Stories from around the world of Mastercard

Communities that lack financial education and access have been disproportionally impacted by the pandemic. Here are some ways people can build back.

Flourish FI's app mixes personalized nudges with data intelligence and incentives to encourage financial wellness, especially for those new to banking.

From using open banking to access credit to keeping better track your card purchases, your payments questions answered.

On International Day of the Girl, learn how Mastercard and World Rugby are inspiring and empowering more women and girls to join the game.

Traditional landscape restoration focuses on how and where to grow trees, but community groups in Kenya are engaging in social landscape mapping, which takes into account the people who live, work and depend on the land.

Camera tech, a social network and a loyalty program are helping the L.A.-founded fitness brand bring virtual workouts to life at home or on the move.

Raja Rajamannar offers four tips for finding and retaining the people who can jump-start your company's thinking and better prepare it for the future.

Two women — one still in school, the other mid-career — discuss different pathways to innovation on Mastercard’s podcast about the future of work.

Installment lending had already been on the rise in recent years, but the pandemic is fueling rapid growth.

This hybrid virtual-physical extension of our connected world uses augmented and mixed reality to create a 3D version of the internet, with major implications for retail and entertainment.

Open banking is a global phenomenon taking form in different ways but with the same goal — more innovative financial services.

Data is the fuel for more climate-conscious digital products and can provide insights into supply chain sustainability, says Malin Berge, who is helping build Mastercard’s new Sustainability Innovation Lab in Sweden.

Krishna, part of Become 2021, Mastercard’s annual innovation study, says that innovation is a “never-ending journey” – and it’s not merely another word for technology.

“Minority Report” felt prescient to Meeco founder Katryna Dow, whose data platform helps people limit access to their data while enabling them to safely exchange and store it.

‘It’s never too late,’ says a 50-year-old business owner who brought her cash-only shop into the digital age.

Stablecoins have been circulating since 2014, but the demand for them has exploded over the past year. Here’s what you need to know.

Chief Franchise Officer Paul Petta discusses how his team sets the standards for our network and helps identify new opportunities for growth.

Technology enabled us to work remotely over the past 18 months, but human connections remain the cornerstone of innovation.

A children’s bookstore owner found the magic formula in navigating the last year: embracing digital commerce but doubling down on the personal touch.

A film competition about the resilience of entrepreneurs revealed ways they embraced obstacles and strengthened their businesses during COVID..

"It is our responsibility to ensure that the tech we build and the policies we enact support more people, eliminates digital barriers to trade, and protects the environment," says Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach.

Instead of writing a check, renters can pay digitally, boosting their credit rating and helping them earn loyalty points through a new partnership with Bilt.

Seven Mastercard employees, all Tamil Nadu natives, used their digital expertise to keep the Tamil School of Missouri thriving during the pandemic.

“NFTs are going to be the main driver of adoption for millions of people into crypto,” says Mintable’s Zach Burks.

The nonprofit Solar Sister is using technology and data insights to help bring solar power to millions.

With the rise of the chip card, this once-pioneering payment technology is being retired.

With interest in civil rights tourism surging, the city of Birmingham has embarked on an ambitious plan to revive the A.G. Gaston Motel.

Keane, part of Become 2021, Mastercard’s annual innovation study, shares the surprising impact of remote working on innovation at Synchrony.

Building a team of people whose skills complement each other is the only way to navigate the coming era of “quantum marketing,” where analytical skills will be prized as much as creativity.

As the pandemic continues in one of the world’s tourist hot spots, how are restaurants, hotels and museums preparing for the future?

Entrepreneurs made a lot of pivots during the pandemic. Many of those changes will stick around, says Sharon Miller.

Chief Financial Officer Sachin Mehra shares his thoughts on Mastercard’s second quarter earnings.

In St. Louis, dispatchers are trained to recognize mental health crises and connect police officers with clinicians to get people the help they need.

As the world is becoming more digital, central banks are exploring the possibility of issuing their own digital currencies. How would we use CBDCs in everyday commerce?

CBDCs are gaining attention from central banks around the world. But building a digital dollar isn’t straightforward.

The progress toward space tourism raises interesting questions about off-world banking and payments. What will it take to make interstellar transactions a reality?

Taylor Cook opened the online marketplace Tiny Bodega to bring food entrepreneurs of color out of the “ethnic” aisle.

