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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

Event Sponsor

CONTENTS
Cover letter 4

Emerging Payments Award winners list 5

Platinum Sponsor
Best Financial Inclusion Payments Programme 6-7

Best Financial Inclusion Payments Programme 8-9

Best B2C Payments Programme 10-11

Awards Sponsors
Best B2B Payments Programme 12-13

Best Banking or Open Banking Initiative 14-15

Most Innovative Merchant Services Solution 16-17

Best Customer Facing Experience 18-19

Leading Financial Services or Payments Start-Up 20-21

Best Lending Initiative 22-23 Gift Partner

Most Innovative Mobile or Financial Service Payments Solution 24-25

Best Market Expansion Programme 26-27

Industry Contributor of the Year 28 Content Sponsors

Charity partner 29

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

Congratulations to all the CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL

winners at the 13th annual OF THE WINNERS FOR 2020
EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS:
Emerging Payments Awards
On the 26th of November, we once • Best International Payments, • Best Customer Facing Experience:
again came together for the annual Remittance or use of FX: FIS – Premium Payback
celebration of the best products and Ebury – Faster and Smarter
companies in the payments industry.
Global Payments • Marketing Campaign of the Year:
Fame & Fortune in Fintech: Launching
Although unable to meet in person,
• Best Financial Inclusion Tribe Payments by CCgroup
our comedy host Sara Pascoe made
us laugh out loud – despite Tony
Payments Programme:
donning a tutu, ballerina tights and Airtel Money Uganda by Airtel Uganda • Leading Financial Services or
silver slippers in aid of raising money and Comviva, Easypaisa by Telenor Payments Start-Up:
for our charity partner Mind being Microfinance Bank Currensea & Global Processing
a hard act to follow. And Natwest’s Services (GPS)
Marion King shared her thoughts on what is to come in 2021. After what has been a challenging • Best B2C Payments Programme:
year, to say the least, it was a fun-filled afternoon looking back at all the positives to have come Stocard • Leading Emerging Payments
out of 2020. Organisation:
• Best B2B Payments Programme: Global Processing Services
As Tony said in his opening speech… Bottomline – Bottomline PTX (GPS) – The Super Processor™

• Best Banking or Open • Best Use of Blockchain in

I believe we will look back on 2020 as a year of
Banking Initiative: Financial Services:
transformational change, and not just in how people Currensea & Global Processing Nuggets
work, but also in how people pay and get paid. Services (GPS)
Payments are at the heart of everything we do and even the G20 • Best Direct Account to
recently recognised that enhancing how people move money • Best Partnership Initiative: Account Solution:
Lloyds Bank – I-safe mobiquity® Money – COVID-19
using payments was second only to tackling COVID-19 as a top
Response by Comviva
global priority. Because payments are the lifeblood that • Best Use of Payments Data or
fuels our society. And the payments industry is the AI in Financial Services: • Best Lending Initiative:
pumping heart that ensures society’s wellbeing even, Visa Europe – Visa Advanced Starling Bank
or especially, in a time of crisis. Authorisation
• Best CSR or Charity Initiative:
• Most Innovative Mobile or Financial allpay – Herefordshire Flooding
As was evidenced by the fact that we had twice as many submissions for this year’s awards. Services Payments Solution: – Prepaid Programme
The quality of which really put our judges to the test. Some categories were so hotly debated Airtel Money Uganda by Airtel
they ended up with 2 winners! Uganda and Comviva • Best Market Expansion:
Global Processing Services (GPS)
So here they are, the Emerging Payments Awards 2020 winners, followed by a selection
• Most Innovative Merchant Launch of APAC Hub in Singapore
of in-depth case studies featuring insights from the judges, the category sponsors, and, of
Services Solution:
course, the winners themselves. We hope they inspire you and highlight what some of the
differentiators were that made the winners stand out.
Airtel Money Uganda by Airtel • The Industry Contributor of the Year:
Uganda and Comviva Neil Harris, Group Chief Commercial
Nominations for the 2021 Emerging Payments Awards open in February – Officer at @Global Processing Payments
you can submit an entry at www.emergingpaymentsawards.com • Best Back Office Innovation:
GOOD LUCK! Mastercard – Threat Scan by Mastercard

