A Historic Surge in Gen AI for Financial Services Exactly one year ago, Google Cloud shared a list of 101 enterprise-grade generative AI use cases. In 2025, that number has exploded to 601, many of them transforming how financial services are delivered, personalized, and embedded into everyday life. From neobanks in Mexico like Albo to global institutions like Citi and Deutsche Bank, financial players are reimagining operations and customer experience through AI. But beneath this rapid evolution lies another structural shift: the rise of embedded financial services, supercharged by generative AI. As generative AI automates, predicts, and personalizes at scale, embedded finance is no longer just a SaaS buzzword. It’s becoming the default delivery model — deeply woven into ecosystems via APIs, Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), and embedded finance enablers. As Nitin Mittal, Global AI Leader at Deloitte, noted in the State of Generative AI in the Enterprise report: “We’re at a tipping point where generative AI will define competitive advantage — not just in how financial products are built, but how they learn, evolve, and serve end users contextually.” This article explores the convergence of generative AI and embedded finance, unpacking how it’s reshaping fintech infrastructure, powering real-time decision-making, and enabling seamless financial interactions in non-financial platforms. From Monolithic Banks to Modular Money: Embedded Finance 2.0 Embedded finance was already gaining ground with the rise of digital wallets, contextual lending, and invisible payments. But what the 601 generative AI use cases make clear is this: AI is not just an add-on; it is the new operating system for embedded finance. Take Fundwell, for example — an AI-powered lending platform that connects businesses to ideal funding solutions. What used to take weeks in traditional bank pipelines now takes minutes, thanks to AI analyzing financial health and matching loan options in real time. This is embedded finance in action: finance delivered at the point of need, invisible yet intelligent. Similarly, Banco Rendimento has enabled 24/7 international money transfers via WhatsApp using generative AI. No human agent required. This isn’t just automation — it’s AI-mediated financial embedding into everyday communication platforms. These are not isolated examples. They reflect a broader trend: AI is making embedded finance context-aware, conversational, and proactive. AI + BaaS = A New Embedded Finance Stack At the core of this evolution lies a powerful stack: Embedded finance software solutions offer plug-and-play APIs for payments, lending, and KYC. Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) providers deliver the regulatory and compliance plumbing. Generative AI agents now sit on top — interpreting user intent, generating documents, offering advice, and orchestrating transactions. Let’s break this down: 1. Embedded Finance Enablers Get Smarter Companies like Discover Financial, Scotiabank, and Safe Rate are layering AI assistants on top of existing banking APIs. These assistants do everything from generating mortgage quotes in seconds to guiding customers through onboarding and approval processes. By doing so, they turn generic embedded finance offerings into hyper-personalized financial experiences — a massive leap in customer stickiness and LTV (lifetime value). As Wolters Kluwer points out “GenAI specializes in making repetitive processes like data exploration and analysis almost instantaneous. Finance teams can reclaim their time on data exploration, driver-based analysis, creating charts, and crafting commentary for reports and instead focus on driving the business.” Ankur Patel, CEO of Multimodal, put it in a conversation with Illuminate Financial: “Generative AI is quickly becoming a necessity in finance — not just enhancing workflows, but opening entirely new revenue streams.” 2. Digital Wallets & Payments Go Proactive Embedded finance software that powers digital wallets is also evolving. Dojo, for instance, is combining Google Cloud’s Vertex AI with embedded payment rails to offer real-time, conversational analytics — transforming raw transaction data into customer insights. For merchants, this means intelligent payments with embedded insights. For customers, it means faster checkouts, personalized offers, and intuitive interfaces. 