In the latest episode of Leaders in Payments podcast, Ben Haguel, CEO of TCB Pay, takes center stage to offer his expert insights on the evolving fintech landscape, specifically for high-risk industries. Ben talks about his journey from Paris to leading a trailblazing fintech company in the U.S., focusing on TCB Pay’s role in addressing the unique challenges faced by sectors like telemedicine and crypto exchanges.
Discover how TCB Pay’s in-house technology solutions, from prepaid corporate credit cards to advanced payment processing tools, are shaping the future of payments. Ben dives into the company’s strategic approach to reducing risk and ensuring compliance, which helps clients navigate these highly regulated industries while expanding into both the U.S. and European markets.
Tune in for a thorough look at TCB Pay’s innovative solutions and how they’re driving growth in a rapidly changing payments environment.
If you're interested in key takeaways from Ben Haguel’s discussion on the Leaders in Payments podcast, we’ve provided a detailed transcription below. It covers highlights from his journey in fintech, TCB Pay’s innovative approach for high-risk industries, and insights into the evolving payments landscape.
Introducer:
Welcome to the Leaders in Payments Podcast, where we talk with C-level leaders from across the payments landscape. We'll discuss the products and services shaping the payments industry today, along with trends and future predictions. Our guests will also share stories about their journeys to leadership.
Greg Myers:
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Leaders in Payments Podcast. I'm your host, Greg Myers, and on today's show, we have a special guest: Ben Haguel, the CEO of TCB Pay. Ben, thank you for being here, and welcome to the show.
Ben Haguel:
Hi, thank you for having me. If you don’t mind, let’s start with a bit about you. Maybe tell us where you’re from, where you grew up, where you went to school, and where you currently live.
Greg Myers:
Great, let's talk about TCB Pay. Can you explain what you do?
Ben Haguel:
In a nutshell, TCB Pay is a full-service merchant provider. We're a credit card issuer and a fintech company. Founded about 10 years ago, we’ve grown to a team of 30 worldwide. Our core product is payment technology, and we specialize in high-risk and high-volume transactions.
Greg Myers:
Could you share some examples of high-risk businesses you work with?
Ben Haguel:
Certainly. As a high-risk payment provider, we work with businesses needing high compliance, like telemedicine and crypto exchanges. We conduct extensive compliance checks to reduce risk and ensure regulatory adherence.
Greg Myers:
And your compliance team must be essential in this work.
Ben Haguel:
Absolutely. We focus heavily on the legal aspects to ensure everything aligns with card association regulations.
Greg Myers:
Are you focused solely on the U.S. market, or do you operate internationally?
Ben Haguel:
We’re currently an ISO in the U.S. and Europe. We’re also a FinCEN-registered MSB in the U.S.
Greg Myers:
What’s your go-to-market strategy?
Ben Haguel:
Our business relies heavily on agents with established relationships. We have a small but effective internal sales team, but our largest merchants come through our agent network.
Greg Myers:
Why did you decide to enter the card issuing side of the business?
Ben Haguel:
Entering card issuing was strategic. The issuing business has fewer regulatory hurdles and can be highly profitable.
Greg Myers:
What differentiates TCB Pay from competitors?
Ben Haguel:
We’re unique because we offer custom integrations tailored to specific merchant needs, whether that’s AI services or a proprietary gateway. We also pride ourselves on exceptional customer support and personal follow-up for each merchant.
Greg Myers:
Where do you see the payments industry heading in the next 3–5 years?
Ben Haguel:
I expect we’ll see more growth in digital wallets, real-time payments, and AI for risk management.
Greg Myers:
Do you think crypto will regain momentum?
Ben Haguel:
Yes, particularly stablecoins. I see them as a viable alternative payment form, though not likely to replace fiat currency.
Greg Myers:
What advice would you give someone new to payments and fintech?
Ben Haguel:
Learn the fundamentals of payments, focus on continuous learning, networking, and specialization. Developing sales, product management, and customer service skills is also key.
Greg Myers:
Thanks for sharing your insights, Ben. Anything else to add?
Ben Haguel:
No, it's been a pleasure. Thank you for having me.
Conclusion:
Thank you for joining us on the Leaders in Payments Podcast. Visit our website, leadersinpayments.com, to subscribe and find our show notes. If you enjoyed the episode, please share it on your social channels.
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