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

BEST FINANCIAL INCLUSION PAYMENTS PROGRAMME Sponsored by Mastercard

What Made This Initiative Unique financial sector sustainably. Lack of access to financial
services has always been an underlying problem
resulting in lower lending and financial solutions for
Working with a passion to empower the Pakistani the underserved; bank branches typically cater to a
people and bridge the financial inclusion divide in the clientele in a 30KM radius around branches, while large
Telenor Microfinance Bank country, TMB is committed to bringing opportunities swathes of the population in Pakistan are situated in
to the underbanked. Whether it is helping the BISP less concentrated, topographically distributed areas.
JOINT WINNER beneficiaries withdraw entitlements, supporting the This problem, combined with low literacy levels,
poor to sustain households, assisting the financially shows that people are often unaware that they can
challenged to start, retain or grow a small business, or access a bank.
Airtel Money Uganda by simply freeing the impoverished from the vicious trap
Airtel Uganda and Comviva of the informal finance sources, Where access is available, customers do not have
the time for repeated branch visits to avail a loan,
Easypaisa continues to set precedents of how a simple as it results in a loss of daily wages. TMB harnesses
mobile technology can be used to transform societies. the mobile account technology to help expand
“Every year we get some great The service is equally receptive to the evolving digital geographical outreach and eliminate the need for
entries, and this year we The Project Explained needs of its customers across the country, adapting physical access to the limited financial infrastructure
to meet them effectively. Leveraging technology, through their suite of digital initiatives available to the
couldn’t separate these two TMB is geared to serve Pakistan better and enhance customers at the palm of their hands.
organisations. Congratulations In a country where roughly half the population is the outreach of digital finance to the unbanked and
female, service delivery of the Easypaisa product suite underbanked Pakistani. Digital lending launched by Easypaisa has gained
to both winners!” via a mobile app is a game changer. It enables people significant traction, seeing an exponential growth of
to open bank accounts from the convenience of their over 2,000% since its launch, having disbursed over
Pakistan has one of the world’s widest financial homes and continues to set precedents of how a 1 million loans by September 2019. The integration of
inclusion gaps with almost 100 million adults still simple mobile technology can be used to transform Delivering Innovative Solutions to modern technology has streamlined the entire lending
lacking access to formal and regulated financial societies. The availability of an expansive number of Specific Problems or Opportunities process, optimising user journey and making access
services. financial products and payment use cases fulfilling extremely convenient, efficient, and cost-effective.
customer needs at the palm of the hands via a USSD
Telenor Microfinance Bank (TMB) along with its diverse string and a mobile app serves TMB’s ambition of a Telenor Microfinance Bank (TMB) has been driving
product portfolio (branch and branchless) caters financially included Pakistan. innovation in its lending product suite, revamping the
to the financial needs of the average Pakistani, and conventional lending processes and introducing new More about the company:
continuous efforts are directed towards ensuring a well TMB continuously improves its product portfolio products that enable people to access lending services
marketed customer value proposition to accelerate (payments and lending) through digitisation. Such at the palm of their hands, delivered through TMB’s
financial inclusion in the country. products allow the bank to cater to a large market mobile account platform, Easypaisa. Official website: telenorbank.pk
segment that is otherwise geographically confined and
unable to access any formal financial services. TMB has been constantly innovating the provision of info@telenorbank.pk
credit services delivered via advanced technology
pk.linkedin.com/company/
whilst ensuring product affordability; The Digital
telenormicrofinancebanklimited
This awards helps us with customer trust because Financing products suite paves a way for the financially
excluded population to enter the folds of the formal twitter.com/TelenorBankPk
when we ask customers to move away from physical
cash, something tangible to see in their hands, 
to digital payments such as Easypaisa, trust goes a Congratulations to the other finalists
long way. Omar Moeen Malik, Head of Digital Wallets
& Payments at Telenor Micro Finance Bank

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

BEST FINANCIAL INCLUSION PAYMENTS PROGRAMME Sponsored by Mastercard

Airtel Money is one of the leading mobile money Airtel Money Key USPs What Made This Initiative Unique
services in Uganda. Airtel Money leverages mobile
technology to extend digital financial services to the
financially underserved broadening the reach of the • Omnichannel device agnostic Airtel Money is enhancing financial inclusion and
digital economy. Airtel Money provides a mobile wallet • Comprehensive: single-stop shop unified menu digitising payments by adopting the following
Airtel Money Uganda to consumers that is linked to their mobile number, for all financial needs approach:

by Airtel Uganda and allowing them to transfer money, save, get loans
and make payments instantly, easily and securely,
• Affordable: registration, cash-in are free. No hidden
account opening and maintenance costs. Money • Providing people with easy to register, and
Comviva anywhere, anytime. Airtel Money can be accessed by all transfer, payments and cash-out have small affordable financial accounts using mobile phones
phones via USSD *185# or the ‘My Airtel’ mobile app. service-fee • Creating expansive last-mile financial infrastructure
JOINT WINNER • Secure: all transactions are PIN protected. (agent network) at low costs
3DES data encryption • Replacing informal remittances with quick,
• Expansive agent-network facilitating last-mile convenient, affordable and secure formal
The Project Explained services of deposit and withdrawal remittances
• Extensive partner network consisting of merchants, • Helping unbanked customers to securely save
Airtel Money Uganda by Airtel Airtel, one of the largest mobile operators in Uganda, businesses, money transfer operators and NGOs money and get loans quickly and digitising VSLAs
Uganda and Comviva leveraged the ubiquity and popularity of mobile phones facilitating services like merchant payments, salary and SACCOs, making them secure
to launch ‘Airtel Money’ in February 2012. Airtel Money payments, international remittance and financial-aid • Allowing payment collections digitally and remotely,
is powered by Comviva’s mobiquity® Money platform. disbursement reducing associated time and cost
“They provided all the • Hassle-free: only SIM registration and Airtel Money • Enabling merchants to go digital at low costs
Airtel Money provides all customers with a stored value activation required • Facilitating efficient bulk payments like salary
information we required but account (virtual prepaid mobile wallet) linked to their payments and financial aid disbursements
they both went another level” mobile number. The mobile number acts as a unique • Providing new businesses and start-ups with access
identifier, similar to a bank account number. Hence, to digital payments
consumers can transfer money or make transactions
by using the recipient’s mobile number. The sender’s
mobile wallet is debited, while the recipient’s mobile
wallet is credited instantly. Customers only need an More about the company:
Airtel mobile connection, thus enabling even unbanked
people to use Airtel-Money.
Official website: airtel.co.ug/airtel_money

