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IndustryUpdate

rather than shopping, with payments playing a growing ness growth, down from 88 percent last year, while 83
role in consumer travel decisions. The survey of 4,500 percent of respondents remain optimistic about the year
consumers across seven countries found that 50 percent ahead.
plan to spend more on activities and experiences during
trips, while 91 percent are considering leisure travel this Gen Z owners stood out for pursuing more aggressive
summer. growth strategies and higher adoption of passion-project
and side-hustle business models. The study also found
At the same time, payment friction remains a concern, growing use of generative AI, with 75 percent of own-
with 44 percent reporting payment issues while trav- ers now using the technology for functions including
eling and 45 percent abandoning purchases because marketing, data analysis and automation. Most owners
of payment difficulties. Paysafe said travelers increas- also emphasized the importance of predictable fees and
ingly expect flexible, seamless digital payment options human support from financial partners.
throughout the travel experience.
TPA finds AI banking tools PARTNERSHIPS
failing vulnerable customers
Bluefin, LANDI team up on P2PE
The Payments Association released research showing for smart payment terminals
vulnerable consumers are more likely to encounter prob-
lems using digital and AI-enabled banking tools. Based Bluefin partnered with LANDI Global to deliver a
on a survey of 2,000 UK adults, the report found that 59 direct-to-processor point-to-point encryption solution
percent meet the Financial Conduct Authority's defini- for smart payment terminals. The joint offering com-
tion of vulnerability. Among vulnerable consumers, 17 bines LANDI's Android-based terminals with Bluefin's
percent said they were unable to complete a banking or PointConex platform to provide processor-agnostic,
payment task because a digital or AI-enabled tool failed, PCI-validated P2PE without requiring merchants, gate-
compared with 5 percent of non-vulnerable consumers. ways or processors to redesign existing payment flows.

The study also found frustration increases with multiple The companies said the solution helps organizations
vulnerability factors. The Payments Association said secure payment data across distributed smart termi-
banks and payment providers must improve inclusive nal environments while reducing PCI DSS scope and
design and maintain human support options. avoiding extensive EMV recertification. The platform
supports integrated, semi-integrated and countertop
UK SMBs optimistic but unhappy payment environments across sectors including retail,
with payments providers hospitality, healthcare and higher education.

DECTA released a new white paper examining the pri- CheckAlt joins U.S. Bank
orities and frustrations of small and midsize businesses Connected Partnership Network
when working with payments providers. Based on a
survey of 500 SMB decision-makers, the report found CheckAlt joined the U.S. Bank Connected Partnership
that while 82 percent of participants in the survey are Network, allowing U.S. Bank clients to access CheckAlt's
optimistic about their businesses' survival over the next receivables and payment processing solutions through
three years, many remain dissatisfied with payment integrated treasury and payment systems. The compa-
providers due to high fees, slow integrations and limited nies said the integration is designed to help organiza-
transparency. tions centralize inbound payments, reduce manual pro-
cessing and improve reconciliation workflows.
Security emerged as the top priority, with more than half
of respondents valuing trusted payment infrastructure Through the network, clients can access services includ-
over lower fees or newer technologies. The research ing lockbox, electronic lockbox, remote lockbox and
also highlighted ongoing concerns around slow access online payment processing. U.S. Bank said the partner-
to funds, rising pricing pressures and worsening inter- ship expands receivables technology options within its
national payment experiences for globally active busi- fintech ecosystem, while CheckAlt said the collaboration
nesses. will help businesses improve payment visibility, auto-
mation and operational efficiency.
Gen Z small business owners making
bigger bets to drive growth Indra Group modernizing D.C. subway network

U.S. Bank released research showing small business Indra Group was selected by Washington Metropolitan
owners remain focused on growth despite economic Area Transit Authority to modernize the Washington,
pressures, rising costs and tighter access to capital. The D.C., subway network's ticket vending system under a
survey of 1,000 owners found 68 percent reported busi- contract valued at up to $75 million. The project includes

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