Payments

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2026/01/blog-banner-m2ps-merchant-management-system_main_banner_2000x1000.webp" alt="M2P Merchant Management System (MMS) for Retail Merchants Credit and Lending" title="" id="5cm36vjtu" width="100%" height="253">On paper, retail merchant credit looks like a powerful growth engine. In practice, it often unfolds as a maze of forms, follow-ups, and fragmented systems that slow down everyone involved. As onboarding stretches, disbursements lag, and settlements require manual intervention, friction quietly replaces momentum. This isn’t about lack of effort or ambition, but a structural gap between the needs of modern retail ecosystems and legacy credit architectures, calling for a smarter, integrated approach.&nbsp;In this blog, we explore why traditional merchant credit models break under scale, and how platform-led architectures are rewriting that story, illustrated through a real-world example.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="e0fe09xf7" style="text-align: left">The Backstory&nbsp;</h2>Across the Philippines, thousands of small neighborhood retailers form the backbone of daily commerce. These merchants rely on timely access to FMCG inventory from large distributors and wholesalers, making predictable credit and working capital critical to keeping their businesses running. Without seamless financial support, even high-demand retailers face operational bottlenecks that can stifle growth and limit inclusion.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="kh5f38o89" style="text-align: left">About the Client&nbsp;</h2>A leading digital bank in the Philippines saw both the opportunity and the responsibility in supporting the retail and SME commerce ecosystem. As a prominent digital-first institution offering savings accounts, deposits, loans, insurance, and investment products, the bank set out to deepen its engagement with small and medium-sized retailers.&nbsp;The goal was straightforward: provide credit lines and savings accounts that would help merchants purchase inventory seamlessly, grow sustainably, and remain financially resilient.&nbsp;&nbsp;As adoption accelerated, the bank identified the need to evolve its operational foundations to match its ambition. Manual onboarding, fragmented credit management, and slow settlements created friction at every step, turning a growth engine into a bottleneck. This moment marked a strategic inflection point, one where advancing retail inclusion would be driven not by expanding product breadth, but by building a smarter, more integrated platform designed for scale.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="180qjp5ot" style="text-align: left">Operational Bottlenecks in the Traditional Merchant Credit Model&nbsp;</h2>Conventional merchant credit models evolved around siloed systems—one for onboarding, another for lending, another for payments, and yet another for reconciliation. As transaction volumes grow, these silos create structural weaknesses:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="18uz8rcuu"><li>Onboarding Inefficiencies: Manual KYC and verification processes slow down account activation and delay access to credit for merchants.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="0fu9y53bp"><li>Complex Payment and Settlement Processes: Managing pre-authorized funds and distributor account debits through manual workflows introduces operational inefficiencies and delays.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="e9t8x7cyw"><li>Limited Transaction Controls: The absence of automated capabilities for refunds, EMI options, and promotion management constrains flexibility for both merchants and the bank.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="66fatwda6"><li>Restricted Access Management: A lack of structured User Access Management (UAM) makes it difficult to support different merchant roles and hierarchies securely and efficiently.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="43wtsi3eu"><li>Dispute and Reconciliation Gaps: Without automated workflows, dispute resolution and real-time settlement management become time-consuming and error-prone.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="9wy92596l"><li>Absence of a Purpose-Built Merchant Management Platform: Reliance on a makeshift solution to manage merchants limits operational efficiency, complicates support, and slows the rollout of new products and services.&nbsp;</li></ul>What begins as an operational inconvenience eventually becomes a strategic constraint, restricting scale, innovation, and financial inclusion.&nbsp;Fixing these challenges isn’t about incremental automation. It requires a fundamental shift in how merchant credit is designed and delivered.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="3s9kufijl" style="text-align: left">Introducing the Shift: M2P’s MMS&nbsp;</h2>To move from fragmented execution to scalable inclusion, the bank needed a unified merchant and credit platform that connects onboarding, lending, payments, settlements, and reconciliation in real time.&nbsp;This was where a unified Merchant Management System (MMS) came into play.&nbsp;Rather than stitching together point solutions, the bank adopted an integrated merchant management platform that acted as a single control layer across the merchant lifecycle, combining compliance, credit, payments, and operational governance into one cohesive system.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="q80n2i0e9" style="text-align: left">Inside the Transformation: From Onboarding to Settlement&nbsp;</h2>By implementing M2P’s Merchant Management System (MMS) with an integrated credit management framework, the bank restructured its merchant credit journey.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="hxvo9prny" style="text-align: left">1. Merchant Onboarding and Credit Enablement&nbsp;</h3>Automated Merchant Onboarding: Multi-level hierarchy support for onboarding merchants, sub-merchants, and distributors based on their role and credit eligibility.&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="9y630ymsw"><li>Onboarded both retailers and FMCG/Brand/Distributors with a different onboarding process based on the type of merchant, with their own rules and processes.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="s70bbtfzw"><li>Created bank accounts in the client's CBS for the merchants post all the regulatory checks and processes.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="w64ir0r27"><li>Powered the merchant mobile application for onboarding, payments, loan origination, settlements, etc.&nbsp;</li></ul>Loan Origination System (LOS) Integration: Seamlessly linked with the bank’s systems to perform AML checks, KYC document verification, and dedupe during account creation.&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="vth44r3r3"><li>Supported credit lines for retailers with multiple distributors.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="1fdui5amr"><li>Combined repayment cycle for multiple loans with different distributors, with interest free period and minimal interest rates.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="mpv9qfiht"><li>Automated repayments from retailers to distributors.&nbsp;</li></ul>User Access Management (UAM): Role-based access control for operational teams and merchants, ensuring secure access and visibility.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="hhmnnz7c1" style="text-align: left">2. Pre-Authorization and Capture Payment Flow&nbsp;</h3>Payments:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="vpggozwp0"><li>Pre-Auth Flow: Funds were blocked from the retailer’s account at the time of order placement, ensuring order security.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="nyro6hda0"><li>Capture on Delivery: Funds were debited only upon successful delivery of goods, reducing disputes and increasing trust.&nbsp;</li></ul>Settlements:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="yinnu5udc"><li>Timely Automated Settlements: Ensured efficient fund disbursements with reduced manual intervention.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="0nwou9o84"><li>Refund Management: Allowed instant refunds in case of failed transactions or order cancellations.&nbsp;</li></ul>Dispute Management:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="md3b9xw0d"><li>Dispute Resolution: Dedicated dispute management tools for quick issue resolution between retailers and wholesalers.&nbsp;</li></ul>Merchant Dashboard and Reporting:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="l2ktri77t"><li>Integrated Merchant App: Powered Bank's merchant app end-to-end with real-time transaction tracking, settlement updates, and dispute resolutions.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="fn0ow23tz"><li>Advanced Analytics and Reporting: Enabled data-driven decision-making with insights into retailer performance, credit utilization, and payment trends right on the merchant and operations dashboard of M2P MMS.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="d4eafeelo" style="text-align: left">3. Reconciliation and Compliance &nbsp;</h3>End-to-End Reconciliation: Automated tracking of payment statuses, blocked funds, and settlements minimized errors.&nbsp;Regulatory Compliance: AML and KYC verification ensured compliance with banking regulations.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="tc2gy1a5a" style="text-align: left">Outcome Achieved: From Friction to Flow&nbsp;</h2>The transformation delivered tangible, business-critical results:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="ps6m8xxll"><li>80% faster merchant onboarding, accelerating activation and revenue realization&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="t1muszesz"><li>60% improvement in operational efficiency, driven by automation across settlements and reconciliation&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="kynf07dwe"><li>Stronger merchant engagement, enabled by real-time tracking, promotions, and dispute resolution&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="545vtpkcj"><li>Reduced settlement delays and disputes, reinforcing trust across the ecosystem&nbsp;</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="849cisj8a" style="text-align: left">Next Steps: Scaling the Ecosystem&nbsp;</h2>M2P’s Merchant Management System transformed the bank’s SME credit offering by integrating onboarding, payments, and lifecycle management into a seamless, unified process. By implementing a pre-authorization and capture model, the platform ensured that transactions remained secure and reliable, while automated settlements, User Access Management (UAM), dispute resolution, EMIs, and promotions enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened trust across the retail ecosystem.&nbsp;With these foundational capabilities in place, the bank is now positioned to expand its offerings further, extending credit cards to retailers, enhancing BNPL programs with targeted promotions, and reinforcing onboarding, credit, and transaction risk management through advanced fraud and risk modules. This platform-led approach sets the stage for scalable growth, deeper financial inclusion, and a more resilient merchant ecosystem.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="4tdtmu61o" style="text-align: left">Looking Ahead&nbsp;</h2>For banks looking to modernize merchant-led credit ecosystems, platform-driven solutions like M2P’s Merchant Management System provide a proven blueprint for scale, operational efficiency, and long-term impact. By unifying credit, payments, compliance, and lifecycle management into a single platform, banks can move beyond fragmented systems to deliver seamless experiences for merchants and customers alike.&nbsp;Discover how your institution can unlock growth and inclusion. <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1#utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=MMS&amp;utm_campaign=case+study+2" target="">Schedule a demo today!&nbsp;</a>Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.

