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Growing corporate and consumer preference for digital payments over cash is changing the nature and ways in which people interact with money, with significant implications for businesses. How should companies adapt their products, services and payments infrastructure in response? Among the many promising payments innovations on the horizon, which warrant closer attention?����

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In this issue of Perspectives, ������’ financial services experts analyze the impact of current and emerging digital payments trends, and explain how business leaders can develop holistic and effective strategies to make the most of them.��

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Digital payments: Accelerating out of the pandemic

Source: BCG

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i. How the payments ecosystem is evolving��

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Shaped by the differing goals, attitudes and expectations of consumers, banks, fintechs and other enterprises, the payments space can be complex for organizations to decipher and navigate. While the success of most payment solutions will ultimately depend on consumers, companies must also recognize that regulators will have a major say in how payments infrastructure evolves. The good news is that the market’s diversity and fragmentation will afford organizations plenty of room to explore, and to adopt promising new services and solutions.������

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Chinese consumers’ preferred mobile payment platforms

Source: Daxue Consulting / Payment & Clearing Association of China

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ii. How digital payments foster business possibilities��

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Digital payments adoption might be borne out of the necessity to meet rising consumer expectations, but it has also paved the way for new business models and opportunities. Aside from equalizing the playing field by giving more small enterprises access to lending and other financial products, digital payments are helping established businesses expand and diversify their client bases – and enabling new businesses to spring up – by bringing formerly underserved consumers into the financial services fold.��

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Emerging market consumers embrace digital transactions

Source: Bank of Indonesia, Asian Banker

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iii. Choosing when to collaborate or differentiate��

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Before organizations reinvent their payments infrastructure, they need to decide how it will connect to their commercial goals, and crucially, to what extent it should be built in-house. The prospect of boosting customer stickiness sometimes motivates companies to construct their own payments system from scratch. However, the number of highly functional and readily available payment solutions currently in play puts such moves into question. Making the build or buy decision, and selecting the right technology partners, has to be based on striking the right balance between business goals, customer needs and the realities of the core technology stack.

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iv. Security, compliance, and better customer experience

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Payments data presents immense marketing potential because of its unmatched insight into consumer intent, but also significant security and compliance risks. Organizations looking to put this data to use need to move beyond processes to instil a security mindset, and work to ensure any external partners or providers also have sound practices in place. In the face of incredibly high customer standards, companies that can deliver fast and convenient experiences while respecting regulation and the consumer right to privacy will be rewarded, while those who don’t risk eroding their customer base.

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Where firms are bracing for payments regulation impact

Source: PwC

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v. A cash and card-free future?

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Ever more invisible and hassle-free payment options will continue to take center stage and multiply for the next few years, before these technologies and companies pushing them converge and consolidate. Over the longer term, rising adoption of cryptocurrency and the payment-linked behaviors of consumers exploring purely digital experiences are areas to watch. As change continues to expand the digital payments ecosystem, it will be ever more critical for enterprises to maintain focus on their value proposition, and invest in solutions that distinguish their offerings from the competition.����

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The future of payments: Cash and credit cards seen making way for crypto

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Millennials who think cryptocurrencies are replacing debit/ credit cards

Source: Deutsche Bank

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