Search Results
Briefing
Neobanks: Banks by Any Other Name?
Neobanks, or digital banks, are bank-like providers of financial services that operate through apps and aim to appeal to different consumer groups through innovative features and design. Whether or not neobanks evolve into full banks, they have the potential to affect the traditional banking model.
Briefing
Motives Matter: Examining Potential Tension in Central Bank Digital Currency Designs
As a new central bank liability, central bank digital currency (CBDC) has the potential to address various issues within current payments and financial systems. The motivation behind a CBDC will determine how it is designed; a CBDC designed to achieve one goal, such as broader financial inclusion, may have difficulty achieving other objectives.
Briefing
New Data on Card-Present and Card-Not-Present Fraud Rates in the United States
Recently updated data show that the card-present fraud rate of non-prepaid debit cards increased for transactions on single-message networks from 2021 to 2023 but decreased for dual-message networks—reversing a previous trend. The card-not-present fraud rate for both types of networks continued its upward trend. Cardholders’ fraud loss rates also continued to increase for both card-present and card-not-present transactions on both types of networks.
Briefing
Still on Trial? The Court’s Use of Economic Analysis in the American Express Case
In a 2018 antitrust case, the Supreme Court ruled that American Express did not break federal laws in prohibiting merchants from steering consumers to alternative payment methods. However, some antitrust scholars disagree with how the court defined the relevant market and determined anticompetitive effects, and are concerned that the decision will make it more difficult to bring antitrust cases against payment platforms in the future.
Briefing
Are Contactless Payments Finally Poised for Adoption?
Two types of contactless payments, near-field communication (NFC) and quick response (QR) code, have seen a boost from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Briefing
Could Municipal IDs Facilitate Access to Financial Services?
Of the approximately 5.6 million U.S. households that did not have a bank or credit union account in 2023, about 13 percent cited not having the identification (ID) required to open an account as a reason for being unbanked. Municipal ID programs provide a form of local identification and can be designed to facilitate access to banking and financial services, though challenges to achieving this potential remain.
Briefing
The Puzzle of Payments Security: Fitting the Pieces Together to Protect the Retail Payments System
This article offers highlights from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's fifth international payments conference, "The Puzzle of Retail Payments Security: Fitting the Pieces Together to Protect the Retail Payments System," hosted June 25-26, 2015.
Briefing
Market Structure of Core Banking Services Providers
Three core providers dominate the market for core banking systems for depository institutions (DIs). These providers also have a large presence in vertically related markets, such as card network services; payment processing services for DIs, merchants, or governments; and banking-as-a-service. This market structure may make it difficult for DIs to switch their core providers, affecting their ability to offer new services and stay competitive.
Briefing
Payments System Research: Our 2020 Vision
In this year’s first Payments System Research Briefing, senior vice president Susan Zubradt reflects on the evolution of retail payments and what lies ahead for the KC Fed’s Payments System Research group.
Briefing
Backward Glance While Looking Forward
This article takes a backward glance at some of the early emerging payments nearly a decade after their introduction and examines their status today and where they may be heading.