How M2P’s MMS Transformed Merchant Credit for a Leading Digital Bank: A Case Study

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2026/01/1-9.webp" alt="Repayment reversal process in M2P’s Credit Card Stack ensuring operational accuracy" title="" id="fs13bsivz" width="100%" height="317">In modern credit card programs, operational excellence is no longer defined by how systems perform under ideal conditions, but by how reliably they recover when things go wrong. A single misapplied repayment can cascade across balances, billing cycles, delinquency metrics, customer statements, and regulatory reports.&nbsp;For banks and fintech’s operating at scale, these errors often translate into manual interventions, audit exposure, delayed resolution, and erosion of customer trust. As transaction volumes grow and systems become more interconnected, traditional approaches to correcting repayment errors are proving inadequate.&nbsp;This shift has elevated repayment reversal from a back-office fix to a frontline platform capability. Within M2P’s <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/a-comprehensive-look-at-m2ps-corporate-credit-card-stack/" target="_blank">Credit Card Stack</a>, repayment reversal is engineered natively to address this challenge ensuring errors are corrected accurately, transparently, and without disrupting dependent processes.&nbsp;This blog explores why repayment reversal is a key operational functionality al and how M2P delivers it seamlessly at scale.&nbsp;Let’s first jot down the structural complexities that make repayment errors so difficult.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="vkoak2art" style="text-align: left">Barriers of Repayment Reversal&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>In modern credit card platforms, repayments are deeply embedded within interconnected financial, risk, and customer workflows. What appears to be a single transaction immediately propagates across multiple system states, making reversals inherently complex and operationally sensitive.&nbsp;Once a repayment is posted, it typically drives changes across:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="oysvj7fog"><li>Financial state: balances, available limits, and ledger positions&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="n4og6u5bm"><li>Billing workflows: statement generation and cycle calculations&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="729tljn27"><li>Risk logic: DPD, delinquency status, and account blocks&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="jasez988w"><li>Governance layers: reporting, audit trails, and regulatory records&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="s1zuxcedg"><li>Customer touchpoints: statements and transaction visibility&nbsp;</li></ul>By the time an error surfaces, multiple processes are already locked in. Attempting a reversal without restoring every dependent state precisely can lead to data mismatches, audit gaps, and customer dissatisfaction. Unfortunately, many institutions still depend on manual solutions that are slow, error-prone, and unsustainable at scale.&nbsp;Addressing these risks requires more than ad hoc fixes, it demands a native, intelligent solution. M2P delivers exactly that through its Credit Card Stack.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="bvczowp64" style="text-align: left">Repayment Reversal – A Core Module in M2P’s Credit Card Stack&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>M2P addresses this challenge by integrating repayment reversal as a core module within its Credit Card Stack.&nbsp; This module allows seamless and controlled reversals of the latest unbilled cash repayments, ensuring financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, and operational continuity. By handling repayment errors natively, M2P eliminates the need for manual interventions, reduces risk, and allows banks and fintechs to maintain consistent operations at scale.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="c4437ez1z" style="text-align: left">Key Operational Benefits&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3><ul class="list-node" id="dg78pff8p"><li>Significant cost reduction – By automating high-risk repayment workflows, banks and fintechs save on manual labor and avoid financial losses from errors</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="0018iify1"><li>Robust risk mitigation – Accurate, controlled reversals ensure regulatory compliance and minimize exposure to penalties, audits, or operational failures</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="83t6fwex0"><li>High operational efficiency – Faster error resolution and streamlined processes allow teams to focus on strategic, value-added tasks</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="kvsyraqyy"><li>Effortless scalability – The system handles increasing transaction volumes without extra overhead, supporting seamless business growth</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="4gttxq39c"><li>Enhanced customer trust – Reliable and timely repayment corrections improve experience, strengthen loyalty, and reduce complaint&nbsp;</li></ul>Repayment reversal is a foundation for resilient and scalable credit operations. M2P’s Credit Card Stack integrates this functionality at its core, helping businesses maintain accuracy, protect account integrity, and enhance customer trust.Want to know how M2P’s Credit Card Stack operationalizes repayment reversal at scale? &nbsp;<a class="link Hyperlink SCXW230244395 BCX8" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1&amp;utm_source=Repayment%20Reversal&amp;utm_medium=Credit%20Card%20Stack&amp;utm_campaign=Blog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Connect with us</a> to know more.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.

