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Letter from the editor

or years, payments innovation has been
defined by speed: faster checkouts, faster rails
and faster decisions. But as 2026 unfolds, the
F industry is entering a more demanding phase,
one where velocity alone is not enough. Trust, gover-
nance, resilience and real-world execution are moving to
the foreground, even as AI, digital wallets, instant pay-
ments and new settlement models continue to advance.

In this issue’s lead feature, we explore how payments
leaders are navigating that shift, from promise to pres-
sure test, and what it will take to build systems that don’t
just move money faster, but do so securely, transparently
and sustainably. Navigating that shift also applies to
marketing in the new year, a topic explored by one of Let me make it easy for you
this issue's contributing writers. Other experts featured
herein explain why treating payments as a finance after- to reach your target audience
thought leaves merchants exposed, and strategy, educa- with a personalized custom
tion and provider scrutiny matter as fintech choices mul-
tiply; why, after the UK Financial Conduct Authority's advertising campaign to meet your
decision to allow providers to set contactless limits, the
real challenge lies in managing heightened consumer company’s individual needs today.
anxiety about fraud, not fraud itself, which remains low;
and why monetization, compliance and explainable AI Customized advertising campaigns
are the foundations for growth and trust for banks.
to fit any size company and budget.
Select news briefs report on growing opposition to a pro-
posed settlement in the long-running interchange litiga- • Spotlight Innovators’ Pages
tion involving Visa and Mastercard, with Walmart and
major retail trade groups urging a federal court to re- (frequently updated content)
ject the deal; Shift4 Payments founder Jared Isaacman's • Resource Guide listing
confirmation as the 15th Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration; new data from (print/online/front page options)
the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggesting
BNPL loan performance is improving despite consum- • Email Blasts (to GS readership)
ers using BNPL more often and for larger amounts; The • Advertising
Federal Reserve's biennial debit and prepaid card report
showing debit use continuing to grow but at a slower (website/twice month various size options)
pace, while fraud losses are rising and interchange fees • Video
remain largely stable; and solid gains posted in U.S. con-
sumer spending during the 2025 holiday season, reflect- • Bundled advertising campaign discounts
ing steady confidence and flexible shopping behavior,
according to Mastercard. Full versions of all recent news
stories are posted here: https://www.greensheet.com/ Rick Aston
breakingnews&article_id=3354.
Senior Media Partnership Specialist
Also included are product and company profiles; updates
on recent appointments, acquisitions, partnerships, re- 707-284-1693
search and more; and additional features to empower you
in your payments career. To help us remain your trusted Your bottom line will thank you.
source of information and inspiration in the new year,
please send your suggestions to greensheet@greensheet.com
and your news to press@greensheet.com.
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