Relationships. It's impossible to envision anyone succeeding in the payments world without being able to build solid relationships with merchants and partners alike. Sometimes merchant level salespeople (MLSs), ISOs and super ISOs have legitimate gripes to be worked out, but in today's complex world of merchant services and ever evolving payment transactions, industry stakeholders are actually working together very well.Many payment pros have established policies and procedures that nurture their working relationships. This issue's lead article presents viewpoints from industry veterans who have gained wisdom on how to prioritize the health of their professional relationships in practice.
A type of relationship that may be novel to many U.S.-based ISOs and MLSs is one that facilitates processing with an overseas processor. Those serving merchants in verticals that are typically hard to place sometimes establish relationships with processors based outside of U.S. borders. For this issue, one of our contributing writers outlined the risks to consider carefully before embarking on this type of arrangement. Other topics explored by industry experts in this publication include how lessons learned from history can help present-day payment pros overcome challenges, hurdles and, in some cases, significant roadblocks; how to employ frameworks to make the EMV transition easier, faster, safer and cheaper; merchant processing basics for MLSs; key payment trends in 2017; and the far-reaching contributions of one payment pioneer.
In the news, we covered progress made by the Faster Payments Task Force; the call for merchants to become compliant with the ADA; controversy regarding the OCC's considering fintech banking charters; and highlights from the National Retail Federation's recent 2017 show. We've also included briefs on the CFPB's action against Mastercard and UniRush one day after Green Dot heralded its intention to acquire UniRush; an extension of the Fed's cyber risk comment period; JetPay's fulfillment of a settlement with Merrick Bank; and more.
In addition, you'll find herein new product and company profiles, as well as updates in the mobile sphere, awards and other company milestones, new partnerships and acquisitions, industry research, and executive appointments.
How is your business doing in 2017? Are there areas of payments you'd like us to delve into further? Remember, we are here as a resource for the industry's feet on the street. What can we do to help you thrive in your career? Let us know at greensheet@greensheet.com, and continue to send you news to press@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.
Notice to readers: These are archived articles. Contact names or information may be out of date. We regret any inconvenience.
Prev Next