3. BaaS Platforms Gain AI-Powered Decisioning A new generation of BaaS platforms is integrating AI into backend services like fraud detection, underwriting, and compliance. Cloudwalk, a Brazilian fintech unicorn, used generative AI to power fraud analysis and credit scoring models — helping it grow its customer base by 200% while turning a profit. This is a prime example of how AI doesn’t just make BaaS smarter — it makes it scalable, secure, and profitable. Use Case Deep Dive: Where AI and Embedded Finance Intersect Let’s explore some specific real-world examples from the report that illustrate how AI and embedded finance converge: 💡 Case 1: Figure & Real-Time LendingFigure, a fintech offering home equity lines of credit, uses Gemini’s multimodal models to power lending chatbots. These bots interact with customers, guide them through form submissions, and issue approvals — often in real time.→ Embedded finance outcome: Customers access credit within other platforms, like real estate portals or banking superapps, without ever stepping into a branch. 💡 Case 2: Banco Covalto’s Instant CreditMexico’s Banco Covalto reduced credit approval response times by over 90% with generative AI. Embedded within its mobile banking experience, AI evaluates creditworthiness and issues decisions in seconds.→ Embedded finance outcome: Instant loans offered where users need them — directly inside mobile channels. 💡 Case 3: Apex Fintech & Frictionless InvestingApex Fintech Solutions is deploying Google Cloud tools to enable embedded investing capabilities — think Robinhood-like features, but white-labeled and AI-optimized for partner platforms.→ Embedded finance outcome: Investing made available across consumer apps, from budgeting tools to e-commerce platforms. The Strategic Opportunity: What This Means for Fintech Founders & SaaS Leaders Whether you’re building a neobank, a B2B SaaS platform, or an e-commerce app, this AI-embedded finance convergence is rewriting the competitive landscape. ✅ For FintechsYou can now differentiate on intelligence. Not just speed or fees. Embedding AI agents into your financial workflows allows for context-aware product offerings — think real-time underwriting, conversational tax filing, or predictive savings nudges. ✅ For SaaS PlatformsWant to offer embedded payroll advances or invoice factoring? AI-powered finance enablers now let you do that without hiring a compliance team or becoming a bank. Using platforms like Synapse, Unit, or Treasury Prime (and soon their AI-enhanced versions), you can integrate embedded finance features with full explainability and KYC guardrails. ✅ For Traditional BanksThe AI-BaaS combo presents both a threat and an opportunity. Banks like ING, Citi, and Commerzbank are leaning in — deploying internal AI agents to support underwriting, call summaries, and risk analysis. The forward-thinking ones are now acting as embedded finance providers themselves, opening up their infrastructure as APIs and enriching them with AI tools to support partners across ecosystems.

The rivalry between retail giants Amazon and Walmart has moved beyond price wars and fast deliveries into cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and omnichannel ecosystems, according to PYMNTS. Their innovations are redefining retail, making shopping faster, more efficient, and increasingly personalized. Robotics Revolutionizing Retail Operations Amazon continues to lead in warehouse automation with its latest robot, Vulcan, introduced on May 7. This is Amazon’s first tactile robot, capable of handling 75% of warehouse items, including fragile and irregularly shaped products. Vulcan can work up to 20-hour shifts, assisting human workers by retrieving items from high or low shelves, reducing physical strain. This follows Amazon’s February announcement about AI-driven cost savings through robotics. The company has deployed over 750,000 robots across its fulfillment centers, including autonomous mobile robots like Proteus and robotic arms such as Robin and Cardinal, all integrated with AI for enhanced efficiency. Meanwhile, Walmart is innovating in robotic construction. Partnering with Alquist 3D, Walmart built a 5,000-square-foot warehouse extension in