How M2P Enables Effortless Repayment Reversals for Credit Programs

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2026/01/upi-biometric-authentication-blog-02.webp" alt="M2P’s UPI stack enabling secure, biometric-powered digital payments" title="" id="g0fdygs83" width="100%" height="253">UPI has evolved far beyond a convenience; it has become the foundational rail of India’s digital economy. From street vendors accepting QR payments to large enterprises moving high-value remittances, UPI now underpins everyday commerce at a massive scale. In June 2025 alone, the platform processed 18.39 billion transactions worth ₹24.03 lakh crore, a testament to the trust, ubiquity, and resilience it has built across the country.&nbsp;With daily transaction volumes frequently crossing 600 million, UPI now operates at an unprecedented reach. Even marginal improvements in security, speed, or accessibility can unlock outsized gains. These improvements help reduce fraud, improve transaction success rates, expand financial access, and drive broader economic efficiency. At this magnitude, authentication is no longer a backend mechanism; it is a critical determinant of user experience, trust, and system-wide stability.&nbsp;Recognizing this inflection point, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, announced a landmark set of initiatives at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025. At the center of this announcement are three transformative digital features for UPI, led by on-device biometric authentication. Together, they aim to make UPI payments as intuitive as unlocking a smartphone, while continuing to uphold the robust security and regulatory standards that have defined India’s payments ecosystem.&nbsp;This blog explores these new capabilities in detail and what this shift means for onboarding India’s next half-billion digital users.&nbsp;Here’s why biometric authentication is set to redefine UPI. Let’s dive in.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="kqrtwi907" style="text-align: left">Why Biometric Authentication?&nbsp;</h2>As UPI processes billions of transactions each month, the way users authentication has become one of the most critical levers. For years, UPI has relied on a 4–6-digit PIN as its primary authentication mechanism. While this approach has served the ecosystem well, its limitations are becoming increasingly visible at this volume of usage.&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="t2u02d1tv"><li>Security Risks: PINs can be shared, observed, or stolen through phishing and social engineering, making them vulnerable in high-density or assisted payment environments.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="g6pa69sjf"><li>Friction at Volume: Repeated PIN entry adds seconds to every transaction. Given UPI’s massive transaction load, this can lead to failed payments and drop-offs, particularly for low-value, high-frequency use cases like transit or retail.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="u5mf2epjh"><li>Barriers to Inclusion: Elderly users, first-time digital adopters, and low-literacy populations often find PIN setup or entry challenging, creating a silent exclusion barrier.&nbsp;</li></ul>To onboard the next half-billion UPI users, India must rethink authentication mechanisms beyond traditional PINs. This shift shines the spotlight on on-device biometric verification, which offers a powerful blend of security, convenience, and financial inclusion.<h2 class="heading-node" id="ns3t2ia7s" style="text-align: left">How On-Device Biometrics Change the Equation?&nbsp;</h2>On-device biometric authentication using a smartphone’s fingerprint sensor or facial recognition offers a fundamentally different approach to trust and verification.&nbsp;Stronger, Non-Transferable Security&nbsp;&nbsp;Biometric credentials are unique to each individual and cannot be shared, guessed, or easily replicated. Biometric data remains securely stored within the device’s secure enclave and is never transmitted during a transaction, significantly reducing exposure risks.Faster, Frictionless Approvals&nbsp;With just a touch or glance, authentication becomes nearly instantaneous. By eliminating manual input, biometrics reduce transaction failures, improve success rates, and create a near-invisible payment experience, especially important as UPI volumes continue to rise.Designed for Inclusion&nbsp;Biometric authentication removes the need to remember PINs or navigate complex inputs, making UPI more accessible for elderly users, rural populations, and individuals with limited digital literacy. This simplicity is key to expanding UPI adoption beyond urban and digitally savvy users.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="m5ply88qv" style="text-align: left">How New Biometric UPI Features Work?&nbsp;</h2>Leveraging native OS technologies (Android/iOS) alongside UIDAI’s secure frameworks, these features are designed to deliver frictionless payment experiences without compromising safety or regulatory compliance. From everyday retail payments to onboarding first-time users, biometric UPI is reshaping how millions interact with digital finance.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="u8ncelem0" style="text-align: left">1. Authorize UPI Payments Using On‑Device Face or Fingerprint Authentication&nbsp;</h3>The first major upgrade lets users authorize UPI payments using their smartphone’s built-in fingerprint or face recognition, removing the need to manually enter a PIN for eligible transactions and supported devices.&nbsp;How it works:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="fvxxgets8"><li>Users scan a QR code or initiate a payment as usual</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="bulvzcf78"><li>Instead of typing a PIN, they authenticate via Touch ID or Face ID</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="gqe00e34h"><li>Authentication occurs entirely on‑device, ensuring biometric data never leaves the secure enclave</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="ypkmp137k"><li>Transactions continue to undergo standard bank‑level and NPCI‑mandated security validations</li></ul><h4 class="heading-node" id="j3q39frxr" style="text-align: left">Key Benefits for Users and Banks &amp; NBFCs</h4><table class="border-collapse border border-gray-300" style="min-width: 50px"><colgroup><col style="min-width: 25px"><col style="min-width: 25px"></colgroup><tbody><tr class="border border-gray-300"><td class="border border-gray-300 p-2" colspan="1" rowspan="1">Users&nbsp;</td><td class="border border-gray-300 p-2" colspan="1" rowspan="1">Banks &amp; NBFCs&nbsp;</td></tr><tr class="border border-gray-300"><td class="border border-gray-300 p-2" colspan="1" rowspan="1">Faster, near-instant transactions&nbsp;</td><td class="border border-gray-300 p-2" colspan="1" rowspan="1">Maintain strong control and compliance&nbsp;</td></tr><tr class="border border-gray-300"><td class="border border-gray-300 p-2" colspan="1" rowspan="1">Fewer failed attempts and abandoned payments&nbsp;</td><td class="border border-gray-300 p-2" colspan="1" rowspan="1">Reduce transaction failures and customer support load&nbsp;</td></tr><tr class="border border-gray-300"><td class="border border-gray-300 p-2" colspan="1" rowspan="1">Seamless, intuitive experience for daily payments like groceries, cabs, or utility bills&nbsp;</td><td class="border border-gray-300 p-2" colspan="1" rowspan="1">Enable higher transaction volumes without adding friction&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;This feature significantly reduces friction in everyday payment experiences, making digital finance accessible to a broader audience.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="dkepv2h4z" style="text-align: left">2. Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication for Instant PIN Setup/Reset&nbsp;</h3>A critical barrier in UPI adoption has been setting or resetting PINs, particularly for users without debit cards or OTP access. With Aadhaar-based facial verification, this process becomes effortless and secure.&nbsp;How it works:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="d0xnzqwao"><li>Users verify their identity using UIDAI‑approved facial authentication frameworks (such as FaceRD, where applicable)</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="zkn9ug2wc"><li>Once verified, they can set or reset their UPI PIN without a card, OTP, or bank visit</li></ul>Why it’s essential:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="7asl3c8te"><li>Reduces onboarding friction</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="c1cr7sor4"><li>Makes UPI accessible to first-time users, senior citizens, and rural populations</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="dxwwvkxzo"><li>expand financial inclusion by enabling millions of previously excluded users&nbsp;into the digital economy</li></ul>This capability ensures first‑time users can complete onboarding without dependency on cards, OTP delivery, or bank branch access, removing a key adoption hurdle.&nbsp;To deliver these solutions widely, financial institutions need a platform that’s fast, secure, and future-ready, and that’s exactly what M2P offers.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="qql7zggv9" style="text-align: left">Powering the Future with M2P's UPI Stack&nbsp;</h2>As an NPCI-affiliated partner, our cloud-native, full-stack UPI platform enables banks, NBFCs, PSPs, and TPAPs to build, launch, and scale future-ready UPI capabilities with speed and certainty.&nbsp;At the core of this offering is M2P’s UPI Switch, a robust, high-performance platform that equips financial institutions with the infrastructure, intelligence, and scalability required to meet the evolving demands of India’s digital payments ecosystem.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="im0tf3w2m" style="text-align: left">Why Choose M2P’s UPI Switch?&nbsp;</h2><ul class="list-node" id="kwizpg7px"><li>100% API Coverage for seamless integration&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="yeukrr11o"><li>Low-Code Enablement to accelerate go-to-market&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="ow3mkc6ny"><li>Modular Architecture for limitless scalability&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="bgsitvb8f"><li>Economical TCO for cost efficiency&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="u9cr3kicc"><li>Cloud-Native Design for speed and resilience&nbsp;</li></ul>M2P’s UPI Stack empowers institutions to innovate rapidly, grow reliably, and provide superior user experiences across all UPI rails. Our stack ensures seamless, secure transactions while keeping your business future ready.&nbsp;Ready to lead the next phase of UPI?&nbsp;<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1&amp;utm_source=Biometric%20UPI&amp;utm_medium=On%E2%80%91Device%20Face%20or%20Fingerprint%20Authentication&amp;utm_campaign=Blog" target="">Talk to our experts</a> and start building your next-generation UPI program today with M2P’s UPI stack.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.Source Linkshttps://ddnews.gov.in/en/india-becomes-global-leader-in-fast-payments-as-upi-processes-18-39-billion-transactions-in-june-imf/&nbsp;https://paytm.com/blog/news/dfs-launches-biometric-upi-face-authentication-cash-withdrawal/&nbsp;https://www.angelone.in/news/economy/upi-gets-smarter-now-make-payments-instantly-with-your-face-or-fingerprint&nbsp;https://www.fintechbiznews.com/fintech-digital-payment-/biometric-authentication-at-scale-by-navi-upi&nbsp;https://www.angelone.in/news/economy/npci-plans-biometric-authentication-for-upi-making-pin-optional&nbsp;https://www.electronicpaymentsinternational.com/news/india-upi-transactions-digital-features/&nbsp;https://www.fortuneindia.com/business-news/navi-upi-launches-biometric-based-upi-payments-eliminating-the-need-for-pin/127286&nbsp;