We decided to sponsor this initiative because

inclusion in payments is the core of our strategy.
Financial inclusion is going to become more and
more important, and is already the core of what we Congratulations to the other finalists
do in the financial industry.
Edoardo Volta, Head of Fintech at Mastercard

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

BEST B2C PAYMENTS PROGRAMME Sponsored by GPS

Stocard is running a micro services architecture on the Companies can gain new loyal customers for their
latest technology, like nodeJS, Trebouchet, Terraform, loyalty programmes using the ground-breaking in-app
hosted on AWS, that allows the business to scale on signup in Stocard. Customers do not need to enter the
demand. shop to open a loyalty programme or use each retailer’s
different website, streamlining their experience with
To enable this integrated shopping experience, Stocard that retailer.
Stocard by Wirecard is working with some of the biggest and most innovative
retailers in the world (Carrefour, Decathlon, IKEA, Stocard has been launched in over 40 countries
Lidl, Media Markt). Through those retail relationships, with even more to come. The Stocard App currently
consumers spend less and save real money when using supports the following languages: English, German,
“The programmes were  Stocard compared to any other wallet - ultimately Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Norwegian,
nominated either because meaning customers are engaging in an improved Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Turkish,
experience when shopping at those retailers mentioned Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Slovak and Slovenian.
they were best in class in above, as well as hundreds of others.
some way, for example by
Stocard believes that many different services will be
results, effectiveness, or consumed through the mobile wallet, as it becomes What’s Expected for the Future
to demonstrate innovation The Project Explained digital and way smarter than now - from everything

in packaging, delivery, shopping-related to financial services (payments,

consumer credit, wealth, etc.). Stocard believes that many different services will be
implementation or customer Stocard takes the clunky brick-and-mortar experience consumed through the mobile wallet, as it becomes
engagement.” to the digital age by going beyond payments. digital and way smarter - from everything shopping-
Customers can not only pay in their Stocard app, but related to financial services (payments, consumer
also simultaneously collect all their loyalty points and What Made This Initiative Unique credit, wealth, etc.) to areas we do not think about yet
Stocard is a leading mobile wallet, digitising the wallets save more through card-linked coupons. The free such as market research. Due to its large user base,
of over 38 million people - from payments, to loyalty, Stocard app allows customers to store all their loyalty Stocard is in a unique position to become one of the
to anything shopping related. The company was cards in one place, so they can collect all their loyalty When shopping with Stocard, customers will never most relevant players and reshape various industries
founded in 2012 and works with some of the world’s points at any store without having to carry any plastic miss a discount again and save real money without addressing multiple billion-dollar markets.
largest retailers to provide value added services to cards anymore. having to carry any plastic cards or paper coupons in
customers. It is headquartered in Mannheim, Germany their wallet. It is a truly digital and exciting shopping
and has offices in Sydney, Rome, Amsterdam, Paris, and On top of that, they receive the latest offers from their experience from loyalty cards and coupons to
Toronto. Today, 38 million people are using the Stocard favourite retailers, have all their coupons in one place, payments. More about the company:
app for their shopping; every month over 1.5 million sign up for new loyalty cards that they do not have
new customers are joining Stocard; Stocard initiates yet, and pay with the app. Additionally, Stocard shows Stocard helps companies improve customer
over 1.5 billion POS transactions per year. customers their current rewards points’ balance, nearby experiences through showing retailer specific offers Official website: stocardapp.com/en/au
store locations, as well as the best offers, coupons and in the app to drive customers to their stores. Using
catalogues matching their favourite stores. breakthrough purchase analytics to measure campaign stocardapp.com/en/au/contact
ROIs, companies can tailor their campaigns to best
linkedin.com/company/stocard-gmbh
To scale a system that is handling billions of requests, meet the needs of their customers.
twitter.com/stocardapp

This is an area where we’re seeing true innovation

Congratulations to the other finalists
and we’re delighted to showcase the
multiple, really exciting products that are
in the market. Joanne Dewar, CEO, Global Processing Services

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

BEST B2B PAYMENTS PROGRAMME

of PTX capabilities support the end-to-end payments businesses want to pay and get paid and the changing
and associated document process – whether it is for environments. Innovation is driven from the needs of
payments being made in or out of the business. customers through the PTX Steering Committee, which
assess requirements around 4 key principals; Simplicity,
PTX aims to help companies not only pay but get paid. Security, Scalability and Speed before being applied to
Bottomline PTX This is why the platform includes PTX Connect, an the product roadmap.
add-on module allowing organisations to track invoices
being sent, opened and read. This unique module
within PTX enables organisations to improve business
“Despite many fantastic  agility by empowering users to efficiently create, What’s Expected for the Future
entries, for us Bottomline was  distribute and trace document engagement. It also

a clear winner. 1) It solved a supports the agile enterprise in responding effectively