Huntsville, Alabama, using 3D printing technology. The project was completed in just seven days with a five-person crew, showcasing how automation can address labor shortages and speed up construction. Expanding Physical and Digital Retail Footprints Both companies are aggressively expanding their physical and digital infrastructure. Walmart recently opened its first «Store of the Future» in Cypress, Texas, a 170,000-square-foot Supercenter blending in-store shopping with digital enhancements. This is part of Walmart’s plan to build or convert over 150 stores and remodel 650 more, featuring expanded departments, private pharmacy rooms, and improved online pickup services. The retailer is also investing $350 billion in U.S.-made products by 2030 through initiatives like «Grow with US,» supporting small businesses and strengthening domestic supply chains. On the global front, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a $4 billion investment to establish its first data centers in Chile, marking its third cloud region in Latin America. The expansion supports generative AI services while emphasizing sustainability through renewable energy and advanced cooling technologies. Omnichannel Innovation and AI-Powered Personalization Consumers now expect seamless, hyper-personalized shopping experiences—and both Amazon and Walmart are delivering. Amazon’s Alexa+ voice assistant has reached 100,000 users, integrating AI deeper into daily life. The company is even extending services to pets, offering prescription deliveries for pets through a new partnership. Sam’s Club (Walmart’s subsidiary) is enhancing its Member Access Platform (MAP) with AI-driven tools like Brand Lift, Customer Lifetime Value measurement, and Propensity Modeling, enabling highly targeted omnichannel marketing. The Future of Retail: A Blend of Physical and Digital The competition between Amazon and Walmart is no longer about stores vs. online shopping—it’s about who can merge both into a single, intelligent system. Both companies are racing toward a future where: Retail is channel-agnostic (no distinction between online and offline). Delivery is near-instantaneous. Shopping experiences are fully personalized. As PYMNTS reports, this rivalry is pushing both retailers to innovate faster, ultimately benefiting consumers with smarter, faster, and more convenient shopping experiences.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched a cutting-edge innovation platform to explore next-generation payment solutions, with a particular focus on the development of the digital euro, as outlined in Fintech Global News. Following a call for interest issued in late 2024, nearly 70 organizations—including traditional banks, FinTech companies, start-ups, and merchants—have joined the initiative. These participants have been divided into two distinct workstreams to pursue parallel goals. The first group, dubbed the “pioneers,” is tasked with testing key technical components of the digital euro ecosystem. Their focus includes features such as conditional payments and seamless platform integration. Meanwhile, the second group, known as the “visionaries,” is exploring creative concepts to boost digital financial inclusion. One proposal under review involves offering digital euro wallets through post offices to reach individuals without access to bank accounts or digital devices. To support the initiative, the ECB is providing a suite of technical tools, including APIs, enabling participants to conduct independent testing and experimentation. Visionary group workshops are scheduled to continue throughout May 2025. Insights and findings from both groups will be compiled into a comprehensive report expected later this year. “We welcome the huge amount of interest that market participants have shown in this exciting initiative,” said ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone. “The breadth and creativity of the proposals highlights the digital euro’s potential as a catalyst for financial innovation in Europe, including the development of new solutions that further enhance the payment experience for Europeans and create market opportunities.” The initiative marks a significant step forward in the ECB’s efforts to shape a more inclusive and innovative digital financial landscape across the Eurozone.

