Payments 2011: Balancing Payments Risk and Innovation
In an environment of rapidly evolving technology, dynamic opportunities and threats, and more aggressive regulatory oversight, striking the right balance between risk and innovation in the payments system takes on even greater importance. NACHA’s annual conference, Payments 2011, showcases more than 130 educational sessions, a world-class exhibit hall, and a multitude of networking opportunities.
One panel discussion, entitled ‘Balancing Risk and Innovation: Global Learning from Others’, will offer attendees an opportunity to learn how other geographies are ensuring that appropriate risk management is maintained while embracing new payment technologies and opportunities.
Featuring payments association executives from Canada, Australia, South Africa and the EU, this session offers attendees an opportunity to learn from the experiences and strategies of other geographies. Speakers include Chris Hamilton, chief executive officer (CEO), Australian Payments Clearing Association; Gerard Hartsink, chair of the European Payments Council; Guy Legault, president and CEO, Canadian Payments Association; and Walter Volker, CEO, Payments Association of South Africa. Colin Klipin, payments risk consultant, IBM, and former vice chairman at Barclays Bank, responsible for all payment activities, will moderate the session.
“The right mix of risk and innovation is critical to embracing change, and these payments leaders will unveil insights into what’s been done and why, as well as revealing what we can expect in the near term,” says Janet Estep, NACHA president and CEO. “This session offers financial institutions, solution providers, businesses, and regulators an unprecedented opportunity to learn how their peers in other geographies are managing change, and potentially inspire new concepts to apply domestically.”
In addition, sessions from both the corporate and financial institution perspectives offer an inside look at the latest thinking and solutions confronting the global payments sector today. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about payments innovations in Asia, as well as payments in such emerging markets as Brazil, India, and China.
The conference, like the industry it serves, continues to evolve. Payments 2011 addresses the latest trends, technologies, and business practices, timely industry research, and regulatory advice and forecasts, straight from the legal firms and agencies that deal with the issues on a daily basis.
New to this year’s conference is the ‘Mobile Banking and Payments’ track, which delivers a holistic view of the latest developments in mobile commerce for the financial services industry and provides insights to help companies compete in this space. Sessions explore a broad spectrum of topics, such as strategies in mobile payments, the benefits and challenges of participating in this fertile market, emerging technological innovations, key market trends and revenue opportunities, etc.
NACHA will launch a second new track at this year’s conference as well – ‘Healthcare Opportunities’ – in response to recent healthcare legislation in the US. The track provides a review of today’s healthcare landscape and tomorrow’s drivers. Sessions identify emerging solutions in healthcare and explore the development and implementation of evolutionary policies and procedures. Presenters explore the impact and opportunities healthcare payments provide.
“Healthcare legislation in the US has the potential to impact every participant in the financial services industry,” says Estep. “It’s critical that participants in the ACH [automated clearing house] Network understand how to achieve compliance and provide value in sending or receiving healthcare payments and remittances. This new track will show them how.”
Also new to Payments 2011 are the ‘education session threads’, which are key areas of interest that cross the traditional track structure. Threads are broken down into five categories:
Networking opportunities continue to play a prominent role at Payments 2011 with the launch of breakfast roundtables. Full conference registrants may choose to join industry colleagues for breakfast, networking, and open forum roundtable discussions. Multiple daily discussion topics will offer insights and knowledge on industry trends and developments.
With state-of-the-art technologies, innovative business solutions, and unlimited potential for strategic partnerships, the exhibit hall is sure to be a conference highlight. It is one reason conference attendees return to the conference year after year.
Attendees will have access to the social networking site, featuring greater functionality and new options designed to help participants engage, collaborate, and network. Using the site, attendees can meet other conference registrants, set up appointments with exhibitors, view the interactive exhibit hall floor plan, share areas of interest, and join a discussion group. And new this year is the ability of attendees to view their connections, daily planner, conference schedule, session descriptions, and more – all from the convenience of their smartphone at the Austin Convention Centre.