With leading international industry figures in Sydney for the ICPACE meeting, APCA took the opportunity to hold a special morning seminar for its members.
Attendees at 'Global Perspectives on Payment Challenges', held at APCA on 30 November 2009, heard the latest on global payments from guest speakers Ms Jan Estep (USA) and Mr Paul Smee (UK).
Ms Estep is Chief Executive of NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association which oversees Automated Clearing House Network in the USA. Mr Smee is Chief Executive of UK Payments Administration (formerly APACS) – a service provider to the UK payments industry. He is also Chief Executive of the Payments Council – the body which sets strategy for UK payments.
Focussing on the impact of evolving technology, Ms Estep and Mr Smee discussed payments developments in their own jurisdictions, the lessons learnt and what future challenges may lie ahead. A key take-away was the need for national payment associations to work closely with members and stakeholders in facilitating collaborative solutions that foster innovation and efficiency. Mr Smee also provided insight on the lead up to the recent announcement by the Payments Council on the phase out of cheques in the UK by 2018.
The presentations were followed by a panel discussion with the audience, moderated by APCA Chief Executive Chris Hamilton. Ms Estep and Mr Smee were joined on the panel by Mr Lance Blockley, Managing Director of Edgar Dunn & Company and Mr Peter Roeleven, NAB General Manager White Label Services.
L to R: Chris Hamilton; Jan Estep: Paul Smee; Lance Blockley; Peter Roeleven.