The global automotive industry is undergoing a dramatic transformation. After a decade of relative stability, technological advances, environmental pressure, and changing consumer behaviors are disrupting every corner of the market, as highlighted by Josh Howarth, Exploding Topics. Between 2025 and 2027, these ten trends will play a defining role in the future of mobility. 1. Electric Vehicle Adoption Surges Electric vehicles (EVs) have moved from niche to mainstream faster than many anticipated. Searches for “electric vehicles” have risen by 110% over the past five years, and global sales skyrocketed from 3 million in 2020 to an estimated 17 million in 2024. China and Europe are at the forefront, with Europe overtaking China as the largest plug-in EV market. EV sales in Europe grew by 137% in 2020, even while the overall auto market shrank. BloombergNEF forecasts that EVs will make up 10% of all new car sales by 2025 and an astonishing 58% by 2040. However, EVs are still projected to represent just 8% of cars on the road by 2030, indicating the full shift will unfold in the 2030s. Crucially, falling battery costs and regulatory mandates are accelerating adoption. Lithium-ion battery prices have dropped 89% in a decade, and many countries aim to ban new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2050 in pursuit of net-zero emissions. «To meet many net-zero goals, EVs will have to climb to at least half of all new car sales by 2050,» notes the report. 2. Autonomous Vehicles Gain Momentum Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are on the rise, although mass adoption remains years away. Interest in “autonomous driving” has soared over 1,000% in a decade, and the number of AVs on U.S. roads is projected to grow from 17,000 today to 33 million by 2040. Tech giants and automakers alike are racing into this space. Alphabet’s Waymo operates in Phoenix, San Francisco, and LA, while Ford and Volkswagen jointly back Argo AI. Tesla continues pushing forward with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system. Still, the industry faces regulatory hurdles and consumer skepticism. Many are more comfortable with autonomous trucking than robotaxis. «Two-thirds of people say they would rather drive than ride in an autonomous car,» the article notes, highlighting the cautious mindset. Companies like TuSimple, already operating 50 Level 4 autonomous trucks, plan to sell them commercially starting in 2024. 3. The Rise of the Connected Car The integration of 5G and IoT is transforming cars into connected ecosystems. As of 2020, 47.5 million connected vehicles were sold, with the market projected to reach $191.8 billion by 2028. Tech partnerships are reshaping car interiors. Google and Ford’s Team Upshift equips vehicles with Android OS and integrates AI to enhance in-vehicle experiences. Apple is also reportedly investing $3.6 billion into Kia to co-develop an autonomous electric car. 4. Online Car Buying Becomes Mainstream The car buying journey has shifted online. Over 90% of buyers now research vehicles online, and more are completing purchases digitally. Before the pandemic, just 4.2% of car sales occurred online. But in 2020, online-first sellers like Carvana saw massive growth, delivering 244,111 vehicles—a 37% YoY increase. By 2022, they sold over 412,000 cars. Tesla embraced this trend early, closing physical showrooms in 2019 to focus on online sales. In 2024, Tesla held a 48.2% share of the EV market and drew 374 million site visits from nearly 169 million unique users. «Even before COVID-19, 43% of shoppers said they wished they could complete the entire car buying process online.» 5. Auto Parts Market Continues to Expand The global auto parts market reached $723 billion in sales in 2021 and continues to grow, fueled by ecommerce and the increasing average age of vehicles. Online aftermarket parts sales are estimated at $85.3 billion, with 94% of consumers researching parts online before purchasing. Light trucks and SUVs, which dominate new vehicle sales, drive much of this demand due to their customization and maintenance needs. 6. Chip Shortages Still Disrupt Production Semiconductor shortages continue to impact global car production, delaying shipments and driving up costs. Despite industry efforts to diversify supply chains, the issue remains a significant bottleneck. 7. Low Inventory and High Prices Hit Auto Sales New car inventories remain tight, pushing buyers toward used vehicles and inflating prices across the board. Consumers are holding onto vehicles longer, which supports the parts market but suppresses new sales volumes. 8. Micromobility Gains Ground E-scooters, bikes, and compact EVs are gaining popularity in urban areas. As consumers seek flexible, low-emission alternatives for short trips, micromobility may reshape last-mile transportation and reduce reliance on personal vehicles. 9. Hydrogen Emerges as a Future Fuel Source Hydrogen-powered vehicles remain a niche, but interest is growing. Advocates see hydrogen as a complement to EVs, especially for long-haul transport and industrial use. Further investment and infrastructure will determine its role in the energy mix. 10. Luxury Brands Thrive Despite Volatility Luxury automakers are outperforming expectations. As wealth concentration and demand for high-end tech features increase, brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Tesla’s premium models are seeing strong sales even amid market uncertainty. From EVs to online sales and connected technologies, the automotive industry is entering a phase of rapid reinvention. With shifting regulations, changing consumer preferences, and a wave of innovation, automakers and suppliers must adapt—or risk being left behind.

