The Green Sheet Online Edition
May 25, 2026 • 26:05:02
News Briefs
P2P lending market poised for rapid growth as digital finance accelerates <- click to read full story
New research from Precedence Research found that the global peer-to-peer lending market is poised for significant growth, expanding from more than $176.5 billion in 2025 to a projected $222.9 billion in 2026 and potentially reaching $1.6 trillion by 2035.
Researchers said rising demand for digital financial services and alternatives to traditional banking is driving adoption. P2P platforms connect borrowers directly with investors, enabling faster approvals and broader access to credit.
The report highlighted growing use of AI, big data analytics and blockchain technology to improve underwriting, security and transparency. While North America currently leads the market, Asia-Pacific is expected to see the fastest growth. Researchers also noted concerns involving default risk and regulatory uncertainty.
Court rejects gas stations' bid to pursue separate lawsuit against card brands <- click to read full story
A U.S. appeals court rejected an effort by gas station owners to pursue separate interchange claims against Visa and Mastercard, ruling they remain bound by the card brands’ $5.6 billion merchant settlement reached in 2019. The gas stations argued they indirectly paid inflated interchange fees through suppliers and franchisors rather than directly through acquiring relationships, but both district and appeals courts rejected the claim.
Meanwhile, the Merchants Payments Coalition said rising gasoline and diesel prices are increasing transaction processing costs for fuel retailers, estimating so-called swipe fees now total roughly $60 million daily.
The coalition used the figures to promote the Credit Card Competition Act, while broader interchange litigation and settlement disputes continue moving through federal courts.
Colorado lawmakers pass interchange bill <- click to read full story
Colorado lawmakers approved legislation banning interchange fees on the sales tax portion of card transactions and sent the measure to Governor Jared Polis for consideration. The bill applies to card issuers with more than $60 billion in assets and allows merchants or consumers to pursue civil action against payment card networks for violations.
The legislation comes as legal disputes continue over a similar Illinois law that federal regulators say is preempted by banking law. On May 8, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ordered a lower court to reconsider the Illinois case following a recent OCC ruling. Supporters say the Colorado bill will reduce costs for merchants, while payments industry groups argue the measure would disrupt the payments system.
Feds aim to tackle payments fraud <- click to read full story
Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman said the Fed is working with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to establish a public-private roundtable focused on combating payments fraud. Speaking at a May 5 symposium, Bowman said increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes cost the financial system $84 billion in 2024, with only $21 billion recovered.
The Fed reported that one in five U.S. adults experienced fraud or scams last year, with lower-income households particularly vulnerable because many cannot absorb even modest financial losses. A separate Fed report found rising fraud attempts and losses across debit cards, checks and faster payments. Bowman said stronger collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, telecommunications providers and law enforcement will be necessary to combat organized criminal activity.
Community Bank Relief Act advances to full Senate <- click to read full story
Legislation introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Katie Britt would raise the asset threshold exempting financial institutions from Durbin Amendment debit interchange caps from $10 billion to $15 billion, with future increases tied to inflation and cost-of-living adjustments.
Supporters said many community banks have outgrown the original threshold established in 2011 and now face regulatory burdens intended for much larger institutions.
Merchant groups oppose the proposal, arguing it would increase costs for merchants and consumers while creating a windfall for banks exempt from interchange limits.
The legislation arrives as the Federal Reserve weighs proposed changes to debit interchange rates and as federal courts remain divided over whether the Fed set the original cap too high by including disputed bank costs in its calculations. 
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