Effortless UPI Payments with On-Device Biometric Authentication

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2026/01/2-7.webp" alt="Cobranded Credit Cards, Cobadge Credit Cards, Credit Card Ecosystem" title="" id="7r54hrswr" width="100%" height="253"><a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/why-switch-to-a-new-age-credit-card-system/" target="">Credit cards</a> continue to be a cornerstone of digital payments. In 2025, credit card applications reached their highest levels with millions of customers especially younger demographics, actively seeking new credit options. The global credit card market is projected to surpass USD 115 billion by 2026 and continue growing steadily to nearly USD 153 billion by 2035.In this rapidly evolving market, fintechs and issuers are prioritizing differentiation to capture consumer loyalty. Co-brand and co-badge credit cards are emerging as powerful strategies to unlock unique value propositions, engage new customer segments, and drive competitive advantage. As issuers and brands leverage advanced technologies like AI-driven security and open infrastructure to deliver these specialized products, understanding the nuances between offerings like&nbsp;co-brand&nbsp;and&nbsp;co-badge&nbsp;credit cards becomes essential for both businesses and consumers alike.Let’s break it down.<h2 class="heading-node" id="558zqauvv">What is a Co-brand Credit Card?</h2>A <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/why-co-branded-credit-cards-are-the-next-frontier-for-banks/" target="">co-brand credit card</a> is a strategic partnership between a licensed card issuer (usually a bank) and another entity such as a consumer brand, fintech, or even another bank. The licensed issuer is mandatory because it ensures compliance with regulatory and network requirements. The card carries the branding of both the issuer and the partner brand (e.g., an airline, retailer, or hotel chain).The main objective is to leverage the partner brand's existing customer base and loyalty, driving engagement, and repeat business for both entities. For the customer, it offers exclusive rewards, discounts, or perks that enhance their experience with that specific brand.<h3 class="heading-node" id="ybv0vmfy8">Example - Federal Bank x Scapia Credit Card</h3>Federal Bank partners with Scapia to create a card designed for travelers with zero forex markup, airport lounge access and reward coins for travel booking. Powered by Visa for global acceptance, the card ensures seamless, secure transactions worldwide, making it the perfect companion for frequent travelers.<h2 class="heading-node" id="06bq72kct">What is a Co-badge Credit Card?</h2>A co-badge credit card is a single card that operates on two payment networks simultaneously. For instance, in India, a credit card issued on the domestic payment network is often co-badged with an international network. This means that when you use the card in India, transactions are processed via the domestic payment network, but when you use the same card internationally, the transactions are processed through the global network.Such an arrangement allows seamless acceptance of the card both domestically and globally, ensuring convenience for the cardholder while leveraging the local network for domestic use and the global network for international usage. In essence, a co-badge card provides the flexibility of using one card worldwide, with transactions routed through the most appropriate network depending on the location.<h3 class="heading-node" id="1m06y04b8">Example</h3>Several credit card implementations leverage a dual-network architecture. Domestic transactions are routed through local payment rails to optimize cost and processing efficiency, while international transactions are automatically switched to a global network layer that supports acceptance across multiple international markets through its extended acceptance ecosystem.<h2 class="heading-node" id="pmiqm3ea9">Technical &amp; Operational Consideration of Co-badge Credit Cards</h2>Issuers opting for co-badge credit cards must manage the technical and operational requirements suited for the dual network support (e.g., a domestic network alongside an international one). This dual network setup translates directly into:<ul class="list-node" id="6i6p1iv4r"><li>Incremental Certification Efforts:&nbsp;Ensuring full compliance and certification with the technical standards and regulations prescribed for a dual network support.</li><li>Dual operations management:&nbsp;Operational teams manage dual settlement processes, dispute resolution protocols, and chargeback management flows, demanding a more sophisticated operational infrastructure. Automated reconciliation platforms such as Recon 360 from M2P can handle this with little to no incremental resourcing.</li></ul>But beyond operational complexity, the real battleground for differentiation lies in how the co-brand and co-badge credit card shape the customer experience. Understanding the fundamental differences between co-brand and co-badge credit cards is crucial, so let’s take a closer look at what sets them apart in the next section.<h2 class="heading-node" id="y0eyn5f8k">Decoding the Core Differences</h2><img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2026/01/4-5.webp" alt="Cobranded Credit Cards, Cobadge Credit Cards, Credit Card Ecosystem" title="" id="sgs2z9g7b" width="100%" height="443">Understanding these differences is critical, but the real differentiator lies in how issuers leverage each model to drive acquisition, loyalty, and profitability aligning with their unique business objectives.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="e56r8s4a9">Issuer Advantages</h2><h3 class="heading-node" id="balkdpgqd">Co-brand Credit Cards</h3><ul class="list-node" id="8yz2pjb4a"><li>Low Customer Acquisition Cost:&nbsp;FIs can leverage the partner brand's existing, loyal customer base to acquire new cardholders at a significantly lower cost than traditional marketing efforts.</li><li>Enhanced Customer Loyalty:&nbsp;Co-brand credit cards typically have lower attrition rates because customers are loyal to both the bank's financial product and the partner's rewards program.</li><li>Increased Share of Wallet:&nbsp;These cards incentivize customers to consolidate their spending with the partner brand and, by extension, the issuing bank, increasing the overall transaction volume.</li><li>Access to Valuable Data Insights:&nbsp;Partnership agreements often allow for valuable data sharing, providing the bank with deeper insights into specific consumer spending behaviors (e.g., travel patterns, retail preferences).</li><li>Enhanced Brand Visibility and Trust:&nbsp;By associating with reputable and popular brands, FIs can boost their own brand visibility and build trust with new customer segments.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="dd50sd9oy">Co-badge Credit Cards</h3><ul class="list-node" id="29tmldtyp"><li>Optimized Interchange Fees:&nbsp;Ability to route domestic transactions through a local network which typically has lower interchange fees, directly improving the FI's margins.</li><li>Universal Acceptance Assurance:&nbsp;Combining a local network with strategic international networks guarantee the card works universally across all merchant infrastructures, reducing customer frustration from declined transactions.</li><li>Reduced Scheme Fees:&nbsp;Financial institutions may benefit from reduced overall network scheme fees or favorable terms when they commit a certain volume of domestic transactions to the local network partner.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="igf6bhziy">Elevating Customer Experience with Co-brand &amp; Co-badge Credit Cards</h2><h3 class="heading-node" id="0r3ljjo9h">Co-brand Credit Cards</h3><ul class="list-node" id="f2yhuc53o"><li>Accelerated Rewards:&nbsp;Earn significantly higher points or cashback when spending it with the specific partner brand (e.g., airline, hotel, retailer).</li><li>Exclusive Perks:&nbsp;Receive tangible, brand-specific benefits like free checked luggage, complimentary hotel nights, annual free movie tickets, or loyalty status upgrades.</li><li>Instant Redemption:&nbsp;Easily use points for immediate discounts at the partner brand's stores or websites.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="5bj5cqx8d">Co-badge Credit Cards</h3><ul class="list-node" id="9c530zser"><li>Universal Acceptance:&nbsp;Guaranteed payment success using either a local network or a major international network on a single card.</li><li>Payment Flexibility:&nbsp;The ability (often automated) to choose which network processes the transaction, optimizing acceptance or cost.</li><li>Potential Cost Savings:&nbsp;Access to lower transaction fees for domestic purchases if routed through a local network, sometimes translating to better discounts or lower fees for the user.</li><li>Seamless International Travel:&nbsp;Ensures the card works smoothly both domestically and while traveling abroad, without needing a separate card.While seamless international usage elevates the customer experience, the real challenge for issuers lies in navigating the strategic implications for co-badged credit cards.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="bzc952ga3">Strategic Considerations for Adopting Co-badge Credit Cards</h2>Financial institutions may consider launching co-badge credit cards when targeting diverse markets where customers demand strong domestic presence and international usability. This type of card is especially beneficial for issuers focusing on cross-border travelers, migrant populations, or regions with multiple prevalent card schemes.The decision to pursue co-badge depends on strategic objectives:<ul class="list-node" id="mwdpgadsg"><li>Market Access:&nbsp;If a financial institution’s goal is to serve regional markets while maintaining broad global acceptance, co-badge allows to combine a local network’s reach with a global network.</li><li>Enhanced Customer Experience:&nbsp;Co-badge credit cards offer users flexibility in transaction routing, access to diverse offers, and higher acceptance in both domestic and international merchants, enhancing overall satisfaction.</li></ul>Ultimately, by aligning your target demographics, geographic focus, and operational capabilities with these considerations, financial institutions can make a well-informed decision on adopting a co-badge strategy.<h2 class="heading-node" id="xel2tn61n">Future-Proof Credit Card Stack with M2P</h2>The payments sector is continuously evolving, shaped by new regulations, network strategies and shifting changing consumer expectations. At M2P, we stay ahead of these shifts to ensure our solutions remain cutting-edge.Our comprehensive <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/credit-cards/" target="">Credit Stack</a> has already powered co-brand credit card programs, enabling banks and fintechs to deliver personalized, brand-driven card experiences. We also support co-badge credit cards, reflecting the latest industry trends and compliance needs. This comes along with cost optimizing product architecture that helps financial institutions and brand partners choose the co-badge and keep the costs closer to domestic transactions.This seamless integration of co-brand and co-badge credit card capabilities within a single, API-driven platform empowers financial institutions to offer versatile, future-ready card products that meet diverse customer and market demands.If you’re a bank or fintech looking out to launch co-badge credit cards, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1&amp;utm_source=Co-brand%20and%20Co-badge%20Credit%20Card&amp;utm_medium=Credit%20Card%20Stack&amp;utm_campaign=Blog" target="">Contact us</a> today for a demo and start building the next generation of credit card experience.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.Source<a class="link" href="https://www.businessresearchinsights.com/market-reports/credit-card-market-118933">https://www.businessresearchinsights.com/market-reports/credit-card-market-118933</a>

