Fintech
+2
Aug 5, 2025
Luxembourg-based Banking Circle is preparing to challenge Cuscal’s dominance of payments outsourcing after local regulators approved its buyout of Australian Settlements Ltd.
Cash
+1
More than 14 months after a government inquiry made a series of recommendations about regional branch closures, the only action has been a publicity stunt by the Australian Banking Association.
Merchant Service Fees
+3
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NAB has launched its new PayID Receivables service with a little help from Sydney based Fintech Azupay.
Jul 30, 2025
Assistant Treasurer, Dr Daniel Mulino, has introduced legislation that paves the way for the Government to tackle payments issues such as the dominance of Apple Pay on mobile and blended rates for card payments.
Jul 29, 2025
Fresh from its yet to be finalised deal with Luxembourg bank Banking Circle S.A, ASL is marching ahead with its product offerings, launching PayTo send capability this week enabling its customers access to “a fast, secure and efficient payment solution”.
Banks
A Westpac survey has revealed new data showing 4pm on Tuesday afternoons is when customers are most likely to fall prey to scammers.
The ACCC reiterated the vital role that cash plays in the Australian economy at a banking conference in Sydney last week, while the big banks celebrated the rise of digital payments.
Digital & Online
The ACCC has sent a strong signal that the government is preparing to open payments competition on Apple iPhones, currently dominated by Apple Pay which has a stranglehold on the iPhone's NFC chip.
A FICO survey of bank risk executives has found that scams and mule accounts are the leading cybercrime threats banks face across the Asia Pacific region, while social media was identified as a key scam channel.
Free digital payments campaigner Jerome Laxale MP is returning to the Standing Committee on Economics, alongside the new Chair and former Industry and Science Minister, Ed Husic.
Gumtree Australia has partnered with PayPal to offer PayPal Pay in 4 to its customers through their new payment platform called Gumtree Pay.
The Reserve Bank’s inaction on blended rate plans and its unwillingness to strengthen collective bargaining with banks have narrowed strategic options for small businesses.
+5
With increasing complexity around digital payments, a new breed of payments consultant is emerging in Australia focusing on niche specialisations to help businesses meet new challenges.
Australian payments provider Tyro is partnering with Belgian business management software outfit Odoo to provide an all-in-one payment experience for small businesses and their customers in Australia.
Can Beem finally win against Apple, or has the horse bolted?
New Zealand retailers may be reaching for their “no tap” terminal signs again, after their government proposed a ban on surcharges for most Visa and Mastercard POS payments this week.
Regulation
Jul 28, 2025
Facing hugely profitable and highly litigious Visa and Mastercard regulator chose to pull its punches
Jul 22, 2025
Aussie payments outfit Airwallex has announced a multi-year partnership with football legends Arsenal Football Club that will see the platform become the club’s Official Finance Software partner.
Australian Payments Plus’ digital wallet Beem has integrated Cashrewards into its app, giving customers an alternative way to earn cashback on their purchases.
Despite not being subject to AUSTRAC rules, Next Payments has taken its own initiative on illegal tobacco, shaming banks and others that continue to provide terminals. CEO Tim Wildash simply says, "no (tobacco) licence, no ATM".
New Zealand's Commerce Commission has retained a zero debit interchange option for merchants, continued card surcharging and reduced other interchange fees for businesses accepting Visa and Mastercard payments.
Jenny Fagg, the banker who built the business case for the New Payments Platform, joins PayPal Australia as an independent director
The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced an intention to reduce credit interchange from a cap of 0.80% to 0.30%. The move has been welcomed by merchants across the nation who have for decades unwittingly subsidised rewards programs for the banks.
