All Latest News - Prepaid International Forum

Exclusion of non-PRA regulated accounts from pay out of government-derived grants and loans placing fintechs at a competitive disadvantage

PIF uncovers disbursement policies that lead to the exclusion of e-money and payment services resulting in denial of choice for consumers and small business owners London, 12 January 2021 –…

allpay helps Prosper² prosper

Cards on the table for a stake in the future Top FinTech allpay is helping Prosper2 prosper as the TPL partner puts its cards on the table for a stake…

Cashplus acquires icount current account portfolio

Cashplus will add c.5k icount customers to its total of 1.6m accounts opened Cashplus is in final stages of full UK bank licence application Profitable fintech has provided card issuer…

Global Processing Services (GPS) selected to join Mastercard’s Fintech Express Programme

Announcement follows GPS’ recent sweep at the Emerging Payments Awards, sponsored by Mastercard, including securing the highly coveted Leading Emerging Payments Organisation award London, UK – 17 December 2020: Leading…

Ring in the new! The launch of RingPay by McLEAR seems perfectly timed

As well as triggering a surge in e-commerce and online banking, COVID-19 is fundamentally changing the way we pay. A survey by Mastercard* reports that in February and March of…

A joint initiative that transformed the tackling of food poverty in Scotland has taken a top national award

The Scottish Government has replaced the old UK Government voucher scheme in Scotland with prepaid cards in tackling food poverty and has been saluted as Social Inclusion Project of the…

allpay celebrates new contract with the NHS Business Services Authority

allpay has confirmed a contract with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to facilitate payment card top-ups to the digitised Healthy Start Scheme which will be launched in 2021. Healthy…

McLEAR launches RingPay with new features, rewards and exclusive membership club benefits

On a continued mission to make life more convenient, McLEAR have been quietly enhancing the world’s most frictionless way to pay. November 2020 // London. Smart Ring pioneers McLEAR launches…

Global Processing Services (GPS) selected as Department for International Trade London Export Champion

London, UK – 16 November 2020 – Leading payments issuer processor, Global Processing Services (GPS), has been selected by the Department for International Trade (DIT) to become a London Export…

Banking on Digital: Global Processing Services Partners with Lanistar As It Seeks to Disrupt Banking Status Quo

GPS technology will power Lanistar’s polymorphic debit card as the fintech challenger seeks to capture the Millennial and Gen-Z market London, UK – 2nd November : Leading payments issuer processor,…

Onboarding failures costing fintech businesses £billions annually says new report from PIF

Fintech organisations are failing to convert engaged would-be customers due to inefficient onboarding processes with over a quarter of people failing to complete sign up procedures according to research by PIF,…

Global Processing Services Continues International Growth with Visa Investment

Global Processing Services Continues International Growth with Visa Investment Recognition of pivotal role in European Fintech success story London, United Kingdom – 19 October 2020 – Leading payments issuer processor,…

B4B Payments celebrate global expansion, E-money approval and becoming a Mastercard Principal Member

Payment solutions experts, B4B Payments (B4B), celebrate approval to become an E-money institution and the launch of a new branch office in Vilnius, Lithuania. This follows on from the launch…

Global open banking and open finance directory launched

Tuesday 29th September – Launching today, the Open Future World directory is the first inclusive, global and easily-searched directory of organisations involved in the rapidly-growing open banking and open finance…

PIF launches all-digital edition of the PIF Innovation Day

PIF has today announced the launch of the PIF Innovation 2020 with support from Lead Benefactor, Mastercard. Now in its sixth year, the event spotlights the solutions, trends and technology…

Small banks and FIs see open banking as a great platform to grow business – interim results of survey reveal

With a number of smaller financial institutions juggling a wide range of competing priorities, PIF, Open Banking Excellence and Ozone API are conducting a survey amongst smaller banks and FIs…

B4B Payments Announces Strategic Expansion into U.S. Market

B4B Payments announces new collaboration with Visa in the U.S. Digital payments company, B4B Payments, today announced a strategic collaboration with Visa in the United States. B4B Payments will leverage…

PSR announces development of new strategy “for a changing world”

The UK’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has today announced that it is working towards its strategy for the future. The PSR is calling for feedback on what is most important…

UK Government launches Payments Landscape Review

The UK Government is conducting a regulatory review of the UK payments landscape “in light of rapid technology developments.” In a call for evidence launched yesterday, HM Treasury is seeking…

Open Banking Excellence, PIF and Ozone to assess the state of the nation on open banking readiness

London, 24 July 2020 – While open banking has now become a reality in the UK and Europe, there are still a number of financial institutions (FIs) that are finding…

PIF appoints Lisa Grahame to the Board of Directors

Top technology expert and GPS CIO becomes a Non-Executive Director Lisa Grahame London, 23 July 2020 — PIF, the leading not-for-profit industry body for the high-growth prepaid fintech sector, today…

Mastercard Leads the Payments Industry Forward to a More Sustainable Future

PURCHASE, NY | JULY 22, 2020 Directory of Sustainable Card Materials and Vendors Now Available. 60+ Financial Institutions have Issued Cards Made from Recyclable, Bio-Sourced, Chlorine-Free, Degradable and Ocean Plastics…

David Courtney is appointed CCO of Crosscard

David Courtney has joined Crosscard to lead the business’s product, sales, and marketing teams as Crosscard scales its card issuing business across Europe following its separation from PPRO Financial at…

Leading Firms Collaborate with Mastercard to Further Secure Open Banking Ecosystem

2 July 2020 – Mastercard announces three key financial firms as the latest companies to start using Mastercard Open Banking Protect, safeguarding organisations who manage customer accounts against compromised or unauthorised…

Wirecard Card Solutions: PIF urges speedy resolution to ensure funds can flow to those in need

PIF was extremely disappointed to hear on Friday, 26 June that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had placed requirements on Wirecard Card Solutions Ltd. Wirecard Card Solutions which is…

How “Banking as a Service” is shaping customer experiences in Financial Services

Wirecard Blog, 15 June 2020: By Leonard Coen, Head of Sales and Project Management, Financial Institutions, at Wirecard. With Uber, Alibaba, Tencent, Apple, Amazon and Google launching financial products, we…

Mastercard, PFS and Starling Bank team up to offer a trusted alternative to cash to NHS volunteers

Royal Voluntary Service selects two Mastercard issuers as a safer way for the critically vulnerable to pay London, 1 June: As National Volunteer Week gets underway, Royal Voluntary Service has…

Salvation Army choose Fintech prepaid cards specialist B4B Payments in modern slavery response

Cashless advocates and prepaid payments company, B4B Payments is lending its technological weight to The Salvation Army in the vital work to support recovering victims of modern slavery, by working…

CEO Spotlight: Shane O’Hara of Paymentology

In the latest edition of our member CEO spotlight series, PIF speaks with Paymentology CEO Shane O’Hara. Paymentology runs issuer payment card processing platforms across the world, spanning Mastercard, Visa…

Fintech for good during Coronavirus pandemic: Moorwand and K Wearables partner to give away 300 free K Rings to fearless NHS staff

Free contactless payment ring giveaway for NHS staff Payment providers, Moorwand and K Wearables, have today announced a giveaway of 300 K Rings for NHS staff as a show of…

Mastercard Builds on Covid-19 Response with commitment to connect 1 Billion People, 50 Million Small Businesses, 25 Million Women Entrepreneurs to the Digital Economy by 2025

Extends effort beyond 500 million financially included over the past five years. Maximizes technology, partnerships to deliver aid, insights and access to businesses and communities. Blends support of economic and health well-being.…

Vaziva chooses Moorwand to help digitise the French employee benefits market

Moorwand to support Vaziva with BIN sponsorship and settlement services for their pre-paid card solution Moorwand, the BIN sponsor and Issuer that transforms compliance into an enabler of innovation, has…

allpay Launches Event Driven Payment Analytics

Real-Time Payment Notifications provide real-time updates on card acceptance transactions 16 April 2020: Payment specialist allpay limited, has launched Event Driven Payment Analytics. Real-time payment notifications now provide instant updates…

PIF Webinar: Maintaining Customer Service in Challenging Times

Doing things differently comes naturally to fintechs… As industry disruptors, fintechs have been spearheading the development of new ways to interact with their customers, aligning multiple channels to offer streamlined…

UK charity, Migrant Help chooses prepaid card experts B4B Payments, for financially inclusive pay-out solution.

For Migrant Help, finding a cash solution that suited their organisational mission and practical limitations was a must. In their work, assisting victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, being…

allpay’s Prepaid Cards to Help Disburse Emergency Funds for Those Affected by COVID-19

allpay’s Prepaid Cards to Help Disburse Emergency Funds for Those Affected by COVID-19 8 April 2020: allpay, a leading UK payment specialist, has announced a prepaid card programme has been…

Paysafe Insights – COVID-19: Facilitating the cash consumer in a crisis

As the world continues to adjust to a temporary ‘new normal’, the social impact of COVID-19 is beginning to have a significant effect on everyday behaviour, most notably in countries…

PFS Closes Deal to Complete Acquisition by EML

Today, Prepaid Financial Services has finalised its acquisition by EML and has become part of a listed entity, EML Payments. PFS/EML is now one of the largest prepaid FinTech enablers…

Mastercard enables Contactless limit raise across 29 countries; and champions permanent increase

Important new move builds on the phenomenal growth in use of contactless with Mastercard enabling businesses and retailers to implement limit increases quickly and efficiently to help people everywhere benefit…

A virus, windmills and team spirit. A modern tale.

