Europe-focused payment automation/e-invoicing platform Banqup has launched a partnership with Visa.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.The collaboration, announced Wednesday (Feb. 18), is being driven b ...

Industry Overview - The Financial Transaction Services industry is part of the broader FinTech space, encompassing card and payment processing, ATM services, money remittance, and investment solutions for financial advisors [2] - The industry benefits from ongoing digitization accelerated by the pandemic, facilitating quick and secure monetary transactions across multiple currencies globally [2] Key Growth Drivers - Expanding global trade, rising international travel, and increasing demand for cross-border payments and remittances are key factors driving growth in the industry [5] - Continued e-commerce growth and a resilient labor market are sustaining transaction volumes, although inflation and tariff pressures may strain consumer budgets [1][4] Technology Investments - Companies are significantly increasing technology expenditures to enhance digital infrastructure, including investments in biometric authentication, QR-code payments, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platforms [3] - The rise in digital payments has led to increased exposure to cyber threats, prompting companies to invest heavily in cybersecurity and fraud detection systems [3] Strategic Mergers and Acquisitions - Companies in the sector are engaging in strategic mergers and acquisitions to strengthen digital ecosystems, expand service offerings, and enhance global reach [6][7] - Expectations for interest rate cuts in 2026 may encourage companies to utilize debt financing for M&A activities, allowing them to pursue growth opportunities while preserving cash [7] Consumer Spending Trends - Stable consumer spending supports higher transaction volumes, although persistent inflation may lead to more cautious spending behavior [4] - A resilient labor market with low unemployment and steady wage growth could help sustain consumer purchasing activity in the near term [4] Industry Performance - The Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry has underperformed compared to the Business Services sector and the S&P 500, declining 24.3% over the past year [11] - The industry's current valuation is at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 18.15X, lower than the S&P 500's 22.51X [15] Notable Companies - **Global Payments**: Positioned for growth with strong performances in Merchant and Issuer Solutions, benefiting from increasing transaction volumes [18] - **Visa**: A major player in digital payments, expanding through strategic alliances and acquisitions, with a focus on technology investment [23] - **Mastercard**: Operates a multi-rail infrastructure for seamless payments, with a strong cross-border payments platform [26] - **Fiserv**: Maintains a competitive position in digital payments with a broad portfolio and strategic acquisitions [30] - **Fidelity National**: Achieving solid revenue growth through Banking and Capital Markets Solutions, with a strategic international footprint [34]

But it’s worth noting that the numbers aren’t uniform across the country. VISA looked at national averages, and the threshold to qualify for affluence and net worth varies widely based on regional purchasing power.The report also noted that “persistent labor shortages — driven by retiring baby boomers and slower immigration — have fueled strong income growth.”From 2019 to 2023, the income required to be part of this group rose 24% partly due to “the surge in asset prices” for that period, according to Visa. ...

Core Perspective - The UK is moving towards establishing payment card sovereignty to reduce reliance on US-owned networks like Visa and Mastercard, reflecting a broader trend of payment independence in Europe [3][5][9]. Group 1: Current Landscape - Approximately 95% of UK card transactions are processed through Visa and Mastercard, indicating a high level of centralization and concentration risk in the payment system [3][4][13]. - The UK's National Payments Vision emphasizes the need for infrastructure modernization to enhance resilience and reduce dependency on a few global technology providers [3][4]. Group 2: Domestic Payment Initiatives - UK banks are accelerating plans for a domestic card payments alternative, which has been discussed for years as a government-backed initiative to provide a backup to existing systems [4][12]. - The move towards a dedicated domestic payments rail is significant, as it aims to align incentives, liability frameworks, and technology to build consumer trust and merchant acceptance [17][18]. Group 3: Challenges and Considerations - Open Banking is not yet a complete substitute for card payments, as it lacks the full range of use cases and consumer familiarity associated with traditional cards [14][16]. - Structural challenges exist within the Open Banking sector, including profitability issues and intense competition, which hinder its ability to serve as a core national payments infrastructure [15][16]. Group 4: Strategic Importance - Payments are increasingly recognized as strategic national infrastructure, necessitating coordinated public-private investment and interoperability with European schemes to ensure resilience [12][18]. - The geopolitical landscape has heightened concerns about the UK's exposure to risks associated with reliance on US payment networks, making the development of domestic alternatives more critical [8][9].

