The Payments Trilogue

In this episode, we discuss the success of the Girocard in Germany with Matthias Hönisch, Head of Card Business Department at BVR, and how it will fit into the future of European payment schemes, especially in relation to Wero and the digital euro. We also explore local schemes more generally, as well as standardization efforts such as CPACE, and strategic visions for payment sovereignty.

In this episode, Olivier Denecker, a former McKinsey payments expert, shares insights on Europe's payment innovations, regulatory impacts, and the future of European payment systems. With what he calls the good, the bad and the ugly, we explore Europe's strengths, challenges, and the path to creating a competitive, sovereign payment landscape.

This episode features Ortwin Scheja, who is the Lead Architect of the Berlin Group and a leading expert in open banking and API standards. We are discussing the evolution of premium APIs, open finance, and the future of banking standards in Europe. Gain insights into the differences between compliance and premium APIs, and how standardization can drive innovation and reduce costs.

In this episode, we host Wijnand Machielse from Berlin Group to discuss the evolution of open banking standards and premium APIs, the challenges of harmonization across Europe, and their future in relation to open finance, digital euro, and AI in payments.

In this episode, we host Chris Jones, MD of PSE Consulting, to discuss the prospects of agentic commerce, its practical implications, consumer and merchant readiness, regulatory challenges, and the evolving role of AI and liability in payment transactions.

In this episode, we host Mathilde Bonneau and Matti Salakari from PayPal to discuss their current position in the European payments ecosystem. We cover regulation, digital innovation, and global competitiveness, and we also explore their view on European payments sovereignty, PSD3/PSR, fraud prevention, and how to make wallet-based account-to-account (A2A) payments successful at the physical point...

In this episode, Ezequiel Canestrari, COO of ClearBank Europe explains the role of infrastructure banks, the impact of SEPA Instant payments, and their strategic move into stablecoins and cross-border payments. We discuss how fintechs can profit from working with sponsor banks, and the future of embedded banking in Europe.

In this episode, we discuss the purpose of the European Payments Stakeholders Group (EPSG) with its chairman Torbjörn Furubjelke. We cover the role it played in harmonizing European card payments (when it was still called ECSG), and how it is now expanding this to mobile instant payments to allow consumers an easy and fair choice between all the options for making retail payments in ecommerce and...

In this episode, we explore the complexities of interoperability in European payments, comparing greenfield solutions versus combining and leveraging existing infrastructure. We cover technical, legal, and commercial challenges, and the current status of payments interoperability in Europe.

In this episode, we have a lively discussion about the state of payments in Europe, focusing on the balance between infrastructure and service innovation. We explore cultural perspectives, the role of fintechs, and the impact of regulation on the development of payment solutions. The conversation highlights the need for a shift towards user-oriented services and the challenges of creating a single...

In this episode, we welcome Eric Ducoulombier, who is in charge of payments regulation at the European Commission. He reflects on the successes and challenges of these regulations, particularly in the areas of open banking and fraud prevention, while acknowledging the complexities of enforcement and the role of national authorities in ensuring compliance. We discuss the balance between regulation...

In this episode, we engage with Mark Munne from Nexus Global Payments (NGP) to discuss the innovative Project Nexus, which grew out of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and is aimed at enhancing instant cross-border payment systems. We discuss the challenges of interoperability, the governance structure of Nexus, and the importance of transparency and cost reduction in international tra...

In this episode, we discuss the critical topic of e-invoicing. Charles Bryant, a well-known expert in the field, shares insights on the evolution of e-invoicing, its importance in the payment process, and the global landscape of e-invoicing adoption. The conversation covers the distinction between invoices and payments, the role of standards like PEPPOL, and that of VAT and ERPs, the impact of AI,...

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked topic of B2B payments with Erin McCune, a well-known expert on this subject. We discuss the significant market size of B2B transactions, the interests of buyers and suppliers, the challenges faced by SMEs, the role of fintech in transforming payment processes, and the impact of regulatory frameworks. The conversation explores the unique needs of bus...

In this festive episode, we reflect on our previous year's wishes regarding the payments landscape, discuss what has come to fruition and what remains unfulfilled. We explore the challenges posed by regulations, the importance of accountability in public institutions, and the potential of innovations like the digital euro, stablecoins and EUDI wallet. Our conversation also touches on the disap...

In this episode, we discuss the critical role of identity in payments, focusing on the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) and its verifiable version (vLEI). Alexandre Kech, CEO of GLEIF, explains how LEIs serve as a passport for organizations, facilitating cross-border payments and trade. The conversation covers the challenges of LEI adoption, the importance of organizational identity, and the need for...

In this episode, we discuss the complexities and advancements in cross-border instant payments, focusing on OLO, the European One-Leg-Out scheme, its implications for the SEPA area, and the challenges of adoption. We also explore global initiatives, like SWIFT's GPI and BIS' Nexus project, how these relate to the G20 roadmap for cross-border payments, and how everything could fit together...

In this episode, we host Inge van Dijk from the Dutch National Bank to discuss the implications of the digital euro. The conversation covers the necessity of state intervention in the payments market, the role of central banks, financial inclusion, cost implications, and the competition between private and public payment solutions. Inge emphasizes the importance of planning for the future of cash...

In this episode, we discuss payments in the US, particularly focusing on account-to-account, open banking, the role of fintech, and the impact of AI. Sarah Stapp, the Chief Commercial Officer at Aeropay, shares her insights on the current state of the US payments market, its challenges and opportunities, and the importance of standardization in APIs. The conversation also touches on the difference...

In this episode, we host Teresa Mesquita, Executive Board Member @ SIBS in Portugal, to discuss the intricacies of European payment systems, focusing on the European Payments Alliance (EuroPA). We explore the role of MB WAY and EMPSA in this joint venture, the challenges of interoperability, the urgency for pan-European solutions, and the implications of sovereignty in payment infrastructure. The...

In this episode, we are discussing the Verification of Payee (VOP) concept, which has been mandated by the new Instant Payments Regulation, with our expert guest Frans C. Van Beers, who has been leading the EPC's creation and implementation of a corresponding scheme that is about to go live across Europe. We explore the purpose of VOP, some experience from the Netherlands and the UK, user expe...

In this episode, we host Atze Faas to discuss his extensive experience in the payments industry, his current role at EuroCommerce and his views about retail payments from the merchant's perspective. He emphasizes the importance of the digital euro in reducing payment costs and enhancing European autonomy. The discussion also covers the complexities of payment systems, the implications of surchargi...

This time, we are exploring the Euro Retail Payments Board (ERPB), which is steering Europe's payments agenda. We look at its structure, stakeholders, and the challenges it faces in achieving consensus and addressing strategic issues in the European payments landscape. The discussion highlights the need for the ERPB to adapt to changing market dynamics and its potential to address some of the issu...

In this episode, we discuss the need for a coherent industrial policy in the European payments landscape. We explore the fragmentation of payment solutions across Europe, the lack of a clear strategic direction, and the importance of establishing a public-private partnership to foster harmonisation, but also innovation and competition.

In this episode, we discuss the concept of sovereignty in the context of payment systems, exploring its implications and the confusion it can create. We debate its relevance vs. the importance of resilience and efficiency, and potential risks associated with a lack of sovereignty. The conversation also touches on the role of open banking guaranteeing EU sovereignty for the time being, and the need...