“When the wind of change blows, some build walls, others build windmills.” Chinese proverb. Do you know who’s powering along during the Covid-19 ‘crisis’? Fintech company B4B Payments is, and…

allpay.cards Facilitates Equals’ Launch of Prepaid Currency and Expense Cards

13 March 2020: Leading UK card manufacturer and bureau, allpay.cards has helped facilitate the launch of international money specialist, Equals’ newly branded prepaid currency card: Equals Go, plus its corporate…

PIF appoints Paysafe’s Laura Murphy to its Board as Non-Executive Director

London, 6 March 2020 – PIF, the not-for-profit industry body representing providers of regulated e-money and payment services, today announced the appointment of Laura Murphy, VP Regulatory at Paysafe Group…

Prepaid Cards Used to Distribute Charity Funds to Flood Victims

24 February 2020: The Storm Dennis Flood Appeal fund launched by The Herefordshire Community Foundation, which aims to help those affected by floods in Herefordshire, has now received donations of…

Paysafe Insights: Neobanks vs traditional banks: who has the advantage?

Digital banks will continue to have an impact on the banking sector in 2020. But is their long-term future bright, and what do they need to do to continue their…

McLEAR becomes a Foundation Partner of One Running Movement

The organisers of One Running Movement, a collaborative evolution for movement and change, have announced McLEAR as a Foundation Partner. The partnership will see British technology company McLEAR supporting One…

allpay limited Selected by The National Lottery Community Fund for #CelebrateNationalLottery25 Campaign

allpay limited Selected by The National Lottery Community Fund for #CelebrateNationalLottery25 Campaign 23 January 2020: E-money issuer allpay limited, has announced it has been selected following a tender process by…

FCA, PRA and Bank of England publish coordinated consultation papers on building operational resilience

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Bank of England have published coordinated consultation papers on new requirements to strengthen operational resilience in the financial…

Staff Give New allpay.cards’ Prepaid Card the Thumbs Up!

09 December 2019: Leading UK card manufacturer and bureau, allpay.cards has developed a new vertical prepaid card for staff use. allpay.cards offers end to end production for payment and banking…

Have Travel Money Cards had their “day in the sun”?

Have Travel Money Cards had their “day in the sun”? This was the question posed to PIF members at the November member meeting by prepaid travel money industry veteran Patrick…

PIF Report: Five Steps to get ready for 5MLD

Is your business ready for the Fifth Money Laundering Directive? The Fifth Money Laundering Directive (5MLD) comes into force on 10 January 2020, bringing significant changes to the requirements on…

allpay.cards Designs & Manufactures Caxton’s New Sterling Card for Corporate Expense Management

4 November 2019: Leading UK card manufacturer and bureau allpay.cards, has designed the new Sterling corporate card for Caxton Business. Caxton, named as FX provider of the year in the…

Jim Marous to be keynote speaker at the Open Banking Expo

Open Banking Expo is unveiling global digital banking strategist Jim Marous as the keynote speaker at its London Expo on 13th November 2019. Jim Marous is an internationally recognised financial…

Mastercard launches Accelerate to supercharge FinTech success

Program simplifies experience for fintechs worldwide; drives digital innovation, provides countless ways to transform lives and economies PURCHASE, N.Y. – October 28, 2019 – Mastercard today launched Mastercard Accelerate, a…

PIF Member News: Rise of fintech 2.0: digital payments platform VIALET promises to bring back the human touch

VIALET is a new digital payment platform, developed considering the ongoing shift of society’s mindset from traditional banking to fast and convenient digital tools. Offering a simple mobile application and…

Open Banking Expo launches European Open Banking conference

Open Banking Expo has launched its first European event in Amsterdam, in collaboration with Token, which will address the opportunities and risks that Open Banking presents as the financial services…

PPS opens office in Belgium as part of Brexit planning

PrePay Solutions obtains E-Money Licence from National Bank of Belgium and opens European Office in Brussels as part of Brexit planning Leading payment experts make post-Brexit preparations for European clients…

CEO of Leading Fintech Brand Joins PIF Board as SORQ becomes a PIF Benefactor

London, 6 September 2019 – PIF, the not-for-profit industry body representing the high-growth prepaid fintech sector has today announced that SORQ has become a PIF Benefactor and that SORQ CEO,…

FCA agrees to 18-month extension to SCA deadline

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today announced a plan for the phased implementation of Strong Customer Authentication under PSD2. The plan gives the UK a minimum 18-month extension…

PSR sets date for implementation of Confirmation of Payee

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has set the implementation date for Confirmation of Payee (COP). Members of the UK’s six largest banking groups are required to fully implement CoP by…

PIF Quartely Member Meeting Highlights

July 2019: PIF members met at the Mastercard offices in Canary Wharf for updates on a selection of fintech hot topics, including the latest on Confirmation of Payee (CoP) and…

Inside PIF: Q&A with Declan Byrne, Group Director, One4all

PIF is proud to be governed by a member-elected Board of Directors, each lending their time and industry expertise to ensure PIF meets its objectives. This month, we spoke to…

allpay.cards Instrumental in Launch of New Amaiz Business Banking Service for Solopreneurs

Leading UK card manufacturer and bureau, allpay.cards has announced it is the card provider for the new Amaiz mobile business banking service for solopreneurs. Amaiz aims to help people free-up…

Inside PIF: Q&A with Kevin McAdam, VP Card Services & Global Strategy, Global Processing Services

In our latest instalment of ‘Inside PIF’, we asked PIF Board Member Kevin McAdam, Vice President Card Services & Global Strategy at Global Processing Services, to share his thoughts on…

Financial Conduct Authority to give firms extra time to implement Strong Customer Authentication under PSD2

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today published its response to the European Banking Authority (EBA) Opinion on Strong Customer Authentication. The EBA Opinion was published in response to…

PrePay Solutions partners with Amaiz

The new partnership will enable a simple, smart and secure mobile banking experience for thousands of UK businesses PrePay Solutions (PPS), subsidiary of Edenred, the global leader in payment solutions…

The Card & Payments Awards launch 2020 Call for Entries

This years’ search for the best of the best in cards and payments has begun as the Call for Entries for The Card & Payments Awards 2020 today launched with…

PIF member GPS joins consortium of leading tech-enablers to launch b.yond

The Paytech Pioneer Global Processing Services, has joined a consortium of leading tech-enablers to launch b.yond, a new financial innovation platform that will let banks and consumer-facing businesses rapidly deploy…

PIF responds to the UK Government’s consultation on the transposition of 5MLD

PIF has today submitted its response to HM Treasury’s consultation on the transposition of the Fifth Money Laundering Directive (5MLD). Due to be transposed into national law by 10 January…

Inside PIF: Q&A with Brian Lawlor, Director of Sales & Business Development, Wirecard Card Solutions

In the second instalment of our PIF Board Member Q&A series, we sat down with Brian Lawlor, Director of Sales and Business Development at Wirecard Card Solutions to find out…

Authorised Push Payment (APP) voluntary industry code comes into force

A new voluntary code, designed to improve protection for victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams, has come into force today. The code has been developed by consumer groups and…

Prepaid Accounts: How your money is protected and what happens when something goes wrong

PIF is the not-for-profit industry body that represents providers of regulated prepaid accounts. Here we answer some frequently asked questions account holders have about the safety and security of prepaid…

PIF Q&A with Syed Kamall MEP (London) on tackling financial exclusion and preserving London’s status as a global fintech hub

Syed Kamall is a Conservative MEP for London and Co-Leader of the European Conservatives & Reformists (ECR) Group PIF: Prepaid technology is behind many fintech innovations and it is especially valuable…

The Chameleons in Companies House: New technology uncovers the 1 in 8 disqualified directors who are abusing the commercial register

Research by fraud investigation technology provider HooYu has identified loopholes at Companies House that enables individuals to register as a director, to run businesses and to enable fraud and money…

Confirmation of Payee: Payment Systems Regulator publishes follow-up consultation

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has today published its follow-up consultation for Confirmation of Payee (CoP), an initiative that aims to further protect people from APP (Authorised Push Payment) scams…

FCA sets out next steps in promoting innovation in financial services

Christopher Woolard, FCA Executive Director for Strategy and Competition, has delivered a speech at the 2019 Innovate Finance Global Summit on the impact of the FCA’s work to promote innovation…

PIF Chairman & B4B Payments CEO featured as special guest on fintech podcast

B4B Payments CEO & PIF Chairman, Paul Swinton, recently featured on Fintech Unplugged, a leading podcast for the fintech industry. Paul joined hosts Robert Courtneidge from Moorwand and Suresh Vaghjiani…

