When deciding on a new card payment platform, it’s crucial to consider the technical features that will ensure a seamless, convenient and secure experience. Here are five essential features to prioritise when evaluating card payment platforms.
Payment Platform Features
Integration with Digital Wallets:
As digital wallet platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay gain popularity, it’s important to choose a card payment platform that seamlessly integrates with these systems. This integration allows customers to make payments using their digital wallet, offering both convenience and enhanced security compared to traditional physical cards.
APIs for Mobile Development and Integration:
If you’re a developer or plan to incorporate the payment platform into your mobile or web-based application, look for a platform that provides robust APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). These APIs enable easy integration, allowing you to customise the payment experience and create a seamless connection within your app.
Cardholder Self-Service:
Empower cardholders with greater control and convenience by opting for a payment platform that offers self-service features:
- PIN Reset: Allow users to reset their PIN securely.
- Card Blocking: Enable cardholders to block a lost or stolen card immediately.
- Temporary Card Pausing: Let users lock their card temporarily—for those times when they need a break from card usage.
These features prove especially valuable during emergencies or when managing card security.
Security and Fraud Protection:
Prioritise a payment platform that goes the extra mile in safeguarding transactions. Key security measures include:
- 3D Secure (3DS): Implement this security protocol to protect online card transactions.
- Encrypted Data Transmission: Ensure that sensitive information remains confidential during communication.
- Secure Servers: Host transactions on secure servers to prevent unauthorised access.
- Regular Security Updates: Stay ahead of potential threats by keeping security protocols up to date.
Virtual Cards:
Another useful feature to consider is the ability to create virtual cards. Virtual cards are digital versions of physical cards that can be used for online transactions. Virtual cards have several advantages including:
- Organised Finances: Create separate virtual cards for different purposes (e.g., online shopping, family expenses).
- Loss and Theft Prevention: Virtual cards cannot be physically lost or stolen.
Discover Vertexon: Delivering Modern Card Payment Solutions
Vertexon, a Payment as a Service (PaaS) platform developed by Change Financial, stands out in delivering modern and digital payment experiences for both businesses and consumers.
Vertexon excels in its integration with digital wallets, supporting popular options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, allowing end users to make payments online or in-store using their mobile device.
The platform also offers APIs for businesses to seamlessly integrate Vertexon into their systems, fostering customised payment experiences for their customers.
Cardholder self-service is a notable feature of Vertexon, empowering users to manage their cards and PINs while accessing their transaction history.
Security is a top priority, with Vertexon implementing multiple layers of protection, including encryption, secure authentication, and real-time monitoring to combat fraud and unauthorised transactions.
Adding to its versatility, Vertexon supports the use of virtual cards, catering to businesses with frequent online payment needs. These cards can be easily generated and managed through the Vertexon platform.
For businesses seeking to modernise their card platform with these essential features, our sales team is ready to assist.
Explore all the features of Vertexon by checking out our comprehensive roadmap and elevate your payment experience with Vertexon today!
Brisbane’s global fintech, Change Financial, unveiled Doing Good Rewards as the debut participant in their ambitious Prepaid Incubator program.
Doing Good Rewards is the world’s first loyalty program to automatically combine shopping discounts and charity giving in the same transaction. Their fresh approach has drawn attention for its powerful social impact and novel application of Mastercard prepaid cards, contributing to merchant onboarding and enhancing business visibility in the Australian market.
“Being chosen as the first participant in this remarkable program marks a pivotal moment for Doing Good Rewards. It validates our innovative approach in blending commerce with charity, and we are thrilled to work alongside esteemed partners like Change Financial, Fintech Actuator, and Mastercard,” said Brad Langdon, Chief Executive Officer of Doing Good Rewards.
“Brad and the team put forward a compelling value proposition and we’re excited that our first incubator participant has such positive social impact goals,” added Tim Boucaut, Managing Director, Fintech Actuator.
In this alliance, Change Financial will issue Mastercard prepaid cards, with Fintech Actuator managing the program, aiding fintechs with comprehensive guidance from onboarding to design and execution.