Every smartphone can become a portable payments terminal through a new 5G partnership with Mastercard, says Verizon's Sampath Sowmyanarayan.

Digitization is evolving traditional health care practices and processes, improving treatment protocols, offering more flexibility in pricing and payment, and more.

More widespread use of data analytics in health care could make treatment plans more effective, incentivize healthy behavior, "right-price" care and reduce fraud.

As wearables become more popular, traditional health care and consumer self-care will continue to merge – increasing the need for sensitivity in handling the health data generated.

Become 2021, an annual innovation study, mined insights from CEOs, including Schlein, on what it takes to innovate successfully today.

As we close out Pride Month, Ashley Thomas and Mira Belgrave talk about visibility, intersectionality and authenticity.

Though international travel is recovering slowly, domestic bookings are rebounding in some markets. Budget deal seekers and escapists form the largest share of leisure travelers.

Data scientists are using artificial intelligence to detect and intercept suspicious claims in near real-time, protecting payers and patients from fraud.

This Atlanta nonprofit gives Black business owners the training to grow. ‘Support is a verb,’ its founder says.

“In the context of this unprecedented global pandemic, equity is not just the right thing to do – it is the necessary thing to do,” says Gavi’s Li Zhang.

“We put our hand on people’s back, not in their face,” says Mastercard Chief People Officer Michael Fraccaro.

“If someone who knows as much about health care as I do couldn’t do it, how can anyone else?” says Kristen Valdes. Her platform integrates all kinds of data and produces health insights to give patients more control over their health.

The pandemic has revealed how interconnected we all are, and that COVID will continue to be a threat to all of us as long as it exists anywhere, says Shamina Singh.

The collection ‘Movement: Art for Social Change,’ presented by Pitroda Art and Mastercard, reflects the power of art to drive equality.

The experience was transformed by the pandemic. Even more innovations are coming.

Like many microbusiness owners, farmers in remote communities in Africa struggle to sell their goods, keep their children in school and keep their families healthy. Technology that addresses these needs holistically can make a real difference.

Multisensory marketing – engaging most of the five senses – is the key to engaging consumers.

Kiley and Ty’Lisha Summers created an app that uses digital micropayments to pay down debt and unlock financial opportunities.

"We need all shoulders against the wheel to stop COVID-19 in its tracks," says Mastercard Executive Chairman Ajay Banga.

Small businesses, especially those in the B2B space, struggle with digitization and access to capital. Governments can and should play a role in helping them succeed.

Mastercard’s Data and Services president shows how real-time data insights can help businesses make smarter decisions for better outcomes.

From donating your points to identifying romance scams, your pressing payments questions, answered.

Gemini COO Noah Perlman and Mastercard’s Jess Turner discuss the value of finding ways to explore digital currencies for the crypto curious.

In an increasingly interdependent economy, companies need to look more broadly than their own network to evaluate risk.

Investing in nature, such as conserving natural habitats, can reduce pandemic risk while delivering a third of the emissions reductions we need to make to get climate change under control, says Conservation International's M. Sanjayan.

In the wake of nationwide racial justice protests, we expanded our commitment to using our talent and our resources to combat racial discrimination and to create equal opportunities for all.

One-size-fits-all rewards and benefits are a thing of the past. Loyalty programs flexible enough to respond to changing needs – such as well-being – are the future.

Chief Security Officer Ron Green shares insights into the future of global digital security and what cybersecurity experts have in common with wildebeests.

As more of our lives are lived online and technology advances at breakneck speed, cybercriminals are finding new ways to attack.

The pandemic has accelerated the growth of all kinds of fraud. With romance fraud, victims feel so much shame they are reluctant to report them.

“Equity is what makes us all accountable,” says Randall Tucker, Mastercard’s Chief Inclusion Officer. “It’s what makes this a team effort, not just the mission of a vocal few.”

Open banking is helping fuel a revolution in financial services. But what is open banking? Share secure access to your financial account data for improved convenience and reward.

A new global consumer survey shows that more than 9 out of 10 people are willing to explore emerging payment methods. No choice at checkout? For many, that’s a deal-breaker.

Small businesses like Mostra Coffee can now more easily prove their creditworthiness to access the loans they need to grow.

A strong recovery depends as much on what we do as how we do it — with transparency, trust and a principled approach to innovation.

