Consumer Risk
Payments Dive Trendline on Payments industry seeks to keep pace with fraudsters
During a Wednesday online seminar, anti-fraud professionals noted that financial institutions need federal rule changes and cross-industry collaboration to more comprehensively combat online fraud. Experts called on banks, telecommunications, and social media companies to share signals and account data, and to push for legislative updates to modern safe harbor provisions.
Teens targeted for scams
美联储报告显示，青少年和年轻成人因生活转型、数字习惯及经验不足，正成为诈骗分子的主要目标。2023年29岁以下消费者因诈骗损失5亿美元，较2021年增长20%。报告建议银行在开户、移动银行注册等环节提供针对性教育，并把握租房、求职等关键时点推送防骗提示。
Credit card strain rises: study
J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study reveals rising financial strain among cardholders, with 60% financially unhealthy, higher monthly spending, and declining satisfaction. Fraud incidents increased to 13%, while proactive issuer outreach and consumer confidence in security dropped.
States lean in on payments plays
With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reducing its footprint under the Trump Administration, states are increasingly setting the regulatory agenda for payments and fintech. Attorney Avy Mallik, a former federal and California regulator, explains what companies in earned wage access and buy now, pay later should expect from this shifting landscape.
Oregon proposes BNPL rules
Oregon's financial regulators released a proposal last month that would require non-bank 'buy now, pay later' (BNPL) financing companies to obtain a payday loan or consumer finance license to operate. The American Fintech Council expressed opposition on Monday, and Klarna also criticized the draft as 'missing the point.'
Amex, Apple team on rewards
American Express announced on Tuesday that cardholders can now use Membership Rewards points to offset purchases at checkout via Apple Pay, applicable to online and in-app transactions within digital wallets. This move is the latest development in the partnership between Amex and Apple since 2014, and part of its efforts to expand points redemption scenarios.
Payments events still ahead in 2026
As 2026 enters its second half, the payment industry still offers numerous conferences and exhibitions for professionals to attend. This article outlines the major events from July to December, covering MWAA, MoneyLive, MAG, Money20/20, AFP, and FTT, with a focus on hot topics such as AI, fraud prevention, and ISO 20022.
BNPL groups ‘neutral’ on Illinois bill
The Illinois legislature passed a bill to license and regulate buy now, pay later (BNPL) lenders, which has been sent to Governor JB Pritzker for signing. Unlike similar legislation passed in New York in May 2025, trade organizations such as the American Fintech Council (AFC) and the Financial Technology Association (FTA) have taken a 'neutral' stance on the final version of the Illinois bill. The bill includes provisions such as a 120-day loan definition, dispute resolution, refund limits, and restrictions on the number of ACH debits. Consumer advocates argue that the bill is more lenient than New York law, citing a '120-day loophole' and regulatory gaps. Meanwhile, the BNPL industry continues to grow with increased state-level regulation, while federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rules have been rescinded.
FTA sues to block Tennessee law
The Financial Technology Association (FTA) filed a lawsuit in a Tennessee court on Wednesday, alleging that a new state law taxing cross-border money transfers is unconstitutional. The law imposes a $10 fee on each international transfer and an additional 2% fee on transfers exceeding $500, and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. The FTA seeks a permanent injunction and warns that the tax will impose a heavy burden on consumers and businesses.
CFPB tells Bilt to repay fees from card-swap problems
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced on Tuesday that fintech company Bilt Technologies will refund fees to approximately 500 newly identified customers affected by the card transition. The CFPB stated that following discussions and directives, Bilt has proactively contacted potentially affected customers, committing to refund overdraft fees, late fees, or insufficient funds fees related to the transition.