<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/Artboard-1-copy-8-8.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="284"> Over the last few years, e-commerce and <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/the-rise-of-digital-payments-2/">digital payments</a> have become a comfortable cosmos for millions of shoppers worldwide. Card-Not-Present (CNP) transactions, in particular, constitute a major chunk of online payments.<h2 class="heading-node" id="cbf4">Card-not-present transactions</h2>Essential to both in-store and online businesses, CNP payments reduce the risk of customer churn and cart abandonment. Imagine a customer does not have a physical credit or has a visibly battered card that cannot be scanned. They can still pay for the purchase using the CNP facility across the counter or telephone or digital channels.But like most things in life, CNP payments are a double-edged sword. They are highly sophisticated yet so vulnerable to security breaches. When a scamster gets hold of the credit card number, name, three-digit security code (CVV), and expiration date, stealing cash and identity becomes a cakewalk.<blockquote class="block-node" id="o40ybrinh">As of 2021, CNP frauds were 81% more common than card-present scams, resulting in tremendous costs to banks and merchants.</blockquote><h2 class="heading-node" id="66f3">Cost of payment fraud</h2> The cost associated with payment fraud is immense for banks, merchants, and payment service providers. They’ll have to deal with customer refunds, additional chargeback fees, fines, and investigation charges. Though the amount is usually refunded to the victim, it still causes distress and mistrust.<h2 class="heading-node" id="b033">Best way to prevent CNP fraud — PCI 3DS</h2> The way to avert CNP fraud is to implement stringent controls that validate the identity of the cardholder. PCI 3D Secure plays a significant role in enabling identity validation and access control, thereby reducing the costs and inefficiencies associated with payment fraud in a CNP scenario. Banks and card payment service providers need to comply with PCI 3DS protocols to fortify transaction security.<h2 class="heading-node" id="deaa">What is PCI 3DS?</h2>PCI 3DS is an advanced EMV messaging procedure that authenticates cardholders when making online purchases. It facilitates seamless data exchange between merchants, cardholders, and card issuers, thereby providing an additional layer of security to avoid CNP fraud and make e-commerce secure.<h2 class="heading-node" id="f06c">Key components of PCI 3DS Core Security Standard</h2>The PCI 3DS Core Security Standard serves as a framework for EMV 3DS functions to execute security controls. It supports the integrity and confidentiality of 3DS transactions and pertains to institutions that leverage 3DSS, DS, and ACS, the key components of the PCI 3DS security standard.Here’s a quick peek into what each component means.•&nbsp;3DS Server (3DSS)&nbsp;contributes the functional interface between the 3DS requester environment and the DS.•&nbsp;3DS Directory Server (DS)&nbsp;holds the list of valid card ranges for which authentication may be available. Further, it also coordinates communication between the 3DSS and the ACS systems to ascertain whether authentication mechanisms are available for a particular card number and device type.•&nbsp;3DS Access Control Server (ACS)&nbsp;comprises the authentication rules and is managed within the issuer domain.The physical and logical security requirements for the PCI 3DS Core Security Standard are structured as follows.Baseline Security Requirements<ul class="list-node" id="qtc61d1ze"><li>These are technical and operational security requirements that reflect general information security principles and practices common to industry standards.</li><li>These requirements should be considered for all types of environments.</li></ul>3DS Security Requirements<ul class="list-node" id="qgbh7rkln"><li>They provide security controls specifically intended to protect 3DS data, technologies, and processes.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="1289">Difference between PCI 3DS and PCI DSS</h2>The PCI 3DS and PCI DSS are two separate standards intended for varying requirements and entities. The PCI 3DS applies to environments where 3DSS, ACS, and/or DS functions are performed, whereas PCI DSS applies wherever payment card account data is stored, processed, or transmitted.If you want to know more about PCI DSS, check out our blog on the&nbsp;<a class="link au nb" href="https://medium.com/m2p-yap-fintech/12-requirements-of-pci-dss-157747451888" rel="noopener">12 REQUIREMENTS OF PCI DSS.</a>Most 3D secure entities possess both PCI 3DS and PCI DSS responsibilities. In some cases, a 3DS entity does not store, process, or transmit any payment card account data. For instance, in the case of EMV payment tokens, the 3DS entity is involved ONLY in 3DS transactions. The 3DS entity may not be subject to PCI DSS in this scenario. In all other cases, entities should refer to their acquirer and/or the payment brand(s) to determine their compliance obligations to a PCI standard.So, are you looking to get PCI DSS certified and compliant? We can help.<a class="link au nb" href="https://m2pfintech.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">M2P</a>&nbsp;has extensive experience in ensuring compliance for numerous players in the card payment industry. Write to us at&nbsp;<a class="link au nb" href="mailto:business@m2pfintech.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">business@m2pfintech.com</a>, and let’s get started!Here’s to more dynamically authenticated 3DS transactions!<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox. Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