UK Government seeking industry views on the transposition of the Fifth Money Laundering Directive

HM Treasury has today published its consultation on the implementation of the Fifth Money Laundering Directive (5MLD). 5MLD amends the Fourth Money Laundering Directive (4MLD) on the prevention of the…

PIF Board Member Q&A: Paul Swinton, CEO, B4B Payments

In this first instalment of our PIF Board Member Q&A series, we asked Paul Swinton, CEO of B4B Payments and Chairman of the PIF Board what he sees as the…

PIF announces Board appointments

London, 01 April 2019 – PIF, the not-for-profit industry body representing the prepaid fintech sector, has today announced its latest appointments to the PIF Board of Directors. Brian Lawlor, Director…

Greater London Authority renews Ambassador card programme with B4B

B4B Payments has extended its relationship with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Team London to provide prepaid cards for its London Ambassador Programme. For the past five years the…

APP Scams Steering Group Agrees Voluntary Code

The Authorised Push Payment (APP) Scams Steering Group has agreed a voluntary Code of good practice which aims to reduce the occurrence of APP fraud and better protect customers. The…

Converging worlds of prepaid and fintech to take centre stage at fifth annual PIF Innovation Day

The fifth annual PIF Innovation Day returns to London on Thursday, 16 May to showcase the solutions, trends and technology fuelling innovation in payments. Sponsored by Wirecard Card Solutions, this…

PIF announces a call for candidates for election to the PIF Board of Directors

PIF, the not-for-profit industry body representing the prepaid sector, has today announced a call for nominations for election to the PIF Board of Directors. PIF is a member-governed organisation that…

New VAT rules on gift vouchers: What the new rules mean and the alternative

The introduction of new VAT rules on gift vouchers means that companies can no longer claim back VAT on gift cards purchased. This will prompt many companies to re-evaluate whether…

B4B wins Best Prepaid Product of the Year 2019

B4B Payments Corporate Expenditure Solution has been crowned winner of Best Prepaid Product of the Year at the Card & Payments Awards 2019 held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in…

Rise in innovative technology protecting consumers against prepaid card fraud

New research by Prepaid International Forum (PIF) reveals how innovative technology is making it easier for genuine customers to open prepaid accounts, whilst successfully preventing criminals from committing fraud and…

PIF in the News: Criminals and Terrorists on The Back Foot Thanks to Innovative Customer Identity Checks on E-Money, Prepaid and Fintech Financial Services

Fintech Finance: New research by Prepaid International Forum (PIF) reveals how innovative technology is successfully thwarting and discouraging criminals seeking to use e-money or prepaid financial services to launder money or commit…

NHS Wales utilises allpay’s Prepaid Card platform to disburse funds

NHS Wales utilise allpay’s Prepaid Card platform to disburse funds to eligible recipients for gluten free food purchases, giving choice and independence on their range of food and way of purchase…

New PIF Chairman Paul Swinton takes the reins

London, 14 January 2019 – PIF, the not for profit industry body representing the prepaid sector, has elected Paul Swinton, CEO & Founder of market leading fintech B4B Payments, as…

PIF in the news: “Customers happy to sign over access to their financial data to big tech firms”

Treasury Today: If banks think they have the monopoly on customer trust when it comes to handling financial data, this survey suggests they could soon face a serious challenge. Banks…

PIF in the news: The Times “Gift Cards present a problem”

The Times: Gift cards may be a simple solution to buying for tricky relatives, yet too often the cards lapse or the shop goes into administration before they can be…

Payment Systems Regulator responds to the interim Access to Cash Review

The UK Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has responded to the interim Access to Cash Review “Is Britain Ready to Go Cashless”. In July 2018, the Access to Cash Review was…

FCA Publishes PSD2 Policy Statement

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today published its PSD2 Policy Statement setting out its final approach and guidance to implementing the Payment Services Directive 2017 (PSD2) and associated…

Paysafe: How 3DS Secure 2.0 will reshape card payment acceptance online

Peter Cornforth, Head of Product, UK Acquiring, Paysafe From April 2019 new rules are being introduced by the card schemes that mandate the adoption of 3D Secure 2.0, the new…

Savvy Shoppers Guide to Buying Gift Cards

Multi-store gift cards and those regulated by the EU’s E-Money directive mean shoppers can give gift cards worry-free GIFT CARDS have been a go-to Christmas present for many years, but with…

The “Changing Face of Prepaid” takes centre stage at Vendorcom Prepaid & Stored Value SIG

PIF, the not-for-profit industry voice for the prepaid and fintech sectors, has announced its involvement in the Vendorcom Prepaid & Stored Value SIG taking place in London today. PIF’s Commercial…

New Head of Policy and Chief Economist for the PSR

The Payment Systems Regulator’s (PSR) new Head of Policy, Chris Hemsley, started work this week. In addition, Matthew Cherry has also begun in his new role as the PSR’s Chief Economist.…

Fintech KYC technology report – how do you measure up?

In our recent report produced in association with HooYu, we shared insight into how the prepaid fintech sector approaches its commitment to KYC obligations. Join us on Monday, 10th December…

PSR publishes consultation on general directions for implementation of Confirmation of Payee

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has today published its consultation on general directions for the implementation of Confirmation of Payee (CoP). The consultation considers whether regulatory intervention is needed to…

Criminals and terrorists on the back foot thanks to innovative customer identity checks on e-money, prepaid and fintech financial services

New research by PIF reveals how innovative technology is successfully thwarting and discouraging criminals seeking to use e-money or prepaid financial services to launder money or commit fraud. PIF, the…

Wirecard and Mastercard extend global card issuance to drive the cashless society

Wirecard: Prepaid cards are a bridge technology to innovative digital payment solutions Wirecard brings its expertise in digital financial technology to the new strategic partnership with Mastercard Prepaid Management Services…

Paysafe: How eCommerce SMBs are future-proofing their businesses in the wake of payments evolution

November 14, 2018 | Oscar Nieboer, Chief Marketing Officer, Paysafe: As the advent of ground-breaking technology drives the world of eCommerce to continually redesign itself, the pressure on small and…

B4B Payments shortlisted for “Best Prepaid Product of the Year” at Cards & Payments Awards 2019

B4B Payments has be named a finalist in the “Best Prepaid Product of the Year” category at the forthcoming Cards & Payments Awards 2019. The B4B Payments Corporate Expenditure Solution…

CashFlows appoints Onick Rahman to BIN Sponsorship team

CashFlows has appointed Onick Rahman to its growing BIN Sponsorship team as a BIN Sponsorship Specialist. Onick joins CashFlows from Paysafe, where he managed a number of high-profile client relationships…

Paysafe: The role of prepaid cards in tackling financial inclusion in Europe

Sara Rita, VP, Paysafe Issuing Europe, Paysafe: As paysafecard CEO Udo Muller discussed on our blog last month, there are currently 40 million European adults that are unbanked for a…

Leadership Boost for PIF as New Directors join the Board

Leading body for prepaid and fintech announces the appointment of two new directors London— 30 October 2018 — PIF, the not-for-profit industry body representing organisations in the high-growth prepaid and…

Lost in Transaction: The future of payments for SMBs

Paysafe has published the fourth edition of its Lost in Transaction report series, our research focuses on the small and medium business sector, and how these merchants plan to stay…

Paysafe White Paper: Will SCA RTS deliver the Open Banking we need?

Paysafe: With implementation of the Regulatory Technical Standards on Strong Customer Authentication less than 12 months away, is there a clear vision of what an API-enabled future of payments looks…

PrePay Solutions wins multiple awards at the Emerging Payments Awards 2018

Europe’s leading prepaid payment and digital banking services provider wows judges across the board and secures three award wins Prepay Solutions (PPS), Europe’s leading prepaid payment and digital banking services…

B4B Payments wins Best Charity Initiative at major industry awards

B4B Payments was named winner of the Best CSR or Charity Initiative category at the Emerging Payments Awards 2018 last night. “We are extremely proud to have won this award,’…

Global Processing Services appoints Kevin McAdam as Vice President of Card Services and Global Strategy

Global Processing Services (GPS), the issuer processor enabling next-generation payment technology for banks, non-banks and Fintechs, today announced the appointment of Kevin McAdam as VP Card Services and Global Strategy.…

Global Processing Services (GPS) strengthens its advisory and leadership team for its next phase of growth

GPS recently received investment of £44 million from private equity firm Dunedin to support the company’s next phase of the growth To support its expansion GPS announces several strategic appointments…

NBPCA: Collaboration and innovation with our partners across the pond

Brian Tate, President & CEO, Network Branded Prepaid Card Association (NBPCA): Last week I was very fortunate to attend the Prepaid International Forum (PIF) in the United Kingdom. I was…

Paysafe: How the growth of challenger banks has refocused consumer appetite for prepaid cards

September 18, 2018, Sara Rita, VP, Paysafe Issuing Europe One of the greatest shifts in financial services in the past five years has been the emergence of challenger banks. These…

