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Briefing
An Update on Interchange Legislation in the United States
This article provides a summary of recent developments in interchange legislation in the United States as well as the recently released Government Accountability Office report detailing its findings on interchange fees.
Briefing
Developments of QR Code-Based Mobile Payments in East Asia
Initiatives facilitating QR code-based mobile payments in Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong may address some pain points of banks, nonbanks, and merchants, but whether they address consumers’ depends on factors such as fragmentation and overall digital commerce experience
Briefing
What Consumer Surveys Say about the Design of a U.S. CBDC for Retail Payments
Although researchers continue to discuss the possibility of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for retail payments in the United States, the success of a CBDC will depend on consumer adoption. To understand how a CBDC could provide a good user experience, recent surveys in the United States and in other countries have asked consumers about their wants and needs for a potential CBDC. In the United States, a majority of respondents to these surveys seek dependability, convenience, and security.
Briefing
Assessing the Case for Retail CBDCs: Central Banks’ Considerations
Many central banks around the world have been researching, experimenting, or developing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Although central banks in several emerging markets and developing economies have implemented or plan to implement a general-purpose, or retail, CBDC to promote financial inclusion and improve their payment systems, central banks in many advanced economies have not yet found a compelling case for a retail CBDC.
Briefing
The Rise of Buy Now, Pay Later: Bank and Payment Network Perspectives and Regulatory Considerations
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) products offered by fintechs have gained traction among consumers andmerchants in recent years and could compete with credit cards as a payment option. We explore thereactions of banks and payment networks to BNPL products as well as the current regulatory environment.
Briefing
How the COVID-19 Pandemic May Reshape the Digital Payments Landscape
Despite an increase in payments made via online or mobile channels in recent years, many consumers have not yet adopted digital payments. The COVID-19 pandemic may be shifting more consumers toward digital payments, along with industry and legislative initiatives designed to facilitate broader access.
Briefing
A new era
The U.S. payments system has entered a new era ? one that is witnessing a marked decline in the use of paper checks and a sharp increase in the use of electronic payments.
Briefing
The Appeal and Proliferation of Buy Now, Pay Later: Consumer and Merchant Perspectives
Use of buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment products has been growing in the United States. We explore the benefits and risks of BNPL products for consumers and merchants.
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.