
Editor's Note: This is the second of three parts of BankBeat magazine Publisher and President Tom Bengtson's October News, Notes and Comments column . The first section was posted online Oct. 20. The third will be posted Oct. 22.
Community bank options for participating in the payments arena are fast evolving. Let’s consider a traditional payment rail and an emerging one. The Small Business Payments Alliance is a coalition of independent businesses, entrepreneurs and others who are advocating against the pending Credit Card Competition Act. They point out that the act will actually reduce competition, making it more difficult for small players. Both the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America oppose the CCCA.