Chief Financial Officer Sachin Mehra shares his thoughts on Mastercard's first-quarter financial results.

Reforestation efforts can not only help lessen the impact of climate change, but renew the connections between the land and the people who live there.

From finding alternatives to first-use plastics to reforestation efforts, two executives discuss ways we can lessen our impact on the planet on Mastercard’s future of work podcast.

Reaching this goal will require collective creativity – among companies, with governments, and by giving people the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.

A year of disposable everything set back sustainability. Frank Green founder Ben Young is making his reusable containers indispensable.

AI offers the potential for much deeper insights into consumers’ behavior, which better equips us to create the personalized marketing experiences they demand – in real time.

We are enhancing our requirements for strong content control measures that prevent unauthorized and illegal adult content on sites where Mastercard is accepted.

‘Data can tell people’s stories in a richer and more nuanced way,’ Steve Smith says.

In the pandemic, restaurant owners who turned to takeout have benefited from digital payments and food delivery apps, but they should watch for these red flags in digital orders.

Three women leaders discuss the importance of mentorship, the need for authenticity and what it takes to create a culture of inclusion on Mastercard’s podcast on the future of work.

Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach, IBM chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna and Synchrony chair Margaret Keane share insights on strategic investments in an age of accelerated innovation and the future of work.

Mastercard's annual Become Index reveals the traits that enable fast and successful business development.

Georgina Nelson built her startup, TruRating, on the idea that better, more targeted consumer feedback – and more of it – could reap rewards for retailers.

To inspire more girls to pursue careers in STEM, they need to meet more women who have lived them, says Dana Lorberg, the engineer who helped build Mastercard’s global network.

The immense power promised by quantum computing could reshape payments. Here are some of the opportunities – and how to guard against some of the risks.

Coffee shop owner Andrea Salgado turned the challenges of the pandemic into an opportunity to expand her online business, brewing optimism for Sailor Coffee’s long-term success.

No credit? No problem. Really. Here’s how TomoCredit uses open banking — the ability to simply and securely share bank account data with the consumer’s permission — to make it possible.

Medical data is among the most sensitive and valuable, but there are basic steps any organization can take to bolster its defenses and protect against attacks.

Empowering businesses owned by women of color makes the economy stronger, says Arian Simone, the co-founder of Fearless Fund.

To fully realize 5G’s potential, governments should make good faith efforts to keep the world connected and preserve a level playing field for technological competition.

Women make up only 7% of global fintech founders. These trailblazers share their tips for getting started, moving forward and staying sane.

When Carolina Ignarra lost the use of her legs, she found potential employers hesitant to hire her. Now she helps people with disabilities find jobs — and shows companies why they should be valued.

5G is changing the rules of engagement, with vast implications across the economy, from healthcare to manufacturing to agriculture and more. How could your industry evolve?

The connections enabled by 5G will lead to an explosion in data, creating huge possibilities for innovative ways to use it – and, critically, for smart ways to secure it.

Beyond accelerating the shift to mobile and digital payments, 5G will invite opportunities to rethink where, how, and with whom payments occur.

2020 has demonstrated the deep need for connectivity and trust in technology. That need will only increase, and with it will increase the responsibility to make 5G and all its possibilities safe, effective and available to everyone.

Executive Chair Ajay Banga and CEO Michael Miebach shared the following message with our employees.

Wall Street banker Wole Coaxum left his job to focus on financial services for communities of color. At MoCaFi, he draws a bright line between social justice and economic opportunities.

In Mastercard’s podcast on the future of work, three alumni of HBCUs discuss how the experience shaped them, expanded their networks and gave them opportunities to rise in corporate America.

The heart of Black neighborhoods, these restaurants have struggled during the pandemic. Their closures could leave an outsized hole – but there is hope.

Great marketers not only listen carefully to consumers’ needs and wants, but reflect their voices and put brand values into action.

Our physical world may have shrunk, but the acceleration of online commerce has led to even more choice at checkout, with installment loans an increasingly popular option. Here’s how we are helping our partners bring that flexibility to shoppers online and in store.

Mastercard’s Chief Innovation Officer shares his insights on 5G, blockchain, quantum computing and more – and what it takes to turn possibilities into meaningful experiences.