Mastercard will support the participants with access to industry experience, technology, and connections to help validate their program. Change Financial and Mastercard aim to create an environment that allows emerging fintechs to experiment, innovate, and prosper by offering them a platform to test their prepaid card solutions in the real world.
“This collaboration helps remove many of the barriers for local fintechs to enable card issuing programs, it’s designed to be accessible whilst allowing partners to test, learn and scale,” said Dan Martin, Vice President and Head of Digital Partnerships, Australia at Mastercard.
Each program will run for a period of six to nine months, providing continuous support and guidance to the participating fintechs.
“This innovative incubator program has been crafted with a vision to accelerate the growth and innovation of Australian fintechs, ensuring they have the necessary tools and support to navigate through the initial stages of development and market testing,” said Tony Sheehan, Chief Executive Officer of Change Financial.
To find out more about or apply to be part of the Incubator Program, head to https://www.fintechactuator.com/
Change Financial, along with Mastercard and Fintech Actuator launched their Australian first Prepaid Incubator Program at Fintech Australia’s Intersekt Festival in Melbourne.
A panel session, Creating Change and Mastering the Art of Issuing with Fintech Actuator was hosted by Simone Thompson from Thoughtworks. The panel saw Ashima Chaudhar, Mastercard VP Head of Development, Vinnie D’Alessandro Change Financial Chief Product Officer and Tim Boucaut from Fintech Actuator explain the value of the program.
You can view the panel session here.
To find out more about or apply to be part of the Incubator Program, head to https://www.fintechactuator.com/
- Change Financial wins new client, HealthNow and together they aim to revolutionise workplace wellness in New Zealand
- HealthNow’s Employer Aid sets a new standard for workplace wellness, empowering employers in supporting employee wellness and health improvement
- Employer Aid aims to provide New Zealanders with a seamless payment experience through a one-card approach
- Employer Aid will integrate with Change Financial’s Vertexon payments platform, leveraging Change’s Mastercard issuing capability in New Zealand, ensuring a robust and reliable payment infrastructure for HealthNow’s clients
Auckland, 24 August 2023: Change Financial Limited (Change), a leading ASX-listed (CCA) Australian payments fintech, is thrilled to announce New Zealand health services pioneer, HealthNow, has chosen Change’s Vertexon platform to power their Employer Aid prepaid card program. Employer Aid is set to revolutionise how New Zealand employers support and promote the health and wellness of their employees.
Employer Aid, powered by Change’s Vertexon platform and leveraging its Mastercard issuing capability in New Zealand, is HealthNow’s solution to the growing need for proactive health solutions in the workplace. 1 According to the 2023 Global Survey by Virgin Pulse and YouGov,
76% of workers believe their company should be doing more to support the mental health of their workforce.
The program works closely with employers to educate staff on how to use their health allowances effectively, ensuring they remain healthy and well. The one-card approach eliminates barriers, offering a smooth payment experience and acting as a constant reminder for employees to prioritise their healthcare.
Tony Sheehan, Change Financial Chief Executive Officer, said, “It’s exciting to have HealthNow as a new client and to enable them to achieve their vision of launching Employer Aid. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to providing innovative financial
solutions tailored to the needs of New Zealanders.”
Steven Zinsli Founder & CEO of HealthNow highlighted the program’s innate ability to adapt to the different needs of each employee.
“Employer Aid allows employers to acknowledge the diverse health needs of their employees, recognising for example that the ideal employee benefit for a 25-year-old differs from that of a 50-year-old. “Our program provides an effective alternative to traditional health insurance, shifting the focus to
preventative healthcare. By allowing employers to select their contribution value, we ensure that Employer Aid fits seamlessly into any budget,” Mr Zinsli commented.
With Employer Aid, HealthNow is offering both a payment solution and championing a shift in how employers view and support employee health. By focusing on preventative rather than reactive healthcare, HealthNow is setting a new standard for workplace wellness in New Zealand.
New Zealanders can anticipate the launch of the Employer Aid prepaid card program towards the end of 2023, marking a significant step forward in health-focused financial solutions.
HealthNow and Change Financial are exploring expanding their partnership into the Australian and US markets in the coming months.
