISVs for ISVs, you'll find profiles and updates on individual and company awards, product launches, research, partnerships, mergers and appointments. To help us spread your news, please send a press release to press@greensheet.com. And if you have questions or suggestions, we'll welcome your email at greensheet@greensheet.com. 
The Green Sheet Inc. is now a proud affiliate of Bankcard Life, a premier community that provides industry-leading training and resources for payment professionals. Click here for more information.
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