Apple may be preparing to make a significant change to its Safari web browser by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI)-driven search capabilities — a move that could eventually end its long-standing partnership with Google, as stated in PYMNTS. The development emerged during a high-profile U.S. Justice Department antitrust trial against Alphabet, Google’s parent company. Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, testified that the tech giant is “actively looking at” reimagining Safari with a focus on AI search engines, Bloomberg reported Wednesday (May 7). At the heart of the case is Apple’s estimated $20 billion-a-year agreement with Google, which makes Google the default search engine on Apple devices. That agreement has been in place since the iPhone’s launch in 2007 and has shaped the mobile search ecosystem ever since. However, the Justice Department’s legal challenge could compel Apple and Google to dissolve the deal. Cue’s testimony revealed that Apple is considering integrating AI-based search tools from companies like OpenAI, Perplexity AI, and Anthropic. He noted that Apple has already held discussions with Perplexity about implementing its search capabilities into Safari. He also acknowledged a decline in Safari search usage, attributing it to growing consumer interest in AI tools. “There’s much greater potential because there are new entrants attacking the problem in a different way,” Cue said, contrasting the current landscape with earlier years when he believed alternative search engines weren’t “valid choices.” Cue further suggested that AI search engines are on track to surpass traditional platforms like Google, stating, “I believe that will change. I believe that it will change because there are new entrants that are attacking the problem in a different way.” Despite acknowledging the financial importance of Apple’s deal with Google, Cue emphasized that technological shifts such as AI bring new opportunities for competition. “Technology shifts like AI create opportunities for new entrants and true competition,” he said. Currently, Apple integrates OpenAI’s ChatGPT into Siri and has plans to add Google’s Gemini later this year. The company is also exploring offerings from Anthropic, DeepSeek, and xAI’s Grok. Cue recounted a “bake-off” between ChatGPT and Google’s AI assistant before ultimately selecting ChatGPT for Apple Intelligence in iOS 18. The news of Apple’s potential shift away from Google led to a dip in the stock prices of both Alphabet and Apple on Wednesday. As AI continues to reshape the tech landscape, Apple’s exploration of alternative search solutions signals a turning point in the company’s strategic direction — one that could have profound implications for the future of search on billions of devices worldwide.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is preparing to reopen its recently finalized open banking rule, marking yet another reversal under the Trump administration, Bloomberg Law reports, as stated in Finextra News. Originally finalized in October, the Personal Financial Data Rights rule was intended to empower American consumers by giving them the legal right to instruct their banks to share financial data with third-party providers. The initiative aimed to support innovation in financial services and increase consumer choice. However, citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg Law reveals that the CFPB is now considering walking back or potentially even vacating the rule altogether. This shift appears to be a response to mounting pressure from banks, which have raised concerns about liability in the event of data breaches, the lack of clarity around monetizing access to consumer data, and their inability to block bad actors from exploiting the system. “It is not known whether the rule will be amended or eliminated,” the report adds, leaving stakeholders in a state of uncertainty. The proposed rollback has sparked criticism from open banking advocates. Steve Boms, CEO of FDATA North America, commented: “Reopening this rulemaking means stalling financial innovation and prolonging uncertainty for both businesses and consumers in America.” The rule has been under legal fire since its inception. Just days after its finalization, the Bank Policy Institute and the Kentucky Bankers Association filed a lawsuit against the CFPB. The plaintiffs argue that the bureau overstepped its authority, imposing a framework that unfairly places the burden of data protection solely on banks while absolving the CFPB from responsibility for supervising third-party data recipients. This development is part of a broader trend at the CFPB under the Trump administration and acting Director Russell Vought, who has overseen a series of deregulatory moves. In March, the agency rescinded an interpretive rule that classified Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) providers under credit card regulations. In the weeks that followed, it also dropped multiple lawsuits, including high-profile cases against JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, all related to fraud on the Zelle peer-to-peer payments network. Additionally, a separate rule that would have expanded CFPB oversight to cover digital payment platforms operated by Apple, Google, and X (formerly Twitter) was recently struck down by both chambers of Congress. As the financial industry and regulators brace for potential changes, the future of the open banking landscape in the U.S. remains uncertain—caught between innovation, security concerns, and a shifting political tide.

