Lynn Johannson, Advisor, Sustainability and ESG
January 4th, 2024
Lynn Johannson, President of E2 Management Corporation and Catalyst for THE Collaboration
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Bank Consortium to Launch “Paze” to Challenge Big Tech’s Fintech Dominance
Mobile Wallet | Sep 20, 2023
Image: Paze website
Major American banks like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo are gearing up to launch "Paze", a mobile wallet that will connect directly to the credit and debit card accounts of 150 million customers.
The rise of mobile wallets and digital payment solutions by tech companies has been meteoric. Apple Pay, for instance, has seen its user base grow from 60 million to over 500 million in just five years. Such numbers are not just impressive; they're a clarion call for banks to innovate or risk being sidelined.
See: Bank CEOs Defend P2P Payments Network Zelle in Senate Hearing Over Consumer Fraud Handling
As banks are increasingly leaning towards partnerships with fintechs, there are rising concerns from regulators. They are wary of the potential risks these collaborations might introduce, especially in terms of customer data and security.
Paze - Collaboration Over Competition
Paze is not just another mobile wallet. It's a strategic initiative by giants such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Designed to connect directly to the credit and debit card accounts of a whopping 150 million customers, Paze aims to be the go-to mobile wallet for the masses.
The launch of Paze highlights a significant shift in the banking industry's approach. Gone are the days when banks believed they could individually take on Big Tech and emerging fintech startups. The focus now is on partnerships and collaborations.
Operated by Early Warning Services, the same consortium group behind the successful payments app Zelle, Paze is a testament to the collaborative spirit of traditional banks. It signifies a shift in strategy, where banks are pooling resources to defend their turf against the encroaching Big Tech.
Early Warning announced the recruitment of Cameron Fowler, a top executive from the Canadian bank BMO Financial Group, as its next chief executive. Fowler is expected to join the company in October.
Challenges Ahead
While the optimism around Paze is palpable, the road ahead is not without challenges. The consortium will need to navigate these regulatory waters carefully, ensuring that Paze is not just innovative but also secure and compliant.
See: Will Top of Digital Wallets Threaten Traditional Credit Card Markets?
For Paze to be a game-changer, it needs to offer direct connectivity to customers' bank accounts. This direct connection could give Paze an edge over competitors like Apple Pay, which doesn't hold any funds. However, details about the full functionality of Paze or whether users will be able to access their account information through the app are not yet disclosed.
The mobile wallet space is becoming increasingly competitive, and while Paze is a significant initiative by major banks, it will face competition from several other payment innovations such as:
- Apple Pay Later: In March, Apple announced a new "buy now, pay later" product called Apple Pay Later. Unlike traditional financing, Apple plans to fund this service with its own money rather than using bank financing.
- Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter): This platform aims to offer banking services to its vast user base, further intensifying the competition.
- Venmo: Owned by PayPal since 2013, Venmo is a popular peer-to-peer payment app. While its payment volume is smaller compared to Zelle, its brand recognition and user-friendly features make it a notable competitor.
- Government Initiatives: Governments worldwide are also looking into creating their own digital payment solutions. Such as FedNow in the US and the Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are being explored by various countries as a way to modernize the financial system and provide a state-backed digital currency.
- Other Big Tech Initiatives: Other tech giants like Google with Google Pay and Facebook with Facebook Pay are also making strides in the digital payment landscape.
- International: Globally, there are significant players like Alipay and WeChat Pay in China (enables foreign users), which dominate the mobile payment landscape in their regions.
Looking Ahead
The fintech landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, with both traditional banks and tech giants vying for dominance. As Paze emerges as a collaborative effort by major banks to reclaim their space, it signifies a broader trend of strategic alliances in the face of Big Tech's encroachment.
See: [Brookings Event, Oct 6, 2023]: Payments in America for a Digital Century
However, with continuous innovations, regulatory challenges, and evolving consumer preferences, the future of digital payments remains dynamic and unpredictable. Institutions that prioritize adaptability, user-centricity, and cross-industry collaborations will likely lead the next wave of fintech evolution.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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