How Co-brand and Co-badge Credit Cards are Redefining Digital Payments

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2025/12/gift-cards-use-case-for-the-retail-industry_main_banner_2000x1000-copy.webp" alt="The Middle East Gift Card Boom: What Retailers Need to Know" title="" id="na6z8iagk" width="100%" height="253">From USD 2,120 billion in 2024 to USD 3,028 billion by 2033 (4.04% CAGR), the Middle East retail sector is entering a period of accelerated digital expansion driven by rising consumer spending, rapid e-commerce growth, and sustained omnichannel investments. This momentum is intensifying competitive pressures, pushing retailers to differentiate faster, deepen engagement across channels, and unlock scalable, recurring revenue streams that can withstand market volatility.&nbsp;Within this environment, gift cards have shifted from being a transactional add-on to a high-ROI growth lever, driving acquisition, lifting average ticket sizes, increasing purchase frequency, and strengthening retention across both physical and digital touchpoints.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="b12l0rcqw" style="text-align: left">Why Gift Cards are Retail's Revenue Engine?&nbsp;</h2>Retailers still running legacy closed-loop cards are leaving tens of millions on the table every quarter while sophisticated competitors dominate with instant issuance, seamless omnichannel redemption, and analytics that convert every gift card into a high-value customer insight.&nbsp; They extend their programs far beyond traditional use cases, leveraging corporate gift cards for employee recognition to build loyalty, running customer campaigns that drive repeat purchases, powering seasonal promotions to boost engagement, enabling controlled expense allocation with full transparency, and delivering personalized, co-branded gifts to strengthen client relationships.&nbsp;This evolution is increasingly evident across the region through:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="a6ljr3tz3"><li>Mobile gifting and online redemption for millennial and Gen Z audiences&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="bv8yiuh3s"><li>Cross-brand, mall-wide card programs for unified retail ecosystems&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="xspjudruv"><li>Seamless integration with loyalty platforms, driving repeat purchases&nbsp;</li></ul>Forward-thinking retailers are turning this vision into reality.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="gngvj4du5" style="text-align: left">How Leading Retailers Turn Gift Cards into Growth&nbsp;</h2>Top retailers are setting examples by building comprehensive gift card programs:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="9hb0g5rmt"><li>Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) offers Mall Gift Cards integrated with the SHARE loyalty program, powering incentives and cross-brand redemptions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="cqxzqk33l"><li>Metro Market is leading supermarket chain in Egypt, with extensive store network and digital incentive programs.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="1ecggsdqm"><li>AZADEA Group is a premier lifestyle retail company that owns and operates more than 40 leading international franchise concepts across the Middle East and Africa.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="4znqif4l7"><li>Al-Futtaim Group (AFG) provides Blue Rewards cards that allow seamless redemption at more than 500 outlets across fashion, dining, and lifestyle.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="55uzs1rnm"><li>ALDAR’s prepaid Mastercard gift cards, linked with Darna points, unlock access to all their locations in Abu Dhabi, offering luxury-tier rewards.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="mq4lhukyu"><li>CENOMI in Saudi Arabia operates 22 malls with over 4,300 stores, using gift cards for wide-ranging customer and employee incentives.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="12rjb82iq"><li>Alshaya Group offers branded eGift cards for retailers like Victoria’s Secret and Bath &amp; Body Works, providing instant, multi-country delivery across the UAE, KSA, and Kuwait.&nbsp;</li></ul>These are not isolated campaigns but fully integrated platforms featuring:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="05e9n7ai0"><li>Real-time employee recognition (instant morale boosts)&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="1wei8p5si"><li>Data-driven personalization &amp; breakage forecasting&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="x7d5r5ipy"><li>Bulk digital issuance via WhatsApp/SMS&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="1nzqcgb9v"><li>API-first POS integration and AI fraud protection&nbsp;</li></ul>The result? Global benchmarks show 80% higher perceived employee value and 75% stronger customer loyalty. To enable these experiences at scale, retailers need to overcome the complexities that businesses face today.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="jnf4uaj12" style="text-align: left">The Hidden Hurdles Holding Retailers Back&nbsp;</h2>Even established retailers and those newly launching gift card programs face these 10 critical scaling challenges, making integrated platforms non-negotiable.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="nivh4dlbe" style="text-align: left">Operational Complexity&nbsp;</h3>Setting up a gift card ecosystem requires coordination across POS systems, backend settlement, fraud controls, and issuance partners. Many retailers struggle with fragmented systems that do not talk to each other.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="15ox1jny8" style="text-align: left">Compliance &amp; Cross-border Rules&nbsp;</h3>Progress is underway within the GCC, where central banks are rolling out projects like AFAQ to boost real-time, cross-border payments. While these initiatives pave the way for better integration, each country still has its own regulations for AML, stored value, and KYC. Retailers with multi-country operations must stay agile, as achieving seamless compliance across the region remains a challenge.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="u53r4szco" style="text-align: left">Fraud Risks&nbsp;</h3>Gift cards are high-risk products for social engineering fraud, returns fraud, and synthetic card activations. Weak controls at the store level add to the exposure.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="m984rxwdb" style="text-align: left">Breakage, Liability, &amp; Visibility&nbsp;</h3>Unredeemed gift card balances sit as liabilities, yet many retailers lack tools to track breakage, forecast revenue, or see where cards are redeemed. Without real-time visibility into patterns and peaks, it’s hard to turn this liability into actionable insight.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="k58q41g0l" style="text-align: left">Integration Delays&nbsp;</h3>Connecting gift card platforms with legacy POS systems, e-commerce sites, and loyalty engines often becomes a long, costly process. Many vendors in the region still rely on manual processes.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="nps8a6mc0" style="text-align: left">Poor Customer Experience&nbsp;</h3>Issues like delayed activation, redemption errors, lack of digital card options, or long checkout times reduce customer satisfaction and slow adoption.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="f83ipm5do" style="text-align: left">Inventory &amp; Distribution Challenges&nbsp;</h3>Physical gift cards require secure printing, logistics, replenishment cycles, and theft prevention, areas where many retailers lack standard processes.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="9b2jtzlpi" style="text-align: left">Difficulty in Partner Expansion&nbsp;</h3>Building co-branded or multi-brand gift card networks requires solid settlement and reconciliation workflows. Retailers cite these as barriers due to technical and contractual complexities.&nbsp;To capitalize on market opportunities and overcome these challenges, retailers need an innovative platform delivering real-time analytics, secure transactions, and streamlined user experiences. M2P’s platform makes that shift seamless, transforming every issued card into a measurable business impact.&nbsp;<h2 class="heading-node" id="3zigadsox" style="text-align: left">M2P’s Gift Card Platform: The Core Advantage&nbsp;</h2>M2P’s all-encompassing platform serves as the foundation of Middle East’s gifting revolution, enabling retailers to stay ahead of the competition through its cloud-native, API-first architecture, which offers:&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="jseydolmm" style="text-align: left">Faster GTM</h3>Go live fast with quick setup at corporate and sub-corporate levels, web portals for immediate rollout, and effortless issuing of digital or physical gift cards across stores, campaigns, and digital touchpoints.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="wov59wwz9" style="text-align: left">Universal Redemption Flexibility</h3>Enable gift card holders to redeem their value seamlessly across all group-owned brands, through merchant-level configuration, giving them ultimate freedom and a unified gifting experience.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="gzrat8rgt" style="text-align: left">Deep Personalization Options</h3>Customize cards with branded visuals, campaign-specific messages, and bespoke themes tailored for every occasion, enhancing the emotional connection with recipients.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="4nf8exsxg" style="text-align: left">Full Program Control</h3>Take charge by setting detailed issuance rules and customized onboarding templates, managing distribution workflows end-to-end, and leveraging M2P’s expansive business network to extend the reach to targeted audiences.&nbsp;<h3 class="heading-node" id="ttexpc675" style="text-align: left">Advanced Analytics and Insights</h3>Harness rich data and real-time analytics to measure campaign performance, optimize marketing strategies, and maximize business impact, turning gift cards into a strategic growth engine.&nbsp;M2P's cloud-native, API-driven architecture empowers retailers to scale effortlessly with the region's dynamic retail demands, delivering secure, compliant, and frictionless solutions perfectly tailored to evolving consumer behaviors and business models.&nbsp;<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2025/12/gift-cards-use-case-for-the-retail-industry_blog_1b_2000x1251-copy-4.webp" alt="The Middle East gift card use cases for retail industry" title="" id="i8oln5dlk" width="100%" height="317"><h2 class="heading-node" id="jf1gkgusp" style="text-align: left">Leading the Digital Retail Transformation in the Middle East&nbsp;</h2>In a region witnessing rapid growth in e-commerce adoption and mobile wallet usage, M2P Fintech offers the complete, end-to-end toolkit needed to capitalize on the region’s digital renaissance. We equip businesses to launch stand-out gift card programs that are fast, secure, and irresistibly appealing to the modern customer.&nbsp;With M2P’s innovative gift card platform, businesses hold the key to creating loyalty, driving growth, and delivering exceptional experiences at every touchpoint.&nbsp;<a class="link Hyperlink SCXW143820786 BCX8" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=Gift+cards&amp;utm_campaign=Middle+east" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Connect with us</a> today and step confidently into the future of retail.&nbsp;Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.Source:&nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="ark4e56pt"><li>Middle East Retail Market Size, Growth &amp; Forecast 2033&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="zgky09paf"><li>How Gift Cards Can Cultivate Customer Loyalty | Fiserv&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="v7vimjj0k"><li>AZADEA | RLC Global Forum&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="zo7uity20"><li>Cenomi Centers&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="rrq71ltxs"><li>Majid Al Futtaim launches loyalty programme SHARE&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="f42ymgoq1"><li>Darna Website&nbsp;</li></ul><ul class="list-node" id="py3ip6ikr"><li>Alshaya Group launches eGift card - ME Retail News&nbsp;</li></ul>

