Insights Podcast

 As payments firms and fintechs scale, managing client funds efficiently has become increasingly complex. Money market funds are emerging as a practical solution that balances regulatory compliance with operational efficiency. In this episode, we explore how these funds work, why they're gaining traction among electronic money institutions and payment service providers, and what the future holds for safeguarding strategies in the payments sector. Joining Jack Robertson are Tara Dougherty, director of business development for the UK and Ireland at Federated Hermes Limited, and Teresa Cameron, CEO at Clear Junction. For professional investors only. Capital at risk. This is a marketing communication.Issued and approved by Hermes Investment Management Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area (“EEA”), this document is distributed by Hermes Fund Managers Ireland Limited.Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

The Payments Association sits down with ACI Worldwide’s Jeremy McDougall and Somya Patnaik to explore how the UK and global payments landscape is being reshaped by real-time technology, regulatory reform, digital currencies, and a rapidly converging ecosystem of new payment forms. With real-time payments accelerating worldwide, open banking adoption hitting record highs, and the UK embarking on a once‑in‑a‑generation modernisation of its payments infrastructure, our guests unpack where the biggest opportunities lie, and what the next decade of payments could look like.Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

In this episode of the Insights Podcast, Jack Robertson speaks with Gabriel Lakeman and Christian McDermott of Latham & Watkins about the emerging regulatory framework for stablecoins in the UK. They discuss how stablecoins differ from other cryptoassets, the Bank of England's consultation on sterling-denominated systemic stablecoins, and what key regulatory developments firms should be watching for in 2026. They also explore the practical steps companies should be taking now to prepare as UK and EU regulatory expectations around backing requirements, holding limits, and authorisation become clearer.Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

Cross-border payments are no longer as slow or opaque as their reputation suggests. But progress has been uneven. In this episode of Insights Podcast, Heather Lee, global head of payment strategy at Swift, Damian Richardson, head of payments, product and schemes at NatWest, and Michelle Cowan, cash market manager for the UK and Europe at Standard Chartered Bank, explore the evolving cross-border payments landscape. They discuss how initiatives like ISO 20022, GPI tracking, and instant payment schemes are improving speed and transparency, and why challenges around last-mile processing, regulatory fragmentation, and data quality continue to create friction. The conversation also looks ahead to how greater interoperability, richer data, and emerging digital models could help deliver faster, more predictable payments for consumers and businesses alike.  Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

With an estimated one in five people in the UK living with a disability, providing digital services that are accessible to all is an increasingly important consideration for businesses. And with the 'purple pound' now estimated to be worth £274 billion, firms that prioritise accessibility also stand to gain a huge competitive advantage. Join our speakers Kerry Berchem from Burges Salmon, Peter Bricknell of Hassell Inclusion, Emily Carlson from KPMG UK and Miranda McLean of Ecommpay as they explore digital accessibility in payments - from relevant regulations and commercial opportunities to innovative implementations of accessible technology.Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

Buy now, pay later has grown into a £13 billion presence in UK consumer finance — and regulation is now catching up. Jack Robertson, Data Journalist at The Payments Association and payments expert Russell Hickman, Director at TSYS discuss BNPL’s evolution from a checkout convenience to a core credit product, the implications of the FCA’s new regulatory framework, and why banks are increasingly well placed to lead the next phase of its development. They explore customer expectations, digital user journeys, merchant partnerships and the innovations that may define BNPL in the years ahead. Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

Payment firms are scaling fast, but many still rely on manual reconciliations and legacy systems that cannot keep up with rising regulatory expectations. In this episode, host Jack Robertson, Data Journalist at The Payments Association, speaks with AutoRek’s Nick Botha, VP Payments & Retail Banking to unpack the FCA’s strengthened safeguarding rules, the operational risks of spreadsheets and fragmented processes, and the steps firms must take to align with CASS-level standards. The discussion shows how investing in automation and robust controls not only protects customer funds but also creates a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market. Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

 In this episode of The Insights Podcast, host Jack Robertson of The Payments Association speaks with Hugo Remy, CEO of Cardaq, about how financial institutions can stay ahead of fraud and regulatory challenges. They explore why early engagement with regulators is crucial for preventing compliance issues, and how the growing threat of “friendly fraud”, where customers dispute legitimate transactions, is impacting businesses. Hugo shares his vision for a UK-wide friendly fraud register that could help banks and merchants share intelligence, reduce losses, and strengthen trust across the financial ecosystem. This conversation sheds light on the balance between customer protection and business resilience in today’s complex payments landscape. Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

In this episode of The Insights Podcast, host Jack Robertson sits down with Marco Chardi, Senior Director of Market and Competitor Research at Worldpay, to explore the findings from Worldpay's Global Payments Report 2025. Together, they unpack what the data tells us about the rapid rise of digital payments, the growing influence of mobile as the default commerce platform, and how account-to-account systems like Pix and UPI are reshaping real-time money movement. Marco Chardi also discusses why cards remain more resilient than expected, and what the ongoing role of cash tells us about global payment preferences. With insights from 40 key markets, this episode offers a clear view of where payments are heading and what it means for the businesses shaping them.Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter

On this episode of The Insights Podcast, host Jack Robertson speaks with Grace Wyatt, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard, about the UK’s new FCA stablecoin framework. They explore what it means for issuers, custodians, merchants, and payment providers and how it could reshape digital payments and tokenised money. Find out more about The Payments Association via our website www.thepaymentsassociation.org or follow us on social media. LinkedIn Twitter