Prevent CNP Frauds with PCI 3DS

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/Artboard-1-copy-8-5-1.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="284"> We are back this February to spotlight our very own Star of the Month, Balakrishnan Elumalai — DVP, Business Operations.A movie buff and a passionate biker, Bala never misses watching his favorite films and going on long rides. As our FinOps leader, he is a specialist in fixing processes and solving problems.Today he shares with us, how he steers FinOps while trying to clear his spooky mailbox (that’s clearly a challenge!). And hold on, he also spills the beans on his growth journey as an M2Peer.Read on to know more about his responsibilities and his idea of a perfect day!<h2 class="heading-node" id="7382">1. How do you usually start your workday?</h2>I start my day on a positive note, by making a cool to-do list. As soon as I reach the office, I catch up with my mailbox which has an uncanny ability (will explain that below). After that, I get on a discussion with my team to chart out the course for the day.Now, let me share how my email box acts funny. You see, I receive most of my priority jobs through emails and I always try to read them all. Sometimes, the more I read, the more emails keep flooding my mailbox. The torrent of email inflow becomes so scary, that I feel the unread count only increases and doesn’t seem to reduce at all. At times, I feel my outlook may run out of numbers to count one day… LOL!<h2 class="heading-node" id="c38d">2. What are your main responsibilities as DVP- Business Operations?</h2> At M2P, I lead Financial Operations (FinOps). My daily focus includes tracking vendor payments and payables in the form of Account Receivables (AR) and Account Payables (AP). I help my team keep track of the invoices we raise every day while checking pending payments and follow-up emails.<h2 class="heading-node" id="6046">3. How have you grown through the years as an M2Peer?</h2> I started out at M2P in 2017. And I am proud that my team and I will be completing our 5th year soon. Earlier, I was handling Human Resources, Administration, Card Operations, and Finance. Now after transitioning to FinOps, it is very inspiring to see how we have grown as a team in the past few years. I have learned a lot from my fellow M2Peers and our founders.<h2 class="heading-node" id="fec7">4. Is there a quote/saying that motivates you?</h2>There isn’t a phrase as such. But there is a word that brings the best out of me.It’s&nbsp;‘Self- confidence’.I believe that being confident in every single thing I do drives and motivates me.<h2 class="heading-node" id="e8df">5. What’s that one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?</h2> Well, nobody knows that I’m a short-tempered person by nature. My colleagues wouldn’t believe this as I never lose my head at work. But, outside work, people can see that I’m hot-headed.<h2 class="heading-node" id="95a5">6. What inspires you the most about M2P?</h2> It’s the way Madhu, our co-founder works. Working alongside him for the past 5 years has been a huge inspiration and has taught me both life and business skills.<h2 class="heading-node" id="accf">7. What’s your idea of a perfect day?</h2>My best day would be when my emails count to zero! Yeah, that’s something I’d love to see. Other than that, my perfect day would be when I chill out with my family.<h2 class="heading-node" id="834c">8. What was your career path before joining M2P, and how has it changed?</h2>Before joining, I was involved in commercial activities such as billing and maintaining logistics. Since M2P, my career started to take a definitive shape where I now lead finance operations and contribute to my team the most.<h2 class="heading-node" id="c604">9. What are your hobbies/interests?</h2>Cricket and bike rides are my jam. I play weekly matches and enjoy exploring new places whenever I can. But as a movie buff, my favorite activity is to watch movies. I hardly miss out on new releases!As an avid reader, I learn every day at my mailbox library.<h2 class="heading-node" id="c61e">10. Anything else you want to share about M2P?</h2>It’s been a fun five years with M2P. And I want to say to all my M2Peers,&nbsp;‘Keep rocking you guys!’<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox. Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