Why Middle Eastern Retailers are Investing Big in Next-Gen Gift Cards

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2025/12/corporate-cc-stack-banner.webp" alt="Corporate Credit Card, Expense Management, Spend Management" title="" id="zqp8uj72r" width="100%" height="253">Managing corporate expenses often feels like navigating a maze, involving tedious manual processes, fragmented systems, limited visibility, and ever-evolving compliance requirements. As organizations grow in scale and complexity, these challenges intensify, leading to operational bottlenecks and increased costs. Existing corporate credit card management solutions frequently fall short, lacking the scalability, security, and real-time insights required for modern financial operations.&nbsp;What if you could replace this chaos with a unified, powerful solution?M2P’s Corporate <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/credit-cards/" target="">Credit Card</a> Stack offers a unified, all-in-one platform built to simplify, streamline, and secure every aspect of corporate spending.In this blog, we’ll explore how M2P's corporate credit card platform is transforming the way businesses manage corporate spending, enabling smarter and more scalable financial workflows.<h2 class="heading-node" id="0f27fvycf">What is a Corporate Credit Card Stack?</h2>A Corporate Credit Card Stack is a modern, integrated platform that combines multiple components to provide a holistic solution for managing corporate expenses. It is far more than just a collection of credit cards; it is&nbsp;a unified system designed for streamlined, secure, and scalable spend management. The credit stack denotes the complete technological and financial ecosystem, which includes:<ul class="list-node" id="h00na6lsw"><li>Physical employee cards&nbsp;for travel and in-person purchases</li><li>Virtual cards&nbsp;for online transactions, subscriptions, and vendor payments</li><li>Spend control software to automate submissions, approvals, and audits.</li><li>Built-in controls&nbsp;for security, compliance, and budgeting</li></ul>M2P’s Corporate Credit Stack builds on this foundation by providing a future-ready, end-to-end platform that elevates these capabilities from a simple tool into a strategic asset. Businesses can use our comprehensive infrastructure to gain real-time visibility and proactive control. This empowers businesses to not only streamline payments and automate workflows but also to optimize working capital, fuel growth, and future-proof their financial operations.<h2 class="heading-node" id="v0dryisiv">M2P’s Corporate Credit Stack for Streamlined Corporate Spending</h2>Our new age Corporate Credit Card Stack offers&nbsp;real-time spend tracking,&nbsp;customizable controls, and&nbsp;intuitive dashboards&nbsp;into one unified platform. Whether you're a startup scaling rapidly or an enterprise managing complex financial workflows, our stack equips you with the tools to issue, manage, and monitor corporate cards with unmatched precision and control.Here’s how our new-age credit stack helps businesses streamline financial management on a scale.<h3 class="heading-node" id="llw2tm1qy" style="text-align: justify">Core Capabilities</h3><ul class="list-node" id="kvsudzmls"><li>Tailored Corporate Hierarchies: Build dynamic, multi-level corporate hierarchies and assign spending limits at every level for precise budget control. Configure advanced spend controls like Merchant Category Codes (MCCs), Merchant IDs (MIDs), and custom preferences at each hierarchy level.</li><li>Intuitive Dashboards:&nbsp;Dedicated portals offer distinct views and control for bank admins, corporate finance teams, and cardholders—ensuring smooth, secure operations.</li><li>Diverse Billing Modules: Support for diverse billing models caters to a variety of corporate spending workflows and preferences. Corporate Bill Corporate Pay (CBCP) for&nbsp;centralized billing with detailed transaction reports and automatic limit resets, Individual Bill Corporate Pay (IBCP) for individual billing with corporate oversight, supporting partial repayments and card-level apportionment, and Individual Bill Individual Pay (IBIP) for decentralized liability with individuals responsible for payments and corporate visibility through aggregated reports.</li><li>Seamless Integration:&nbsp;Pre-integrated with M2P’s powerful fintech solutions, including fraud risk management, access control, loans, loyalty programs, reconciliation, and KYC/KYB processes for a unified ecosystem.</li><li>Shared Wallets:&nbsp;Multiple cards can access the same wallet, simplify underwriting and streamline financial management.</li></ul>Together, these features make M2P’s Corporate Credit Card Stack a robust, flexible, and scalable solution designed to simplify corporate spend management and empower better financial control.<h2 class="heading-node" id="79vw99xc3">Transform Corporate Spends with these Benefits</h2>Our Corporate Credit Card Stack is built to simplify spend management while delivering flexibility, control, and scalability. Below are the key benefits that make our Corporate Credit Card Stack a game-changer for modern businesses:<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2025/12/corporate-cc-stack-img1.webp" alt="Corporate Credit Card, Expense Management, Spend Management" title="" id="9nn0qyrru" width="100%" height="270"><ul class="list-node" id="92wnunmuh"><li>The Only End-to-End Stack: Comprehensive solution covering every aspect of corporate credit card management from issuance to reconciliation.</li><li>Developer-Friendly Stack: 100% API-driven architecture enabling easy integration and rapid product innovation.</li><li>Single Stack, Multi-Product Architecture: Seamlessly manage multiple card products on one unified, scalable platform.</li><li>Modular (Plug and Play): Flexibly choose and integrate only the components you need, speeding up deployment and reducing costs.</li><li>Cloud-Native Solution: Built for high availability and scalability, ensuring reliable performance at any transaction volume.</li><li>Economical Total Cost Ownership: Reduce operational overhead with a unified stack that eliminates multi-vendor complexity. &nbsp;</li><li>Hierarchy Simplified: Design complex corporate hierarchies with granular spend controls that mirror your organizational structure.</li><li>Everything is a Config Away: Customize spend limits, policies, and workflows easily through powerful configuration tools, no coding needed.</li><li>Automated Reconciliation, Settlement &amp; Dispute: Saves time and reduces errors in dispute handling.</li><li>Easy Interfaces for Corporate, Bank, &amp; Cardholder: Intuitive dashboards and portals designed for every stakeholder, enhancing user experience and control.</li></ul>Here are the key use cases where our Corporate Credit Card Stack creates measurable impact.<h2 class="heading-node" id="hmtnmxlr0">Practical Use Cases of Corporate Credit Card Stack</h2>Our new age Corporate Credit Card Stack is purpose-built to adapt to your business model, whether you're managing operational expenses, vendor payments, or employee costs. A key benefit of our Corporate Credit Stack is the ability to&nbsp;free up working capital&nbsp;through&nbsp;interest-free credit periods enabling businesses to delay cash outflows while maintaining smooth operations. Here are five use cases where businesses are transforming spend management:<ul class="list-node" id="l7uf0218l"><li>Purchase Cards (P-Cards):&nbsp;Simplify department or project-level procurement with precise budgeting, real-time spend tracking, and clear visibility into operational costs.</li><li>Travel &amp; Entertainment (T&amp;E) Cards:&nbsp;Manage employee travel expenses efficiently, covering flights, lodging, meals, and client entertainment with real-time controls and automated reporting, eliminating reimbursements.</li><li>Fuel/Fleet Cards:&nbsp;Tailored for logistics and transportation, these cards restrict spending to fuel and vehicle-related costs, enhancing fleet control, preventing misuse, and optimizing operations.</li><li>Bulk Payment Cards:&nbsp;Streamline payments to vendors and suppliers with cards designed for bulk transactions, reducing administrative workload and improving payment visibility</li></ul>From improving operational efficiency to ensuring strategic spend control, M2P’s Corporate Credit Card Stack not only advances financial management but is underpinned by cutting-edge technology that sets it apart.Ready to transform the way your businesses manage corporate spending?<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1&amp;utm_source=Website&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=Payments_Blogs">Schedule a demo</a> today&nbsp;and experience M2P’s Corporate Credit Stack advantage.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.

