Leaders In Payments

In the second episode in our three part series titled: Focus. Build. Win, I sit down with James Derby, EVP of Merchant Facing Product at Payroc, to unpack how a core product strategy transformed scattered tools into a focused growth engine for partners and merchants. Instead of mastering dozens of third‑party options, the team picked a few products to go deep on, built vertical features that matter, and tightened the feedback loop from sales floor to roadmap. James walks through Roc Terminal+ for broad processing needs, Roc Giving for nonprofits, and Roc Services for field service teams, including a new scheduling component aimed at competing upmarket. The thread tying it all together is software-led sales: lead with the operational win and let payments follow. That shift brings faster deployments, better support, and real economics for ISOs and agents, with an 8–11% margin lift on new core placements and lower attrition as support improves. Owning the gateway and settlement stack gives Payroc the control to integrate acquisitions, standardize security, and ship features at speed without vendor drag. We also get into the commercialization playbook: building a business case with sales input, targeting underserved MCCs, choosing build vs. white label, and running disciplined pilots before GA. Post‑launch, James emphasizes data, not vibes - tracking adoption, revenue, support quality, and direct merchant feedback to keep product-market fit tight. Looking forward, tap to pay continues to rise, standalone terminals slowly recede, and consolidation among large processors creates room for agile teams that ship vertical SaaS with integrated payments. If you care about turning product focus into partner success, this conversation delivers practical detail you can use.

The U.S.-to-LATAM corridor is heating up fast, and the rules of getting paid are changing even faster. We sit down with PPRO’s Therese Hudak to unpack fresh insights from their new Almanac, spotlighting what actually moves the needle for conversion and growth across Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina. From the meteoric rise of PIX in Brazil to the quiet power of cash vouchers in Mexico, we break down the methods your customers already use and why adopting them can transform your cross-border results. We explore how real-time bank transfers and digital wallets are overtaking traditional rails, what super app ecosystems like Mercado Pago, Nubank, Rappi, and PicPay mean for reach and retention, and why local acquiring often beats cross-border processing on authorization rates, costs, and customer trust. You’ll hear concrete examples of local-only card schemes, the hidden fees that trigger chargebacks, and practical ways to present clean, transparent pricing that keeps buyers coming back. We also dive into vertical-specific tactics. Retail remains the growth engine with fashion, electronics, and beauty leading spend, while mobile-first behavior and social commerce reshape discovery and checkout. Gaming and SaaS face unique subscription hurdles as issuers scrutinize merchant-initiated transactions; we share ways to align with LATAM’s installment culture and use wallet flexibility to lift acceptance. To wrap it up, we provide a simple checklist: activate local access, accept the right methods, manage performance - to help you enter, learn, and scale with confidence. If LATAM is on your roadmap, this conversation gives you the playbook to act now. Visit ppro.com/almanac to learn more.

If you’ve ever tried to pivot a payments company from vendor sprawl to a product-led core, you know the hardest part isn’t the code - it’s the conviction. Greg Myers sits down with Payroc CEO Jim Oberman in the first episode in our three-part series titled Focus. Build. Win. to trace the inflection point that moved the company from relying on third parties to building and owning the core stack merchants now expect. We dig into the strategy behind choosing focus over FOMO, why omni and embedded experiences changed the rules, and how a disciplined product roadmap turned into a growth engine for partners and merchants alike. Jim opens the playbook on capital allocation and scale: a two-pronged approach that combined careful acquisitions of mature distribution with targeted technology buys to accelerate the roadmap and extend globally. We talk about integrating WorldNet and BlueSnap, rebranding decisively, and the operating principle that all new business must board on the core platform. The result is a clear throughline from M&A to product to outcomes, including core-platform growth near 37% year over year while legacy assets provide the cash to fund tomorrow. Execution is where it gets real. Jim shares how Payroc built a weekly cross-functional steering committee to avoid politics, return every debate to customer impact, and keep teams from chasing shiny objects. We explore the shift to vertical focus - unattended payments like vending, laundry, car wash, parking, and kiosks - where contactless demand is compounding. Data sits at the center, with a unified lake that reconciles to financials, enabling honest prioritization and faster, clearer decisions. We close with lessons learned and what’s next: helping founder teams let go without losing their spark, centralizing support even if it’s expensive, and keeping a “never again” list to avoid unwinnable arenas. The next chapter is about sales execution and taking global capabilities to mid-market clients that are ready to expand.