Meet Balakrishnan, M2P’s Operations Guru

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/Artboard-1-copy-8-9.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="358">Did you know that your payment card could be your best brand ambassador?It doesn’t matter whether you are a business, Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), or a bank. You can issue prepaid cards, credit cards, and debit cards that will help drive brand loyalty and revenue.Wonder how?Simple. By customizing payment cards.<h2 class="heading-node" id="be40" style="text-align: justify">Why is payment card design important?</h2>Bland, run-of-the-mill cards lack soul. They do not call or speak to customers on a subconscious level and hence do not elicit usage.On the other hand, adding a personalized twist to cards enhances the emotional bond between the cardholder and the issuer. Card customization boosts customer acquisition, retention, transaction frequency, and value.Consumers worldwide prefer card issuers that deliver cool customized cards with family/pet portraits or pictures of their choice. But businesses and banks need to remember that whatever the design personalization may be, certain standardized elements need to be consistent across cards.<h2 class="heading-node" id="1bc2" style="text-align: justify">Design standardization parameters</h2>Here are some basic parameters that we need to adhere to while designing standard yet customized payment cards.<h3 class="heading-node" id="2149" style="text-align: justify">Card size requirements</h3>It goes without saying, card design starts with opening an empty artboard. And the next step is deciding the size of the payment card. Here are some standardized card dimensions.<ul class="list-node" id="gbcsqonb1"><li>Width and height of card: 85.60 mm x 53.98 mm (3.370 in × 2.125 in)</li><li>Radius of corners: 3.175 mm, in accordance with ISO/IEC 7810#ID-1 standard</li><li>Overall breathing space: 3 mm</li></ul>The size is all set!<h3 class="heading-node" id="aa47" style="text-align: justify">Types of design</h3>Payment card design can be classified into three types.· Abstract· Conceptual· Logo-basedAbstract — Creating a payment card with shape, form, color, and gestural marks.<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/two.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" id="ari13g4jx" width="100%" height="358">Conceptual&nbsp;— Designing based on a particular concept such as gift, meal, travel, teenagers usage, and so on.<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/three.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" id="iosfe6k87" width="100%" height="358">Logo-based&nbsp;— Here, the designer needs to stick to the bank or card network norms and design criteria. In these cases, the requirement comes with a standard design opportunity based on the client’s brand logo and color palette.<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/one.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" id="2ak8lsd0m" width="100%" height="358">Now, let’s check out key elements that need to be present in payment cards.<h2 class="heading-node" id="e02b" style="text-align: justify">Elements of a payment card</h2>Any credit, debit, or prepaid card contains certain components that are crucial to establish identity and security, and enable payment processing. Card issuers cannot compromise on these element placements at any point in time.<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/Artboard-1-copy-9-5.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="358">Front side of a card&nbsp;<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/Artboard-1-copy-10-5.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="358">Backside of a card1. Issuing bank logo or nameThe issuing bank is the bank that provides network branded payment cards to the customers. The issuing bank follows stipulated norms for logo placement on the card and the norms vary from one card network to another.2. EMV chipThe tiny metal chip that looks like a sim card is called the EMV Chip. EMV (Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) is a global standard for credit and debit payment cards based on chip card technology.The EMV chip is a square metal chip placed on the front side of the payment card. It stores sensitive information and is a crucial security enabler. Hence no other element should be placed on the corresponding space at the back of the card. The cardholder should make sure that no damages are done to the chip as it contains a critical security code.3. Contactless iconThe Wi-Fi symbol or NFC symbol on the card’s front side is the contactless icon. This icon facilitates contactless payments without entering the Personal Identification Number (PIN) on Point Of Sale (POS) machines.4. Card network logoRuPay, Visa, and MasterCard are some of the popular card networks in India. They connect the issuing bank with the acquiring bank to facilitate online transactions. It is mandatory to place their logos on the card.5. Cardholder nameThe cardholder's name can be printed in two ways on the card. It could be embedded via embossed printing or indenting printing to provide a personalized touch and inlay feel. If the card is provided in an instant issuance process, then the cardholder's name cannot be displayed.6. Magnetic stripeThe grey magnetic stripe at the back of the card stores all the sensitive information. It can be read-only through a specialized card reader machine that receives payments. As per International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, the magnetic stripe should be placed only on the backside, in either the upper or lower position.7. Card numberThe most sensitive data on the payment card is the 14–19 digit card number. These unique series of digits help the cardholder make successful online purchases by identifying the account with the card-issuing bank. The card number can be on the backside if embedded via indenting printing, but for embossed printing, the card number should be placed only in the front.8. Card product typeEvery card has its product category name, like Platinum, Signature, Business, and Classic, to name a few. The card category can be printed on both the front and backside as per card network norms. Each category comprises specialized features and offerings that are defined by their issuing banks. This category name should be clearly printed on the card.9. Validity dateSome cards require both the issuing date and expiration date to be printed. And some contain only the expiry date. These dates help cardholders understand the validity duration of their cards. Banks track these dates and upon expiration, they send a new card to the cardholder's mailing address.10. Security codeSecurity code is also referred to as Card Verification Value (CVV), Card Identification (CID), Card Verification Code (CVC), or Card Security Code (CSC). The security code is included in the payment card to provide an additional layer of security for seamless online shopping. It is usually printed on the backside of the card and alongside the signature panel, based on the CVV type.11. HologramThe hologram proves that the card is authentic and not a duplicate one. Some of the card issuers place their holograms on the front side of the card.12. Signature panelThe signature panel comes into play whenever there is a suspicious transaction. It is usually placed on the back of the card. Businesses can always match the signature on the card with the actual signature of the cardholder to check authenticity. Every cardholder must sign on the signature panel.13. Bank detailsGenerally, the contact number of the issuing bank’s call center is included in the card. This number is intended to be of quick help if the card is not working or needs to be blocked. The issuing bank address is also displayed to help in case of a lost card, where the finder can deliver the card to the respective bank. The banks also include their terms and conditions on the card.Apart from the above-mentioned mandatory elements, card-issuing banks and businesses need their branding elements to present on the card. That’s when end customers will relate to and engage with the issuing business.So, personalizing is not just for end customers. In fact, it's more of vanity for them.&nbsp;But for card issuer banks and businesses, customization is critical.<h2 class="heading-node" id="bc67" style="text-align: justify">How we enable customized card issuance?</h2>Issuing visually attractive and customized payment cards are non-negotiable to gain consumer loyalty and brand recall. We at M2P understand how imperative it is for card issuing companies and banks to deliver innovatively designed, and customized payment cards.That’s why we co-create white-labeled and co-branded card issuance and personalization solutions for banks, NBFCs, and online businesses. Here’s how we help our client partners issue and manage customized payment cards for their customers.By fusing business requirements, customer expectations, and innovation, we deliver white-labeled and co-branded card designs that speak to the end customer. Our full-fledged, mobile-first, customizable API stack enables hassle-free onboarding and the <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/know-your-customer-kyc-the-need-for-authentication/">Know Your Customer (KYC) process</a>. We also deliver limit configuration, inbuilt security and compliance, and end-to-end support from design to dispatch.We drastically expedite card issuance time and businesses can go to market with customized cards within days. Our cards are <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/pci-dss-the-payments-armour/">PCI DSS</a>, ISO 27001, and AICPA SOC 2 compliant with centralized security updates, monitoring, patching, and remediation features. Our in-house token generation platform delivers network-branded tokenization solutions that manage the token life cycle.Leveraging our vast experience in issuing cards worldwide, we’ve put together a checklist you need to tick off before designing payment cards.Here you go.<h2 class="heading-node" id="4947" style="text-align: justify">Tick off the card design checklist</h2>✔️Fix the print-specific CYAN, MAGENTA, YELLOW, and KEY (CMYK) color model, to get the right colors on the card.✔️The position of the bank logo/name should be fixed as per the issuing bank’s choice.✔️Make sure that no elements are placed behind the EMV chip area.✔️Use Sans Serif font for card numbers, validity date, and cardholder name.✔️Standard size and alignment must be followed for hologram, magnetic stripe, card network logo, and EMV chip.✔️Stick to the type of design your client prefers, be it abstract, conceptual, or logo-based designs.The overall look of the card should be monitored and optimized keenly, without leaving any gap in the design front. But you can also have some fun and play around with the position and alignment of elements that are not expected to follow fixed norms. But ensure you are in line with the client’s requirements.The purpose of every card differs, that is why designers should bring out the right emotions through the right design.So, what are you waiting for?Go ahead and design customized payment cards for your customers.Need help? Want to know more about designing payment cards across card networks? Or need in-depth network-specific guidelines for design?Write to us at&nbsp;business@m2pfintech.com.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox. Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

