Wesley Grant

Columbia

Staff Writer at PaymentsJournal

Staff Writer at Javelin Strategy & Research

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Articles

Breaking the Rules: Why Organizations Must Think Outside the Box to Combat Fraud

2 days ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

Although many organizations are still strategizing and piloting their artificial intelligence implementations, bad actors have already made AI an integral part of their fraud operations. One of the main reasons that criminals have been able to implement emerging technologies so rapidly is they are free from the constraints that hinder many legitimate organizations.
EU Banks Consider Stablecoin Launches After MiCA

3 days ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

With a clear regulatory framework in place, more European banks are planning to add digital assets in their product offerings. According to CoinDesk, ING, a Netherlands-based firm, is planning to launch a euro-backed stablecoin. This initiative may involve a joint effort with other EU financial institutions and crypto firms. Europe’s Markets in Crypto Assets regulations (MiCA) went into effect this year, establishing a framework for how digital assets can be exchanged in the EU.
Circle Mulls Bank Charter, Unveils Cross-Border Payments Network

3 days ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

More digital assets companies are expanding into traditional financial services territory, as evidenced by two recent moves by Circle. The firm, best known for its USDC stablecoin, revealed plans to explore applying for a bank charter. Gaining a bank charter would allow the crypto company to offer traditional lending products and take deposits. Circle also recently shared that its most imminent product launch would be the introduction of a cross-border payments network.
Real-Time Payments Aren’t Yet the Next Big Thing for Merchants

4 days ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

There was substantial buzz when Walmart announced that—with Fiserv’s help—it was launching support for real-time payments through FedNow and the RTP network last year. However, for all the speculation that real-time payments will be the way of the future, there are reasons most consumers aren’t using pay-by-bank at retailers yet—and might not start any time soon.
How Some Employees Exploit Donation Matching Programs to Commit Fraud

1 week ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

The pervasive threat of fraud means organizations must be cautious when sending any payment, including when matching employee contributions to charitable organizations. According to Forbes, there are increasing instances where employees are manipulating programs intended to benefit nonprofits and charities in order to funnel funds from their employers. In some cases, employees have set up phony foundations and made contributions solely to exploit the charitable gift match.
What Global Payments’ Acquisition of Worldpay Means

1 week ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

Global Payments has agreed to purchase Worldpay in a deal worth over $22 billion. FIS acquired Worldpay in 2019, but then sold roughly half of its stake to private equity firm GTCR four years later. Now, FIS and GTCR will divest themselves of Worldpay in a deal which will also see Global Payments selling its issuing segment—which has seen its share of struggles over the years—to FIS.
Klarna Expands U.S. BNPL Footprint with Clover Agreement

1 week ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

In a year full of major moves, Klarna has signed a deal to bring its buy now, pay later products to Clover’s point-of-sale systems. Clover is one of the leading POS providers in the U.S., and this partnership will bring Klarna to over 100 of Clover’s merchants, with a broader rollout slated for early next year. There’s also potential for the two fintechs to expand their offerings to e-commerce merchants in the future.
Most Organizations Experienced Fraud Last Year

1 week ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

Fraud is still a persistent and ubiquitous threat, as evidenced by a recent study which found that 79% of organizations surveyed experienced attempted or actual payments fraud over the past year. The study by the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) found that while this figure was down one basis point from the previous year, it was not a significant drop considering the time and resources many companies have invested in strengthening their fraud defenses.
Wells Fargo Ramps Up Hiring to Capture Growing Tech Market

1 week ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

Following significant tech breakthroughs in recent years, Wells Fargo is aiming to expand its presence in the sector by strengthening its team. Last year, the financial institution increased headcount in its U.S. technology banking unit by 20%, with plans to bring on additional talent in the coming months. Wells Fargo’s tech banking unit supports clients across the fintech, software, and semiconductor industries.
The Cost of Inaction: Why FIs Are Investing in Scam Prevention Now

1 week ago | paymentsjournal.com | Wesley Grant

A consumer receives a text about an unpaid toll bill demanding immediate payment—only they haven’t driven on a toll road recently. A homeowner locked out of their house calls a locksmith, only to discover the business listing on Google Maps was fake, and they have been redirected to a criminal trying to manipulate them into sending funds. These scams are alarmingly common, with new tactics emerging every day.