Data suggests that Black-owned businesses are less likely to receive PPP loans than white-owned ones. These banking nonprofits are helping Black entrepreneurs get the credit they need.

The Bahamas’ Sand Dollar, the first central bank-issued digital currency in nationwide circulation, should expand financial inclusion and accelerate recovery following hurricanes.

As more of our lives are lived online, the need to verify our identities is growing. Digital identity services can make our virtual lives more seamless and protect us online.

By directly supporting select digital assets, we are enabling many more merchants to accept cryptocurrency and giving people more ways to save, store and spend money.

Michelle Cadore opened her boutique to showcase Black designers, who often struggle to get picked up by major retailers. Then she struggled to keep her own business going.

Next-gen mobile technology will deliver an explosion of data. It’s time to make sure people are truly benefiting.

At Mastercard’s Fintech Forum, experts shared insights for 2021: Spending will start to climb, digital is a must-have, and inclusion needs to be more than a buzzword.

A startup they founded in their teens is helping financial institutions meet demands for real-time, personalized experiences and smarter back-end decision-making.

Chief Financial Officer Sachin Mehra shares his thoughts on Mastercard’s 4th quarter and full-year earnings.

Emma’s Torch is one of 570 eateries participating in the first-ever NYC Restaurant Week To Go, underway now.

COVID-19 has accelerated digital transformation, and the rich data insights it enables can accelerate the recovery and creation of an inclusive global tourism economy.

As the World Economic Forum's Davos Agenda 2021 opens, Michael Miebach says we need to ensure small businesses have the tools they need to thrive and are not cut out of global supply chains.

COVID-19 turned human interaction digital almost overnight. But how do you know whether to trust someone when you can’t even see their face? AI may have the answer.

Latin America has one of the highest rates of early-stage entrepreneurship for women in the world. The LEADS Mujer program helps female business owners get to the next level.

BASE, an awardee of data.org’s Inclusive Growth and Recovery Challenge, shows the power of data science to help farming communities thrive.

Behind the scenes, Kendra Brown and her colleagues are giving racial justice organizations the support they need to create meaningful change in their communities.

Innovation that is not underpinned by trust is just talk, says Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach.

The world’s largest consumer tech show, this year gone virtual, underscored the ways our everyday lives have changed — and will continue to evolve.

"If you look at your customers as community members first, they will have your back when you run into trouble."

Marketing is about connection, engagement and conversion, which are being transformed by digitization and virtualization. Marketers must claim and harness this power to thrive.

Fraud, identity theft, ransomware —cyberthreats are continuing to evolve as technology does. Threatcasting gathers diverse cybersecurity experts to envision and plan systematically for a multitude of futures, tracking potential scenarios and plotting responses.

At COVID-19’s peak earlier this year, millions of schoolchildren missed school meals, putting the most vulnerable at even greater risk.

The special team who volunteered to help Mastercard respond to COVID-19 priorities had three things in common: talent, agility and decency.

Community development financial institutions have built the relationships that are helping the smallest businesses survive the pandemic – and are working to close the racial wealth gap.

When COVID-19 forced many in the U.K. to self-isolate, thousands of people volunteered to help keep them fed and healthy. The Royal Voluntary Service had to find a way to instill trust between virtual strangers.

Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga sits down with TedTalks' Whitney Pennington Rodgers to discuss how innovative public-private partnerships can help build a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy.

To reach the neediest during the pandemic, Mastercard employees in Nairobi turned to Kasha, an e-commerce company for women.

LISNR’s data-over-audio technology has the potential to make transactions even more seamless and safer during the pandemic.

Thailand’s digital payment service is helping small businesses provide their customers with safe and convenient ways to pay, digitize their accounting processes, and giving them with a means to access credit and grow.

Stella Kagwiria, a small shop owner in Kenya, can now digitally connect to banks and suppliers and access credit through her transaction records. A more inclusive digital ecosystem can help entrepreneurs like her grow and thrive.

Other critical trends include an uptick in consumer saving, more spending on the home and a resurgence in domestic travel. While a vaccine is in sight, an uneven recovery is underway.

City officials can reimagine what growth means for everyone in today’s digital economy by understanding the needs of the most vulnerable and customizing solutions that work for them.

Residents of Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic helped create the first maps — paper and digital — to make the city’s informal transportation system more reliable and safer for everyone.