Payment cards design made simple: Here’s what you need to know?

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/Artboard-1-copy.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="285">No matter which investment vehicle hogs the limelight, nothing can break the charm of the good ol’ Fixed Deposit (FD). It is considered a perfect ‘coming-of-age’ gift for millions of first-time investors in India.<h2 class="heading-node" id="e59d">Factors contributing to the allure</h2>Private Banks, Public Sector Banks (PSBs), and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) issue fixed deposit plans for aspiring investors. The guarantee of assured returns, high-interest rates, zero risk exposure, and tax exemptions make FD a preferred savings instrument for people across socioeconomic strata.Banks, fintech firms, and NBFCs offer <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/secured-credit-cards-101-where-credit-meets-saving/">secured credit cards</a>, overdrafts, free insurance, and health cover to customers based on their fixed deposits. This adds to its greater appeal as a popular investment instrument.<h2 class="heading-node" id="360e">Difference between FDs offered by Banks and NBFCS</h2><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/1310/1*Q3os2jdv6noFbEBHZfW3gA.jpeg" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="284"><h2 class="heading-node" id="82aa">Digitization is critical</h2>Physical FD booking demanded strict protocols like the creation of bank accounts, extensive background verification, and laborious paperwork. Customers were not too happy with the complex, time-consuming journey to invest in an FD.Hence, digitization of deposits became the need of the hour to thrive in the evolving market. The convenience of product comparison, hassle-free onboarding, and digital payments/withdrawal attracted more consumers to choose online deposit plans.PSUs, private banks, and NBFCs are actively deploying online FD platforms to reap the benefits listed below.<ul class="list-node" id="cyrn5nnnh"><li>Boost lending potential:&nbsp;Financial institutions can leverage online FDs to increase the aggregate deposit value, which will in turn boost lending opportunities.</li><li>Access to New to Bank (NTB) customer base:&nbsp;Digital FDs offer new-age banks and NBFCs an efficient channel to onboard investors who do not have an existing bank account. NTB consumers can be incentivized with higher interest on deposits as compared to existing banks.</li><li>Target new investor segment:&nbsp;Online FDs help Financial Institutions (FIs) target new consumer bases by leveraging diverse fintech platforms. For example, they can target wealthtech for investment and tech-savvy consumers, and digital banking/payment apps for zoomers and the millennials.</li><li>Enhance customer experience:&nbsp;Digital FD platform offers instant hassle-free <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/know-your-customer-kyc-the-need-for-authentication/">KYC processing</a>, onboarding, settlement, and digital service request. It ensures personalized and enhanced customer experience and journey.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="18d7">Challenges in digital FD deployment</h2>Several FIs have already launched online FDs and upcoming players are looking to launch digitized deposit platforms. One commonality between them is the quantum of challenge they face during deployment and implementation. Here is a quick glimpse into the key challenges FIs face in digital FD deployment.<ul class="list-node" id="crdnokb5f"><li>Time to market-&nbsp;Launching FD solutions with end-to-end integrations and data security on 3rd party platforms is a time-consuming process. This delays the time taken for banks and NBFCs to go to market with digital fixed deposit plans.</li><li>Unavailability of integration-friendly standard APIs-&nbsp;Bank and 3rd party integrations are critical for online FDs. To aid seamless operation, implementation and support, ready-to-integrate <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/the-world-of-apis-how-they-power-fintech/">APIs</a> are imperative.</li><li>File-based batch files-&nbsp;Traditional banks have file-based batch files for handling service request changes. This makes API-based fintech integrations more challenging.</li></ul>So, how can FIs overcome the challenges listed above?Simple. Banks and NBFCs need to partner with digital FD solution providers for ready-to-use, end-to-end APIs that enable incredible go-to-market speed. Within a few weeks, the deposit product will hit the market and the FIs can enjoy the benefits listed below.<ul class="list-node" id="hovgz5sfj"><li>Seamless &amp; uniform API driven integrations</li><li>Scalable platform supporting multiple FIs</li><li>End-to-end functionalities and customer journey</li><li>Customized fixed and recurring deposits issuance</li><li>End-to-end digitized processes for KYC, account creation, account changes, maturity pay-out, account closure, and FD renewal</li><li>Proactive compliance and security infrastructure</li><li>Support for service requests (FD closure, account details changes, FD renewal, bank account changes) from both API-based as well as file-based integrations</li></ul><a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a> to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.&nbsp;Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a> for more insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