1 2023 Global Survey of workplace wellbeing priorities, by Virgin Pulse and YouGov, May 2023
- Simply Zibra is launching AI-powered virtual cards through Change Financial to empower consumers to spend in a smarter way.
- Simply Zibra seeks to drive better financial outcomes for consumers by using AI to source loyalty program benefits, low fees, cashback incentives and rewards points on everyday payments – automatically.
- Change Financial will provide Mastercard card issuing to provide the payments capability in market
Brisbane, 15 August 2023: Change Financial Limited (Change), a leading ASX-listed (CCA) Australian payments fintech, today announced it will provide Mastercard card issuing to Simply Zibra, an AI-driven digital wallet that helps consumers get the most out of their money. Using AI, the system optimises every payment made via the Change issued Mastercard through analysing the transaction in real time and selecting the card that will provide the most benefits for the consumer. These benefits can include lower foreign exchange fees and interest, frequent flyer miles, cashback opportunities and rewards points, depending on the preferences and goals of the user.
Change Financial Chief Executive Officer, Tony Sheehan, said the partnership aims to offer unprecedented benefits for consumers, by allowing them to automatically receive third party savings that they may not otherwise be aware of. “We are proud to be powering Simply Zibra’s innovative technology with our card issuing capabilities. Their commitment to supporting financial optimisation through AI-driven personalisation is a breakthrough for Australian consumers.” said Mr Sheehan. “Our card issuing capabilities have helped bring this innovation to market and it will facilitate the use of this technology for online and in-person payments, with consumers able to reap the rewards in a matter of seconds.”
The platform links all of a consumer’s accounts including debit cards, credit cards and saving accounts, to ensure that the AI process can work efficiently, by drawing on spending habits and information from a broader range of sources. Simply Zibra upholds data security by partnering with licensed entities to safely store financial data. The company does not hold a customer’s funds and has ‘read-only’ access to information.
Simply Zibra Chief Executive Officer, Trina Ray Choudhury, said by connecting a user’s existing suite of cards and accounts to automate payments, they can deliver greater financial outcomes for consumers through harnessing the benefits of AI. “We are delighted to join forces with Change Financial. Together we’re able to bring a pioneering payments tool to market that redefines how consumers manage and use their finances. This venture brings us one step closer to our goal of enhancing the financial lives of Australians.” Mrs Ray Choudhury said.
“Consumers are often missing hundreds of dollars in potential savings and by using AI, our technology works in the background, automatically applying relevant savings or even earning hidden rewards, without the consumer having to spend hours sorting through information.
This product and service will be available to the market towards the end of 2023.
Fintech Australia – Member Announcement
- Change’s principal issuer capability through Mastercard will allow the company to directly issue cards to clients in Australia
- Ability to tap into direct issuance allows smaller operators to bring their card programs to market faster by removing red tape
- Change also launches their Banking Identification Number (BIN) sponsorship in Australia
Australian-based global fintech and payments as a service (PaaS) provider, Change Financial (Change), today announced the launch of direct issuing services for prepaid and debit card programs in Australia. This offering will enable local bank and fintech clients to offer a card program to consumers through the technology of both Mastercard and Change Financial.
Chief Executive Officer of Change Financial, Tony Sheehan, said card programs with this depth of features have previously only been available to larger banks and fintechs due to the costs, operational processes and scale required.
“We are committed to making this technology accessible to Australia’s growing number of fintechs and smaller banks, and this partnership is levelling the playing field for local companies, by allowing them to access program features previously unattainable,” Mr Sheehan said.
The partnership draws on the respective strengths of both companies, utilising Mastercard’s global payment network and technology, to enable Change’s customers to create and launch prepaid and debit card programs across the nation.
“This is facilitating Change’s ongoing expansion by unlocking new lines of business and allowing the company to create Mastercard programs and offer them to market on behalf of clients.”
“In Australia, we continue to see fintechs, credit unions and mutual banks struggle to provide modern technology solutions such as Apple Pay and Google Pay and this partnership will also help bridge the gap and again level the competitive playing field.”
