Last month Google unveiled its new Google Pay app—complete with a DDA-like account attached. This latest effort by Google is part of a trend of non-bank tech companies wading into payments territory.

Back in 1985, the first Macintosh computer debuted, and by today’s standards, it was a boxy, clunky, slow unit, yet Consumer Reports gave it a glowing review and cited the mouse and use of icons as technological breakthroughs. This demonstrates a key point: 35 years is a long time when we consider the rate of technological change.

In celebration of ICBA Bancard’s 35th anniversary, I sat down with our Chairman Greg Deckard, president, CEO and chairman of State Bank Northwest to reflect on key milestones that have led to the organization’s success.

Despite numerous warnings from the FBI, IRS and others, fraudsters are capitalizing on the pandemic to take advantage of consumers, highlighting the importance of community banks in supporting their customers in their battle against this opportunistic fraud.

In determining what this new business-as-usual will look like for your bank, it is important to identify where your customers are now and how their financial needs may change so that you can anticipate and deliver on their future needs.

We are in unprecedented times. “Shelter-in-place” acts help slow of the spread of coronavirus, but at the same time, they inject uncertainties into the economy and drive volatility in markets.

Community banks are the stars of the financial services industry, and during times of crisis community bankers burn brightly to provide a guiding light to their customers and community. ICBA Bancard knows that protecting your bank’s cardholders and customers is all part of the job.

Tina Giorgio: Whether I’m working with banking professionals or with entrepreneurs in the fintech space, I have one key piece of advice: I ask, “What is your why?” and encourage them to focus on that response. Because, when they home in on that, everything else falls into place.

Tina Giorgio: There are many factors involved in creating a successful real-time payment system and one of those factors is education. This month I have invited Steve Ledford from The Clearing House to share some information about real-time payments and to provide an FAQ about the RTP® network. Steve is the senior vice president of products and strategy at The Clearing House.

Tina Giorgio: In an e-book published last week by PYMNTS.com, “Fresh” is how I described payments in 2018. I can’t think of a time when we’ve seen as many innovations emerge in this industry than the past 11 months.