Money doesn’t just move; it travels across rules, rails, and risk decisions that either create trust or destroy it. In the first of three episodes, we sit down with Sal Karakaplan, Chief Strategy Officer at The Clearing House, to explore how a century-old operator keeps reinventing the core of U.S. payments while shipping modern capabilities at scale. From instant settlement to tokenized data, this is a close look at what it takes to wire an economy for speed without sacrificing safety. We start with the foundation: what TCH runs under the hood - RTP, CHIPS, EPN, and check image exchange - and why reliability and advocacy both matter when you’re operating the plumbing. Sal opens the strategy playbook: scan market trends, pick where to build, buy, or partner, and relentlessly prioritize use cases that create measurable customer value. That lens frames a practical take on open banking, where market innovation and regulation advance in parallel. Expect straight talk on security, DDA tokenization, liability clarity, and user consent that’s simple for people and robust for compliance. RTP steps into focus with concrete momentum: growing daily volumes, expanding bank enablement, and use cases that resonate; account-to-account funding, B2C disbursements, merchant settlement, insurance payouts, and early wage access. We get real about adoption hurdles in a fragmented banking market and how to make the business case stack up. Beyond speed, the conversation highlights ISO 20022 and data-rich messages that reduce reconciliation friction and sharpen risk controls - critical for CFOs, treasurers, and operations leaders chasing working capital gains. Then we tackle stablecoins with a bottom-up filter: where do they outperform existing rails? Cross-border stands out, from remittances to marketplace payouts, alongside emerging hypotheses in tokenized settlement. Sal lays out the next 3–5 years: push RTP to ubiquity, evaluate DLT and tokenized deposits with discipline, lean into AI for commerce and fraud defense, and elevate security and data as first-class features. It’s a pragmatic roadmap for banks, fintechs, and enterprises that want real outcomes, not buzzwords.

Cash flow shouldn’t depend on how many supplier portals your customers force you to use. We sit down with Bill360 president Kevin Sisk to unpack how true accounts receivable automation flips the script for small and midsize B2B companies, turning invoice chaos into a clean, controlled path to getting paid. Kevin’s journey from the Marine Corps through major processors and complex joint ventures to his first startup gives him a rare vantage point on why back-office change is hard and why now is the right time to make it stick. We break down the pain most owners know too well: dozens of buyer-driven AP systems, manual steps, scattered approvals, and aging invoices. Kevin explains how Bill360 couples AR software with embedded payment facilitation to remove handoffs and deliver one accountable partner. The result is faster payments, automated reminders and dispute handling, and a full audit trail even as teams change. We also explore why a B2B-first design matters, where live human support fits into a “light touch” platform, and how partnerships with vertical software vendors complete industry workflows without forcing users to switch systems. The conversation digs into the network effects that emerge when suppliers invite their buyers into a shared environment - suddenly the platform sees real relationships and behaviors instead of isolated transactions. That visibility powers smarter insights and, with AI, personalized recommendations that improve cash flow, reduce friction, and even execute actions with user consent. We zoom out to the broader payments landscape too: real-time rails, cross-border options, embedded finance and lending, and the rising need for security as fraudsters adopt AI. If you’re ready to reduce DSO, standardize invoicing, and bring clarity to collections, this episode is a blueprint for modernizing receivables without adding complexity.

Ruston Miles, Founder and Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Bluefin and I start with the origin story: telecom roots, fiber‑rich Tulsa, and the overlooked reality of call centers that needed real‑time authorizations long before shopping carts ruled the web. Ruston explains why Bluefin moved into security early - serving higher ed, nonprofits, and faith‑based media where brand trust is everything and how that path led to P2PE. Then comes the turning point: a decision to decouple encryption from acquiring, offer P2PE as a service, and even power competitors. That platform approach now supports around 150 devices across 17 manufacturers and underpins airlines, transport systems, fuel networks, and more, often quietly and often by requirement. From there, we look ahead. Network tokens are rising, wallets are changing, and AI is pushing commerce from clicks to intent. Ruston separates hype from reality, showing how today’s “agentic” automation schedules deliveries and completes checkouts, while tomorrow’s agents will present payment credentials securely without platforms ever seeing raw card data. That shift demands virtual P2PE, inter‑agent boundary mediation, and standards that let authentication and encryption travel with the transaction. We also get practical: how Bluefin’s P2PE‑as‑Proxy reduces integration pain, why security must keep pace with innovation, and what skills newcomers need as software continues to digest payments. If you care about payments security, PCI, P2PE, tokenization, gateways, ISVs, and the future of agentic commerce, you’ll find plenty to take back to your roadmap.

