Today In Payments: Rent-A-Center Acquires Acima; FIS, Global Payments Eyed Merger

In today’s top news, Rent-A-Center acquires Acima, FIS and Global Payments discussed a merger and the U.S. Senate reached a deal for a new stimulus package.

Rent-A-Center Acquires Acima For Virtual Lease-to-Own Platform

Rent-A-Center is acquiring Acima Holdings in a $1.65 billion deal to develop a virtual lease-to-own (LTO) platform. The deal will accelerate Rent-A-Center’s growth.

FIS, Global Payments Eyed Merger

Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) and Global Payments were in talks to merge in a $70 billion deal, but the talks fell through. Had the deal gone through, it would have been the biggest this year, and it shows that the trend of consolidation is still ongoing.

New $900 Billion Stimulus Package Includes $325 Billion For SMBs

The U.S. Senate reached a deal on Sunday (Dec. 20) for a new coronavirus relief package of almost $900 billion. The package will contain $600 direct checks, $300 unemployment benefits per week and aid for small businesses, schools and vaccination plans.

Jack Ma Offers Part Of Ant Group To Chinese Gov’t After IPO Fiasco

Alibaba billionaire Jack Ma told Chinese regulators in November that he would give portions of Ant Group, the FinTech he founded, to the country’s government in what so far has appeared to be an unsuccessful effort to make peace with authorities in the country.

Is It Time For Apple Pay To Let Others Access The iPhone’s NFC Chip?

Apple won’t let any wallet but Apple Pay access the iPhone’s NFC chip to make contactless purchases at a terminal in a store — it says because of security concerns. Critics scoff and say that it’s stifled innovation and prevented consumer choice. Karen Webster says it’s also hurt Apple since it’s taken Apple’s eye off where the payments puck is heading — changing how the 110 million digital-first consumers in the U.S. now want to buy, not just how they pay. Especially since not many consumers are using Apple Pay at the physical point of sale in the U.S. — even during the pandemic.

Burger Intelligence: Shake Shack AI Takes Ordering, Customer Experience To The Next Level

Fast-tracking digital investments has not only become a priority for quick-service restaurants (QSRs) during the pandemic but a necessity, says Steph So, head of digital experience for Shake Shack. So details how the burger chain is eyeing artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize its payments experience and boost its ordering and pickup capabilities in the latest Order To Eat Tracker.

Restaurants Undergo Massive COVID-Era Redesign

Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) have plans to update their sites and reflect today’s lifestyle changes, which skew toward takeout and touchless offerings. Some of the QSR industry’s largest and most-savvy businesses are betting big that changes brought about by the coronavirus aren’t passing fads, but lasting trends that are here to stay.