The Digital Intelligence Index identifies which countries are best prepared for the digital future and which need work. But no matter where they land, all countries can and should ensure their citizens benefit from new technology.

The City Possible head explains why the pandemic has accelerated the need for inclusion in access to technology and services in cities, no matter the size.

On Mastercard’s ‘Fortune Favors the Bold’ podcast, a self-proclaimed transit nerd and an urban designer discuss how to make Atlanta a city where where everyone can thrive.

Paul Duan’s nonprofit Bayes Impact is where algorithms meet altruism. His team uses technology for the common good, including an AI-powered app that helps job seekers improve their searches.

Mastercard teams up with the tech giant for the Citi Plex Account and Debit Mastercard and a big European expansion.

Here are four ways cities can use tech to respond to the pandemic and modernize their transit systems.

The city used data insights from a new Inclusive Growth Score tool, a hyperlocal snapshot that captures progress toward not simply growth, but inclusive growth benefiting everyone.

The massive disruption caused by the pandemic reveals five ways cities can rethink how they deliver essential services – and what is now essential in the digital age.

Gaining momentum around the globe, real-time payment systems can supercharge innovation, from instant bill payment and real-time payroll to smarter business-to-business payments.

Think like Leonardo da Vinci, combining art and science — it’s about understanding technology and then applying it creatively.

A light installation by the poet and mental health campaigner Hussain Manawer in two U.K. cities aims to start a conversation about bringing more people into the digital economy.

The startup is bringing its intelligent lending platform to borrowers, mainly in construction, auto repair and farming, in Colombia, Peru and soon Mexico.

Making the transition to the private sector can be difficult, but executives can spot the skills and talents that translate well to corporate life.

Gamiño leads City Possible, a network of urban innovators who believe the future of cities must be inclusive, sustainable and resilient.

Two new tools from the Urban Institute can help cities ensure technology narrows, not deepens, divides.

Trade rules that ensure interoperability, security and data connectivity across borders would enable a global digital economy that can help everyone thrive.

The enormous potential of artificial intelligence could radically transform the way we work. Mastercard leaders share insights into avoiding unintended consequences and ensuring a smarter future for us all.

Steven Davis, the software development engineer who has driven Mastercard’s global leadership in blockchain patents, reveals what really goes into a eureka moment.

The Cybersecurity Talent Initiative brings promising new partners – from a cyber consultant for swashbucklers to a sweepstakes security intern – to federal agencies and the private sector, ensuring diversity in tech talent.

Chief Financial Officer Sachin Mehra shares his thoughts on Mastercard's third-quarter financial results.

In the U.S., the rise of the gig economy, along with COVID-related job losses, has left many without traditional benefits and the flexibility to move benefits across jobs. Reimagining this complex network can bring financial security.

In many countries, midwives remain an essential part of childbirth. A new program in Indonesia aims to bring them — and their clients — into the digital economy, transforming their business.

A returnship program for mid-career professionals who have taken employment breaks eases them back into corporate life — and may become increasingly critical in post-COVID years.

Providing gig workers with fast, on-demand access to their earnings can improve their financial resilience in times of need and enable a more sustainable future for the gig economy.

An expert with ecommerce platform BigCommerce reveals how small businesses pivoted to digital during the COVID-19 pandemic, what retail trends will last and how to prepare for the holiday shopping season.

There is a great deal of uncertainty about how the pandemic will reshape the global economy in the long term, but providing fast, on-demand access to funds can help improve financial resilience today and in the future.

Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga and former President Bill Clinton discuss how digital technology and innovative ways to access capital can help minority-owned small businesses thrive.

The founders of Doconomy, whose DO Mastercard lets consumers calculate their carbon emissions and compensate for them, believe transparency and responsibility go hand in hand.

The Priceless Planet Coalition is restoring 100 million trees over the next five years to combat climate change and reduce carbon in the atmosphere through forest restoration.

Migrant workers can feel at home among their fellow nationals at exchange houses, where they send money to friends and family abroad.

The pandemic has changed where we work and how we socialise – and how we manage our money. Will those habits stick?

The Teens in AI program inspires the next generation of digital researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders who will shape the future of work while creating opportunities for underrepresented youth.

At a UN Women discussion on women's leadership for gender equality, Sam Mazloum outlined the successes of the 30% Club to increase gender diversity at board and senior management levels.