PIF announces agenda for its twelfth AGM

The future for the high-growth prepaid and fintech sectors takes centre stage on 19-20 September 2018 PIF, the not-for-profit industry body representing the prepaid sector, has released details of its…

PIF in the News: UK’s appetite for innovation is driving a “Brexit-Proof” boom in fintech and prepaid

The UK’s passion for innovation means it is now seen as a global leader in the development of financial services that are powered by prepaid technology, according to data…

PIF: UK’s appetite for innovation is driving a “Brexit-Proof” boom in fintech and prepaid

The UK’s passion for innovation means it is now seen as a global leader in the development of financial services that are powered by prepaid technology, according to data released…

FCA announces creation of new Global Financial Innovation Network

07 August 2018: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today announced the creation of the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN), in collaboration with 11 regulators and related organisations. It builds…

Global Processing Services joins the Women in Finance Charter

July 2018, London: A further 68 companies have signed up to HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter, including Global Processing Services, J.P. Morgan, Bupa, Admiral Group, Equifax and Investec Asset Management taking…

PIF in the News: Building consumer trust is the biggest Open Banking challenge

Global Banking & Finance Review: Recent data indicates that only three of 10 British adults are willing to hand over access to their financial data to technology companies such as Apple,…

Proposed Gift Card Consumer Protection Legislation welcomed by PIF

In Ireland, moves are being made to strengthen consumer protection around the operation of gift products. These moves have been broadly welcomed by PIF, the European industry voice for regulated…

PIF in the News: European industry group for regulated prepaid card operators welcomes proposed new consumer legislation in Ireland

Irish Times: The European industry group for regulated prepaid card operators has welcomed proposed new consumer legislation in the Republic that would ban short-term expiry dates on gift cards and make…

Dunedin Invests In £44million Funding Of GPS In UK’S 3rd Largest Fintech Financing This Year

Investment will accelerate the growth of GPS and drive its international expansion plans GPS is the tech powerhouse behind the most exciting digital banks, challenger banks, fin-techs and financial institutions …

PIF Announces Board Appointments

London, 29 May 2018 – PIF, the not-for-profit industry body representing the prepaid sector, has today announced the appointment of three new members and the reappointment of two existing members…

Account management giant Sage and B4B Payments announce key strategic partnership

LONDON, May 21, 2018: B4B Payments, a leader in smart and flexible corporate expenditure solutions and Sage Spain, the multi-national accounting software and business services provider, have signed a strategic partnership to…

Fintech Unplugged unveils charter to showcase new fintech talent

LONDON, May 18, 2018: Fintech Unplugged, a podcast hosted by payment experts Robert Courtneidge and Suresh Vaghjiani, will be used as a platform to expose new talent in fintech and…

The Direct finance Card gives companies direct overview and control over all employee expenses in real-time

Employees across the whole company can use the Direct Card for business expenses anywhere in the world – including trips, instore and online purchases Direct Card can be used anywhere…

PIF: TSB Crisis Doubles the Number of Small Businesses Questioning the Value of Banks

16 May 2018 – As the latest crisis to hit the banking sector saw TSB’s business customers struggling to access accounts or even pay HMRC by the quarter’s VAT deadline,…

Will The Mobile Phone Replace Cash Within Five Years?

Majority of UK Consumers Expect Mobile to Become Main Tool for Making Payments The days of carrying cash are numbered according to a new study into the habits of UK…

SWAPX launches a travel money card that lets consumers ‘Swap and Spend’ in local currencies

Consumers can use their SWAPX card account to load funds in EUR and GBP and SWAP into the in-country currency at the ATM, or when they spend abroad SWAPX lets…

Consumers and businesses can now pay and transfer between multiple currencies using Mastercard ‘Flow Prepaid’ and ‘Echo Prepaid’

Flow Prepaid Mastercard© and Echo Prepaid Mastercard© have been developed with Mastercard©, in collaboration with Global Processing Services (GPS), an industry-leading issuer processor Both Flow Prepaid, the consumer payment card, and…

Finextra: European Central Bank seek to boost the security of Internet payments

The European Central Bank has issued a set of recommendations to promote the security of payments made over the Internet: http://www.finextra.com/News/Fullstory.aspx?newsitemid=23638

Optimism for a ‘Soft Brexit’ diminishing amongst financial sector leaders

58% expecting a ‘Hard’ Brexit Two thirds expect access to EU Markets to be negatively affected 75% reviewing options to move at least some operations out of UK Leaders of…

The convergence of prepaid and fintech takes centre stage at PIF Innovation Day 2018

PIF, the not-for-profit trade association representing the high-growth prepaid sector, has released details of its fourth annual Innovation Day and has announced Wirecard as the Headline Sponsor for 2018. The event will…

FinTech Unplugged LIVE @ PIF Innovation Day 2018

FinTech Unplugged, the irreverent and provocative podcast series that tackles the most difficult FinTech and payments topics will be recorded LIVE on stage at the PIF Innovation Day 2018. You can…

PSI-Pay and PerfectCard announce strategic collaboration

Tuesday, 15 March 2016 – PSI-Pay Ltd, one of the UK’s leading, regulated, FinTech companies and PerfectCard Ltd, Ireland’s first authorised eMoney institutions are pleased to announce plans to issue…

Mando, part of the leading global WPP communications group, launches the ‘Universal Card’

Universal Card will enable brands and companies to benefit from their own branded prepaid reward and incentive card for both their customers and employees The solution will be available both…

B4B Payments has been announced as the new name for Payment Card Solutions and Bread4Business.

The change is effective from 5 March 2018. The continued success of the business along with its recent achievement of API (Authorised Payment Institute) status by the Financial Conduct Authority…

New Podcast: Fintech Unplugged with Robert Courtneidge and Suresh Vaghjiani

Two of the most respected and outspoken leaders in the payments industry go head-to-head to answer difficult and controversial questions posed by the ‘BIN of Confusion’. Unscripted and unrehearsed, Fintech…

17 million Brits ready to pay with wearable devices

Overwhelming success of contactless cards peaks shopper demand for wearable payments February 22, 2018 – One quarter (26%) of British shoppers expect to start using “tap and go” contactless payments with…

A Third of Customers Ready to Trust Tech Companies with their Bank Account

Just under a third of UK adults (30%) would be happy to sign over access to their financial data to trusted tech companies such as Apple, Google or third-party apps…

PIF welcomes Compass Plus to membership

Another growth boost for PIF as innovative payment solutions provider joins the Prepaid International Forum London, 13 February 2018 – The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit industry body representing…

PrePay Solutions Cracks Open New Partnership with Challenger Bank Coconut

The collaboration has created a full-service bank account that combines banking and accounting for freelancers, self-employed people and small businesses. 7th February 2018, London, UK – PrePay Solutions (PPS), Europe’s leading prepaid…

Their Perfect Gift Card issued by Wirecard wins the award for the Best Prepaid Card Programme

05 February 2018 – Their Perfect Gift Card issued by Wirecard has won the award for the Best Prepaid Card Programme. The award was announced at the 2018 Cards & Payments Awards…

Global Processing Services selected to be part of the UK Fintech delegation to Austria and Switzerland

Switzerland and Austria to host its annual UK Fintech Mission London, 5th February 2018: Her Majesty’s Swiss Government is delighted to announce the third UK Fintech Mission to Switzerland which,…

TSYS Appoints Kelley Knutson as President of Netspend

26 January 2018 – Today, TSYS, a leading global payments solutions provider across the issuing, merchant and prepaid industries announced it has appointed Kelley Knutson as Senior Executive Vice President of…

PIF in the News: Prepaid cards delivering dividends for councils

Local Government News – Governments across the world have switched to prepaid cards as a modern alternative to cash when it comes to distributing payments to its citizens who opt not to…

FinTech foes join forces to launch multi-currency payment solution UPayCard

Two #1 Payments Power 10 superheroes have come together to drive FinTech innovation and reduce the complexity involved with payment legislation. LONDON, January 15, 2018: International payments company Moorwand and leading…

CashFlows joins the Prepaid International Forum

Membership on the rise as PIF welcomes leading FinTech solutions provider London, 08 January 2018 – The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade association representing the prepaid financial services…

Locke Lord Names Siobhan Moore Global Head of Cards and Payments Practice

(LONDON) January 4, 2018 – Locke Lord’s Siobhan Moore, an experienced cards and payments lawyer with a strong profile in the payments industry, has been named Global Head of the Firm’s…

Global Processing Services selected to accompany the Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor of the City of London on FinTech delegation to Australia and New Zealand

London, 5 January 2018 – The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade association representing the prepaid financial services sector, is delighted to announce that Suresh Vaghjiani, Managing Director of Global Processing Services has been…

International Payments Business Moorwand Ltd appoints Robert Courtneidge as CEO

LONDON – January 4, 2018 – Robert Courtneidge has been named as CEO of international payments business Moorwand to drive the business into a new phase of growth. Robert will take on the role…

Paysafe scoops Best Customer Policy accolade from Forbes Bulgaria Business Awards 2017

