The Card Payments Ecosystem – and Fragmentation

Scott Loftesness

July 10, 2010

In a post titled “Great since day one“, Marco Arment blogs about what makes the iPhone different – in essence he writes that Apple makes products that are great today. Android isn’t.

Reading his post brought to mind the fragmented nature of the card payments ecosystem that we live in – and how it’s so difficult to innovate in a way that provides an easy, simple and complete consumer experience.

Isn’t that the weak underbelly of today’s card payments acceptance environment? The fragmented nature of it – merchants having to deal with acquirers, struggling with PCI-DSS compliance, etc. Issuers who can’t influence the acceptance environment – yet are dependent upon it.

Problems like these create new opportunities – for those bold enough to pursue them. Yet the incumbents continue with their “business as usual” strategies.

Where are the smart new entrants – eager to disrupt? One thing’s almost certain – they’re out there working hard and they’ll soon surprise us – then, we’ll say: “Of course!”

Recent Payment Views

Payments Orchestration: What Comes Next?

Payments Orchestration: What Comes Next?

Orchestration providers have certainly come a long way, and can enable powerful capabilities and benefits for the merchants that employ them. This post explores some of the possibilities Glenbrook has been thinking about for where Orchestration (and even orchestration) can go next.

read more
Payments Post #12: Lessons from Change

Payments Post #12: Lessons from Change

In this month’s Payments Post, we want to draw your attention to several recent fraud incidents that underscore the criticality of effective risk management to your business and the safety and soundness of the payments industry.

read more

Glenbrook Payments Boot CampTM workshop

Register for the next Glenbrook Payments Boot Camp®

An intensive and comprehensive overview of the payments industry.

Train your Team

Customized, private Payments Boot CampsTM workshops tailored to meet your team’s unique needs.

OnDemand Modules

Recorded, one-hour videos covering a broad array of payments concepts.

GlenbrookTM Company Press

Comprehensive books that detail the systems and innovations shaping the payments industry.

Launch, improve & grow your payments business