In a major stride toward the future of digital commerce, Mastercard has announced the launch of Agent Pay—a new infrastructure designed specifically to support agentic commerce, where autonomous AI assistants execute transactions on behalf of users, as highlighted in The Fintech Magazine.  This innovation marks Mastercard’s entry into the world of AI-driven payments, with the goal of shaping a secure, scalable foundation for this rapidly emerging domain. A New Era of AI Payments Agent Pay is built upon Mastercard’s robust tokenisation technology, giving rise to the new “Mastercard Agentic Tokens.” These specialised tokens extend the same security framework that powers contactless payments, stored card credentials, and Mastercard Payment Passkeys. According to Mastercard, the system will initially integrate with major AI platforms, starting with Microsoft. Through this partnership, Mastercard’s payment rails will be embedded into Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service and Copilot Studio, enabling AI systems to initiate and complete purchases within conversational user interfaces. Business Applications and AI Integration The implications for enterprise users are vast. Mastercard envisions a future where AI agents autonomously manage procurement, negotiate payment terms with international suppliers, and complete cross-border transactions using virtual corporate cards. This functionality will be initially implemented through IBM’s watsonx Orchestrate, an enterprise AI solution that will incorporate Agent Pay to streamline financial workflows. Payment platforms like Braintree and Checkout.com will also adapt their merchant tokenisation infrastructure to support these AI-initiated transactions—minimising disruption by building on existing systems. “Mastercard is transforming the way the world pays by anticipating consumer needs on the horizon,” — Jorn Lambert, Chief Product Officer, Mastercard: “The launch of Agent Pay marks our initial steps in redefining commerce in the AI era.” Strong Governance and Consumer Protection Agent Pay introduces a comprehensive governance framework, requiring AI agents to be registered and verified before they can conduct transactions. Mastercard underlines that users will retain full control over what purchases agents can make, supported by transparent reporting throughout the transaction lifecycle. Financial institutions will benefit from greater insight into AI-initiated payments while continuing to operate within the established payment flow. This visibility ensures that card issuers can differentiate between traditional and AI-driven purchases. On the consumer front, use cases include AI shopping assistants that suggest products based on style, context, and preference—then complete the purchase using stored payment credentials. Mastercard offers a practical scenario: an AI assistant recommending outfits for a birthday party based on user style, weather, and venue, before placing the order autonomously. Retailers, too, will benefit from improved personalisation capabilities, using the system to recognise returning customers and deliver tailored rewards, delivery options, and discounts. Building the Future of Agentic Commerce Mastercard’s Agent Pay is underpinned by advanced cybersecurity and authentication protocols, including on-device biometrics to confirm transactions and identify potentially fraudulent agent activity. This provides an extra layer of consumer assurance in a landscape where AI autonomy is increasing. Looking ahead, Mastercard aims to collaborate with industry partners to develop technical standards for agentic payments. This includes applying the Model Context Protocol to Secure Remote Commerce, a move designed to differentiate between verified AI agents and potential threat actors. “Recognising the seismic implications of this evolution, we are keen to collaborate with industry players to advance the standards for agentic payments,” — Jorn Lambert, Chief Product Officer, Mastercard: “This lays the foundation for scale and builds trust in agentic commerce.” With Agent Pay, Mastercard is positioning itself at the forefront of AI commerce, driving what it calls a vision of “ongoing, responsible innovation” to meet the demands of the AI economy.