In the final episode of Powering Payments Together: How Payroc Helps ISVs Scale Smarter, we turn the spotlight on CenterEdge Software and their journey to building a payments program that drives real business value. Leslie Legel, Director of Payments at CenterEdge, joins the conversation to share how Payroc has become a trusted partner in helping them overcome challenges, strengthen their platform, and deliver a seamless experience for their clients. Leslie explains why payments are mission-critical for family entertainment centers, where more than 90 percent of transactions are digital and downtime isn’t an option. From July 4th waterparks to cashless operations, reliability isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of customer satisfaction. She reflects on a tough lesson learned when a gateway integration didn’t meet expectations, and how those setbacks ultimately led CenterEdge to develop a more reliable and scalable payments strategy. The episode also explores how CenterEdge built and branded “CenterEdge Payments,” giving them control over the customer journey and creating a more transparent, feature-rich solution for their clients. Leslie shares how Payroc stood out as a partner, not just for their technology and APIs, but for their willingness to understand CenterEdge’s business, answer tough questions, and provide the tools and flexibility needed to scale. Finally, Leslie offers advice to ISVs navigating the high-stakes world of payments: do your homework, know your limitations, and find a partner who is as invested in your success as you are. Looking ahead, she discusses how CenterEdge and Payroc will continue to grow together, exploring new solutions and opportunities to strengthen their offering in the family entertainment space.

Bridging the gap between Treasury, Accounts Receivable, and Accounts Payable represents the critical "last mile" in financial automation. John Rubenetti, President of B2B Payments at Deluxe, reveals how leading organizations are connecting these traditionally siloed functions to create seamless, intelligent financial ecosystems. The challenge isn't implementing individual automation solutions—it's connecting them. "The friction shows up in the handoffs," Rubenetti explains. When data and money flow through disconnected systems, finance leaders lose visibility and control. True transformation happens when organizations align technology, people, and processes to create end-to-end financial workflows. Many CFOs underestimate the complexity of integration. They may believe they understand departmental processes but miss critical dependencies or manual workarounds. Data quality becomes another stumbling block—if information isn't clean today, automation won't deliver promised insights. Rubenetti advises starting with a clear vision, taking a phased approach, and choosing partners who understand both the technology and change management aspects. The conversation explores how modern thinking must accompany modern tools. While dashboards provide visibility, embedding intelligence directly into workflows creates transformative value. Instead of merely reporting numbers, advanced systems prioritize actions, handle exceptions through AI, and trigger automated responses—shifting from static reporting to dynamic decision support. Rubenetti highlights three significant B2B payment trends: mid-market automation (where 70% still lack automated AP/AR processes), enhanced security (as "fraud thrives in manual processes"), and payment modernization. Despite technological advances, paper checks remain surprisingly prevalent, particularly among small and mid-sized businesses who value the detailed information that accompanies them. Deluxe has evolved far beyond its reputation as "the check company" to become a comprehensive payments and data organization. Their solutions now span the entire financial ecosystem—from treasury management to merchant services—helping businesses move money faster, safer, and more efficiently while maintaining the data integrity essential for strategic decision-making. Ready to complete your financial automation journey? Start by mastering the basics before pursuing flashier technologies. The foundation you build today will determine your success tomorrow.