to business change. Stocard believes that many different services will be
complex problem in payments. consumed through the mobile wallet, as it becomes
2) It’s done it at scale which is PTX not only powers payments, but also protects them. digital and way smarter - from everything shopping-
Given the high rate of payment fraud and compelled related to financial services (payments, consumer
a rare thing.” by a sense of responsibility for customers, PTX Secure credit, wealth, etc.) to areas we do not think about yet
Fast Facts Payments is now a built-in module that resides within such as market research. Due to its large user base,
the PTX platform. It allows customers to choose if and Stocard is in a unique position to become one of the
PTX is a modular SaaS-based payments and collections when to activate it, depending on their risk appetite most relevant players and reshape various industries
solution which was first brought to market by • Just over 10,000 unique customers: direct and alternative in-house solutions for monitoring addressing multiple billion-dollar markets.
Bottomline in January 2015. During this time, moving and bureau submitters payment transactions and user behaviour. The return
to the cloud was unconventional for a large percentage • Across 16 verticals, the largest being Services on investment is easy to track and measure. This year,
of mid-sized companies, but Bottomline wanted to and Manufacturing PTX Secure Payments has already stopped over £95
develop and showcase the benefits using cloud-based • 14 value-add modules available million worth of fraudulent or wrongly processed More about the company:
payment technology and make it the norm. Take up payments being submitted.
was rapid.
Official website: bottomline.com/uk/solutions/ptx
With a focus on innovation, PTX quickly expanded its What Made This Initiative Unique
linkedin.com/company/bottomline-technologies
capabilities to offer smart, process-led functionality Innovation: Powering and
for accounts payable and receivable departments, Protecting Business Payments twitter.com/bottomlinetech
including Direct Debit lifecycle management, document Complexity, functionality, ease of use and cost drive
automation, payment fraud detection and response many technology decisions today, and for many in
capabilities, and automated compliance for all relevant the mid-tier marketplace, cloud solutions make an Bottomline continues to evolve PTX, aligned to how
payments and security regulations. Customers quickly attractive alternative to on–premise solutions; and PTX
saw the long-term value and the platform now holds is no exception.
10,000 unique clients. Congratulations to the other finalists
PTX has grown considerably over the last five years, WEX Virtual Payments (Silver Winner)
expanding into a multifunction modular cloud
payment solution with added functionality being easily
consumed by customers when required. The breadth

To win an accolade amongst our peer 

group... the whole team was delighted.
Ed Adshead-Grant, General Manager of Bottomline Technologies

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

BEST BANKING OR OPEN BANKING INITIATIVE Sponsored by Paynetics Global

Evidence of success metrics to figure out how its unprecedented product would
work from a regulatory, compliance and technical
perspective.
Currensea achieved rapid growth in the first three

Currensea & Global months of its launch: Its pioneering use of PSD2 CBPII regulation puts
Currensea at the forefront of the market with first-
Processing Services (GPS) • Live in the UK market since January 2020; mover advantage. By combining the breakthrough
• 236% average cardholder growth innovation of account connectivity with the emerging
quarter-on-quarter (Jan-March 2020); trend of the ‘conscious consumer’, Currensea is
• 255% transaction growth month-on-month addressing a growing market that will attract increasing
“The competition was tough, within the same period; consumer and media focus for years to come.
and the judges certainly had • 5,000 cardholders onboarded in Q1;
• Successfully used in over 100 countries around
some healthy debate. The the globe.
winner demonstrated clear More about the company:
differentiators across the
assessment criteria.” Solving a Specific Problem What Made This Initiative Unique Official website: currensea.com

currensea linkedin

Currensea has overcome the biggest barrier to Currensea has removed a huge barrier to consumer Currensea demonstrates genuine innovation in a twitter.com/currensea
consumer adoption of fintech travel money services. In adoption of travel money services by being first to number of ways. They are trailblazers in their approach
solving this problem, Currensea has been recognised market with a solution based on brand new Open with Open Banking in a way that will set the bar for
by the FCA as the UK’s first Open Banking CBPII - card- Banking PSD2 CBPII regulation. the industry. The team has dedicated over 18 months
based payment instrument issuer. Currensea offers to both the regulatory framework and direct Open
consumers lower transaction fees and improved user Consumers can enjoy lower transaction fees and Banking integrations. By not using a third-party
experience with the game-changing convenience of improved user experience with the game-changing aggregator to gain direct access to the Open Banking
paying by debit card and existing current account. The convenience of paying using their debit card and framework, Currensea will have greater control over
average traveller will save over 85% or £200 annually trusted current account. This way, banks continue to development of future propositions, as well reducing
for a UK family. Currensea also offers customers the maintain infrastructure costs, accounts, holding funds costs by removing the need for an additional third-
option to channel their fee savings into a carbon offset etc while Currensea focuses on providing seamless party.
programme. cross-border services at a fraction of the usual
cost. Currensea addresses another problem closely Currensea was accepted into the FCA Innovate
associated with travel. According to research, 75% of programme in July 2018 and spent a year working
consumers are consciously modifying their behaviour with them, its issuer-processor GPS, and Mastercard
when considering the products they use. In keeping
with the rise of the ‘conscious consumer’, Currensea
offers customers the opportunity to channel their Congratulations to the other finalists
savings into offsetting the environmental impact of
their travel.
Token (Silver Winner) Konsentus (Silver Winner)

We understand it’s a cumulation of many

years’ efforts, so well done!
Mike Peplow, CEO of Paynetics UK

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

MOST INNOVATIVE MERCHANT SERVICES SOLUTION Sponsored by Trust Payments

push notification and then, they need to enter their (as it follows all KYC-rules). On successful application,
secret Airtel Money PIN to complete the payment. merchants are provided with an Airtel Money mobile
The customer’s Airtel Money wallet is debited, and wallet and a 7-digit Merchant ID and QR Code which
the merchant’s Airtel Money wallet is credited. Both are displayed at merchant outlets. No bank account,
the customer and merchant receive a transaction security deposit, joining/maintenance fee, or costly