At the 2025 Innovate Finance Global Summit (IFGS), a distinguished panel of financial and policy leaders convened to chart the course for the UK’s National Payments Vision, according to Finextra. The discussion, titled «The Road Ahead for an Agile, Future-Ready Payments Ecosystem», explored how to build a robust, innovative, and secure infrastructure for the future of payments in the UK. Moderated by Kunal Jhanji, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, the panel included: Dan Moore, Head of Strategy, Analysis and Engagement, PSR Faith Reynolds, Director, Devon Fields Consulting Andy Sacre, Head of Payments, Monzo Iana Vidal, Head of UK Public Policy, Block Paul Worthington, Head of UK Public Policy and Government Relations, Stripe Jhanji set the tone by posing a critical question: How can the National Payments Vision be translated into tangible outcomes for the UK market? Infrastructure, Innovation, and Urgency Dan Moore emphasized the necessity of structured progress and cross-sector collaboration: “One of the benefits of the national payments vision is it sets out sub-deliverables by timescales, and we really have to focus on infrastructure at the end of this quarter, a vision for retail bank infrastructure, and enhanced collaboration between the regulators.” Andy Sacre from Monzo challenged the assumption that innovation is hampered by outdated infrastructure: “I make a plea to the industry to say look, we’re not blocked by infrastructure renewal. If we want to innovate, let’s get together and do it. We don’t need big regulatory and legislative change to make innovation happen on the rails that we’ve currently got.” Interoperability and Opportunity Iana Vidal pointed to the growing role of diverse payment options, particularly stablecoins, and the importance of integrating these into a scalable and interoperable framework: “We talk about the faster payments service, about banks, and about stablecoins as the biggest growing thing in the community today. How can we bring this together and make it as interoperable and optimal as possible? That’s what gives our business the comfort; that there’s a huge amount of opportunity here.” Paul Worthington echoed this need for a clear path forward: “These next few months are critical to understand what the roadmap is going to look like, to ensure we’re not sat here in two years time talking about the National Payments Vision part two.” Faith Reynolds brought focus to a crucial aspect often overshadowed by technical ambition: inclusion. “How are we going to make these digital payments attractive and improve digital and financial inclusion in the UK? I think our strategy must look at how it’s going to deal with cash, and how it’s going to deal with people who haven’t previously wanted to be included within the system, and that goes to the counterpoints around trust and security.” On the issue of harmonizing traditional and emerging forms of money—including stablecoins and a potential digital pound—Jhanji asked how these can coexist within a unified vision. Vidal responded by stressing the necessity of regulatory clarity: “It’s key for customers, however they’re making the payment, through whatever sort of mode, to have the ability to do it and do it safely and responsibly.” Looking Forward: What Excites the Experts To wrap up, panelists reflected on the most exciting aspects of the National Payments Vision: Worthington spotlighted the imminent deliverables tied to retail infrastructure and public sector frameworks. Reynolds emphasized the transformative potential of digital identities and wallets. Sacre expressed optimism about the increased focus on system resilience. Vidal called the vision «ambitious» and said it has the power to «catalyse major innovation.» Moore concluded by underlining the scale of opportunity: “There’s a huge opportunity for competition and innovation, but we must get the infrastructure right to support account-to-account and open banking initiatives.” As IFGS 2025 made clear, the UK is at a pivotal point. With strategic foresight, collaboration, and inclusive innovation, the National Payments Vision can transform the nation’s financial ecosystem into a world-leading, agile powerhouse.