Accolade follows a spate of recent award wins for Paysafe in employee engagement, product innovation and leadership SOFIA, BULGARIA, 21 December, 2017 – Paysafe Group Limited, a leading global payments provider, has completed the…

PIF in the news: “Friday will be biggest ever bonus day in UK”

Source: The HR Director: More people than ever before are expected to get an extra gift from their bosses by this Friday (22 December) as employers spend millions on festive bonuses…

In-demand workers can expect a very happy Christmas

Spending on festive rewards and Christmas parties rockets as bosses look to retain staff in 2018 Employers are working harder to keep staff happy this Christmas, spending millions on festive…

PIF announces new Marketing Masterclass

The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade association representing the prepaid financial services sector, is delighted to announce the first in a series of masterclasses for all those involved in the…

allpay wins Best Prepaid Card Solution at the Payments Awards

15 November 2017 – allpay Limited took home the award for Best Prepaid Card Solution at the Payments Awards last night. In addition to the win, they were also runners up in the Best…

Global Processing Services extends mobile wallet capabilities to support Android Pay for issuers

LONDON, UK – October 24, 2017 – Global Processing Services (GPS), a leading payments processor, has increased its support for mobile wallets to include Android Pay using Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES). Android Pay is…

allpay.cards celebrates successful year following EPA Awards

allpay.cards, part of allpay Limited – the UK’s leading payment specialist, is celebrating it’s clients win at last week’s Emerging Payment Awards in London. allpay.cards manufacture the Post Office Travel Money Card,…

Oberthur Technologies – Morpho becomes IDEMIA

Colombes, 28 September 2017 – The result of the merger of Oberthur Technologies (OT) and Safran Identity & Security (Morpho), the OT-Morpho group today became IDEMIA. The group’s ambition is…

The Fall and Rise of the FinTech Empire: Q&A with Suresh Vaghjiani, Managing Director, GPS

PIF Summit 2017 Keynote Interview PIF recently interviewed Suresh Vaghjiani, Managing Director of Global Processing Services,about the current state of the FinTech sector. From the rapid growth of new entrants and their…

Prepaid Schemes ‘Step out of the Shadows’ and Start Delivering Dividends for UK Government

Over £3BN of UK Government Payments could be modernised over next decade say industry experts Governments across the world have switched to prepaid cards as a modern alternative to cash…

Global Processing Services supports Apple Pay for Issuers

LONDON, UK – September 7, 2017 – Global Processing Services (GPS), a leading payments processor, now supports Apple Pay using Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES). Apple Pay is now available to all clients using…

PIF Announces Keynote Interview for Eleventh Annual Summit

Suresh Vaghjiani of award-winning Global Processing Services to deliver Keynote Interview on The Fall and Rise of the FinTech Empire at the PIF Summit 2017 London, 01 September 2017…

Payment Card Solutions (PCS) is granted authorisation as a Payment Institute (API)

Wednesday 30th August 2017 – Payment Card Solutions (PCS) is granted Authorised Payment Institute (API) status by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). PCS services over 700 corporate customers, issuing hundreds…

eMerchantPay becomes Authorised Electronic Money Institution (EMI)

eMerchantPay achieves comprehensive corporate, financial and operational structures, practices, policies and procedures in accordance with the Electronic Money Regulations 2011. London, August 4th, 2017 – eMerchantPay, a leading global payments…

paysafecard launches cash based online payment solution to the United Arab Emirates

Providing alternative, secure and compliant payments for online purchases within region VIENNA, 31 July 2017 – paysafecard, a global leader in online prepaid payment methods and part of Paysafe Group plc, enters…

Battle of Britain’s Holiday Spending Heats Up

Source: Fintech Finance Firms seek to win over cost-conscious holidaymakers with money-saving solutions and incentives Rip-off deals and poor exchange rates are kick-starting a battle for the nation’s travel money this…

PIF Summer Networking Evening & Prepaid Masterclass

The Prepaid International Forum (PIF) will be holding its annual summer networking evening in London on Thursday, 20 July from 6:00pm onwards. To coincide with the event, PIF will also be running…

Battle of Britain’s Holiday Spending

Firms seek to win over cost-conscious holidaymakers with money-saving solutions and incentives Rip-off deals and poor exchange rates are kick-starting a battle for Britain’s consumers’ travel money this summer, with…

Mastercard, Western Union Designing Digital Solutions for Refugees

Source: Paybefore – Mastercard and Western Union have teamed up to help refugees around the world access goods, services and financial services within refugee settlements. Announced on June 20—World Refugee Day—the partnership will…

2017 Pay Awards Results Announced

Today, June 14, Paybefore reveals the Best-in-Category winners in 21 categories and the two recipients of its highest individual recognition, Industry Achievement, for the 2017 Pay Awards. The results are the combination of…

allpay extends PayPoint contract

UK bill issuers will continue to have access to the largest retail network as part of the suite of digital payment solutions offered by payment specialist allpay, following the group’s contract…

Wirecard collaborates with London-based FinTech Soldo to launch innovative Corporate App

Wirecard issues Corporate Expense Prepaid Mastercard as part of a real time account that includes an employee app and management dashboard Aschheim (Munich)/Newcastle. Wirecard Card Solutions (WDCS), a subsidiary of Wirecard AG,…

Netspend and United Airlines Launch MileagePlus GO Visa Prepaid Card in U.S.

Netspend and United Airlines Launch MileagePlus GO Visa Prepaid Card in U.S. MileagePlus GO Visa Prepaid Card will be the first prepaid card in the U.S. offering a consumer the…

Prepaid Innovation Gets Fresh Attention

PIF Innovation Day: Fast-Growing Prepaid Market Offers Rewards, Risks Source: Paybefore New growth estimates for prepaid are encouraging to say the least, but providers gathering in London for the Prepaid International…

Prepaid International Forum announces eleventh AGM & Summit

The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade body representing the prepaid financial services sector, has announced details of the PIF AGM and Summit 2017. Now in its eleventh year, the event…

Prepaid International Forum announces third Innovation Day

The future of banking and new technology take centre stage for industry forum The Prepaid International Forum (PIF) has announced the details of its annual Innovation Day on 11th May 2017 to be held…

Wirecard selected as issuer for new PayFEX Prepaid Mastercard

18 April 2017 – Wirecard collaborates with Payment Card Solutions, AFEX and Global Processing Services to deliver a combined Payroll, Expenditure and Incentives solution for corporates. Read the full release

W2 Global Data secures new co-investment

W2, a provider of SaaS, B2B software solutions and data services, has secured a series A investment. The investment is for growth capital to fund the expansion of its sales,…

PIF in the News: PIF Seeks Clarity, Exemptions as U.K. Moves toward PSD2

Paybefore: As the U.K. moves ahead with plans to implement the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), the Prepaid International Forum (PIF) has asked regulators for more clarification on certain aspects of how the…

Prepaid Industry is “Poised To Completely Replace Cheques For Canadian Businesses”

DCR Strategies Inc: With an annual decline in cheque use of 7 percent across the nation, Payments Canada predicts that, by 2020, virtually every business and government office in Canada…

PIF in the News: U.K. Makes Official Its Intent to Leave EU

Paybefore – 29 March 2017 A little after noon in Brussels March 29, a British ambassador delivered a letter to EU Council President Donald Trusk that set the wheels into motion…

PIF: ‘Frictionless’ Brexit Key to FinTech Sector’s Success in UK and EU

29 March 2017 – The Fintech sector has called for a ‘frictionless’ Brexit deal for its sector, highlighting how this is in the best interests of both the UK and…

London’s shared service alliance of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and City of Westminster appoints Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) to manage its direct payments prepaid card programme

Prepaid Financial Services (PFS), has been appointed by shared service alliance of local authorities (Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and City of Westminster) to manage a prepaid card programme for…

The evolution of contactless prepaid cards

PaymentEye: Kevin McAdam, Director of Prepaid at allpay Limited The speed and ease of online payments, as well as direct debits, has led to high expectations from those making a…

European Banking Authority (EBA) publishes its final draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on strong customer authentication

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has today published its final draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on strong customer authentication and common and secure communication. Read more

European Online Transaction Rule Revised after Payments Industry Complaints

Paybefore: After absorbing hundreds of complaints from the payments industry, the European Banking Authority will relax its pending customer authentication rules for online transactions. The new rule, which requires two-factor authentication, will…

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust appoints PFS to manage its direct payments prepaid card programme

Prepaid Financial Services (PFS), has been appointed by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) to manage a prepaid card programme to distribute funds for social care and health budgets.…

Red Cross provide prepaid solution to support refugees

Global humanitarian and aid organisation, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has selected Prepaid Financial Services Limited (PFS) to provide a cashless management solution for refugees…

Wirecard selected as issuer for popular Bread4Scrap programme by Payment Card Solutions

Wirecard and Payment Card Solutions extend partnership with new collaboration Aschheim (Munich)/Newcastle. Wirecard Card Solutions, a subsidiary of Wirecard AG, collaborates with Payment Card Solutions (PCS) – a leading UK based…