Ongoing payments innovation, expanded financial inclusion, and the efficiency of payment flows all depend on vibrant private sector competition in payments.

A flexible corporate structure and “fail fast” mentality encourage ideas to bubble up and harness the innovation of junior workers.

Major players from the tech and financial services ecosystems share ideas and insights to advance the female economy in 2020 and beyond.

From cryptology to big data to digital convergence and more, young women gain needed skills and confidence for critical careers through G4T.

The HOW Institute for Society’s fellowship program for moral leadership helps Mastercard employees learn to nurture moral compass & take an ethical approach in business.

Sharing end-to-end visibility on the journey of tonight’s dinner can help businesses build credibility and deliver peace of mind to sustainability-minded consumers.

Data centers can have a huge carbon footprint. When P27 Nordic Payment Group and Mastercard launches the world's first real-time, cross-border bank payment system in 2021, it will use zero-emission data processing centers.

Innovative tech-powered partnerships are the key to meeting today’s challenges for entrepreneurs in Africa.

To earn and keep the trust of consumers, we must champion sustainability, which means working to build a more resilient world.

Chief Digital Officer Jorn Lambert says helping telcos drive growth through digital financial services can unlock value for millions of consumers and small businesses.

Jehiel Oliver is helping make farming once again a sustainable way of life in Africa through Hello Tractor.

The pandemic has accelerated innovation — and shoppers’ willingness to adapt. Expect more tech-enabled stores, ‘social shopping’ and continued emphasis on safety and comfort, even after COVID-19 subsides.

Sustainability is more than just being green. Mastercard’s Chief Sustainability Officer says it’s about ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities to grow and thrive.

Direct support and training helps woman-owned businesses stay afloat amid the pandemic, but financial tools customized for women can help them thrive.

Fear isn’t the best tactic to encourage stronger cybersecurity, says Cygenta’s Jessica Barker. A message that empowers people can deliver better results for a more secure digital world.

Our $500 million commitment to reducing the racial wealth and opportunity gap is cities-based and includes access to affordable financial tools and capital.

Venture investment in fintech remains robust, a new report shows. Startups share their insights on the future of innovation post-COVID.

The solar-powered mobile shelters developed by Pune software engineer Kaushal Shetty in his spare time can help those displaced by environmental disasters, in his hometown and beyond.

Small business owners in the Falkland Islands are enterprising and resilient, but they previously struggled to accept card payments. That all changed when Mastercard partnered with Square and the Island's government to deliver a transformational solution.

Partnerships between the public and private sectors can ensure that solutions are seamlessly integrated with all existing ways to pay and help shape the next generation of payments.

Words matter, but so do meaningful, positive actions. We can share the work we're doing and the difference we're making to help break the cycle of negativity.

Sustainability is embedded in everything we do at Mastercard - who we are as company, how we drive forward our business, and how we support the communities and environment around us.

Knowledge of financial tools can help people make the leap across the economic divide. Master Your Card brings free public financial education to students, adults and small businesses.

‘You can’t live the dream if you don’t speak the language,” says Tanya Van Court, whose Goalsetter app brings financial literacy to children, particularly children of color.

We can’t control when or where a hurricane strikes, but technology and insights can be harnessed to better deliver aid and to help recovery — and to boost resilience for the next one.

In Sweden, where older adults are being left out of the cashless revolution, Mastercard employees are helping them embrace digital payments and online commerce.

By making it easy and safe to connect people to the causes they care deeply about, technology becomes a force multiplier for social good.

For interns at Mastercard, working remotely meant pushing themselves to make connections — and make an impact.

Small business owners, particularly women, often have limited access to support, but mentorships can help them navigate these challenging times.

Mastercard Developers, our open API platform, helps even the smallest fintechs think big.

Your morning cup of coffee depends on smallholder farmers. A partnership in Mexico and Colombia is bringing them the digital tools and financial training to sustain their business for future generations.

As circumstances continue to rapidly evolve, fast and reliable data is more meaningful than ever.

In March, a team of Mastercard employees embarked on a fundraising mission to Africa’s tallest peak. They left with a new appreciation of the power of determination, kindness and connection.

A partnership between Mastercard and Signzy reduces onboarding times and lowers costs, helping more small businesses benefit from the digital economy.