How can banks and NBFCs leverage the potential of digital FDs?

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/05/Artboard-1-copy-8-1-3.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253">Can you say no to interest-free installments while shopping?None of us can.Well, that’s why the&nbsp;<a class="link au lg" href="https://m2pfintech.com/buy-now-pay-later/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)</a>&nbsp;market has grown by over 600% in the past year alone. It is considered one of the fastest-growing consumer lending modes and a close competitor to credit cards and POS lending.Currently comprising 2% of total retail Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), BNPL is expected to hit 7% GMV by 2026. Merchants across the retail spectrum are actively leveraging this short-term microcredit phenomenon to&nbsp;increase conversions and Average Order Value (AOV), and lower cart abandonment rate. In India, the BNPL market is expected to experience a 15X leap, from $3 billion in 2021 to about $50 billion by 2026.<h2 class="heading-node" id="4ac3" style="text-align: left">Feeding the instant gratification appetite</h2>The buy now and pay later in equal installments is not a new concept to the financial world. But it gathered much steam during the pandemic phase when consumer behavior and priorities gravitated towards safe, quick, and convenient online purchases. BNPL fed their instant gratification and purchase appetite by providing access to quick and easy credit without having to bother about credit history or eligibility score.Starting from a few thousand rupees to a lakh, the BNPL lending option made 0% APR installments a reality, if repaid between 15 to 90 days (depending on the lender stipulations). The negligible sign-up charges, zero processing &amp; annual maintenance charges made BNPL an attractive proposition for consumers, even though a penalty was charged for late payments.The hassle-free one-step onboarding process and simple, transparent &amp; interest-free pricing models lowered the pain of spending and increased the joy of shopping. Subsequent covid waves, restricted festivities, and people’s reprisal to reclaim normality added further impetus to the BNPL boom.<h2 class="heading-node" id="fd56" style="text-align: left">Bridging the consumer financing gap</h2>Access to formal credit or consumer lending services is usually a lag in developing economies. In India nearly 93% of the population struggles with credit approval for reasons such as low income and inadequate credit history, to name a few.BNPL emerges as the game-changer in this space, enabling easy short-term consumer credit with interest-free repayment facilities. It increases the purchasing power and repayment confidence of consumers, enabling greater spending potential. Currently, the number of BNPL users in India is around 10–15 million, and in the next five years, nearly 100 million users are estimated to use BNPL services. Players like Lazy Pay, Simpl, and Zest Money are among the many fintech companies that make this inclusion possible.To drive further omnichannel BNPL adoption, fintechs like Slice, Uni Cards and LazyPay are launching physical BNPL cards in partnership with leading banks.&nbsp;The BNPL cards offered by these fintech companies are typical Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) with underlying revolving credit.<h2 class="heading-node" id="1b49" style="text-align: left">Lowering CoC through collaboration</h2>The Cost of Credit (CoC) is quite high in BNPL between 2–6 %, but so is the promise of greater sales and increased revenue.&nbsp;Merchants and lenders need to reduce CoC to enhance sustainable profitability.So, how can CoC be reduced?Simple. By leveraging collaborative efficiencies in the lending value chain.Traditional Banks with their large consumer database, trustworthy relationships, and brand equity can deliver low cost of capital when compared to other BNPL providers. And fintechs can hinge on technology innovation, convenience, seamlessness, and consumer-centric attributes to lower the cost of credit. Strategic partnerships between banks and fintech companies leverage the best of both worlds and are critical to lower cost and enhance consumer journey at the point of sale. In fact, a recent survey by MasterCard suggests that 72% of Asian consumers would prefer BNPL services from their banks rather than stand-alone fintechs.Hence, lenders such as banks and NBFCs need to actively partner with fintechs to integrate BNPL solutions to their existing credit lines and enjoy the below benefits:<ul class="list-node" id="qidwxtqfg"><li>Optimal utilization of credit lines​</li><li>Real-time credit issuance</li><li>Scalable, shorter tenure small-ticket financing</li><li>Transactional risk management and default reduction</li><li>Lower cost of issuance and distribution​</li><li>Build a funnel for credit card and personal loans</li></ul>Now, are lenders prepared to handle the projected 15X surge in BNPL demand and transactions?To answer this question, we need to be cognizant of the challenges the lenders face with BNPL issuance and how they can overcome it.<h2 class="heading-node" id="87c2" style="text-align: left">Challenges banks and NBFCs face in BNPL deployment</h2>Lending institutions like banks and NBFCs face significant challenges when it comes to exploring additional digital lending channels, small-ticket retail lending, and 3rd party merchant integrations. Especially while providing POS lending to New to Bank (NTB) and New to Credit (NTC) consumers.The existing legacy systems in banks are unable to deliver instant small ticket credit issuance at the merchant checkout. The merchant management interfaces and credit infrastructure are quite complex making dynamic credit limit assessments and underwriting quite challenging.Assessing the creditworthiness of NTB consumers is difficult as the data available with merchants and 3rd party websites are siloed. This makes it highly challenging for lenders to make real-time decisions. Business Leads, Solution Heads, and Infra Teams are on the lookout for an ideal one-stop BNPL solution that can offer cloud-native, mobile-first infrastructure and seamless integration with multiple merchants and consumer profiles.Here are the top pain points lenders experience while implementing BNPL. Drawing from our expertise, we provide resolutions to the issues.