Supply chain optimization has been one of the primary ways to squeeze a bit more efficiency out of a business process for some time now. Over time, companies have perfected various such strategies like Just in time inventory management and co-locating vendors in the same industrial park as themselves. However, an excessive push towards supply chain and vendor optimization has increased risks as the logical conclusion of such unabated cost optimization is often a single sourcing strategy.

The Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) mandate that all entities transmitting, storing or processing cardholder data must meet certain security criteria to ensure compliance. Noncompliance with these standards can lead to a fine or even a termination of service for the offending organization. These is plenty of information in the public domain on how to ensure compliance. However, for many FinTech start-ups, the real challenge is to ensure compliance while minimizing the cost of compliance.

This series on PSD2 and HSM as a Service explores the endless possibilities created by a level playing field in the payments industry in the EU. Part 1 explored how PSD2 and HSM as a Service enable this level playing field while Part 2  looked at just a few of the truly endless possibilities that exist for FinTech firms and other third-party entities that can act as AISPs and PISPs.

In Part 1  of our series on PSD2 and HSM as a Service, we had a brief look at how these tools can together create a more level playing field in the payment services sector. While PSD2 entitles third party entities access to certain data from banks, HSM as a Service can allow companies to offer industry leading security solutions at a reasonable cost.
In this article, we look at the potential opportunities that this creates for FinTech companies and other Third-Party Partners (TPPs).

Certain events can drastically change an industry forever. The Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) mandates certain changes that has the potential to significantly alter how the payments industry operates in the EU. For commercial banks, the run up to PSD2 has meant hectic activity and restructuring of their technical processes.