Dive into the transformative world of B2B payments with Brandon Spear, CEO of TreviPay, as he reveals how their platform is revolutionizing trade credit for businesses worldwide. Operating across 32 countries and primarily serving enterprise clients, TreviPay has created a comprehensive solution that manages the entire order-to-cash cycle - from credit applications and underwriting to invoice generation, collections, and cash application. What sets TreviPay apart? Their global underwriting platform delivers real-time credit decisions while combating sophisticated fraud schemes that have become increasingly convincing in the AI era. By generating invoices on behalf of merchants, they enable powerful data management capabilities that solve industry-specific challenges. For automotive manufacturers, this means enforcing contract pricing across dealership networks, reducing pricing errors from one-in-three to approximately one-in-thousand. For businesses expanding internationally, it eliminates the complexity of producing tax-compliant invoices across diverse jurisdictions. The pandemic marked a turning point for B2B payments, exposing the vulnerabilities of manual processes when employees couldn't be in the office. Rising interest rates further accelerated adoption as working capital became more expensive, pushing companies to optimize receivables management. These market shifts have positioned TreviPay for explosive growth - they estimate a $20 billion revenue opportunity emerging in their target markets over the next 5-7 years. Perhaps most importantly, Brandon emphasizes that payment experiences directly impact customer loyalty: "Experience loyalty is becoming more important than brand loyalty." Businesses that offer accurate invoices and flexible payment options capture a larger share of wallet - a powerful reminder that even the most technical aspects of payments ultimately come down to creating exceptional customer experiences.

Swift's colossal impact on global finance remains largely invisible to most people, yet its messaging infrastructure moves the world's entire GDP every 2-3 days. Leigh Amaro, Head of North America for Swift, pulls back the curtain on this financial powerhouse in a fascinating conversation about the present and future of global payments. Founded in 1970 as a cooperative, Swift now connects approximately 11,000 financial institutions across 200 countries, processing an astounding 50+ million messages daily with just 3,000 employees worldwide. "We're like the backbone of financial services around the world," Amaro explains, highlighting Swift's role in providing secure messaging and value-added services like sanction screening and fraud detection. The payments landscape has transformed dramatically in recent years. What was once a "black box" process with unpredictable delivery times has evolved into a system where 90% of payments reach beneficiaries within one hour. This revolution in transparency comes through innovations like Swift's GPI tracker, addressing a major pain point for corporate treasurers who previously couldn't predict when payments would arrive. Looking forward, several developments promise to reshape global payments. The implementation of ISO 20022 in November will create a richer data layer enabling enhanced compliance, error reduction, and automation. Digital assets - including tokenized money and stablecoins - represent another frontier where Swift aims to support financial institutions through secure messaging. Meanwhile, AI continues to transform fraud detection and pattern recognition across the payment ecosystem. Amaro's passion for women's education and mentorship shines through as she shares the story of her great-grandmother, born in 1905, who emphasized education's importance despite having to leave school at age 11. This personal connection drives her work supporting women in technology and developing mentorship communities. Her advice for those entering payments? "Trust yourself more and don't wait for permission. No one has it figured out, no one's got all the answers... The sooner you believe in yourself, the sooner others will too."

In this revealing conversation with Conn Byrne, Executive Director of Integrated Payments at Payroc, we uncover the secret sauce behind their remarkably successful ISV program. Having fallen into payments during a six-week temporary position that turned into a 14-year career, Byrne brings a wealth of experience from his journey with WorldNet (acquired by Payroc in 2022) to his current role leading integrated partnerships. His perspective reveals why payment integrations fail when they focus solely on revenue shares rather than comprehensive support. "My team is pretty wide at this stage," Byrne explains, describing how Payroc surrounds partners with experienced business development resources, highly skilled sales engineers, integration engineers, and their newest differentiator - a dedicated go-to-market team. This collaborative, high-touch approach means partners never wonder where to turn when challenges arise or opportunities emerge. The conversation explores how Payroc has built a truly omnichannel solution supporting over 50 payment terminals alongside comprehensive card-not-present options. Byrne illustrates this advantage through compelling examples like car wash operations, where a single integration handles everything from license plate recognition with tokenized payments to unattended terminals, mobile POS, and subscription billing. Looking forward, Payroc continues expanding its capabilities through their cloud integration method (allowing implementation in under a week), enhanced API suite, and expanded hardware support - particularly for Android devices and unattended solutions. The company's flexible partnership models create multiple entry points for ISVs at different growth stages. The most telling insight? When Payroc recently gathered their largest partners for an advisory council, the recurring themes weren't about technology or pricing - they were about trust, flexibility, and the journey they'd shared together. Some partners who began with small referrals 7-10 years ago have grown alongside Payroc into sophisticated payment operations.