Airtel Money Pay Uganda completion SMS, including the transaction ID, the
transaction amount, and the merchant ID.
POS machine is required. Hence, even the unbanked or
informal MSME merchants can start accepting digital
by Airtel Uganda payments immediately at no cost.
Customer-initiated: The customer dials USSD *185*9#
and Comviva or logs into the My Airtel app and enters the merchant Back-end: On registration, the mobiquity® platform
ID, the transaction amount, payment reference like for every merchant creates an Airtel Money wallet, a
invoice number/purpose (optional) and secret PIN to virtual mobile wallet (stored value account) linked to
“Airtel Money Pay was a clear complete payment. Alternatively, app users can scan the merchant’s mobile number and identified by the
category winner because it the merchant QR Code (scan to pay) which prompts merchant ID. Merchants receive payment in this mobile
them to enter the transaction amount and secret PIN to wallet.
scored highly against each complete payment.
of the 5 defying criteria...the Airtel Money offers various digital payment services

rapid adoption rates of both for goods and services using Airtel Money instead including money transfers, international remittances,
of exchanging cash. Airtel Money and Airtel Money airtime/data recharge, utility bill payments, school
merchants and consumers are Pay are powered by Comviva’s mobiquity® Money ‘Airtel Money Pay’ Key Features: fee payments, micro loans, transfers between mobile
testament to how it is solving platform. wallets and bank accounts - all done instantly, easily,
securely and conveniently through the mobile-phone,
real practical day-to-day The service: Airtel Money Pay enables Airtel Money anytime, anywhere.
issues” subscribers to pay merchants for goods and services
The Project Explained from any mobile phone digitally using Airtel Money.
Both the customer and merchant receive a transaction
In Uganda, Airtel Money has emerged as a popular completion SMS (e-receipt). Payments are instant, easy, More about the company:
mobile money service offering money transfer, airtime The transaction can be initiated either by the merchant secure and convenient.
recharge and bill payment to financially underserved or the customer:
consumers. Building on its popularity, Airtel Money Merchant initiated: Merchants can initiate transactions Becoming Airtel Money Pay Merchants: Any merchant Official website: airtel.co.ug/airtel_money
evolved further and launched merchant payment via the Airtel Money menu (SIM Tool Kit or USSD with a legitimate business and an Airtel mobile phone
customerservice@ug.airtel.com
service Airtel Money Pay to financially include *185#) and then enters the customer’s mobile number, connection can become an Airtel Money merchant
businesses especially MSMEs in the digital economy transaction amount and secret Airtel Money PIN. by completing a merchant application form free-of-
and create a ‘cash-light’ Uganda. Airtel Money Pay cost and providing the necessary documentation. The
enables Airtel Money customers to pay merchants The customer receives the payment request via a required documentation is minimal, yet comprehensive

Congratulations to the other finalists

Our sponsorship for this category is really really
Checkout.com Premier Technologies (MerchantSuite)
important, because that then absorbs the changes in (Silver Winner) (Silver Winner)
technology, of consumer buying habits, of loyalty and
of the delivery to the end customer. It’s important
we as an industry absorb that, acknowledge that and
actually invest in that. Daniel Holden, CEO of Trust Payments

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

BEST CUSTOMER FACING EXPERIENCE Sponsored by Lanistar

Program Performance Premium Payback - uniquely

positioned to grow with the
acquisition of Worldpay
A network can only be successful if it provides
FIS – Premium Payback value to all members, and Premium Payback creates
value across the full transaction for all parties
involved: issuers, merchants, and cardholders. For Worldpay and FIS together offer a single world
“We were all thoroughly issuers, Premium Payback increases average spend perspective you won’t find anywhere else. Through

impressed with FIS Premium among all cardholders with their card being top of the lens of unmatched global acquiring and merchant
wallet for spend. Additionally, participating issuers solutions, it’s a view of human financial needs, banking
Payback by engaging the have experienced shifts in redemption mix among and issuing, from operating the infrastructures of
customer during or after the cardholders from high cost options like travel to real the world’s leading financial institutions to meet the
time pay with points through Premium Payback. needs of their customers around the world. With this
transaction through multiple combined power, Premium Payback can expand into
channels. The solution brings For merchants, Premium Payback increases foot traffic industry leading technologies across the country.
and sales, improves customer acquisition rates through
financial institution brands a combination of FIS/issuer-driven marketing and gives FIS is also expanding the user experience beyond the
and loyalty programmes to the The Project Explained customers more access to deals and offers. POS terminal to ecommerce, mobile wallets, and even
And finally for cardholders, Premium Payback extends post transaction. By engaging the customer during or
forefront of their customers’ their buying power by giving them access to loyalty after the transaction through multiple channels, FIS can
minds when it really matters.” Premium Payback does not disrupt the retailer’s currency in real time, delivering an instant gratification bring financial institution brands and loyalty programs
current checkout process. Cardholders simply pay redemption experience. to the forefront of their customers’ minds when it will
with their payments card at one of our participating make the most impact to the cardholder.
Premium Payback is a payments solution that retailers. They will be prompted to use their points
links point of sales systems with billions of points to pay for a portion of the current transaction, and By constantly innovating and bringing issuers and
from financial institution loyalty programs, giving they simply select “Yes” or “No” and complete their merchants into the network, Premium Payback is on
cardholders the ability to redeem their loyalty points in transaction just as they would normally do. course to become one of the most powerful and unique
real time when they pay for their purchases by using a The point redemption lowers a transaction ticket in real redemption networks in the nation.
participating payments card. time, effectively expanding consumer buying power
in real time by using their loyalty currency. Customers More about the company:
are automatically enabled to redeem points through
Premium Payback if they bank with a participating
issuer. No opt-in, sign-up, etc. required. Official website: fisglobal.com/en-gb/merchant-
solutions-worldpay/products/fis-premium-payback