Paysafe appoints Oscar Nieboer as Chief Marketing Officer

Former Amazon, PayPal and Betfair marketing chief joins Group’s exec team 7 February 2017 – London: Paysafe announces that Oscar Nieboer has been appointed as the Group’s first Chief Marketing Officer…

Raphaels Bank and Faster Payments recognised for Industry Achievement of the Year

Raphaels Bank and the Faster Payments Scheme have kicked off 2017 with a joint award in recognition of the successful project to become the first new participant of the UK’s…

PIF in the News: Top Regulatory Issues in the UK and EU

Paybefore, 01.02.2017 – As the U.S. payments industry looks forward to regulatory relief, experts from the Prepaid International Forum talk about regulatory threats and opportunities for e-money in the U.K. and EU.…

Raphaels Bank appoints Janet Johnston Head of Payment Services

Driving Forward New Innovations in Payments Building on its award-winning position in the payments sector, Raphaels Bank has confirmed the appointment of Janet Johnston as Head of Payment Services. Janet…

Paybefore 2017 Pay Awards: Call for Nominations

Paybefore, 4 January 2017: Don’t just say you’re the best in the industry—prove it. Showcase your latest innovations and brilliant people and earn international recognition as a Pay Awards winner. We are…

PIF in the News: Six quick and safe alternatives to sending Christmas cash in the post

YourMoney.com – 21.12.2016: Some say giving cash as a Christmas present may come across as a bit cold or without much thought, but it gives the receiver the chance to…

Payment Systems Regulator Responds to Which? Authorised Push Payment Super-Complaint

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has today published its response to the Which? super-complaint about authorised push payment scams. Learn more

UK Retailers to Receive Record Post-Xmas Bonus from Gift Card Sales

£3bn of Gift Cards to be given as Xmas presents this year Retailers worried about their prospects in 2017 are to receive a welcome post-Christmas bonus thanks to a record year…

PIF in the News: ‘Give Christmas bonuses to junior workers not the bosses, businesses told’

Daily Mirror – 02 December 2016: Giving Christmas bonuses to workers on big salaries is a waste of money, according to new research. Instead they should go to lower paid…

PIF in the News: Prepaid International Forum Argues against European Plan for Online Authentication

28 November: Paybefore – The Prepaid International Forum has joined the chorus of criticism of a European plan for new online transaction authentications, following the lead of Visa and other payment industry participants. The trade group…

PIF in the News: EBA’s proposals on SCA might harm consumers and PSPs – PIF says

28 November 2016: The Paypers – The Prepaid International Forum (PIF) has joined pan-European initiative to express grave concerns with the European Banking Authority’s proposal to tighten customer authentication for online payments.…

Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) launches prepaid card programme for Samaritan’s Purse to provide financial support to refugees in Greece

London, November 29, 2016 – Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) a leading e-money institution that specialises in prepaid cards and alternative banking services, has today announced the launch of a programme for international…

PSR Payments Strategy Forum Publishes Final Strategy

29 November 2016 – The Payments Strategy Forum, a body of experts set up by the UK’s payment systems regulator, has today published its final strategy “for overhauling the current payment…

EBA’s proposals on Strong Customer Authentication under PSD2 will “have a wider and chilling effect on the Digital Single Market”

PIF joins pan-European initiative to express grave concerns with the European Banking Authority’s proposal to tighten customer authentication for online payments Latest EBA proposal introduces disproportionate security requirements to the…

PIF in the News: The Spectator Money Digest

The Spectator: As companies plan their Christmas bonuses, new research may cause a rethink of who should get a bit extra in their December pay packet. According to a study of…

allpay Limited produces first debit card for Starling Bank

allpay Limited, the UK’s leading payment specialist, has manufactured the first debit card for Starling Bank, the UK’s leading, fully-mobile challenger bank. Starling Bank approached allpay Limited to assist with…

Another Growth Boost for PIF as Mastercard and Neopay become Benefactors

Not-for-profit industry body reports surge in membership as prepaid sector evolves LONDON (8 November 2016) – The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade association for the prepaid financial services sector, has…

Mastercard becomes a Benefactor of the Prepaid International Forum as Senior Executive joins PIF Board

Mastercard, a leading global payments and technology company has become a benefactor of the Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade association representing the prepaid financial services sector. At the…

Target Xmas Bonuses at Younger, Lower Paid Workers to Boost Productivity

PIF Report Suggests Big Xmas Bonuses for Directors and Managers a Waste of Money As companies plan their Christmas bonuses, new research may cause a rethink of who should get…

FFF Ltd collaborates with Wirecard, GPS and Bottomline Technologies to deliver state-of-the-art digital agency banking solutions in Great Britain

Aschheim (Munich)/Newcastle. Wirecard Card Solutions Ltd., a subsidiary of Wirecard AG, is now dealing with GPS (Global Processing Services) and Bottomline Technologies to support “U” – a digital agency banking solution…

Raphaels Bank Named Financial Services Institution of the Year for Second Year in a Row

21 October 2016 – Raphaels Bank, at the forefront of supporting the payments sector for more than a decade, has continued its successful run of Award wins. Last night it received…

Paysafe named Best Merchant Acquirer/Processor at 2016 Payments Awards

London, October 21, 2016: Paysafe, a leading global payments provider, has been named Best Merchant Acquirer/Processor at this year’s Payments Awards. The accolade was announced on October 20, 2016 at an…

Mastercard makes fingerprint and ‘selfie’ payment technology a reality

LONDON – October 4, 2016 – Mastercard today announced the European roll out of Identity Check Mobile, a new payment technology application that uses biometrics like fingerprints or facial recognition to…

Locke Lord Launches ‘Brexit for Business’ App

One of the first Brexit apps for the business community App features news, analysis and commentary on Brexit London 10 October: One of the first Brexit apps, enabling businesses to…

Innovation and the Impact of Regulatory Change take Centre Stage at the PIF Summit 2016

London, 13 September 2016 – In just over a week leading industry organisations will gather for the Prepaid International Forum (PIF) AGM & Summit 2016 taking place on 21-22 September at Pennyhill Park. Now…

Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) announces the creation of 50 new jobs

13 September 2016 – Alternative banking provider and financial technology specialist Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) today announces the creation of 50 new jobs in the UK, Ireland, and Malta following…

TSYS Names Karim Ahmad Head of Global Product and Innovation

Columbus, Ga, Aug. 22, 2016 – TSYS (NYSE: TSS) today announced that Karim Ahmad, a veteran of the financial services and consulting industries, has been named executive vice president of…

Raphaels Bank adds Apple Pay to Cash Passport Multi-currency card

First multi-currency prepaid card to use Apple Pay London, 16th August 2016 – A first of its kind, Raphaels Bank Payment Services, a niche payments bank now offers Apple Pay to the bank’s Cash Passport…

PIF Welcomes MasterCard to Membership as Industry Body Turns Ten

Trade association announces its latest new member as it celebrates 10 years supporting the evolution of prepaid London, August 10, 2016– The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade association…

Families £400 Worse Off After Brexit Vote Increases Cost of Summer Spending

As Value of Holiday Pound Plummets consumers look to innovative ways to manage their holiday cash. British holidaymakers are starting to feel the effects of Brexit and weaker exchange rates…

PIF Responds to Proposed Amendments to the Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (4AMLD)

Trade body calls on European Parliament and EU policy influencers to create a level playing field for online and offline payments and maintain the thresholds of the Customer Due Diligence…

‘Credit Crunch Kids’ Raised on Lessons in Financial Responsibility

60% of Parents Opening Accounts Aim to Teach Kids How to Manage a Budget Parents of credit crunch kids are doing their bit to learn from the mistakes of the…

TSYS Helps Payment Providers Identify Growth Strategies for Engaging Millennials

30 June 2016: As baby boomers who have long represented the majority of revenue for financial institutions approach retirement and begin to spend less, TSYS announces the launch of a…

Neopay Launches ‘Brexit Insurance’ To Calm Fears for UK’s E-Money Firms

1 July 2016 – Leading e-money and payments regulatory specialist Neopay has issued a press release regarding the potential regulatory implications of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union and how…

Brexit: PIF Calls on UK Government to Preserve Access to Single Market and ‘Passporting’

24 June 2016 – The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the principal trade association for the prepaid financial services industry, has called on the UK government to protect UK-based financial services…

PSI-Pay and Kerv partner to release the world’s first contactless payment ring

Tuesday 7th June 2016 – PSI-Pay and Kerv Wearables have announced that they are partnering up to enable the world’s first contactless payment ring, to be released to the global…

Finnish Government appoints Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) to manage innovative cashless prepaid card solution for prisoners

The Finnish Government’s central purchasing body, Hansel Ltd, has, through a tendering procedure, selected Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) to manage its first prepaid card programme for the country’s Criminal Sanctions Agency (CSA), the…

PIF Board Members on Shortlist for Payments Power 10

24 May 2016 – Voting has commenced for the Payments Power 10 , an annual award to recognise the top ten contributors to the payments sector over the last twelve months. PIF Chairman Craig…