Our Modern Finance series continues with episode three, featuring Steve Buchberger and Heather Dawood from Deluxe. We explored why more than 80% of businesses are still managing accounts payable manually — and the insights may surprise you. The pair explain how today's finance professionals are caught in a challenging paradox: highly skilled individuals spending countless hours on manual tasks, serving as the frontline against fraud while having little time to implement strategic improvements. This has created peculiar workplace phenomena like "CFO Tuesdays," where executives come into the office specifically to manually process ACH payments – a clear misuse of talent and time. Beyond the inefficiencies, we explore the very real risks these outdated methods create. From human error and payment delays to check fraud and the burden of managing sensitive banking information, these challenges affect both operational efficiency and vendor relationships. As Heather pointedly observes, "Financial fraud was a white collar crime. Now it's an everyone crime." The conversation takes an encouraging turn as we unpack Deluxe's innovative approach to AP automation. Their solutions integrate directly with businesses' ERP systems to simplify payment processes regardless of method, while their recent acquisition of CheckMatch from Kinexys by J.P. Morgan creates a more secure digital alternative to mailing checks. Perhaps most compelling is how these improvements translate into stronger vendor relationships – offering payment choice, ensuring timely delivery, and providing transparency transforms the payment process from a potential friction point into a relationship-building opportunity. What stands out most is how Deluxe reframes AP from an operational burden into a strategic advantage. By delivering secure, streamlined processes and giving vendors more choice and transparency, automation transforms payments into a foundation for stronger, more trusting business relationships.

In the first episode of our three-part series with Payroc, Powering Payments Together: How Payroc Helps ISVs Scale Smarter, I sit down with Payroc President Adam Oberman to explore the shifting landscape of integrated payments. Once seen as a simple feature, payments have now become the financial backbone of successful software companies. Adam explains why the relationship between ISVs and their payment partners has never been more strategic. The most successful software providers now generate 20–40% of their revenue through payments, making it a critical driver of both growth and valuation. As he puts it, “ISVs don’t outgrow payments - they outgrow their payment partners.” We discuss how market expectations have evolved dramatically. ISVs are demanding global payment capabilities from day one - multi-currency processing, cross-border compliance, and frictionless user experiences are now table stakes. At the same time, the integration process itself has shifted toward low-code solutions that enable faster deployment without sacrificing functionality. What stands out most in Adam’s perspective is the human element of payments. Clean APIs may get an integration live, but it’s strategic guidance, problem-solving, and white-glove support that build long-term partnerships. “People do business with people,” Adam emphasizes, highlighting why technical capability must always be paired with trust and service. Looking ahead to 2026, Adam predicts payments will no longer be viewed as a utility but as a core competitive advantage. Companies that fail to prioritize their payment strategy risk falling behind more agile competitors not just in features, but in valuation and market position. Whether you’re an established ISV or just beginning to explore embedded payments, this episode offers essential insights into selecting a partner who can scale with you, adapt to change, and deliver value far beyond transaction processing.

What happens when you give ambitious entrepreneurs around the world the financial tools previously reserved for multinational corporations? John Caplan, CEO of Payoneer, reveals the transformative impact of enabling truly global commerce for small businesses on this episode of the Leaders in Payments Podcast. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Payoneer serves as a "foreign bank alternative" for 2 million active customers in virtually every country worldwide. With $80 billion in payment volume flowing through their platform annually and $7 billion in customer funds held in balance, Payoneer has established itself as a trusted financial partner for global entrepreneurs. Caplan explains how their multi-currency accounts and payment solutions help businesses receive international payments and manage global operations without the delays and excessive fees of traditional banking. The diversity of Payoneer's customer base highlights the universal need for better cross-border financial services. From goods exporters in China selling on Amazon to business process outsourcers in the Philippines, software developers in Argentina, and marketing firms in Dubai – Payoneer empowers businesses across sectors to participate in the global economy. Caplan's own journey to Payoneer reflects the value of fresh perspectives in payments. With an entrepreneurial background spanning Arizona Iced Tea, Starbucks, Ford Models, and transforming Alibaba.com from $800M to $3.5B in revenue, he brings cross-industry experience to financial services. He emphasizes that payments should evolve beyond mere "pipes and plumbing" to become truly value-accretive services, and encourages career-switchers to question industry conventions with persistent "why" questions that drive innovation. Looking ahead, Payoneer is expanding further into B2B payments, exploring stablecoins and blockchain for treasury operations, and developing workforce management tools – all aimed at making global business operations seamless for ambitious entrepreneurs. For listeners interested in financial innovation that empowers global commerce, this episode offers valuable insights into how technology is democratizing access to the world economy.