Great customer experience is in the heart of what

we’re creating here in Lanistar… We want to do
our bit to champion other companies, technology
platforms and solutions who are making strides in
Congratulations to the other finalists
this area and who are shaping the future of the way
we pay and manage our money.
Martins Skromans, Chief Operating Officer of Lanistar

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

LEADING FINANCIAL SERVICES OR PAYMENTS START-UP Sponsored by Mastercard

lower transaction fees and improved user experience behaviour (spending £2,500 p.a. and 10% of those
with the game-changing convenience of paying using giving just 20% of their FX savings away), Currensea
their debit card and trusted current account. This and its customers could plant 90K trees, offset
way, banks continue to maintain infrastructure costs, 90k tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime and reduce
accounts, holding funds etc. while Currensea focuses environmental impact equivalent to 54,000 flights from
Currensea & Global on providing seamless cross-border services at a London to New York.
fraction of the usual cost.
Processing Services (GPS)
Currensea addresses another problem closely
associated with travel. According to research, 75% of What Made This Initiative Unique
“We were looking for pioneering consumers are consciously modifying their behaviour
entrepreneurs with pioneering when considering the products they use. In keeping
with the rise of the ‘conscious consumer’, Currensea As Neil Harris, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Global
technology, and businesses offers customers the opportunity to channel their Processing Services states:
that were on a true mission  savings into offsetting the environmental impact of
their travel. “Too often, new organisations are focused on the
to reshape payments as we present, the changing competitive landscape and
know it today.” The Project Explained Rather than paying large fees to banks when using speed to market, rather than considering the future
their debit card abroad, the ‘conscious consumer’ and the positive impact they can make. The team at
can offset the environmental impact of their travel Currensea have delivered a revolutionary programme
Currensea was founded to solve the single biggest While fintech solutions can reduce costs, another by channelling the fee savings they make from using that delivers a cost-efficient and sustainable structure
problem constraining consumer adoption of fintech obstacle remains: consumers are generally satisfied Currensea into their carbon offset programme. through direct integration with the Open Banking
travel money services. To deliver this, the Currensea that their money is secure with their high street bank framework. This allows them to provide their users
team spent over 18 months breaking ground in a brand and finding an alternative takes effort. Currensea’s with an account that helps them manage and save
new regulatory framework so their start-up would research suggests that 54% of consumers value the their money, as well as giving the user the chance to
become the UK’s first FCA authorised PSD2 CBPII convenience and ease of using their existing bank Environmental Impact have environmental impact by ringfencing the savings
Card Based Payment Instrument Issuer. Their tenacity account, despite high fees. If they find a solution they they make to offset their carbon footprint. Genius!”
resulted in consumers enjoying lower fees and improved are prepared to trust, consumers must jump through
user experience with the game-changing convenience hoops to access those services, including opening a Just from its first three months of trading, Currensea
of paying by debit card and existing current account. new challenger bank account or sourcing a prepaid and its customers have already begun to achieve a
In bringing its solution to market, Currensea delivered card and transferring money onto it. positive impact on the environment: More about the company:
the vision of debit cards being separated from the
underlying payment account. The average traveller Currensea has removed a huge barrier to consumer • 10%+ of customers already opted to use some of
will save over 85% or £200 annually for a UK family. adoption of travel money services by being first to their FX savings to plant trees Official website: currensea.com
Currensea also offers customers the option to channel market with a solution based on brand new Open • 75 trees planted single-handedly by their
their fee savings into a carbon offset programme. Banking PSD2 CBPII regulation. Consumers can enjoy largest contributor. help.currensea.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

linkedin.com/company/currensea
Looking ahead, Currensea is expecting to multiply its

Mastercard has been the partner of choice for positive environmental impact. Based on achieving twitter.com/currensea
its 50k customer target and continuing customer
payments startups from the very early stages. 
We want to continue investing in and
working with these companies to deliver new Congratulations to the other finalists
payment innovation in the industry.
Edoardo Volta, Head of Fintech at Mastercard

