Payment Pulse

In this episode of Payment Pulse by Clearent by Xplor, host Steve Bell is joined by Matt Morrow, President of Payments at Xplor Technologies, and Chris Ryan, Chief Risk Officer, to break down the rising buzz around surcharging, cash discounting, and dual pricing for vertical SaaS providers. With over 30 years of combined payments experience, Matt and Chris unpack:- Why alternative pricing models a...

In Part 2, Steve and Max explore how small business owners are feeling the ripple effects of inflation, labor shortages, and trade policy shifts. While national economic data paints a mixed picture, Main Street is facing real challenges—and making tough decisions. They discuss:- Declining small business optimism- The biggest headwinds facing SMBs right now- Practical questions and strategies for n...

In Part 1 of this episode of Payment Pulse, Steve and Max dig into the latest economic data to answer a pressing question: Are we finally seeing signs of a turning point in the U.S. economy—or just more noise? From inflation trends and labor market signals to shifts in consumer spending, the hosts break down what the April numbers are telling us—and what to look for in the weeks ahead as new data...

In this episode of Payment Pulse, we’re joined by Ron, Clearent by Xplor’s Vice President of Product, to explore the powerful and strategic role APIs play in helping software platforms scale. Whether you're a product leader planning your next integration, or a platform exec thinking globally, this episode will give you a clear view into how APIs—when built to scale—can unlock your platform’s n...

In this special episode of Payment Pulse, Steve sits down with payments industry veteran Mark Passifione, SVP of Integrated Payments at Clearent by Xplor, to break down the differences between embedded and integrated payments—and what SaaS companies should consider when choosing the right solution. With over 26 years of experience in both software and payments, Mark brings unmatched perspective an...

In this episode of Payment Pulse, Steve and Max unpack the state of U.S. small and medium-sized businesses as they wrapped up 2024 and kicked off Q1 2025. We dive into revenue trends across key sectors, evolving employment and wage dynamics, and how recent Fed rate cuts have reshaped capital access for SMBs.  Then, we explore what these shifts mean for software providers and payment technology par...

Join Steve Bell and Max on this episode of Payment Pulse as they dive into the essential practices for keeping your merchant portfolio in peak condition. With U.S. merchants processing over $8 trillion in e-commerce last year, even small imbalances can lead to costly chargebacks, fraud losses, or—worst case—processor termination. Whether you’re a software provider, ISO, or sales rep, understanding...

Dive into this week’s Payment Pulse with Steve Bell and Max as they uncover the true costs of a poor payment experience—and how seamless checkout journeys can make or break your bottom line. They unpack what makes a payment experience “poor,” from legacy system failures and manual interventions to the operational and customer fallout of returns, chargebacks, and abandoned carts; explore how modern...

In this episode of Payment Pulse by Clearent by Xplor, hosts Steve and Max unpack the impact of economic and policy uncertainty on the payments industry. They delve into how tariffs—government-imposed taxes on imported goods—can drive up prices, fuel inflation, and shift consumer spending habits, while also offering temporary advantages to domestic producers. The discussion highlights recent tarif...

In this episode, hosts Steve and Max break down the complex world of PayFac as a Service (PFaaS) and debunk common myths—from the idea that full payment facilitation is always better, to misconceptions about industry fit and integration challenges. They explain how PFaaS offers a scalable, modular solution that enables software providers to gradually transition to full payment facilitation without...

In this episode of Payment Pulse by Clearent by Xplor, hosts Steve and Max explore how payment technologies are reshaping the relationship between merchants and consumers by streamlining transactions, building trust, and driving loyalty. They discuss key data insights, including that 85% of consumers are deterred by negative payment experiences and 59% of merchants see seamless payments as essenti...

Explore how macroeconomic factors like inflation, interest rates, and money supply are reshaping payment behaviors in today's economy. In 'Macro Trends, Payment Shifts,' hosts Steve and Max break down the dynamic interplay between big economic forces and the evolution of payment technology. Tune in for insights that help businesses and consumers navigate these transformative trends. If...

In this episode, we explore how risk perception—from financial and security concerns to social and temporal risks—shapes our everyday payment decisions. Learn how psychological factors like availability bias, loss aversion, and trust influence consumer behavior, and discover what businesses are doing to reduce these risks with technologies like tokenization, biometric authentication, and AI-powere...

Join hosts Steve and Max on this enlightening episode of Payment Pulse, a Clearent by Xplor podcast, where they break down the hidden forces behind consumer spending in 2025. In today’s micro-series installment, the duo dives deep into the social factors that drive purchasing decisions—from the undeniable power of social proof and status spending to the FOMO effect that fuels impulse buys.

How do consumers decide when to spend, save, or swipe their cards? In this episode of Payment Pulse, we explore the microeconomics behind consumer spending decisions—breaking down the psychology of trade-offs, budgeting, and incentives that shape how we pay. From credit card rewards to the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), we uncover why certain payment methods drive more spending and how busines...

Say hello to the Payment Pulse Podcast! In this episode, Max and Steve introduce the purpose behind this podcast and what listeners can expect in future episodes.