<h2 class="heading-node" id="0302" style="text-align: left">Top pain points and resolution</h2>Pain point 1:&nbsp;Slow go-to-market speed and issues with customizationResolution 1:&nbsp;It takes several months for a traditional lender to scale a fully operational BNPL Platform with capabilities across Pre-Onboarding, Credit Line Issuance, Transaction Lifecycle Management, Post Credit Line Issuance activities, Lender Management, and Merchant Management. Partnering with a BNPL technology provider will enable banks and NBFCs to go to market in the shortest possible time with full-fledged credit offerings and seamless merchant integrations and customizations.Pain point 2:&nbsp;Complex Merchant Management System and Credit Infrastructure makes it difficult to assess credit limit requirementsResolution 2:&nbsp;Customization based on consumer buying behavior is critical for merchants. For example, a high-ticket size product retailer of consumer electronics products will have different requirements compared to a low-ticket size retailer of fashion apparel. A comprehensive <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/the-world-of-apis-how-they-power-fintech/">API</a> infrastructure stack with uniform multi-merchant integration efficiency and the ability to customize credit limits for each merchant will come in handy for this issue. Integrating MPI (Merchant plug-in) between lenders and merchants will be crucial to support current and future scaling plans.Pain point 3:&nbsp;Inability to integrate with the merchant and consumer database to aid underwriting.Resolution 3:&nbsp;Typically, lenders have a large consumer database that helps them underwrite credit. But for NTB consumers in the merchant platform, it is difficult to analyze consumer behavior unless there is end-end seamless integration to access real-time data and make instant credit decisions. API stacks that offer complete customized integration with relevant databases of lenders &amp; merchants will help resolve issues in underwriting. This integration enables lenders to analyze consumer shopping history in terms of average order size, cash to cards transaction ratio &amp; duration at the merchant platform for upgrading credit limit.Paint point 4: Scaling BNPL platform for multiple merchants and high cost of development effortsResolution 4:&nbsp;Mushrooming growth of e-commerce companies catering to diverse segments and niche consumers has contributed immensely to lender’s BNPL opportunity. Scaling the platform to include more merchants while keeping development costs under control is imperative for a healthy ecosystem. Leveraging a uniform BNPL API stack with multi-merchant integration capability will offer complete scaling freedom and control to lenders based on their POS credit issuance budget and strategy. By partnering with an end-to-end uniform API stack provider for onboarding merchants and a program-focused pricing model, lenders can easily scale up while controlling cost. This way lender partners can have total control over the number of merchants they wish to onboard on their platform.Pain point 5: Security and compliance checks for merchants and lender integrationResolution 5: BNPL Platforms need to adhere to the financial industry’s latest security and data privacy standards and <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/pci-dss-the-payments-armour/">PCI-DSS</a> compliance. In the case of physical card issuance, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/cracking-tokenization-for-bnpl-player-tabby/">tokenization</a> and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) fraud checks should be done in real-time for each transaction. The complete infrastructure should be hosted on a secure data center with 24/7 availability. In case lenders do not have compliance infrastructure, they can partner with API providers who have a compliance armor ready in the form of widgets.Pain point 6:&nbsp;Niche skills and resources required to build integrations across merchantsResolution 6:&nbsp;Building a full-fledged BNPL platform from scratch requires a lot of resources, Capex, and fintech expertise. Build Vs Buy decision plays a critical role in the successful implementation of BNPL.Choosing the buy decision and partnering with an experienced API provider like M2P will help ease the process of creating, running, scaling the BNPL platform. This way banks, NBFCs, and fintech firms can focus on core business and leave the issuance and program management part to the experts. With proven experience of enabling lender credit lines with multiple merchants integrations, experts like us can deliver seamless One-click BNPL Checkouts in the quickest time possible.<h2 class="heading-node" id="5923" style="text-align: left">How do we help lenders overcome BNPL challenges?</h2>Working with leading banks across India, we help new-age lenders and traditional banks launch BNPL over its cloud-native, mobile-first BNPL platform which is specifically designed to address their challenges. The BNPL API stack used is customizable and scalable according to the growing needs of lenders, merchants, and consumers. We help lenders go to market with one-click BNPL checkouts, card issuance, and seamless integrations 5x faster.M2P’s BNPL platform serves as a one-stop solution with multi-module expertise and capability to manage onboarding, credit line issuance, lender management, collection, reporting, and reconciliation. Our full stack Lender Management System helps manage loan lifecycles across different merchants and platforms. Customization is prioritized as per the value chain requirements such as credit limit criteria, KYC, multi-channel distribution such as physical/virtual card, UPI, wallets, NFC, and direct integrations with merchants, repayment options, and rewards/cashback, among many other data points.<h2 class="heading-node" id="eda9" style="text-align: left">The right time to deploy BNPL</h2>BNPL is a promising trend in the global financial system which resonates well with the ever-increasing digitalization phenomenon. It has reached an inflection point, with big fintech players streamlining their business models and focusing on mergers &amp; acquisitions.Now is the best time for lenders to take the lead in overcoming pain points and turning their business objectives into reality.Want to know more about deploying&nbsp;<a class="link au lg" href="https://m2pfintech.com/buy-now-pay-later/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">BNPL solutions</a>?Write to us at &nbsp;<a class="link au mg" href="mailto:business@m2pfintech.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener ugc nofollow">business@m2pfintech.com</a>.&nbsp;We’ll be glad to help.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

