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Letter from the editor

ere is a question that once might have seemed
unthinkable: What should the Federal
Reserve’s future role be in the nation’s check
H system? Despite years of decline in check
usage, billions of checks still clear annually, represent-
ing trillions of dollars in value. Now, as volumes fall
and infrastructure ages, the Fed is weighing whether to
maintain, scale back, wind down or reinvest in its check
services. This issue's lead article digs into what comes
next. Public comments suggest strong resistance to any
significant retreat, particularly from community finan-
cial institutions, small businesses and consumers who
continue to rely on checks. At stake is more than legacy
infrastructure; it is the balance between modernization,
access, cost recovery and the realities of how Americans
still pay their bills.
Beyond check usage, one industry expert featured here-
in delves into why B2B payments are becoming a stra- Let me make it easy for you
tegic liquidity engine as interoperability, embedded
workflows, data intelligence and working capital opti- to reach your target audience
mization reshape enterprise finance. Other contributors with a personalized custom
provide a practical look at working capital options for
ISOs and MLSs, from residual sales to alternative lend- advertising campaign to meet your
ing, and how investors value portfolios; discuss why
ISVs regret processor contracts, and how a Day 365 company’s individual needs today.
perspective, deeper due diligence and honest self-as-
sessment can prevent costly, hard-to-unwind payments
decisions. Experts also explain why international ex- Customized advertising campaigns
pansion fails when payments are an afterthought; and to fit any size company and budget.
celebrate NEAA’s 41st annual conference, which focused
on fintech innovation, leadership and friendly competi- • Spotlight Innovators’ Pages
tion, from a tech showdown to insights shared on career
growth and resilience. (frequently updated content)
• Resource Guide listing
Our news stories show how quickly the payments
landscape continues to evolve. Ransomware gangs are (print/online/front page options)
becoming more organized, and brazen, by recruiting
insiders, while cryptocurrency is edging closer to the • Email Blasts (to GS readership)
mainstream at checkout counters. Government agen- • Advertising
cies are turning to new digital identity tools to combat
increasingly sophisticated fraud. At the same time, the (website/twice month various size options)
ACH posted record numbers, highlighting the steady
march toward electronic payments even as checks stub- • Video
bornly hang on. And in the broader economy, a January • Bundled advertising campaign discounts
deep freeze reminded us that weather, seasonality and
consumer behavior still have a powerful impact on small
businesses. Rick Aston
Be sure not to miss updates on recent research, partner- Senior Media Partnership Specialist
ships, acquisitions, appointments and other milestones
in the payments and fintech sphere; product and spot- 707-284-1693
light profiles; Resource guide listings and other features
designed to help you advance in your career. We will Your bottom line will thank you.
welcome your questions and suggestions at greensheet@
greensheet.com, as well as your press releases at press@
greensheet.com.
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