Small business owners are constantly challenged to translate their passion and grit into smartly run companies, while big corporations work hard to stay connected and flexible.

Chief Financial Officer Sachin Mehra shares his thoughts on our second quarter financial performance.

Mastercard’s Global Commercial Products chief chats about our commitment to small businesses, how we’re helping them embrace digital solutions and the long-term outlook.

Hear from Amy Yeung, founder of Orenda Tribe in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the importance of authenticity in building a new brand concept.

Technology is making it easy and simple for microentrepreneurs to break free from a cash-only world.

These solutions can help small businesses can quickly respond to evolving consumer demands, such as kiosk ordering and curbside pickup.

New Zealand startup Aider has created a digital assistant to help small businesses better track data and deliver insights through AI.

Mastercard's Chief Experience Officer chats about small business, catalyzing change and his CX philosophy.

Cyber criminals are targeting small businesses that lack the time and knowledge to fortify their security infrastructure, but resources are available to close that gap.

Start Small Think Big connects small businesses with free legal, financial and marketing advice. This month, Citi and Mastercard are helping boost its efforts.

During a crisis, a sense of both empathy and urgency is plentiful – and can propel ideas with real impact.

Executives believe consumers are reaping benefits when they share their data; consumers aren’t convinced, a new survey shows.

In these uncertain times, brands must connect on a human level, take meaningful actions and live up to their promises.

Trust Stamp is tackling the challenge of balancing trust, privacy and security through its AI-powered digital ID solution called Evergreen Hash.

June 19 marks Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. In support of Mastercard’s statement last week about What We Stand For, the day is a perfect opportunity for all of us around the world to pause and reflect.

The COVID-19 reset is an opportunity to reinvent how we serve our customers and communities, rethink how we work, reimagine our role, and our business models.

A recent survey by Mastercard of boys and girls showed lack of confidence and differences in motivation often keep girls away from studying STEM and later pursuing careers in the field.

Experts across the ecosystem offered insights into cybersecurity, including how to balance risk and trust throughout the entire consumer journey, not just when we click 'buy.'

The Angeleno Campaign has distributed $25 million in assistance since the start of the pandemic. Now the program is scaling to eight cities and two states nationwide.

Ziosk, part of Mastercard’s Start Path startup engagement program, is helping rethink the dining experience during COVID-19 recovery and beyond.

Transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people now have a card that matches their true identity.

As technology evolves, cyber strategies need to evolve along with it.

Deciphering credit card statements shouldn’t require a degree in forensics. How digital receipts can help.

Having access to affordable, reliable transportation takes on new meaning in the pandemic.

A message from Ajay Banga, Mastercard CEO, on the events of this week.

On this bonus episode host, Ashley C. Ford talks to Mike Froman of Mastercard and Trevor Mundel of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation about the private and public sectors responses to this global health pandemic and the economic crisis.

How one entrepreneur has got the shift to online shopping all sewn up.

Data-driven services can help merchants assess, react and plan in a time ruled by uncertainty, delivering better experiences and peace of mind for shoppers.

Technology is rising to meet the challenges of ensuring safety, security and a seamless checkout experience.

Advances in technology are shifting knowledge-based methods of verification, like passwords, to recognition-based ones, delivering seamless authentication in real time.

By thinking 'inside the screen,' the Priceless team has been able to curate virtual experiences on a global scale, from golfing to cooking to a special event with Camila Cabello.

Often financial inclusion efforts often stall at access and don’t translate into usage. To bring millions more into the formal financial system, we need develop products that people will want to use.

With fraudsters working overtime during the COVID-19 crisis, Mastercard's Brand Performance team is working with government and law enforcement agencies to protect consumers from counterfeit testing kits and other coronavirus scams.

It’s true that this tool performs beyond human ability at certain tasks, but automating mundane or repetitive work allows creative thinkers to focus on other problems.

From mentor check-ins to Skype happy hours, making internships meaningful in the age of quarantine is possible.

Doing well and doing good doesn't stop in a crisis. Here are three stories of Mastercard employees making a difference during lockdown.

Small businesses are among the most underserved when it comes cybersecurity, and the COVID-19 crisis raises new risks. Mastercard’s Alex Niejelow is helping empower them with tools to protect themselves.

The contactless technology that consumers are embracing can also help small business quickly pivot to digital payments.