In today’s digital-first world, onboarding is no longer just a formality—it’s a decisive moment that reflects a company’s values, priorities, and operational agility, as stated in Fintech Global. For both customers and vendors, the expectation is clear: onboarding must be seamless, secure, and fast. But delivering that experience requires more than just good intentions—it demands advanced technologies and rigorous safeguards. According to LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group), a global leader in financial infrastructure and data services, onboarding has evolved into a strategic process that can improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and mitigate operational risks. One of the most pressing concerns? Fraud. In 2023 alone, global payment fraud cost merchants an astonishing $48 billion, and that number is only expected to rise. Businesses face growing threats from synthetic identities, account takeovers, and Business Email Compromise (BEC). These evolving risks make secure onboarding not just beneficial—but essential. To address these threats, companies are increasingly turning to advanced digital tools. Real-time bank account verification, multi-factor authentication, and behavioural analytics now play a central role in streamlining onboarding while safeguarding operations. These tools allow businesses to quickly verify identities, flag irregularities, and reduce unnecessary delays. LSEG highlights the growing role of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) protocols, stating that “strong KYC and KYB practices—enhanced by behavioural insights—build trust from the outset.” Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are taking these efforts a step further. By processing large datasets in real time, AI can detect fraudulent patterns, automate verification tasks, and minimize human error. “Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming onboarding,” notes LSEG. “These technologies detect fraud faster and automate key verification steps.” LSEG Risk Intelligence supports global organizations by offering onboarding solutions that are not only secure and compliant but also efficient. Their tools have helped businesses reduce onboarding abandonment, cut costs, and enhance both customer and vendor experiences. Looking ahead, onboarding is expected to become even more intelligent and responsive. With AI accelerating data analysis and improving decision-making, businesses will be better equipped to meet rising expectations—without sacrificing security or regulatory compliance. “Onboarding will only become more intelligent. With AI enabling faster data review and insight sharing, businesses can meet rising expectations while maintaining security and compliance,” concludes LSEG.

Fasten has officially launched the Fasten Rewards™ Visa Card, a new credit card designed to help consumers save on auto-related expenses while giving dealerships a powerful tool to drive customer loyalty, according to FF News. This innovative offering allows cardholders to earn rewards on a wide range of vehicle costs, from car payments to fuel and maintenance—turning essential spending into valuable benefits. «Data shows the average American now spends over $12,000 annually on their vehicle, with total auto loan debt in the U.S. surpassing $1.62 trillion. This financial burden makes car ownership less enjoyable for a lot of people,» said Jacob Zachs, Founder and CEO of Fasten. «Despite the high cost of ownership – not to mention unexpected maintenance – it’s a wonder why there’s never been a card that’s rewarded the consumer in a way that reduced this burden. That’s why I started Fasten Rewards, and with the launch of the Fasten Rewards Visa Card, we can now aim to make the car ownership experience more rewarding—literally.” The Fasten Rewards™ Visa Card offers: 3x points on purchases at featured merchants (Fasten Partners) 2x points on auto loan, lease, and insurance payments 2x points on other automotive-related spending 1x point on all other purchases Cardholders can redeem their points for statement credits, retail gift cards, or travel, and the card carries no annual fee. It is accepted wherever Visa is, both digitally and physically. Auto-related expenses are the second-highest non-discretionary cost for many Americans. Fasten’s reward structure is designed to help consumers offset these ongoing costs, while also supporting dealerships in building stronger customer relationships. One dealership already seeing the benefit is Mercedes-Benz of Eugene. “Fasten presented us with a unique solution that allows us to reward our loyal customers while also attracting new ones by making cars more affordable,” said Britton Schroeder, General Manager of the dealership. “With new ways to buy and sell cars, finding differentiators that keep customers returning is key for our dealership in this marketplace, and we are excited for our continued partnership with Fasten.” Fasten’s approach is also attracting attention from investors. «The dealership market is ripe for disruption,» said Aneel Ranadive, Managing Director of Soma Capital. «Most consumers visiting a dealership already have an emotional connection to the car they intend to buy…when the realities of car ownership and its associated costs set in, many seek ways to save money. We see a unique opportunity for Fasten to provide value to cost-conscious consumers while giving them a reason to return to their dealership through a unique rewards model—something we believe has never existed in the marketplace before.” With the launch of its rewards Visa card, Fasten positions itself as a game-changer in both the financial and automotive industries, aiming to make car ownership not only more affordable, but more rewarding.