Alviere May Newsletter

The Totavi Market Analysis: Cards gurus evaluate debit card providers

Totavi, the consulting arm of Matthew Goldman's CardsFTW just released its debit cards market analysis. The report profiles the landscape and 10 vendors defined as Program Management Platforms (PMPs) , companies providing both the software for a payment card program and the many elements of service, risk, and compliance.

“This report is designed to help educate on the choices and options among PMPs. We continue to believe that working with a PMP is the best choice for new programs to develop card products without having to invest millions of dollars and two years of development time to issue their first card.” Alviere is included in the report. To preview and purchase the report .

More in this issue:

• 5 ways to fund debit cards . Unlike credit cards, debit cards must be funded to be used. But that doesn't limit the options.?
• Avoid the race to the (loyalty) bottom by accelerating earning with a co-branded debit card . Boost customer rewards at no cost.
• The average grocery shopper belongs to 2-3 loyalty programs and shops at five different banner stores . Retailers can differentiate by offering a better (& personalized) digital experience .?
• Combating fraud with the one-two punch: AI + in-house expertise.

Industry buzz:

• Watch out Starbucks, Dutch Bros brews up 39% YoY revenue growth while making the Forbes first-ever Best Customer Service list .?
• Proposed U.S. regulation aside, earned wage access can help with employee retention. CNBC covers the fraught (and expensive) landscape for many employees.?
• Unseen and dangerous, Wall Street can't track BNPL "phantom debt." (Alternatively, SNBL is a consumer & merchant-friendly option.)
• Is Amazon targeting Walmart's grocery dominance with its new grocery subscription ?

Totavi Debit Card Program Management Platform Market Analysis

From the report: "Our aim is to provide you with a clear and unbiased understanding of the key players in the industry, their respective roles, and the most suitable approach for your organization. Using this market analysis, you'll acquire the knowledge necessary to expedite your program launch, maximize resources, and make informed, long-term strategic decisions with confidence.” To preview and purchase this report .

Interested in what to look for when evaluating embedded finance providers, including card issuance, read our blog article, "What other providers won't tell you " or the complete Buyer's Guide to Embedded Finance .

Read the Buyer's Guide

What's New

5 Funding methods all co-branded debit cards should offer

Dive into the world of co-branded debit card funding. You'll learn about five critical funding methods that every program should offer to cater to a wide range of customer preferences.

Understanding and combating financial fraud

It's an unfortunate fact of life with any financial service. But to know fraud, is to fight against it. Here's what you need to know. We break it down, program by program.

Breathe new life into loyalty programs with accelerated points

Often looking the same from year to year, the clock is ticking for current loyalty programs as they age out of favor. Membership growth numbers may only reflect consumer interest in price shopping vs. true loyalty. That is, a buyer may join a loyalty program to take advantage of a one-time discount or because it’s easy to sign up, not because they plan additional purchases.

Avoiding a race to the bottom, there’s a new way of thinking about loyalty programs, where there’s additional value added with every interaction. It strikes at the core of consumer motivation to join a loyalty program: To earn rewards with every dollar spent.?

Accelerating earnings towards redemption and rewards drives action.

Read Now

ICYMI

Industry buzz

• Dutch Bros earns 66% of its revenue through loyalty members. In its Q1 earnings statement, Dutch Bros (with a few former Starbucks pros) reveals tying payments to the Dutch Bros app drives pre-funding and a very lucrative rewards program.?
• Earned wage access allows employees to get their pay before traditional paydays. Many large employers offer this directly, and third-party B2C providers are an alternate route. However, as CNBC uncovers , fees and (shockingly, "tipping") can erase a portion of an employee's earnings. They're just another form of payday loans. Offering early access to pay shouldn't punish your employees, it's easily done with full-featured Accounts .
• For consumers, BNPL is a difficult habit to break, and doesn't show up in economic indicators . By nature invisible, it's additive to the $1T Americans carry as debt. But there's a debt-free purchase path via Save Now, Buy Later .
• Seemingly without regard to margins, Amazon makes a big push into grocery with a subscription model. Regarded as a volume play, other grocery retailers will quickly need to reevaluate their service offers & loyalty programs .