The Trump Administration is again pressuring credit card issuers to cap the interest rates they charge card holders. "James Dimon, lower your friggin' credit card interest rates," White House trade advisor Peter Navarro said Thursday on Bloomberg Radio. "You are a criminal the way you charge the American people at 22, 25 and 30% and the president wants you to lower that," Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensab ...

Visa and Mastercard handle about 95pc of all card transactions in the UK. - Toby Melville/Reuters Britain is accelerating plans to launch an alternative to Mastercard and Visa amid growing fears Donald Trump could pull the plug on the global payments system. The UK’s largest banks are plotting a new British platform to handle the 50 billion payments made every year after concerns were raised about Mr Trump’s ability to switch off the current system. Lenders including Barclays, Natwest, Lloyds, Santande ...

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Group 1 - Visa Inc. introduced Visa & Main, a platform aimed at enhancing small business growth in the U.S. by addressing barriers related to digital adoption, customer reach, and capital access [2][3] - The initiative targets undercapitalized entrepreneurs, with 43% of small businesses reporting financing challenges, and includes a $100 million working capital facility in partnership with Lendistry [3][4] - Visa & Main combines funding with digital tools and marketing assistance to help small businesses capitalize on high-traffic events, such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, and promotes the use of fraud prevention and digital payment tools [4][5] Group 2 - Visa Inc. is a global leader in digital payment services, facilitating secure transactions between consumers, merchants, and institutions through its extensive network [5] - The company's strategy focuses on increasing acceptance, transaction volumes, and long-term network engagement by supporting small businesses and enhancing their operational capabilities [3][4]

Core Viewpoint - Visa's exclusive partnership with the Olympics highlights the challenges Europe faces regarding payment systems, particularly the dominance of foreign payment providers and the declining use of cash [1]. Group 1: Visa's Role and Market Dynamics - Visa has been the sole card provider for the Olympics since 1986, with a sponsorship deal extended to 2032, emphasizing its monopoly in this high-profile event [1]. - Approximately two-thirds of card transactions in the euro area are processed by international card schemes like Visa and Mastercard, indicating a significant reliance on foreign payment systems [1]. - A spokesperson for Visa stated the company's commitment to enhancing the purchasing experience for Olympic products, despite the growing trend of consumers not carrying cash [1]. Group 2: European Central Bank (ECB) Initiatives - The ECB aims to launch a digital euro by 2029, which is seen as crucial for Europe's economic security and to reduce dependency on non-EU payment providers [1]. - The digital euro is intended to be available for both wholesale and retail payments, functioning offline like cash and online, to maintain control over monetary policy [1]. - Legislative proposals for the digital euro have faced delays in the European Parliament, but recent endorsements from the European Council and Parliament have strengthened the ECB's position [1]. Group 3: Cash Payment Acceptance - Cash payments are still accepted at Olympic venues, with ATM machines available for cash withdrawals, although the trend shows a significant preference for card payments [1]. - The Esselunga grocery chain, located in the Olympic press center, initially did not accept cash but announced it would start accepting cash payments to improve service [1].

Quick Read Invesco Quality ETF (SPHQ) returned 93.7% over five years versus 77.1% for the S&P 500. Invesco Quality ETF gained 6.0% year to date in 2026 versus 1.5% for the broader index. Mastercard and Visa combine for nearly 10% of the portfolio. Costco delivers 30.3% return on equity. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. When most investors think about S&P 500 exposure, they picture ow ...