Digital Disruption Fuelling Innovation in Prepaid

Second Annual Industry Innovation Forum Meets to Share Expertise and Explore Opportunities for Growth The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade body for the prepaid sector, has announced the details of…

Last Chance to Register for the PIF Innovation Day 2016

The registration deadline for the second annual PIF Innovation Day on Thursday, 12 May is rapidly approaching. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to network with industry colleagues, hear from a stellar line-up of…

Ethical Belgian cooperative society NewB selects Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) to provide first product

25 April 2016 – European e-money issuer, Prepaid Financial Services (PFS), has been selected to provide the first product line, a prepaid MasterCard®, to customers of innovative Belgian cooperative society,…

PIF Reports on The Future of Mobile Payments

14 April 2016 – Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade association for the prepaid industry, has today published its latest research report: The Future of Mobile Payments. Based on the…

Raphaels Bank Champions Open Access to Empower Payments Innovation

Direct Benefits: How Fintechs Can Leverage Open Access For Payments Innovation Raphaels Bank Payment Services, which has established an enviable reputation for payments innovation, has published a new white paper…

2016 Pay Awards Top Honors Revealed in New Orleans

21 March 2016 – Paybefore: 2016 Pay Awards Top Honors Revealed in New Orleans – Paybefore. The first day of All Payments Expo (APEX) went out with a bang (and a…

PIF ANNOUNCES BOARD APPOINTMENTS

9 March 2016 – The Prepaid International Forum (PIF), the not-for-profit trade association for the prepaid sector, this week welcomed four new members and the reappointment of three existing members to…

PSI-Pay Ltd announces its best financial year to date for 2015

Wednesday, 02 March 2016 – PSI-Pay Ltd, one of the UK’s leading regulated FinTech companies, is pleased to announce that 2015 has been its best year ever. PSI now has now completed…

Q&A: PIF TURNS 10

Source: Paybefore Q&A with Emily Baum, Prepaid International Forum Paybefore: Why is this an important year—aside from being a milestone year? What are PIF’s key priorities? Click here for the full article

RAPHAELS BANK TO JOIN FASTER PAYMENTS SCHEME

Bank is first to declare intention to join during 2016 New joiner is key milestone for Faster Payments Access Programme Raphaels Bank has become the first of several new financial…

PIF CHAIRMAN’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE

5 January, 2016 – As the new year begins I would like to take this opportunity to thank our members and industry colleagues for their confidence in our organisation and continued…

UK EMPLOYERS SPREAD FESTIVE CHEER BY DOUBLING BONUSES

Companies increasingly using prepaid cards to say thank you 07 December 2015 – Bosses are planning to thank workers after a successful 2015 by doubling the number of Christmas bonuses…

RAPHAELS BANK STREAMLINES EURO PAYMENTS THROUGH SEPA

16 November 2015 – Demonstrating its growing reputation for delivering innovative payment solutions, Raphaels Bank can now offer European transfers through the Bank’s indirect membership of The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).…

PREPAID LEADS THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION

Visa Europe: Imagine yourself in ten years time. Look back at how payments has evolved. What will be the stand-out change? What platform has made the difference? We think prepaid…

OPTIMAL PAYMENTS BECOMES PAYSAFE IN GAME-CHANGING GLOBAL REBRAND

London, Montreal, New York (November 10, 2015) – New brand identity, logo and website to reflect Paysafe’s visionary position in payment processing – Optimal Payments, one of the world’s leading…

MONEY IN ‘ALTERNATIVE’ CURRENT ACCOUNTS DOUBLES

Providers tap into the market of 9 million UK adults ‘failed’ by traditional banks More people in the UK are opting out of the traditional banking system according to research conducted by the…

RAPHAELS BANK LAUNCHES PAYMENT SERVICES DIVISION

Marking a decade leading innovations in the payments sector 2 November 2015 -In a move reflecting its role in the evolution of the payments sector over the past 10 years,…

PREPAY SOLUTIONS ONCE AGAIN NAMED AS LEADING PREPAID ORGANISATION AT EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS

16 October 2015 – PrePay Solutions has been named as the ‘Leading Prepaid Organisation’ at this year’s Emerging Payments Awards, an annual event that covers a variety of innovative payment…

PIF INDIA PREPARES FOR OCTOBER MEMBER MEETING

28 September 2015 – The Prepaid International Forum’s India Chapter is gearing up to discuss and debate the challenges and opportunities for prepaid market development in India. Members will convene in…

Brink’s and NetSpend Launch Brink’s Prepaid MasterCard

6 April 2015 – Brink’s Delivers Peace of Mind to Consumers Seeking Security, Stability and Convenience

Industry Body Eyes Opportunity for Prepaid as Enabler for Financial Inclusion in India

2 April 2015 – Industry body eyes opportunity for prepaid as enabler for financial inclusion in India An estimated 41%1 of the Indian population is un-banked 61%1 of un-banked live in rural…

6 Times a Prepaid Debit Card Is Better Than a Checking Account

30 March 2015 – Huffington Post 16/11/2014:

2015 Is U.K.’s ‘Year of Prepaid’ Says Group

26 March 2015 – Paybefore. Read the full article here

New Payment Systems Regulator puts customers and payments users at the heart of the £75 trillion UK payment systems industry

25 March 2015 -The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), the new economic regulator for payment systems, today confirmed how it will regulate the industry from 1 April 2015. Read more

2015 THE YEAR OF THE ‘PREPAID ECONOMY’

25 March 2015 – POST-CRASH CONSUMERS SEEK SWITCH AWAY FROM CREDIT AND TO REDUCE ONLINE FRAUD RISKS 380% rise in selection of prepaid card products available to UK consumers 35%…

NetSpend: Thousands Voice Concern about CFPB Proposed Rule

24 March 2015 – In letter to CFPB, NetSpend joins cardholders in urging the bureau to reconsider harmful restrictions impacting millions of underbanked and unbanked Americas. Download the press release

Exciting future of prepaid in Latin America will be revealed at first dedicated Prepaid Workshop in Mexico City

19 February 2015 – With regional governments in Latin America increasing investment and many organisations planning to introduce prepaid card programmes, leading government, retail, transport and corporate executives, bankers, merchants,…

Canny shoppers spend £3bn buying vouchers and plastic for Christmas

18 January 2015 – To view the full article from the Mail on Sunday click here

Payment Systems Regulator completes leadership team with three senior appointments

14 January 2015 – To view the press release please click here

PrePay Solutions reveals top tips for using a prepaid travel card on holiday this Christmas

17 December 2014 – For groups of friends or families holidaying over the festive period, holiday budgets can be unnecessarily complicated. There are usually hotel, restaurant, and miscellaneous bills to…

GIFT CARDS SET TO BOOM AS UK PREPARES FOR A THRIFTY CHRISTMAS

8 December 2014 – More People Than Ever Before Are Expected To Give Gift Cards As Presents This Christmas – What Do You Need To Know When Buying Yours? Prepaid…

Payments Awards 2014 Winners Announced

24 November 2014 – Prepaid International Forum (PIF) was proud to support the Payments Awards 2014. To view the winners and for more information visit: http://www.payments-awards.com/awards/index.php

Payment Systems Regulator releases Consultation Paper: A new regulatory framework for payment systems in the UK

13 November 2014 – The Payment Systems Regulator today released its Consultation Paper: A new regulatory framework for payment systems in the UK. The paper sets out the new regulator’s proposed…

House of Fraser extends contract with PrePay Solutions

3 November 2014 – House of Fraser, the UK and Ireland’s premium department store group, has chosen to extend its existing partnership with PrePay Solutions, the European leader in prepaid…

PrePay Solutions wins multiple awards at the Emerging Payments Awards 2014

27 October 2014 – PrePay Solutions, Europe’s leading prepaid services company, has been confirmed by the Emerging Payments Awards as the Best Prepaid Service Provider UK, for the third year in…

Money20/20 Announces Launch of Money20/20Europe

21 October 2014 – Money20/20Europe Designed to be a Eurocentric Global Catalyst Enabling Payments & Financial Services Innovation for Connected Commerce. Download the full press release

NetSpend to Present at PayThink

14 October 2014 – AUSTIN, Texas – NetSpend, a TSYS® company, announced today that Patrick Brown, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Commercial Prepaid, and Romy Parzick, Head of…

PrePay Solutions launches virtual open-loop card initiative for P&MM

8 October 2014 – PrePay Solutions, the European leader in prepaid services, today announces that it will be providing the payment technology for P&MM’s virtual open-loop card, known as eSpree.…

Pay News: GPR Issuers See Positive Results from Adding Rewards, Incentives

24 September 2014 – The following article published by Paybefore further points to a covergence of traditional financial services and the prepaid sector. The initial entry of Amex to the sector pointed…

MasterCard White Paper: The Power of Prepaid

16 September 2014 – Paybefore report from MasterCard Europe’s Prepaid Conference in Budapest

Prepaid International Forum (PIF) AGM & Summit 2014: Two Weeks Left to Register

15 September 2014 – The Prepaid International Forum (PIF) Summit 2014 takes place on 30 September – 1 October at South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex. Now in its eighth year this…

