Growth opportunities in the payment market

The payment market offers enormous growth opportunities for banks, FinTechs and payment service providers that are ready to transform their payment infrastructure. In a world that is constantly evolving, it is crucial to be flexible and efficient. We help you master the complex challenges of your value chain and optimise your business model to succeed in the dynamic payments environment.

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Key segments in the payment market: focus on challenges and opportunities

Legal framework & management model
Business model
Operating model

Payment transactions are increasingly influenced by regulatory requirements. New regulatory requirements, particularly with regard to minimum requirements for Risk management, data protection and cyber security, require adjustments to compliance and risk management systems. These changes present companies with new challenges.

PSD3/PSR

The third version of the Payment Services Directive (PSD3) tightens security requirements in payment transactions and expands open banking requirements for payment service providers. The Payment Services Regulation (PSR) forms the legal framework for these changes. Financial service providers should adapt their authentication processes and integrate suitable protective measures to minimise compliance risks and ensure security. Once the EU Commission's PSD3 legislative proposal comes into force, probably at the end of 2025, the member states will have 18 months to transpose it into their respective national laws.
ZAG/ZAG-MaRisk

The Payment Services Supervision Act (Zahlungsdiensteaufsichtsgesetz - ZAG) regulates the supervision and authorisation of payment service providers in Germany. A proactive and individualised examination of these regulations, including the Minimum Requirements for Risk Management for Payment Service Providers (ZAG-MaRisk), is essential for effective implementation and to ensure legal certainty. The ZAG-MaRisk defines binding guidelines that concretise and expand the requirements of the ZAG.
GWG

The Money Laundering Act (GWG), as the national implementation of the European Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, requires increased monitoring and reporting of suspicious activities as well as real-time transparency and strategies to combat money laundering. Companies should further develop their security and control mechanisms to strengthen the trust of customers and business partners in them.
DORA

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) requires financial service providers to protect their IT systems and cybersecurity processes against digital threats and minimise downtime. The implementation of robust security mechanisms and strict risk management processes in business processes helps to prevent financial and reputational damage.

Our approach

We combine comprehensive expertise in technical and regulatory issues with a practice-oriented approach. We take a look at your organisation and use gap analyses to identify weaknesses between the status quo of implementation and the current regulatory requirements as a target. On the basis of these findings, we develop specific action plans for the effective and sustainable implementation of regulatory requirements - customised, precisely tailored and with your business objectives in mind.

The payment industry is changing due to new technologies, market participants and customer needs, which are forcing companies to adapt their business models. Companies should react flexibly, adapt strategies and focus in particular on customer centricity, digital innovations and partnerships.

Transformation

Regulatory-driven transformations contribute to remaining competitive in the long term. Companies benefit if they organise their business and operating models in such a way that they are adaptive and customisable. This makes it possible to continuously evolve and respond flexibly to changing customer needs. By providing seamless, personalised payment experiences, companies can offer the right solutions to the market.
Growth strategy

In order to achieve sustainable growth, companies should develop a clear strategy that focuses on access to relevant markets, customer needs, offers and pricing. By comprehensively analysing target groups, products and services can be developed, adapted and positioned in a differentiated manner. By identifying new sales channels, additional market segments can be opened up and customers can be retained in the long term - the basis for scalable, sustainable business models.
Transaction

FinTechs and BigTechs are setting new standards in payment transactions with agile, data-driven platform models. Through payment initiation services (PIS), they are bypassing traditional payment service providers and increasing the competitive pressure on established financial service providers and banks. Innovative expansion of business models and entering into strategic mergers/partnerships are recommended to secure their market position and at the same time tap into new markets and customer segments.

Our approach

Sustainable business models are crucial in the payment sector. Our in-depth market and competition analyses support you in making important decisions and in developing or adapting your strategy. We help you identify new customer segments and growth areas, develop partnership strategies to strengthen your market position and analyse revenue models for scalability.

A future-proof operating model is efficient, automated and focussed on customer benefits. Innovative technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) open up new potential for this. The key lies in optimised processes, intelligent data usage and a clear technological focus based on the business strategy.

Open Banking

The modernisation of systems is crucial for the integration of real-time payments and open banking. Open banking APIs create a technical interface for secure data exchange between banks and external service providers or software solutions. Financial service providers and banks that utilise these technologies and integrate them into their infrastructures secure their long-term competitiveness.
Technology

Blockchain technology improves the transparency of payments and increases their protection against manipulation. Stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) offer a new dimension in payment processing and are important for financial service providers and banks in order to meet the growing demand for secure and fast transactions. Blockchain technology enables the realisation of decisive potential for improving IT security and data management.
Organisational structure

The organisational structure should combine efficiency, agility and market orientation. An organisational structure geared towards the market, customers and product range enables the company to react flexibly to changes. Cross-functional teams along the value chain promote fast decision-making and create the basis for scalable, future-proof operating models.
Processes

Process optimisation is crucial in order to improve inefficient and cost-intensive processes in the finance function. The starting point for this is a holistic cost and efficiency analysis. Processes can be optimised with the help of artificial intelligence. For example, payment defaults can be minimised through improved credit checks and invoice allocation processes can be shortened. The automation and harmonisation of databases reduces inconsistencies and increases efficiency. Simplifying complex system landscapes also helps to reduce maintenance costs and minimise risks.

Our approach

A future-proof operating model combines efficiency with security and at the same time takes into account the regulatory legal framework. We support you in modernising your structures - from open banking approaches and targeted process optimisation to the redesign of your organisational structure. In addition, we develop effective strategies to protect sensitive data from cyber attacks and thus strengthen your operational resilience.

Sustainable consulting: strategy, expertise and organisation for your company

Market entries/ licences/ permit applications

for institutions from third countries, fintechs, PSP providers
Business model extensions

Business model expansions that result in the need for a ZAG/E-Money licence or the conclusion of a strategic cooperation model
Regulatory compliance

Support in complying with ZAG-MaRisk, DORA, PSD3/ PSR, MiCA, AML, FiDA and other regulatory requirements including Risk management in payment transactions
Payment fraud & cybersecurity

Implementation of protection mechanisms and support in combating fraud in payment transactions
Crypto assets & CBDCs

Specialist support for the strategic integration of cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies into your business models
Payment processes

Increased efficiency and cost reduction through optimised payment processes and implementation of real-time payments and instant payments
M&A & Partnerships

Advice on mergers and acquisitions and support with the integration of acquisitions and partnerships in payment transactions
Sustainability

Implementation of sustainable payment strategies and development of environmental, social and governance (ESG)-compliant payment solutions to promote green finance and fulfil regulatory and market requirements