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In celebration of tax season: How alcohol and women’s rights helped create the IRS

Posted by on February 19, 2018 at 3:05 pm

Revised March 29, 2018 I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that one of government’s brand values is not “up-to-date office equip­ment.” If you don’t believe me, ask if a PDF will do the next time your local government requests a fax. There’s a good chance the answer will be, “What’s a PDF?” […]

Darwin, cockroaches,
and payments

Posted by on February 14, 2018 at 3:48 pm

Everyone knows that Charles Darwin introduced the phrase survival of the fittest. Well, almost everyone. It would take Darwin by surprise, however, since in fact he didn’t say it. He didn’t even imply it. Which is just as well. Survival of the fittest doesn’t quite work. Fittest is a superlative, meaning there can be only […]

Only 2 months out!
Fiserv Forum
2018 / Las Vegas

Posted by on February 14, 2018 at 12:52 am

Here’s great news: Fiserv Forum 2018 is upon us! It’s your chance to experience experts, visionaries and world-class speakers … the latest fintech innovations … exchange ideas with Fiserv product experts … and engage with other financial services professionals. While you’re at it, you can explore the latest Fiserv innovations and have hands-on access to […]

Why loyalty programs
don’t create loyalty

Posted by on February 8, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Financial institutions began catching on to loyalty programs a couple of decades ago. Now they’re so common­place that “loyalty program” is part of everyday speech. Banks can even advertise with headlines like “Join our loyalty program” without fear that consumers will say, “Join your what now?” But I submit that loyalty programs don’t create loyalty. […]

Counterfeiting for
fun and profit

Posted by on January 24, 2018 at 8:09 pm

Amid talk of changes wrought by digital banking, the media consistently overlook a centuries-old, venerated industry whose demise could put thousands out of work. Will no one speak up for the noble counterfeiter? Counterfeiting was inevitable from the moment currency was invented. As early as the fourth century BCE, nogoodniks in Mesopotamia were counterfeiting clay tokens. […]