Our CEO, Ajay Banga, and Chairman, Rick Haythornthwaite reflect on how we delivered against our 2019 strategy and discuss how we're continuing to connect people to opportunities amidst this crisis and beyond.

Chief Financial Officer, Sachin Mehra, shares his thoughts on our first quarter financial performance.

Our new goal, to bring a total of 1 billion people into the digital economy by 2025, will require innovative partnerships.

Our partnership with OnwardUS will help connect those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19 with retraining, new jobs and access to financial assistance.

The pandemic has spurred many of our Start Path startups into action, from working on innovative diagnostic tools to helping cities better respond to their citizens’ needs.

In the current crisis, we’ve seen that individual actions can have a powerful cumulative effect. The same is true for climate change – let’s work together to have real impact.

It’s time for everyone – companies, consumers, communities – to find paths for collective action on climate change.

The millions of unbanked Americans due to receive stimulus money may have to wait weeks for their checks, and then they will lose a percentage through fees when they cash it. Digital payments can change that.

Businesses around the globe have had to adjust to entirely new customer needs and behaviors. Read how Mastercard’s “test and learn” experimentation platform allows retailers to try ideas before rolling them out more broadly.

In these trying times, brands needs to prioritize maintaining strong relationships with both customers and employees. Marketers should aim for authenticity and compassion.

Times of challenge, times of crisis and times of need are when true partnerships are tested and strengthened. Read how Mastercard is helping our partners during this time.

As the scale of COVID-19 quickly grew clear, Mastercard’s Rosanne Cuje and her benefits team jumped into action to make sure employees around the world would have the flexibility they need to take care of themselves and their families in this unprecedented situation.

In times like these, a focus on customer experience is more critical than ever, and the right experience can restore a measure of control and deliver reassurance in world suddenly ruled by fear and anxiety, says Chief Experience Officer Donald Chesnut.

Since launching in 2019, the Mastercard Sonic Brand has brought to life our purpose in a new but visceral way, connecting human emotion and technology.

As healthcare workers tend to the vulnerable, cyber criminals are targeting vulnerabilities in healthcare organizations’ IT defenses. Through RiskRecon, offer free cybersecurity ratings assessments to healthcare organizations worldwide.

When these businesses suffer, the nation suffers. And right now, they are amongst the hardest hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we’ve come together with the White House, Congress and our fellow business leaders to help.

Mass cancellations means millions of people are seeking refunds or credits. Here are tips for streamlining the process and what Mastercard is doing behind the scenes to resolve challenges to purchases quickly.

The journey of food through the increasingly complex global supply chain has been stubbornly opaque. A partnership between Envisible, Mastercard and other partners gives consumers sea-to-supermarket transparency simply scanning a QR code.

Using digital technology to change the way workers get paid helps people remain resilient during emergencies, which is critical now as workers around the world face growing economic uncertainty in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the enormity of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, the City of Los Angeles needed to help its most vulnerable citizens. Here's how Mastercard and a non-profit helped L.A. launch a relief program in 8 days.

Pay on Demand has already helped bring solar power to families in Africa. The model is poised to offer so much more.

At Mastercard, we’ve always enabled people to buy the things they want and need in the safest, most secure manner possible. More now than ever, we’re putting all our power, capabilities, and technology to work to make sure everyone has a little less to worry about.

Right now – when the world has had to resort to extreme measures to tackle extreme circumstances – decency is even more important. It’s what’s going to give us a fighting chance at faster recovery and, eventually, growth on the other side.

People of color make up more than a third of our U.S. workforce, and their contributions to Mastercard are immeasurable.

Mastercard is pushing our networks further, forging ambitious partnerships and championing the people, businesses and innovations that are transforming the way our world works.

Salah Goss shares how her childhood shaped her perspective on financial inclusion.

Maja Lapcevic shares her insights on innovation in emerging technologies when their potential isn’t immediately clear.

In a weekly 60-second podcast, host Alissa Abdullah, PhD a.k.a. 'Dr Jay,' provides cyber tips, tricks and terms.

This is where we’re exploring the X-factors driving the changes and possibilities all around us. And we’d like you to be our co-pilot as we navigate it all.

When technologies and partners combine, amazing innovation can occur. That’s what the future holds for FinTechs and financial services as well.