A Comprehensive Look at M2P’s Corporate Credit Card Stack

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2025/12/rbi-mandate-blog-banner-2025-02.webp" alt="RBI April 2026 Mandate, Payment Authentication" title="" id="at2sv37qf" width="100%" height="253">India’s digital payments are scaling at record speed ₹14 lakh crore in monthly transactions reshaping how consumers and businesses interact. This rapid adoption, while fueling convenience and growth, also brings rising risks: fraud losses touched ₹36,000 crore in FY24–25, with SMS OTPs proving increasingly vulnerable. To restore trust, RBI’s new rules respond to this threat with a comprehensive approach emphasizing robust, adaptable authentication to a stronger security benchmark for the future of digital transactions.<blockquote class="block-node" id="0yzd5fdh1">The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a landmark directive: dynamic, two factor authentications for all digital payment transactions, effective April 1, 2026. The goal is to move beyond the ‘OTP-only’ mindset and build a smarter, more resilient security layer that protects users without derailing convenience.</blockquote>Let’s dive into the new directives of RBI.<h2 class="heading-node" id="jmlsnp9fx">The New Framework: Balancing Security, Innovation, and Convenience</h2>The RBI's new directions are a deliberate attempt to harmonize three crucial aspects of digital finance: robust security, agile innovation, and seamless customer convenience. India has long relied on two-factor authentication (2FA), primarily through the ubiquitous SMS-based One-Time Password (OTP).The new framework strategically acknowledges this dependency while simultaneously expanding the definition of acceptable authentication methods, moving the payment industry toward more sophisticated and flexible solutions.<h3 class="heading-node" id="inxjalowt">1. Authentication Diversity: Beyond the OTP</h3>The guidelines officially sanction a diverse array of authentication factors, allowing financial institutions to move beyond legacy SMS-OTP and determine which factors best meet their operational and consumer needs. This expanded scope includes:<ul class="list-node" id="cws4xnuxe"><li>Knowledge: Passwords, passphrases, and PINs.</li><li>Possession: Card hardware or software tokens.</li><li>Inherence: Fingerprints or any biometric method (whether device-native or using Aadhaar).</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="ovsv7tvqp">2. The Dynamic 2FA Mandate</h3>While the fundamental requirement for authenticating every digital payment transaction with two or more distinct factors remains, the RBI has introduced a critical stipulation for non-card-present (CNP) transactions: At least one authentication factor must be dynamic, meaning it is unique to the transaction in question.This creation of a Proof-of-Possession mechanism significantly enhances security potential, making it virtually impossible for fraudsters to reuse possession data from previous transactions.<h3 class="heading-node" id="vf8odmbpj">3. Risk-Based Intelligence Takes Center Stage</h3>One of the most transformative features of the new framework is the explicit encouragement of Risk-Based Authentication (RBA). Financial institutions now have the strategic ability to move beyond the minimum 2FA requirement when a higher-risk transaction is observed.Issuers are encouraged to evaluate transactions against a sophisticated set of behavioral and contextual parameters, including:<ul class="list-node" id="av5eevcio"><li>User behavior patterns and historical transaction profiles.</li><li>Transaction location.</li><li>Device-specific attributes and fingerprinting.</li></ul>This risk-based approach ensures minimal friction for low-risk transactions (e.g., through familiar devices or locations), while automatically escalating high-risk attempts to trigger additional verification steps. The RBI has even suggested platforms like Digi Locker as a probable channel for the notification and verification of high-risk transactions.<h3 class="heading-node" id="p8knchuts">4. Strengthening Cross-Border Transaction Security</h3>Recognizing the specific vulnerabilities in the global digital payment ecosystem, the RBI has focused on securing international digital commerce. Card issuers must validate the Additional Factor of Authentication in non-recurring, cross-border Card-Not-Present (CNP) transactions whenever overseas merchants or acquirers request it.Financial institutions have until October 1, 2026, to establish the necessary processes to address all cross-border CNP transactions. This includes registering Bank Identification Numbers (BINs) with card networks, a necessary step that balances the technical challenges of implementation with the imperative of maintaining seamless payment experiences for global customers.<h2 class="heading-node" id="o2zadw1ni">The Need for Intelligent Solutions</h2>With RBI setting the stage for smarter authentication, businesses need solutions that go beyond compliance, solutions that think, adapt, and protect in real time.That’s where M2P’s Risk-Based Authentication Platform comes in.<h3 class="heading-node" id="8xqz7hmeo">Introducing M2P’s Risk-Based Authentication Platform</h3>At M2P, our full-stack solution is designed for banks and financial institutions to go beyond compliance by enabling seamless, secure, and intelligent authentication experiences, starting with full adherence to RBI’s mandate across card-present, card-not-present (ACS/3DS), and non-card transactions. Our stack helps our partners to &nbsp;<ul class="list-node" id="vdq0jszij"><li>Comply with RBI’s mandate across card-present, card-not-present (ACS/3DS), and non-card transactions.</li><li>Orchestrate authentication flows based on transaction risk, user behavior, and device fingerprinting.</li><li>Support all authentication modes—PIN, OTP, biometrics, and behavioral biometrics.</li><li>Deliver consistent experiences across mobile, web, and backend channels</li><li>Integrate easily via SDKs and APIs.</li><li>Scale confidently with a transparent commercial model.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="2mjkqvvy4">Why does M2P Stands Out?</h3><ul class="list-node" id="rrmcpl2nv"><li>Proven expertise in adaptive authentication and risk-based decisioning.</li><li>Support for multiple authentication modes across knowledge, possession, and inherence.</li><li>Flexibility to define your authentication strategy.</li><li>Consistent customer experience across channels.</li><li>Transparent commercial model.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="5eghx9d60">Looking Ahead</h2>Leading banks and fintech businesses are partnering with us to not just meet regulatory deadlines but to go beyond compliance by delivering authentication solutions that are secure, seamless, and intelligent.Want to future-proof your authentication strategy using RBA?<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1&amp;utm_source=RBI%20New%20Directive%20for%20Payment%20Authentication&amp;utm_medium=Risk-Based%20Authentication%20Platform&amp;utm_campaign=RBI%20New%20Directive%20for%20Authentication%20Blog">Schedule a demo</a> with us.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.Source<ol class="list-node" id="rtd28l8fa"><li>https://www.angelone.in/news/economy/upi-dominates-digital-payments-hits-84-share-in-fy25</li><li>https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/surge-in-bank-fraud-value-despite-decline-in-cases-rbi-data-for-fy25/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20RBI's%20Annual,or%20better%20internal%20control%20measures</li><li>Reserve Bank of India : Latest News Headlines, Videos and Photo Galleries on Reserve Bank of India | Business Standard</li><li>RBI Sets New Digital Payments Authentication Rules, Ends OTP-only Era From April 2026 - BW Businessworld</li><li>RBI mandates stronger two-factor authentication in new guidelines | Finance News - Business Standard</li></ol><hr>

Adapting to RBI’s New Mandate: How M2P’s RBA Platform Enables Intelligent Payment Authentication

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2025/12/case_study_blog_v2_1.webp" alt="Merchant Management System (MMS), Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)" title="" id="vxb968o1h" width="100%" height="253">BNPL adoption is accelerating globally but scaling it successfully is a far more complex challenge. It demands real-time payment rails, streamlined merchant hierarchies, and robust systems that can handle compliance and high-volume settlements. Legacy technology stacks are not built to meet these demands.This is where one of Mauritius’s leading NBFI encountered a critical bottleneck. Burdened by manual processes and inflexible infrastructure, their systems were not equipped to support the speed and agility required by today’s BNPL landscape.<ul class="list-node" id="f8s09caj5"><li>Scalability at a Standstill: Reliance on legacy systems slowed everything down, from onboarding new programs, responding to market shifts, to even pushing simple configuration updates hindering scalability and efficiency, preventing rapid market adaptation.</li><li>Merchant Management Delays: Every merchant onboarding, payout, and commission settlements required human intervention. Small delays grew into recurring operational delays.</li><li>Operational Roadblocks: Managing complex, multi-level merchant hierarchies and dealing with frequent reconciliation gaps led to disputes and protracted settlement times, eroding merchant satisfaction.</li></ul>Despite a strong market position, these bottlenecks stalled BNPL adoption and eroded customer and merchant confidence. So, the question became simple: How do you rebuild the core so the business can grow without barriers? That’s where M2P stepped in.We supported them with our <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/merchant-acquiring-solutions/" target="">Merchant Acquiring Solutions</a> to transform their operations and scale rapidly.At the center of this transformation was M2P’s <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-merchant-management-system/" target="">Merchant Management System (MMS)</a>, a purpose-built platform for BNPL and Consumer Finance that delivers automation, scalability, and real-time visibility. Combined with integrated solutions like Loan Management System (LMS), Loan Origination System (LOS), and advanced reconciliation tools, our MMS helped the client achieve operational excellence and expand into new markets, including Africa.&nbsp;Before diving deeper into the solution, here’s a snapshot of the client’s business and operational details.<h2 class="heading-node" id="a11892o1o">About the Client</h2>The client is a leading Non-Banking Financial Institution (NBFI) in Mauritius with over 1,000 employees, serving individuals, SMEs, and corporates across multiple geographies.&nbsp;Their core offerings include<ul class="list-node" id="q0js6wbt3"><li>Consumer Credit (Consumer durable loans, Personal Loans, Revolving Credit)</li><li>Leasing</li><li>Cards and Payments</li><li>Insurance Factoring</li><li>SME Financing</li></ul>Operational ScaleThe client has partnership with 2K+ merchants across retail, automotive, and electronics sectors in Mauritius for consumer durable loans, leasing, and payments.Provides loans to individuals in the loan range of 5K–100K MUR with a portfolio value of more than 20Bn+ MUR.This scale demanded operational excellence. Here’s how M2P made it happen.<h2 class="heading-node" id="44lgcd14s">How M2P Transformed Operational Bottlenecks?&nbsp;</h2>The client needed more than a system upgrade, they needed a way to run merchant operations without complexities, errors, or manual effort.M2P implemented its Merchant Acquiring Solutions suite to rebuild their processes end-to-end and give the business the agility their legacy systems could never support.Here’s how the transformation unfolded.<h3 class="heading-node" id="acosluqcr">Merchant Onboarding</h3><ul class="list-node" id="29iddib0s"><li>Support for multi-level hierarchies to onboard merchants and sub-merchants efficiently, enabling structured processes.</li><li>User access management designed for diverse roles and permissions across operational and merchant dashboards.</li><li>Dashboard for merchants for DIY onboarding and comprehensive business management.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="ga2hw3z4g">Payments and Transactions&nbsp;</h3><ul class="list-node" id="tsszdsrbm"><li>Integrated easy payment methods, including QR code payments (Static &amp; Dynamic), payment links, and online merchant integrations.</li><li>Real-time processing of payments and refunds, with settlement files generated for seamless reconciliation.</li><li>Comprehensive dispute management tools to resolve merchant issues effectively.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="wgb8lob9x">Automated Settlement Cycles &amp; Invoice Management</h3><ul class="list-node" id="rr77q4zy8"><li>Fully automated settlement cycles ensure timely payouts with minimal manual intervention.</li><li>Transparent invoice generation for merchants with detailed transaction reporting.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="4kx4bao8u">EMI Plans &amp; Promotions&nbsp;</h3><ul class="list-node" id="6ghdqhzbh"><li>EMI Plans enabled both platform-level standardization &amp; merchant-specific EMI customization, with support for dynamic downpayments.</li><li>Seamless promotion setup allowed merchants to effortlessly configure discounts and offers like delayed repayment, advance EMI, and interest-free EMI options.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="45plyqsam">Merchant Dashboard &amp; Reporting&nbsp;</h3><ul class="list-node" id="8o2z2vuzd"><li>Intuitive dashboards for real-time visibility of transactions, settlements, and disputes.</li><li>Advanced reporting for performance analysis, promotion management, and payment trend tracking.</li></ul><h3 class="heading-node" id="tekzv8tzf">Reconciliation&nbsp;</h3><ul class="list-node" id="kb3jx6686"><li>Comprehensive Accounting Module along with provision for manual journal entries with an intuitive interface for easy interpretation.</li><li>End-to-end reconciliation tools to minimize errors and disputes while ensuring regulatory compliance.</li><li>Simplified workflows for tracking payment statuses and addressing reconciliation gaps.</li></ul>From automation to accuracy, here’s what the client achieved.<h3 class="heading-node" id="hxjn9oasw">Results and Impact&nbsp;</h3><ul class="list-node" id="7nwma09pu"><li>Reduced merchant onboarding time by ~ 90%</li><li>Improved merchant satisfaction and retention rates (e.g. automated settlements with different types of commissions deducted at source)</li><li>Operational efficiencies by nearly 60% (e.g., reduction in manual errors or time spent on reconciliation)</li><li>Opened new line of business in Buy Now Pay later category targeting customers in the age group of 18 to 30</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="l0v6nucpn">Conclusion</h2>M2P’s Merchant Acquiring Solutions transformed the client’s operations by automating manual processes, enhancing merchant satisfaction, and enabling seamless scalability into new markets like Africa. Key benefits included faster onboarding, transparent settlements, reach out to new age eCom merchants and end-to-end reconciliation, positioning the client as a leader in BNPL and Consumer Finance.&nbsp;Ready to transform your merchant operations and tap into BNPL growth?<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1&amp;utm_source=Merchant%20Management%20System&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=CTA" target="">Schedule a demo</a> with us.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.

