MAG Insights

Jun 2, 2021, 11:14 by Mary M Platz

Microsoft has invested in payments capabilities over the last decade to be able to meet our customers where they want to pay and optimize around the same. During that time, the world of payments has evolved and become much more intricate with an array of options with uncertain returns. Determining what to do and what not to do has become more art than science and we have leveraged the forums and connections made at the MAG to help us decipher how to maneuver in the payments sphere and how to capitalize on emerging and prevailing trends.

May 6, 2021, 13:19 by Mary M Platz

The speed of change we are witnessing around the world has never been greater or more exciting. It is taking place in every region of the globe and in every industry—with the Asia Pacific region and payments being no exception. The many advances that are occurring on what seems a daily basis are delivering previously unthinkable flexibility and speed across all borders. At Discover® Global Network, we see the opportunities and recognize the challenges. We know the most important work we do is to strive to meet our customers’ needs and protect their security while ensuring seamless payment experiences throughout the world.

Apr 23, 2021, 08:38 by Mary M Platz

I was on a conference call recently when I realized I have advocated on payments policy for retailers in various roles for a decade as of this April. Time flies when you’re having fun, right?

Apr 16, 2021, 09:42 by Mary M Platz

Best Practices. You may have heard this term a lot lately. The MAG published four Best Practice Guides in 2020. The guides were organized by a group of merchants, whose mission was to pull together considerations, recommendations and best practices on specific topics. There were many worthy topics in 2020 to deeply examine and assess. These are great resources for merchants who hear buzz words all the time like “8-digit BIN” and “Debit Routing,” but don’t have the full grasp on what that means, or what they should be doing to react to it.

Apr 14, 2021, 09:25 by Mary M Platz

In a year that brought tremendous disruption to all walks of life, 2020 will also be seen as a turning point for merchants, particularly those who had already started down the path toward emerging payments technologies. These businesses gained a significant competitive head start, allowing them to quickly implement changes in support of dramatic consumer behavioral shifts. As online, curbside, and third-party delivery purchases dominated the shopping experience, those who were able to meet this consumer demand were best positioned to take advantage of the opportunities.

Mar 23, 2021, 13:22 by Mary M Platz

Does the U.S. payments industry learn from its experiences or will we experience a bit of Déjà vu? Many of you have tried to forget the good times of 2015 when the EMV liability shift was upon us. Some of you may still be in a state of disbelief that was now almost six years ago! What?!? However, U.S. market chip trends suggest only three quarters of POS/ATM transactions are chip-on-chip six years later. Wait, there is more?...

Mar 12, 2021, 14:26 by Mary M Platz

The payments space has never been a static environment, and recently it has evolved even more rapidly with a hotbed of activity. Whether it is cryptocurrency, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) or faster payments, there are many new choices coming to market which merchants need to consider for their checkout experience.

Mar 11, 2021, 10:39 by Mary M Platz

MAG successfully hosted its second virtual event with the 2021 Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum.

Mar 5, 2021, 16:19 by Mary M Platz

I am honored to write to you today as one of the newest MAG board members. As we move into 2021, we have reason to be hopeful for a brighter tomorrow, as well as excited to be part of a payments industry that is advancing at an even faster pace into the 21st century.

Mar 5, 2021, 10:12 by Mary M Platz

The MAG has officially launched a first of its kind eLearning course, Merchant Payments 101! Not only was this an exciting endeavor for the MAG, but we believe it is an even more exciting resource for all stakeholders of the payments system and especially the merchant community.

Feb 17, 2021, 15:01 by Leah R Collins

When asked to write a piece for this edition of MAG Insights, I first thought that there would be relatively little to say about Canada’s payments experience during the COVID-19 crisis that would differ from that of other countries. As it turns out, we do have a few twists and turns of our own, all of which, unfortunately, have tended to increase merchants’ payment-acceptance costs.

Feb 2, 2021, 08:10 by Leah R Collins

Late last year, MAG launched the MAG Learning Center, an on-demand portal filled with our educational resources including past webinars, conference presentations, best practice guides and more. On the heels of the MLC launch, we recently opened Merchants Payments 101, an online course for newbies and veterans alike, explaining the history and fundamentals of merchants’ payments acceptance. We work in an exciting, innovative industry, and we are excited to offer merchant members these tools looking to further their education in merchants payments.

Jan 14, 2021, 11:27 by Leah R Collins

MAG’s Mid-Year Conference and Tech Forum are shaping up to be an exciting kickoff to 2021!

Jan 8, 2021, 15:32 by Leah R Collins

MAG offers a diverse offering of member benefits for our merchant members. Our education, networking with industry peers, and advocacy efforts are at the top of the list.

Jan 7, 2021, 16:07 by Leah R Collins

At the end of the day, it is inevitable: as e-commerce grows (booming amid our global crisis), so has fraud within the industry. As payments have moved online over the past two decades and increasingly the last 10 months, the fraudsters have followed close behind, exploiting the weaknesses of merchant security systems.

Jan 7, 2021, 15:34 by Leah R Collins

Compared to many of my fellow payments professionals, I still consider myself a “newbie.” I found my way onto The Home Depot’s Financial Services team in 2016 where I helped transition our business and technology teams into product management and agile development.

Dec 16, 2020, 10:48 by Leah R Collins

2021 presents unique challenges as policymakers grapple with a pandemic and Presidential transition at the same time. These external factors could mean it takes extra effort and a longer amount of time to see payments policy changes through advocacy and educational efforts, but merchants should not be deterred.

Dec 11, 2020, 11:46 by Leah R Collins

MAG hosted its first virtual Tech Forum and Annual Conference in October 2020. The Tech Forum saw record attendance with nearly 500 registrants, a 57% increase from its inaugural event in 2019, and the Annual Conference, with over 800 registrants, had a 27% increase in attendance compared to 2019 Annual Conference.

Dec 10, 2020, 10:37 by Leah R Collins

As we come to the end of the calendar year, we should all look back and evaluate our contributions to our personal and professional development, including the investments we made in driving change personally and professionally with, of course, recognition to that which is within our control. What were your contributions in this challenging year of 2020, and where do you want to focus your efforts in 2021 in order to influence the future?

Dec 9, 2020, 12:30 by Leah R Collins

Web standards organization the World Wide Web consortium launches forum for online merchant requirements with discounted membership available for MAG members.