How can lenders overcome challenges in deploying BNPL solutions?

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/06/Artboard-1-copy-8-12.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253">Three years into the pandemic, amidst the Omicron wave, the Indian Union Budget 2022 promises resiliency, growth momentum, and long-term sustainability measures. At a 9.2% GDP, India projected the highest growth rate among world economies. Great stat to start the budget highlights with right?<h2 class="heading-node" id="b7ef" style="text-align: left">Digital Focus</h2>The key focus areas of the budget were&nbsp;digital and technology for the next 25 years.&nbsp;The Finance Minister’s budget speech promoted digital and technological innovation across industries. It offered a sharp increase in public investment and capital expenditure provision that is expected to aid future growth and help businesses recover from the pandemic-induced slump.Initiatives focused on ‘accelerated growth’ for technology-led development, energy transition, and climate action while balancing the needs of an inclusive welfare society.<h2 class="heading-node" id="857d" style="text-align: left"><a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/fintech-101-discover-the-3ws-of-fintech/">Fintech</a> Impetus</h2>For the financial services industry, this budget promises greater investments, is fintech-friendly and <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/fintech-a-catalyst-for-financial-inclusion/">pro-financial inclusion.</a>Honoring India’s 75th year of independence, the Finance Minister announced the establishment of 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) across 75 districts in India. This move is expected to extend <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/fintech-a-catalyst-for-financial-inclusion/">financial inclusion</a> and fintech services to remote areas.Initiatives are also underway to make the <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/ready-to-sneak-peek-into-global-cashless-societies/">cashless payments ecosystem</a> safe and seamless for consumers and businesses by enlarging digital infrastructure, boosting internet access, expanding touchpoints, and enhancing cybersecurity. The Finance Minister also stated that financial support for the digital payment ecosystem announced in the 2021–22 budget would continue in 2022–23.<h2 class="heading-node" id="3689" style="text-align: left">Other Highlights</h2>Budgetary Allocation<ul class="list-node" id="dss3o91dh"><li>6.4% fiscal deficit is projected for India in FY23</li><li>Revised fiscal deficit estimated at 6.9% of GDP</li><li>Rs 1 lakh crore as 50-year interest-free loans allocated to states to help fund PM Gati Shakti-related investments</li><li>Rs 10.68 lakh crore effective capital expenditure is expected in 2022–23, which is about 4.1% of GDP</li><li>35.4% rise in outlay for capital expenditure is estimated — from Rs 4.54 lakh crore earlier to Rs 7.50 lakh crore in 2022–23</li></ul>Venture Capital Investment<ul class="list-node" id="8tce85bkj"><li>Regulatory framework for Venture Capital to be reviewed by an expert committee</li></ul><a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/central-bank-digital-currency-cbdc-101-a-primer/">Digital Currency on Blockchain</a><ul class="list-node" id="zmbivw63m"><li>Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to introduce the digital rupee using blockchain in 2022–23</li></ul>Digital Banking<ul class="list-node" id="gygmtbnsd"><li>Launch of online bill system to reduce delays in payment for all central ministries</li><li>Credit growth increased by Rs 5.4 lakh crore this year, the highest in several years</li></ul>Crypto Tax<ul class="list-node" id="602bt55yq"><li>Cryptocurrencies and NFT will be taxed at 30%</li></ul>So, what do you think of the budget? Let us know in the comments below.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

Key Highlights: What does Budget 2022 mean for Fintechs?