Jonathan O'Connor brings a unique global perspective to the payments landscape as Division President of Third-Party Payments at Synovus, the oldest bank in Georgia. His journey from Dublin, Ireland to becoming a key player in Atlanta's "Transaction Alley" reveals how traditional banking and cutting-edge fintech can create powerful synergies. At Synovus, community remains the cornerstone of their approach. With $61 billion in assets, 244 branches, and nearly 5,000 employees, the bank has built its reputation on exceptional customer service and deep community engagement. O'Connor leads three key divisions: merchant services supporting bank customers, a sponsorship bank division enabling ISOs and fintechs to process card transactions, and a Money as a Service operation. What truly sets them apart is their consultative approach - they don't just provide payment processing but help businesses leverage payment data for growth while protecting against fraud. O'Connor's wealth of global payment experience shines throughout the conversation. From conducting Y2K reviews across Africa to witnessing the birth of e-commerce with early versions of now-giants like Adyen, his career spans continents and transformative industry shifts. Now firmly established in Atlanta's fintech ecosystem as Vice Chairman of Fintech Atlanta, he's passionate about positioning Synovus at the heart of "Transaction Alley" where 70% of global payments flow through. His enthusiasm for mentoring the next generation of payment professionals is evident as he shares his work with UGA students launching their own payment company. His advice resonates for anyone in the industry: "Be passionate but link passion with purpose. Be curious, embrace change, build your brand, and play in traffic." Looking ahead, O'Connor sees transformative changes on the horizon with agentive AI, stablecoins, and blockchain reshaping how payments function - though he cautions that technology continues outpacing regulation. Discover how Synovus is bridging traditional banking with payment innovation and why Jonathan believes we're on the cusp of the most significant transformation the industry has ever seen.

Jared Ronski, Co-founder and President of Payarc, takes us behind the scenes of how modern payment technology is empowering independent sales agents and merchants alike. The conversation reveals Payarc's unique approach to partner relationships, where "growth through alignment" isn't just a catchy phrase but a business philosophy that has kept agents loyal since the company's earliest days. At a time when margins are under pressure and regulations constantly shift, Payarc has doubled down on relationship equity, transparency, and technological innovation. The spotlight shines on Payarc's groundbreaking PIE AI pricing advisor, a tool that transforms the traditionally time-consuming process of statement analysis into a streamlined, self-service experience. "It's like having a seasoned sales coach whispering in your ear during merchant conversations," Ronski explains. This AI-powered assistant helps agents confidently navigate complex pricing structures, even in challenging verticals like microtransactions where interchange economics can quickly erode profits if mishandled. What truly sets Payarc apart is their approach to agent relationships – treating them "like enterprise customers" with dedicated support teams, shared dashboards showing real-time data, and proactive risk monitoring that spots potential issues before they affect merchant processing. While some industry voices have long predicted the decline of the agent model, Ronski sees the opposite trend, with Payarc signing new agents daily and creating pathways for them to thrive in evolving markets. Listen now to discover how Payarc is turning payment complexity into opportunity and building lasting partnerships one transaction at a time.

Pat Moye, Executive Director of Product Innovation at Deluxe, unveils the surprising reality of accounts receivable departments still trapped in manual processes despite technological advances elsewhere in business. As he aptly points out, AR professionals often describe themselves as "cash detectives," spending valuable time hunting down payment information across disconnected systems - a critical bottleneck in business cash flow. The heart of modern AR transformation isn't flashy AI algorithms but rather solid data foundations. Pat emphasizes that payment information typically exists across multiple fragmented systems: "The data from ACH and wire payments is with the bank. The data from lockbox payments is with a company like Deluxe. The data about open invoices is in their ERP." This fragmentation creates significant challenges when attempting to implement automation, as these disparate data sources must first be unified and standardized. Organizations seeking to modernize their AR operations should resist the temptation to overhaul everything at once. Instead, Pat advocates for an agile approach that tackles specific pain points incrementally: "Don't think about making these big swings. Think about the incremental gains you can have by just changing some pieces of the puzzle." This methodical journey begins with consolidating basic payment data sources before expanding to incorporate unstructured data and advanced analytics - allowing teams to transform from operational cost centers into strategic business partners. Discover how Deluxe has evolved beyond its 110-year history as "the check company" to become a comprehensive payment and data solutions provider, helping businesses eliminate AR friction points and accelerate cash flow. Whether you're just beginning your automation journey or looking to enhance existing capabilities, this episode offers practical insights for finance leaders ready to transform their receivables operations.

