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At its second quarter Board meeting, the Innovative Payments Association (IPA) installed updated Board leadership and welcomed new representation, reflecting the continued engagement and evolution of its member community.
Dane James, who previously served as Chairman, has stepped down. The IPA thanks Dane for his leadership and meaningful contributions to the association and its members. In his place, Joan Herman, Executive Vice President of Operations at Paysign, was elected Chair. The Board also named Eric Schurr, Chief Strategy Officer at Sunrise Banks, as Vice Chair; and Amy Lauck, Deputy General Counsel at Pathward, as Treasurer. “IPA’s strength comes from the depth and diversity of its leadership,” said IPA President and CEO Brian Tate. “We are grateful for Dane’s service and pleased to welcome Joan and Eric into these roles. Their experience and perspective will help IPA effectively represent our members during a time of significant change across financial services.” The Board also welcomed new participation, further strengthening its representation across banks, fintechs, networks, and technology providers. Board of Directors
IPA’s Board provides strategic guidance as the association advances its mission to support innovation, financial inclusion, and sound public policy across the payments ecosystem. About the IPA The Innovative Payments Association (IPA) is the leading voice of the electronic payments sector, including prepaid products, mobile wallets, and person-to-person (P2P) technology for consumers, businesses, and governments at all levels. The IPA encourages the efficient use of electronic payments, cultivates financial inclusion through educating and empowering consumers, and represents the industry before legislative and regulatory bodies. To learn more, visit ipa.org. Former IPA Chair Alicia Reid Honored with Maher Award at Annual Innovative Payments Conference4/30/2026
Former Chair of the Innovative Payments Association (IPA) Board of Directors Alicia Reid, Head of Legal and Compliance at Emprise Bank, has received the 2026 Maher Award. The award was presented at the association’s annual Innovative Payments Conference and recognizes leadership, service, and lasting contributions to the payments industry.
“Alicia has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the payments ecosystem,” said IPA President and CEO Brian Tate, who presented the award. “Her leadership reflects the integrity, collaboration, and commitment to progress that the Maher Award was created to honor.” Reid has played a critical role in shaping policy discussions and strengthening the IPA’s voice during a period of rapid innovation and regulatory evolution. During her tenure, she helped guide the association’s strategic direction, supporting increased engagement, advocacy efforts, and member collaboration across the payments landscape. “Alicia exemplifies what it means to lead in this industry,” Tate said. “She has contributed to the growth and evolution of the payments ecosystem, and her influence will continue to be felt for years to come.” About the Maher Award Terrence P. Maher was a partner at the law firm of Baird Holm LLP and served as the IPA’s outside general counsel from 2006 until his passing in 2014. A respected expert in electronic financial services, he was a passionate advocate for the payments industry. The Maher Award, sponsored by Baird Holm, honors professionals who carry forward Maher’s legacy of leadership, service, and industry stewardship. About IPA The Innovative Payments Association (IPA) is the leading voice of the electronic payments sector, including prepaid products, mobile wallets, and person-to-person (P2P) technologies for consumers, businesses, and governments. The IPA supports the responsible growth of the industry through advocacy, education, and public engagement. Learn more at ipa.org or follow us on LinkedIn. Today, the Innovative Payments Association (IPA) extends its gratitude to Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) for convening the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Innovation hearing on financial innovation. The IPA is proud that Kevin Lefton, Global General Counsel of Stream was invited to provide the crucial perspective of employer-integrated earned wage access (EWA) providers. The association further endorses Chairman Steil's commitment to establishing durable regulatory clarity for EWA products.
“Stream has been a leader in advancing earned wage access as a practical financial wellbeing benefit for workers,” said Tate. “Today’s testimony reflects the company’s focus on providing responsible, real-world solutions that help employees manage their finances while delivering measurable value for employers. Regulatory clarity is essential to protect consumers and allow these proven models to continue supporting both workers and businesses.” Lefton's testimony highlights the real-world impact of EWA for millions of American workers and underscores the importance of a clear and consistent regulatory framework that reflects how EWA products function and how workers use them. Today’s testimony builds on IPA’s longstanding engagement with policymakers on EWA, including the recent testimony of IPA President and CEO Brian Tate before the CFPB’s Consumer Advisory Board calling for a clear, consistent regulatory framework that reflects how EWA products function in practice. EWA allows employees to access wages they have already earned before their scheduled payday, helping them manage cash flow gaps and unexpected expenses. As policymakers consider the future of EWA, the IPA continues to emphasize the importance of regulatory approaches that recognize the true nature of EWA as a way for employees to access their wages, rather than treating it as a credit product. The IPA emphasizes that Chairman Steil's dedication to advancing solutions that provide long-term stability for the entire EWA ecosystem is crucial. Clear statutory and regulatory guidance, the IPA notes, is critical to preserving access to EWA for millions of Americans who face income volatility. Stream is a member of the IPA Board of Directors and for years has worked closely with the association on EWA policy. Stream and IPA share a commitment to advancing responsible EWA policies that support workers’ financial wellbeing while providing practical benefits for millions of working-class Americans. “Today’s testimony is an important step toward a more stable regulatory environment for earned wage access,” Tate added. “The IPA looks forward to continued engagement with Congress, regulators, and industry leaders to support policies that reflect the realities of EWA and the needs of hard-working Americans.” About the Innovative Payments Association (IPA) The Innovative Payments Association is the leading voice of the electronic payments sector, representing companies offering prepaid, mobile, and emerging payment technologies to consumers, businesses, and governments. The IPA advocates for policies that promote financial inclusion, innovation, and consumer protection. Learn more at ipa.org or follow us on LinkedIn. IPA applauds the CFPB for clarifying earned wage access is not credit, protecting workers’ access to earned wages while supporting innovation.