Secured Credit Cards 101 - Where Credit meets Saving

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/06/banner-4.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="253"><h2 class="heading-node" id="2fad" style="text-align: justify">Great news to kickstart the year 2022!</h2>We are delighted to announce that we have raised $56 million in Series C1 funding. The round was led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm Insight Partners and MUFG Innovation Partners, a CVC company of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. Existing investors Tiger Global and Better Capital also participated in this round.We have now raised more than $100 million in 2021–22 alone. This round of funding is a shot in the arm that will help us strengthen our technology, widen our offerings, and expand to international markets.Madhusudanan R, our Co-Founder, and CEO adds, “The consequence of COVID-19 has accelerated the shift from in-person to digital consumption. This shift has forced businesses across the globe to move from brick and mortar to digital channels and, in doing so, has created an urgency for businesses to adopt an <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/api-the-power-that-drives-new-age-banking-ecosystems/">API</a> platform like ours. We see an unprecedented opportunity to meet this need by bringing our leading platform to other fintech markets across Europe, Africa, and Asia while doubling down on key and emerging fintech markets such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Egypt. We are very glad to get the backing of Insight Partners and looking forward to leveraging their deep understanding of working with fintech entrepreneurs across the globe as we look to expand into new markets. MUFG with assets across Asia will be a key partner in the next phase of our growth.”We thank our bank partners, investors, clients, 500+ fellow fintechs for their constant support and guidance. <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/">Our agile platform</a> will continue creating and deploying products in the fintech ecosystem while maintaining the core promises of scalability, security, and reliability.A special shoutout to all our followers who have engaged with our content, supported us in cyberspace, and gave us the impetus to learn and grow. Thank you for your patronage.Let’s do great things together!<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

M2P Fintech raised $56 million in Series C1 Funding!

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/m2p-website-file/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2022/06/Artboard-1-copy-8-10.webp" alt="M2P Fintech" title="" width="100%" height="284">We bring you the Star of this Month, Anto Cruz Stephen — Senior Software Engineer.An avid gamer, a hardcore badminton player, and a person who loves to sketch, Anto Cruz shares his diverse interests and passionate journey with <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/">M2P</a>.Now, keep reading to know his idea of a perfect day!<h2 class="heading-node" id="beff">1. Tell us, how do you usually start your workday?</h2>My day starts on a very positive note with a cup of tea. The morning tea hits perfectly and pushes me to move forward the whole day. Then, I sit for my update calls, where the team and I discuss the tasks planned for the day.This includes ongoing tasks from previous days, new tasks that need to be kickstarted, team discussions, brainstorming, and more. This is how my workday goes by.<h2 class="heading-node" id="abae">2. What are your main responsibilities as a Senior Software Engineer?</h2>My contribution to the team is focused on the development of mobile applications. The development happens end-to-end. I work on different parts of the development process that include user interface design, application design, application implementation, unit and functional testing, and deploying it to our clients.In addition to this, I focus on requirements that require my contribution by yielding support to the technical support people.<h2 class="heading-node" id="0c5f">3. How have you grown through the years as an M2Peer?</h2>Even though I started out with M2P with some previous experience, looking back, I have been learning something new daily. Now that I am stepping onto my fifth year as an M2Peer, it feels like a wholesome learning journey and understanding more about the Fintech ecosystem. For example, I have learned a lot about cards, transactions and much more. Learning is the biggest mantra that made me grow in all these years.<h2 class="heading-node" id="a9a8">4. Is there a quote/saying that motivates you?</h2>To be honest, NO.I am a person who actually believes that the motivation to do anything will automatically come in when the situation hits you hard. Not to be philosophical, but I consider that the situations tone and make you stronger. So then, the motivation factor can be felt naturally.<h2 class="heading-node" id="ba9c">5. What’s that one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?</h2>I guess I cannot hide it any longer. LOL. I’m a PC Game freak, guys. I love to play PC Games whenever I can.<h2 class="heading-node" id="eaaf">6. What inspires you the most about M2P?</h2>All these years of growing together with M2P, the people here inspire me a lot. I get inspired by the relationship between people here. M2P is a space that really values the connection between people. So, there is this free and friendly bond between every one of us.I can easily communicate with everyone from the founders to all my colleagues. I think that this aspect inspires me to give it my best shot.<h2 class="heading-node" id="ce93">7. What’s your idea of a perfect day?</h2>Well, to all people who experience similar happenings, I hope you all can relate to me. A day without bugs/ issues that need to be resolved is the perfect day ever!<h2 class="heading-node" id="42a2">8. What was your career path before joining M2P, and how has it changed?</h2>I started my journey with M2P with almost two years of experience. I want to say that learning and growing have been the change. I’m giving my best at developing mobile applications end-to-end, and I like to continue doing the same.<h2 class="heading-node" id="298f">9. What are your hobbies/interests?</h2>As I mentioned earlier, I love PC Gaming. Playing shuttle is my forte to add in a few more of my diverse interests. My hobbies include listening to songs and doing sketches, and yeah, I almost forgot, I love gardening.<h2 class="heading-node" id="b741">10. Anything else you want to share about M2P?</h2>With the knowledge I gained from our people, I can say that <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/">M2P</a> is a great place to learn. We have been tremendously growing over the past years, and we still have a lot to achieve. So, team M2P, let’s learn and grow together!<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/newsletter/">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to our newsletter and get the latest fintech news, views, and insights, directly to your inbox.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech tales curated for curious minds like you.

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