Zac Schneiderman shares a deeply personal journey from political science student to VP of ISV at Payarc, where he's become a driving force behind the company's innovative approach to payment integration for software platforms. What does it take to build successful partnerships in the fast-evolving payments ecosystem? For Schneiderman, it begins with understanding what software companies truly need: feature-rich payment solutions that deliver reliability, flexible pricing models, and exceptional support. "Speed to revenue is the name of the game," he explains, detailing how Payarc's approach combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise to activate partners quickly. The conversation reveals fascinating insights into the integration process – often the make-or-break moment for ISV partnerships. Schneiderman estimates a third of signed contracts fall apart during integration, which is why Payarc invests heavily in dedicated sales engineers, weekly check-ins, and robust sandbox environments. Their proprietary AI tool, PIE AI, represents the next frontier, helping debug code and streamline developer experiences. Looking toward the future, Schneiderman predicts a significant "decoupling of SaaS and payments" as technology evolves at breakneck speed. Software companies will increasingly rely on specialized payment partners rather than building in-house payment departments. Meanwhile, AI applications continue expanding beyond integration support to include lead generation, external developer tools, and merchant conversion campaigns.

Ever wonder what it takes to transform a basement startup into a global payments powerhouse processing over a quarter trillion dollars annually? In this fascinating conversation, Taylor Lauber, CEO of Shift4, reveals the remarkable journey that's taken the company from a small payment processor to an innovative force reimagining commerce across 75 countries worldwide. Taylor's own path to leadership wasn't straightforward. After beginning his career at Merrill Lynch and Blackstone, he initially resisted joining Shift4 despite his teenage connection to founder Jared Isaacman. His skepticism about the sustainability of the payments business model eventually gave way when he recognized that Shift4 wasn't just riding a fintech wave but actively creating their future through strategic innovation and problem-solving. "This was not luck," Taylor explains. "This is a team that can identify opportunities and manufacture success." What sets Shift4 apart in the crowded payments landscape? According to Taylor, it starts with humility – "If we stand still, we will not survive" – coupled with the ambition to tackle problems others avoid. Unlike competitors who choose a single strategy, Shift4 employs a three-pronged approach: building proprietary solutions when necessary, acquiring strategic assets that shouldn't be standalone features, and partnering intelligently where ownership might alienate collaborators. This flexibility has allowed them to serve diverse markets from single-location restaurants to massive enterprises like casinos and stadiums. Taylor offers particularly valuable insights about global expansion opportunities. While integrated payments have reached relative maturity in the United States, international markets remain in the "early innings," with payment experiences often resembling those in the U.S. from 15-20 years ago. This represents an enormous opportunity for companies that can adapt proven solutions to new cultural contexts. Listen now to discover how Shift4 balances innovation with execution, and how Taylor maintains his own equilibrium between leading a global enterprise and preserving sacred family time around the dinner table.

Stepping into the world of small business banking requires a fresh perspective, and that's exactly what Eyal Lifshitz brought when he founded Bluevine twelve years ago. Having watched his father run a physical therapy practice, Eyal witnessed firsthand the financial challenges small business owners face daily. Today, as Bluevine's CEO, he's transformed that understanding into a revolutionary banking platform serving over 750,000 small businesses across America. Traditional banking has long overlooked the unique needs of businesses generating less than $5 million in annual revenue. These companies represent half of the U.S. GDP and typically operate without finance departments, leaving owners to handle everything from payroll to invoicing themselves. Bluevine's solution? A comprehensive financial operating system that brings checking accounts, credit products, accounts payable, and receivable management together in one digital platform. What makes Bluevine truly stand out is its branchless, digital-first approach. While most banks still require small business owners to visit physical locations weekly, Bluevine delivers a fully online experience with no monthly fees and competitive yields on deposits. This approach resonates particularly with younger entrepreneurs who expect the same digital convenience in business that they enjoy in personal banking. Looking ahead, Eyal sees several transformative trends reshaping small business finance: accelerating adoption of digital-first banking, demand for real-time payment capabilities across all rails, and integration of AI-powered financial guidance. Listen to Eyal's full interview for insights on breaking free from traditional banking limitations and embracing the future of small business finance.