The Innovative Payments Association (IPA) praised the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for issuing today’s Advisory Opinion (AO) on Earned Wage Access (EWA). The AO delivers much-needed clarity on the fundamental nature of EWA products, how workers use them, and how federal law applies to them. The CFPB acknowledged that properly tailored EWA programs are not credit products. “This clear statement from the CFPB is a win for workers, their employers, and EWA innovators alike,” said Brian Tate, IPA President and CEO. “We thank Acting Director Vought and the CFPB for its common-sense approach to EWA. They have reaffirmed what millions of American workers already understand. EWA products are not loans because their wages are owed to them, and EWA products do not share characteristics with credit products. This clarification ensures that American workers can continue to safely access their earned wages without being pushed toward higher-cost alternatives.” The CFPB’s EWA Advisory Opinion represents an important milestone for millions of American workers and the businesses that serve them. By recognizing that EWA allows employees to access wages they have already earned, the Bureau has affirmed a common-sense approach that protects consumers while supporting innovation and financial inclusion. EWA products provide employees with the ability to access a portion of their earned income before payday, offering a responsible alternative to payday loans, overdraft fees, and other costly financial products. The CFPB’s recognition validates what industry leaders, bipartisan policymakers, and consumer advocates have long understood: that earned wage access is an income-smoothing tool, not a loan. In short, EWA provides consumers with a direct way to manage unexpected expenses by using their already-earned wages. Since paydays and bills don’t always align, EWA gives workers a crucial tool to manage their finances. Since 2019, the IPA has been home to pioneering EWA providers who have worked diligently to inform regulators about the fundamental characteristics and profound benefits of earned wage access. “This clarification would not have been possible without the tireless dedication of our IPA members,” Tate emphasized. “Their efforts have not only helped provide American workers with crucial liquidity but have also saved them from millions of dollars in fees, truly making a contribution to workers’ financial wellness.” Tate noted the AO was a first step in a new effort to ensure EWA products are regulated in a manner that protects workers and recognizes the fundamental characteristics of the products. “The IPA looks forward to working with regulators across the country and thanks pro-worker policymakers like Congressman Bryan Steil (R-WI) who continue to press for enduring statutory solutions.” About the Innovative Payments Association (IPA) The Innovative Payments Association is the leading voice of the electronic payments sector, representing companies offering prepaid, mobile, and emerging payment technologies to consumers, businesses, and governments. The IPA advocates for policies that promote financial inclusion, innovation, and consumer protection. Learn more at ipa.org or follow us on LinkedIn. The Innovative Payments Association (IPA) is pleased to announce its 2025 Compliance Boot Camp, a one-day, in-depth training event designed to address the regulatory and compliance challenges facing today’s payments professionals. The event will be held Sept. 11 at Discover’s offices in downtown Chicago.
“This year’s Compliance Boot Camp continues our commitment to providing timely, practical training in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment,” said Brian Tate, President and CEO of the IPA. “We’re also excited to welcome new members with complimentary access, because we believe that understanding compliance is essential to responsible innovation in payments.” This year’s program will bring together leading legal and regulatory experts to provide actionable insights on high-impact topics, including Regulation E enforcement, earned wage access, open banking, federal disbursements, third-party oversight, and the rise of artificial intelligence in compliance frameworks. Confirmed sessions and speakers include:
Additional speakers and sessions will be announced later this summer. The event will conclude with a networking happy hour for attendees. Bonus for New Members As part of our spring membership campaign, the IPA is offering a special opportunity: New members who join between May 1 and July 18 will receive complimentary registration to the 2025 Compliance Boot Camp, taking place Sept. 11 in Chicago This is a unique chance to gain hands-on compliance training while unlocking the full value of IPA membership—including weekly government updates, policy representation, exclusive events, and thought leadership opportunities. Already a member? If you refer a new member who joins by July 18, you’ll also receive free registration to this year’s Boot Camp. About The IPA The Innovative Payments Association (IPA) is the leading voice of the electronic payments sector. This includes prepaid products, mobile wallets, and person-to-person (P2P) technology for consumers, businesses, and governments. The IPA encourages the efficient use of electronic payments and promotes financial inclusion. It also represents the industry before legislative and regulatory bodies. To learn more about IPA, visit ipa.org or follow us on LinkedIn. |
Media ContactHeather McElrath Archives
June 2026
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