Digital Transactions Authoritative, insightful and timely information for payments professionals
The U.S. services industry is huge—more than 135 million Americans in the field, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—and ensuring they are paid is a key role for the payments industry. Two payments companies are helping with new services. Digital tipping platform eTip’s integration with Visa Direct allows tips to be moved to digital wallets and fintech iWallet has added a recurring automated clearing house payment option.
San Francisco-based eTip said the Visa Direct integration enables it to send digital tips to U.S. recipients with Venmo and PayPal accounts without waiting multiple days to access the funds. Users need only provide their PayPal or Venmo user names to receive the digital tips, eTip says. Visa Direct enables direct-to-card funding. In 2024, Visa redefined the speed of Visa Direct to no more than one minute.
eTip says as cash transactions decline, the need to provide a digital way to tip increases. “With cash transactions declining, it’s critical that tipping evolves to meet the needs of today’s workforce,” Nicolas Cassis, eTip’s chief executive and cofounder, says in a statement. “Our integration with Visa Direct makes it easier … for workers to access their hard-earned money quickly, empowering them with financial stability and control.”
In related news, iWallet, also based in San Francisco, will offer home-service businesses the ability to offer recurring ACH payments to their customers, enabling them to convert these transactions from checks or card-based payments. iWallet markets its product to heating and air-conditioning providers, appliance-repair, and electrical companies.
“Recurring revenue is the fastest way for contractors to increase cash flow and boost their company’s valuation,” Jim Kolchin, iWallet’s chief executive and founder, says in a statement.
In addition to recurring ACH payments, the new features include a mobile-first approach that uses text messaging for follow-up and not paper or portals, built-in regulatory compliance, and metrics, such as churn and monthly recurring revenue data.