“By outsourcing issuance, banks and fintechs can focus on their core business and leverage the loyalty they’re known for, generating more customer satisfaction while creating new revenue and data streams.”
Change has also launched its Banking Identification Number (BIN) sponsorship offering in Australia and New Zealand, enabling global companies without local issuing capabilities to access Change’s principal issuing status with Mastercard.
“By launching our BIN sponsorship offering, we are now able to act as an issuer for global companies looking to operate in the region, which is a key advantage for these companies as they can avoid the expense and administrative process of becoming an issuer in every region.”
Change Financial Chief Product Office, Vinnie D’Alessandro wrote an opinion piece for Dynamic Business about how Australian fintechs can lead the way in the US payments space.
The US is a key player in the global financial system. Yet it appears to be lagging behind the global frontier when it comes to adopting modern payment solutions.
Vinnie D’Alessandro
Check out the article here https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/expert/opinion/do-aussies-have-the-key-to-unlocking-payment-potential-in-the-us.html
When it comes to choosing a new card payment platform, there are certain technical features that are essential for ensuring a smooth, convenient, and secure experience. Here are the five essential technical features to look for in a card payment platform:
Features
- Integration with digital wallets: Digital wallet platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s important to choose a card payment platform that can integrate with these systems. This will allow you to make payments using your digital wallet, which can be more convenient and secure than using a physical card.
- APIs for mobile development and integration: If you’re a developer or you plan to integrate the payment platform into your own mobile or web-based application, it’s important to choose a platform that offers APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for easy integration. This will allow you to customize the payment experience and build a seamless integration into your application.
- Cardholder self-service: To give cardholders more control and convenience, look for a card payment platform that offers self-service features such as the ability to reset a PIN, block a lost or stolen card, or pause a card temporarily. These features can be especially useful in the event of a lost or stolen card, or if you need to take a break from using your card for a while.
- Security and fraud protection: Finally, it’s essential to choose a card payment platform that offers robust security and fraud protection measures. This can include features like 3D Secure (3DS), which is a security protocol that helps to protect online card transactions, as well as encrypted data transmission, secure servers, and regular security updates.
- Virtual cards: Another useful feature to look for is the ability to create virtual cards. Virtual cards are digital versions of physical cards that can be used for online transactions, and they offer a number of benefits. For example, you can create separate virtual cards for different types of purchases or for different family members, which can help to keep your finances organized and separate. Virtual cards also offer an extra layer of security, as they can’t be lost or stolen like physical cards can.
Vertexon: delivering modern card payment solutions
Vertexon is a Payment as a Service (PaaS) platform developed by Change Financial. It is designed to provide modern and digital payment experiences for businesses and consumers.
One of the key features of Vertexon is its integration with digital wallets. This allows users to store and manage their payment information in a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung, and make payments online or in-store using their mobile device.
Vertexon also includes APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that allow businesses to integrate the platform into their own systems and processes. This can enable them to create customised payment experiences for their customers.
Cardholder self-service is another feature of Vertexon. This allows cardholders to manage their own card and PIN, and check their transaction history.
Security and fraud protection are also important considerations for any payment platform. Vertexon includes multiple layers of security to protect against fraud and unauthorized transactions, including encryption, secure authentication, and real-time monitoring.
Finally, Vertexon supports the use of virtual cards. Virtual cards can be especially useful for businesses that need to make frequent online payments, as they can be easily generated and managed through the Vertexon platform.
Are you looking for these essential features to modernise your card platform, reach out to our sales team.
To see all the features of Vertexon, check out our roadmap.
Change Financial CPO, Vinnie D’Alessandro made an appearance on ausbiz with Kyle Rodda to discuss payments in the Australian, New Zealand and US markets.
https://www.ausbiz.com.au/media/the-state-of-payments-in-australia?videoId=25918§ionId=1885
Chris Titley, host of FinTech Australia’s podcast, sat down with Change Financial Chief Product Officer Vinnie D’Alessandro to talk about the changing landscape of payments globally with a particular focus on the Australian market.
You can find the via the link below or search for FinTech Australia Podcast – Remember your pin? in your favourite podcast app.