ONE4ALL SHORTLISTED FOR TWO EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS

21 August 2014 – One4all is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted as a finalist for two ‘Emerging Payments Awards’. The Emerging Payment Awards, incorporating Prepaid Awards, were created in…

Money 20/20 Announces the ‘Money20/20 Hackathon’

6 August 2014 – Money 20/20 Announces the ‘Money20/20 Hackathon’

Update on the Progress of PSD2 and the MIF Regulation Through the European Legislative Process

22 July 2014 – Locke Lord LLP has published an update on where the European Commission’s proposed second Payment Services Directive (PSD2) and Regulation on interchange fees for card-based payment…

Introduction to Prepaid Training Workshop

21 July 2014 – Prepaid International Forum (PIF) in reponse to strong industry demand has created a one day training workshop for PIF members and all interested parties. This highly…

TSYS Announces NetSpend Leadership Transition

14 July 2014 – TSYS Announces NetSpend Leadership Transition

4AMLD and Its Impact on the Prepaid Industry in Europe

21 May 2014 – Paybefore Viewpoint: 4AMLD and Its Impact on the Prepaid Industry in Europe – See more at: http://paybefore.com/op-ed/4amld-and-its-impact-on-the-prepaid-industry-in-europe/

ONLINE SHOPPERS FIGHT BACK AGAINST CREDIT FREEZE

12 May 2014 – Shoppers who are refused credit and bank accounts find a new way to pay Frozen out and unable to benefit from exclusive online deals, 3.5 million…

PIF Publishes Position Paper on the Draft of the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive

22 April 2014 – Prepaid International Forum warns that abolishing current monetary thresholds for Simplified Customer Due Diligence will stifle innovation, reduce competition and limit consumer choice International not-for-profit trade…

RAC chooses Grass Roots’ pure card

22 April 2014 – Motoring organisation the RAC has teamed up with Grass Roots, the world’s leading provider of employee and customer engagement solutions, to launch a promotion to attract…

Paybefore: PIF Comments on RBI’s Revised Prepaid Guidelines

17 April 2014 – The Reserve Bank of India recently published revised guidelines on the issuance and operation of prepaid payment instruments in India. PIF shared its perspective on the revised guidelines with…

How Prepaid Helps Deliver Personal Financial Success – i2c White Paper

16 April 2014 – i2c Inc has released a new White Paper: Budgeting: How Prepaid Helps Deliver Personal Financial Success

VIRTUAL PREPAID CARD LAUNCHED BY ONLINE CASH PAYMENT PROVIDER

15 April 2014 – A virtual prepaid card, launched by online cash payment provider Ukash, could help 34 million1 UK shoppers to stay out of their overdraft. The Ukash Prepaid MasterCard®…

Prepaid Cards Dominate Japan Cards & Payments Market, According to Timetric Report

03 April 2014, London, UK (PRWEB) – During 2009-2013, the number of prepaid cards in circulation in Japan increased from 139.3 million cards to 224.5 million cards From 2009 to…

MasterCard Reports 40% Growth in Prepaid Business across Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa for 2013

Cross Border and E-commerce Transactions Key Drivers for Growth China Presents Biggest Opportunity for Further Growth NEWS: #MasterCard reports strong growth for #Prepaid cards in #AsiaPacific, #MiddleEast & #Africa http://mstr.cd/1h24eSw Singapore,…

Grass Roots releases new pure card design to celebrate birthday

01 April 2014 – Grass Roots, the world’s leading provider of employee and customer engagement solutions, is celebrating 34 years serving hundreds of the biggest brands around the globe, with…

ecoPayz “ecoVirtualcard” launches to receptive UK market

18 March, 2014 – ecoPayz, a leading global payments solutions provider has announced the launch of its one-use payment card allowing consumers to securely pay for goods online and over the phone. The…

PIF webinar poll reveals government disbursements and remittances predicted to be a key driver of prepaid market growth

17 March, 2014 – International not-for-profit trade association, Prepaid International Forum (PIF) today announced highlights from the second in a series of two incisive webinars on prepaid market trends around…

PIF Webinar: Global Prepaid Market Trends Part 2

24 February 2014 – Presented by Peter Sidenius, a Director at Edgar, Dunn & Company and member of the PIF Board of Directors, this webinar was the second in a two part series…

Prepaid International Forum webinar to compare and contrast prepaid market trends in North America, Africa and Asia-Pacific

13 February, 2014 – International not-for-profit trade association, Prepaid International Forum (PIF) today announced the second in a series of two incisive webinars on prepaid market trends around the world.…

Prepaid International Forum elects Craig James, CEO of Neopay, as Chairman

10 February, 2014– International not-for-profit trade association, Prepaid International Forum (PIF) today announced the appointment of Craig James as Chairman of the PIF Board of Directors. Mr James succeeds Robert…

Prepaid International Forum elects Craig James, CEO of Neopay, as Chairman

Prepaid Industry Trade Body to Meet in Dubai

02 February 2014 – International not-for-profit trade association, Prepaid International Forum (PIF), today announced programme highlights for its Middle East Chapter meeting at the Dusit Thani Dubai on Wednesday, 12…

Mulled wine, mistletoe and multi-channel gifting

13 December, 2013 – By Rachelle St Ledger, PrePay Solutions This year, as never before, retailers are looking to capitalise on the multichannel shopping environment to make the most of the…

PIF webinar poll shows remittances predicted to be a key driver of prepaid market growth in the Middle East

15 November, 2013 – Industry Trade Body Compares and Contrasts Prepaid Market Trends in Key Markets Prepaid International Forum webinar poll shows remittances predicted to be a key driver of prepaid…

Prepaid International Forum Announces Launch of PIF Middle East Chapter

10 November, 2013 – Industry trade body names Dr. Saleh I. Al-Furaih as its first PIF Middle East Chairman ahead of its launch. International not-for-profit trade association Prepaid International Forum…

Reactions to the UK Government’s plans to open up the UK payments system

14 October, 2013 – The UK Government made public its plans to create a new payments regulator and the response to its consultation ‘Opening up UK payments’, on 9 October 2013. E-Finance…

Double Win for Raphaels Bank at Prepaid Awards 2013

03 October 2013 – Raphaels Bank, one of Britain’s oldest independent banks has won two awards at the prestigious Prepaid Awards at the Lancaster Hotel, London on 2nd October 2013.…

Double Win for Raphaels Bank at Prepaid Awards 2013

03 October 2013 – Raphaels Bank, one of Britain’s oldest independent banks has won two awards at the prestigious Prepaid Awards at the Lancaster Hotel, London on 2nd October 2013.…

Prepaid Awards and Emerging Payment Awards Winners 2013

02 October 2013, Lancaster London, UK Prepaid Awards and Emerging Payment Awards Winners 2013 Emerging Payments Awards 01. Best Mobile Application (sponsored by Raphaels Bank) Clutch 02. Best Wallet (sponsored by First Data) O2…

TSYS Executives to Participate at Money2020

01 October 2013 – TSYS Executives to Participate at Money2020

TSYS Signs Long-Term Acquiring Agreement with Anovia Payments, LLC

04 September 2013 – TSYS Signs Long-Term Acquiring Agreement with Anovia Payments, LLC

TSYS Announces Agreement with Discover to Support PayPal Payments

August 26, 2013 – TSYS Announces Agreement with Discover to Support PayPal Payments

Ukash Further Expands in the Netherlands with H@ND

Bringing Dutch consumers additional access to safe easy cash online payments London, July 2013 – Ukash, the online cash payment provider, is further growing in the Netherlands and continuing its…

Vietin Bank and Yalamanchili Unlock International e-Commerce in Vietnam

Virtual prepaid card enables global online purchases for first time in Vietnam 20 June, 2013, London – Vietin Bank has chosen global payments solutions provider, Yalamanchili to provide the payment processing…

Ukash chooses Limonetik to accelerate development of online cash services with France’s top 100 e-retailers

20 June 2013 – Ukash, the market-leading online cash service, has selected Limonetik to help accelerate its expansion in the French e-commerce market. Ukash can be purchased at more than 460,000…

Grass Roots: pure app now live – Prepaid Cardholder Services

pure app now live – Prepaid Cardholder Services 15th February 2013. The Card Services arm at performance improvement company Grass Roots has released a new app and mobile website for their…

PIF Continues International Expansion with Launch of New Chapter for the Middle East

Inaugural Meeting to take place in Dubai on 18 February 2013 London, 04 February 2013 – International not-for-profit trade association Prepaid International Forum (PIF) has announced plans to expand its international…

Yalamanchili Powers Saral Money, India’s National Public and Private Sector Prepaid Banking Service for the Financially Excluded

23 January 2013. Yalamanchili’s payments platform underpins financial services provision for tens of millions 23 January 2013, Chennai, India – Global payments solutions provider, Yalamanchili, today announces that its next generation…