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

BEST LENDING INITIATIVE Sponsored by PPS

What Made This Initiative Unique What’s Expected for the Future

The key to Starling’s approach was to build its lending Starling always strives to be fair and transparent and
platform quickly and to design a simple and slick user these loans are no different. In an open letter posted
Starling Bank interface, one that customers could easily understand to the Starling website, CEO and founder Anne Boden
and that enabled the bank to approve loans without wrote:
unnecessary delay. At the core of this was its set of
“The uniqueness of this winning customer communications, via email, social media, and “We’re very aware that expectations of us are high.
messaging on the own company’s website, that were People expect us to be good at this because, as a
entry was less about unique clear, concise and jargon free. purely digital bank, we have a reputation for building
technology and innovation and launching products quickly. But this is different.
Making a product available to almost the entire
itself and more about The efficiency of the loans, from application to deposit,
is the result of tireless work from Starling’s in-house customer base on the day of launch is not what we
operational excellence.“ engineering, lending and customer service teams. The normally do. We’re more accustomed to starting small,
marketing team has also been key in providing clear launching new products and services in beta and then
and effective communication around CBILS and BBLS. listening to customer feedback before building out
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus, Starling The Project Explained something bigger. The urgency of the current situation
Bank became one of few digital banks that applied to Throughout this crisis, Starling has shown up for its means that we have to launch at scale practically from
the British Business Bank (BBB) to become a lender. customers. Within weeks of the lockdown, it launched a standing start. So we want to be fully upfront about
Some of the BBB’s accredited lenders bowed out of the Starling Bank applied for and received accreditation new features such as the digital cheque deposits and this: we may need to make adjustments as we go. We
scheme, seeing the government-backed loan schemes from the BBB as both as a Coronavirus Business an additional debit card known as a connected card for hope our customers and the wider community will
as a double-edged sword. Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) lender and as a people in self-isolation who need help with household understand this.”
Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) lender within week. shops. With BBLS and CBILS, it freed up cash for the
But Starling stepped forward, knowing that it must It built its lending infrastructure within a very tight small businesses when they needed it most. They have
do everything it could to support its customers and timetable and opened applications for BBLS loans just also been processing top ups, in line with the new
especially small businesses, the backbone of the British days after being accredited. government regulations. More about the company:
economy.
On the first day of BBLS applications from business
customers, Starling delivered £50 million worth of Official website: starlingbank.com
lending. Before the end of its second day of lending, it
had paid out more than £185 million in BBLS loans and media@starlingbank.com
accepted applications for a further £33 million worth
linkedin.com/company/starlingbank
of lending. Starling has gone above and beyond what
would have been expected of a digital bank run by twitter.com/starlingbank
1000 employees, always striving to support customers
in need.

Lending couldn’t be more topical in this

current environment…fintech has a role to Congratulations to the other finalists
really get these products right in this area.
Ray Brash, CEO of PrePay

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

MOST INNOVATIVE MOBILE OR FINANCIAL SERVICE PAYMENTS SOLUTION Sponsored by Global Processing Services (GPS)

Artel Money Key USPs • Replacing informal remittances with quick,

convenient, affordable and secure formal
remittances
• Omnichannel device agnostic • Helping unbanked customers to securely save
• Comprehensive: single-stop shop unified menu money and get loans quickly and digitising Savings
Airtel Money Uganda for all financial needs and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs)
• Affordable: registration, cash-in are free. No hidden and Village Savings and Loans Associations
by Airtel Uganda and account opening and maintenance costs. Money (VSLAs)

Comviva transfer, payments and cash-out have small

service-fee
• Allowing payment collections digitally and remotely,
reducing associated time and cost
• Secure: all transactions are PIN protected. • Enabling merchants to go digital at low costs
3DES data encryption • Facilitating efficient bulk payments like salary
“The Airtel Uganda Money • Expansive agent-network facilitating last-mile payments and financial aid disbursements;
wallet has shown that with the services of deposit and withdrawal • Boosting new businesses and start-ups with digital
• Extensive partner network consisting of merchants, payments.
right partnerships it can make businesses, money transfer operators and NGOs
a difference to a whole country facilitating services like merchant payments, salary

by providing financial services The Project Explained payments, international remittance and financial-aid
disbursement More about the company:
to the financially underserved • Hassle-free: only SIM registration and Airtel Money

whilst also providing a low cost Airtel, one of the largest mobile operators in Uganda, activation required.
leveraged the ubiquity and popularity of mobile phones Official website: airtel.co.ug/airtel_money
of entry into digital payments to launch ‘Airtel Money’ in February 2012. Airtel Money
for the merchants.” is powered by Comviva’s mobiquity® Money platform. customerservice@ug.airtel.com
Airtel Money provides all customers a stored value What Made This Initiative Unique
account (virtual prepaid mobile wallet) linked to their
Airtel Money is one of the leading mobile money mobile number, which acts as a unique identifier,
services in Uganda. Airtel Money leverages mobile similar to a bank account number. Hence, consumers Airtel Money is enhancing financial inclusion and
technology to extend digital financial services to can transfer money or make transactions by using digitising payments by adopting the following
financially underserved population and create a digital the recipient’s mobile number. The sender’s mobile approach:
economy. Airtel Money provides a mobile wallet to wallet is debited, while the recipient’s mobile wallet
consumers linked to their mobile number, allowing is credited instantly. Customers only need an Airtel • Providing easy to register and affordable financial
them to transfer money, save, get loans and make mobile connection. Those registered for an Airtel SIM accounts using mobile phones
payments instantly, easily and securely, anywhere, are automatically registered for Airtel Money. They • Creating expansive last-mile financial infrastructure
anytime. Airtel Money can be accessed by all phones just need to self-activate the Airtel Money service on (agent network) at low costs;
via USSD *185# or ‘My Airtel’ mobile app. mobile phone and a secret PIN.

Congratulations to the other finalists

Stocard by Wirecard (Silver Winner)
Mobile payments is only going in one direction, 
and that is up. We are seeing a large number 
of new propositions which are not even
looking at having a physical card. They’re mobile only
propositions. Joanne Dewar, CEO of Global Processing Services

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

BEST MARKET EXPANSION PROGRAMME Sponsored by Paynetics

epicentre of the European Fintech revolution to APAC, Delivering Innovative Solutions to

enabling its original disruptors to continue their growth Specific Problems or Opportunities
journeys whilst offering a new wave of fintechs a wealth
of experience in delivering breakthrough solutions.
In Europe, GPS has established itself as the payments
Global Processing processing partner of choice for many of the fintech
success stories, developing its business through
Services (GPS) - What Made This Initiative Unique reputation rather than significant marketing activity.