How M2P Transformed Merchant Operations for a Leading NBFI in Mauritius?

<img src="https://m2p-website-file.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/marketing-cms/m2p-blog/2025/11/upi_blog_v1.webp" alt="UPI Payment, UPI 123Pay" title="" id="e89k2oxhf" width="100%" height="612">India's digital payments landscape has been completely transformed by the <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/upi/" target="">Unified Payments Interface (UPI)</a>. It's a game-changer, making instant, inter-bank transactions as easy as sending a text. In October 2025 alone, <a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/blog/upi-the-driver-of-economic-growth-and-inclusion/" target="_blank">UPI</a> hits a record 20.7 billion transactions worth ₹27.28 lakh crore, underscoring its dominance and positioning India as a global leader in real-time payments.Despite the tremendous growth in digital payments, a large portion of India’s population still depend on feature phones.&nbsp; In semi-urban and rural areas, where network connectivity is often a challenge and smartphones are a luxury, these simple, button-based devices are a lifeline. The inability of feature phone users to access UPI meant a vast population was left behind in the digital payment revolution.Recognizing this, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched UPI 123Pay in 2022. This innovative solution is designed specifically for feature phone users, to access UPI services without an internet connection. It's a simple, yet powerful solution that brings the convenience and security of UPI to an underserved people proving that financial inclusion isn't just about technology, but about accessibility.This blog dives into how UPI 123Pay is transforming payment accessibility, why feature phones still matter, and what it means for banks, fintech’s, and India’s financial ecosystem.Let’s dive into its basics.<h2 class="heading-node" id="qe7eg2y62">What is UPI 123PAY?</h2>UPI 123Pay is a payment solution designed specifically for feature phone users, enabling them to make digital transactions using their UPI ID without needing internet access or a smartphone. Launched in 2022 by NPCI in partnership with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), this initiative aims to close the digital payment gap and extend the convenience of UPI to nearly 400 million users in remote areas across India.To get started with UPI 123Pay, users must first link their bank account to their feature phone and create a secure UPI PIN. Once set up, they can easily perform a variety of transactions through user-friendly payment options tailored for those without smartphones, ensuring wider financial inclusion and access to digital payments for everyone.<h2 class="heading-node" id="hajhm49h6">How to Set-up and Make Payments with UPI 123Pay?</h2><h3 class="heading-node" id="dtcypevyq">Setting Up Your UPI ID</h3>Setting up a UPI ID on a feature phone is straightforward and enables users without smartphones to access digital payments easily. Follow these simple steps:<ol class="list-node" id="pbdnyf9jd" type="1"><li>Link Your Bank Account:&nbsp;Dial *99# from your feature phone to access the UPI 123Pay menu. Choose your preferred language and select your bank from the list provided.</li><li>Verify Your Account:&nbsp;Confirm your bank account by entering details such as the last six digits of your debit card and its expiry date.</li><li>Set Your UPI PIN:&nbsp;Create a unique 4 or 6-digit UPI PIN that will authenticate your transactions. You will be prompted to enter this PIN during every payment to ensure security.</li><li>Get Your UPI ID:&nbsp;Once your account is linked and PIN is set, a UPI ID (also called Virtual Payment Address or VPA) is automatically created for you. This ID can be used for sending and receiving money.</li></ol><h3 class="heading-node" id="n5jabcvz4">Making Payments with UPI 123Pay</h3>UPI 123Pay offers feature phone users four simple and convenient ways to perform digital transactions without needing internet or a smartphone. Here’s how it works:<ul class="list-node" id="k7urh6h51"><li>Interactive Voice Response (IVR):&nbsp;Users call a pre-set IVR number where they can follow voice prompts in multiple languages to send money, recharge, pay bills, or shop. This secure phone call method guides users step-by-step to complete transactions using their UPI PIN.</li><li>Missed Call Payments:&nbsp;At merchant outlets, customers receive a token with their mobile number and bill amount. They give a missed call to a designated number, and soon get a callback prompting them to enter their UPI PIN to authenticate and complete the payment.</li><li>App on Feature Phone:&nbsp;Some feature phones come preloaded with a simplified UPI app that enables users to make payments similar to smartphone apps.</li><li>Sound-Based Payments:&nbsp;Users call an IVR, select “Pay to Merchant,” tap their phone on a merchant’s sound-enabled device, and complete the payment by entering the amount and UPI PIN. This contactless method works offline and is convenient for quick transactions.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="9quuc5gc8">Benefits of UPI 123Pay</h2>UPI 123PAY solution brings several impactful benefits:<ul class="list-node" id="9jbsuftql"><li>Wider Reach:&nbsp;Empowers millions to make digital transactions easily, breaking the barrier of needing internet or advanced devices.</li><li>Flexible Payment Options:&nbsp;Users enjoy multiple ways to pay whether via voice calls, missed calls, or simple keypad commands, choosing what’s easiest for them.</li><li>Robust Security:&nbsp;With UPI’s trusted two-factor authentication, every transaction is secured to protect users from fraud.</li><li>Inclusive Language Support:&nbsp;Offering services in many regional languages, it makes digital payments accessible and comfortable for India’s diverse communities.</li></ul><h2 class="heading-node" id="txz0po9ol">UPI 123Pay vs. Regular UPI: Key Differences</h2>While both platforms run on the same underlying UPI network, UPI 123Pay is specifically designed for accessibility, leading to some key differences:<ul class="list-node" id="wbxyuzx0e"><li>Connectivity: The most significant difference is that UPI 123Pay works without data connectivity, using voice, text, and sound-based technology instead of an app interface.</li><li>Bank Linking: On UPI 123Pay, users can typically link only one bank account at a time, whereas the regular UPI app allows multiple linked accounts.</li><li>Transaction Limits: While regular UPI allows a daily limit of ₹1 lakh (with higher limits for specific categories), each UPI 123Pay transaction is capped at ₹10,000, with a daily maximum of ₹1 lakh.</li><li>Feature Availability: Due to device limitations, some features like scan-and-pay QR codes are not available on UPI 123Pay.</li><li>User interface:&nbsp;UPI 123PAY uses voice, text, and sound-based technology for navigation and authentication in place of touchscreen app interfaces.</li></ul>Despite these differences, the launch of UPI 123Pay marks a new era of financial inclusion. The convenience, security, and simplicity of UPI are now within reach for millions of feature phone users, fostering a more inclusive and robust digital economy. For banks, this is a massive opportunity to serve a new, untapped market and deepen customer relationships. While the potential is huge, M2P also supports this functionality with our UPI stack.Our robust and comprehensive UPI stack is designed to integrate and launch this functionality for their customers seamlessly. Instead of a lengthy and costly in-house building, banks can leverage our technology to fast-track their go-to-market strategy.<a class="link" href="https://m2pfintech.com/contact-us/?activeKey=1&amp;utm_source=UPI%20123Pay&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=CTA" target="">Connect with us</a> to know more about our UPI solutions.Follow us on&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/m2pfintech/mycompany/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class="link fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://twitter.com/m2pfintech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for insightful fintech bytes curated for curious minds like you.Source:&nbsp;<ol class="list-node" id="ihm6l3m9v"><li>https://bfsi.economictimes.indiatimes.com/articles/upi-transactions-surge-to-record-207-billion-in-october-2025/125013308</li><li>https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi-123pay/product-overview</li><li>https://www.npci.org.in/product/upi-123pay</li><li>https://www.wintwealth.com/blog/what-is-upi-123pay-how-to-use-it-and-how-is-it-different-from-the-current-upi-interface/</li><li>https://paytm.com/blog/payments/upi/upi-123pay-uses-benefits-methods/</li></ol>

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