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IndustryUpdate

Eduardo Mostrom launches
EM Integrated Strategies

Payments communications and policy strategist Eduardo
Mostrom launched EM Integrated Strategies, a Boston-
based boutique agency serving payments, technology
and financial services organizations. The firm com-
bines communications, public policy, industry affairs
and marketing services, offering clients an integrated
approach rather than using multiple organizations.
Mostrom previously worked in public relations and
led industry affairs for the Electronic Transactions
Association in Washington, D.C. Since relocating to
ANNOUNCEMENTS Boston, he has worked on technology and transportation
policy issues in Massachusetts. Mostrom described the
agency as AI-augmented and human-led, with local and
Corpay, FTC reach proposed $100M settlement national capabilities.

Corpay reached a proposed $100 million settlement with MPC: Merchants urge judge
the Federal Trade Commission to resolve previously to reject Visa/MC settlement
disclosed allegations involving marketing and disclo-
sure practices in its U.S. Vehicle Payments business. The Nearly 1,000 businesses and trade associations urged
agreement would resolve the matter without Corpay a federal judge to reject a proposed settlement of long-
admitting wrongdoing, while a June 2023 federal court running litigation over Visa and Mastercard credit card
order remains in effect. CEO Ron Clarke is not required swipe fees. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan,
to make a financial payment under the settlement. 978 signers argued the agreement offers merchants inad-
Corpay said it has strengthened customer communica- equate, temporary relief while providing broad liability
tions, compliance oversight and internal controls in protections to the card networks and issuing banks. The
recent years. It does not expect the settlement to materi- proposal would reduce interchange fees by one-tenth
ally affect ongoing operations or financial results. of a percentage point for five years and modify card-
acceptance and surcharge rules. The Merchant Payments
Global Cards & Payments honors Payroc innovation Coalition said the provisions contain loopholes and

Payroc received four honors in The Digital Banker's would preserve the existing fee structure. The lawsuit
2026 Global Cards & Payments Innovation Awards. dates to 2005.
The payments acquirer and technology platform was
named Best Payments Gateway Provider, Best POS & RESEARCH
In-Store Payments Solution Provider and winner for
Outstanding Implementation of Payments Initiatives Nearly 60 percent of U.S. adults
by a Team. In addition, Payroc CEO Jim Oberman was can't cover a $1,000 emergency
named Payments Professional of the Year. The awards
recognize Payroc's multi-region gateway, card-present ACI Worldwide's 2026 Speedpay Pulse Report found 59
and in-store payment capabilities, payments technology percent of U.S. adults surveyed lack sufficient savings
and industry leadership. Payroc noted it processes more to cover a $1,000 emergency expense, as financial pres-
than $125 billion in card volume annually. sures reshape bill-payment preferences. More than three
in five consumers consider control over payment timing
Mews POS now live in North America very or extremely important. Debit card usage reached

Mews launched Mews POS in the United States and 52.7 percent in 2025, while 55.4 percent of consumers
Canada, extending its hospitality point-of-sale system to combined one-time and automatic recurring payments.
North American hotels. The platform connects property AI use is also increasing, with 53.4 percent of respon-
management, food and beverage operations and pay- dents interacting with AI-powered billing or support
ments, allowing guest information, orders and charges tools, although 89.1 percent still prefer human assistance
to flow through one system, Mews said. Designed for for billing problems.
hotel restaurants, bars, counter service, retail, and other FPC compares major faster payment options
food and beverage operations, Mews POS automatically
posts charges to guest bills and reconciles payments The U.S. Faster Payments Council published a report
without manual matching. Guest profiles are also acces- comparing major faster payment options and their
sible to food and beverage staff. Mews POS has already operational characteristics. Developed by the FPC
been operating in more than 20 countries across Europe Digital Assets Work Group, the report examines the
and the Asia-Pacific region. FedNoService, RTP Network, Visa Direct, Mastercard
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