Launch of APAC Hub Where fintech challenger brands in Australia, Singapore,

Malaysia and Hong Kong have sought to emulate the
in Singapore GPS has taken a unique approach to its global European successes, they have proactively sought
expansion. Its planning and execution have been out and gravitated towards GPS’ single global Apex
based on leveraging its reputation for innovation and platform. With Xinja, GPS has demonstrated it can meet
“The winner has demonstrated delivery with a detailed 12-month plan for an organic the stringent requirements of APRA, and with the Hello
market entry strategy, rather than relying on a large Hay Challenger Bank, GPS has shown its capability to
and proved to be of great  marketing spend to attract attention. develop a solution that negates any round the world
value to their customers in latency considerations, with authorisation response
The Project Explained The first steps to its APAC expansion were taken in times of 100ms.
APAC in the relatively short November 2018 when GPS took part in the Department
time that they have expanded for International Trade (DIT) Mission with a small stand In getting these first customers live, together

in this region.” In March 2019, GPS made the strategic decision to at the Singapore Fintech Festival. A decision was with supporting Revolut’s APAC expansion, GPS
expand into the APAC region. Instead of fuelling its immediately made to launch at that event in 2019 and demonstrated again that it continues to build its
market entry with a large marketing budget, GPS a 12-month strategic launch plan was drawn up to business reputation and maintain its tight partnership
Global Processing Services (GPS), The PayTech invested in technical enhancements, as well as in ensure its success: approach first , adhering to its CEO Joanne Dewar’s
Pioneer™, has earned a peerless reputation for enabling increased scalability and resilience to meet tough mantra of ‘Scaling Sensibly’.
high-profile fintech innovations in the EMEA region. Tier 1 bank performance standards. As part of its • March 2019 - Second DIT Mission to Singapore with
As the fintech revolution has gained momentum ambitious 12-month plan, GPS signed an APAC small stand at Money 2020 Asia, setting up of GPS’
globally, GPS has seen exciting growth opportunities Partnership Agreement with Visa and secured the legal entity in the region and selection of office
for its clients and a fresh wave of fintech innovators support of the Economic location More about the company:
emerge in the APAC region. • August 2019 - GPS signed strategic Partnership
Development Board in Singapore. In November 2019, Agreement with Visa for APAC and hired first
the GPS team celebrated the opening of its regional APAC employees Official website: globalprocessing.com/
headquarters in Singapore and an office in Sydney, • October 2019 - GPS focused on achieving successful
Australia from where it now supports a growing implementations with Revolut and Xinja, providing enquiries@globalprocessing.com
number of high-profile clients including Revolut, regional case studies ahead of launch linkedin.com/company/global-processing-services
WeLab Bank, Razer Fintech and Xinja. In realising its • November 2019 - A 13-person GPS team arrived
twitter.com/GPS_Processor
international expansion plans, GPS has brought the in Singapore for the official launch at the 60,000
attendee Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF), including
hosting a Launch Party with 183 guests.

We are honoured to be the category sponsor, and to

be able to champion those in the industry
who are working so hard to drive change Congratulations to the other finalists
and push the boundaries of innovation.
Rob Anderson, Managing Director, Paynetics

26. WWW.EMERGINGPAYMENTSAWARDS.COM @EPASSOC | #EPAWARDS20 27.

EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR

Neil Harris

“This is for individuals who 

not only made an impact in
their own organisations but
also made a major contribution
to the industry”
Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental
Neil Harris is Chair of The Inclusion Foundation, Co-
health problem. But hundreds of thousands of people are
Founder of b.yond, and the Group Chief Commercial
Officer at Global Processing Services (GPS), an still struggling, and 2020 was especially challenging for
industry-leading issuer processor that provides many people.
payment technology and alternative banking solutions
to programme managers, acquirers and some of the In his career, Neil has built long standing relationships This year’s EP Awards’ charity of choice was MIND. With the
largest Fintechs and ‘next generation’ banks globally. with all stakeholders at different touchpoints of help of EPA member ForGoodCauses and the support of our
the payment supply chain from issuers, acquirers,
Project Recovery Team, the Emerging Payments Awards
With over 17 years of experience in the payments programme managers and card manufacturers to
raised more than £17,000 for a wonderful cause.
industry, Neil’s key focus has been on driving positive the most innovative, disruptive businesses in fintech
change within the payments industry, initiating and the payments sector. His dedication and passion
collaboration between influential peers to support combined with his ability to make that connecting link Thank you to everyone that contributed, especially our Director
financial inclusion initiatives and building customer between the traditional payment infrastructure and the General, Tony Craddock, who was a good sport and donned a
success by delivering added value through his new emerging technologies has made him the go to tutu and sparkly heels live on air, to raise more money for MIND.
extensive knowledge of the payment space and reference in this space and is highly recognised by his
emerging technologies. peers for his contribution to the industry.

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EMERGING PAYMENTS AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR,

IN PERSON
6 OCTOBER 2021
G R O SV E N O R H O U S E , LO N D O N

For sponsorship opportunities,

please contact
keri.farrell@emergingpayments.org

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