Spring is here, and so are several important shifts across community banking, international payments, and fee revenue strategies.
This month, we’re introducing a new partnership that expands access to international payments for community banks and credit unions, all through a single integration. Capabilities like multi-currency accounts, virtual IBANs, and competitive FX pricing are becoming more accessible, helping institutions modernize cross-border payments while unlocking new sources of non-interest income.
At the same time, a few broader industry trends are accelerating. Discussions around the future of paper checks are gaining momentum, and interchange fee legislation continues to expand at the state level, with potential implications for revenue and operations.
What’s Inside This Month’s Community Banking Newsletter
International payments partnership: Expanded access to cross-border payment infrastructure, including improved FX pricing and multi-currency capabilities
Community Banking Champions: Leadership insights from Ponce Bank CEO Carlos Naudon
Industry trends: Cybersecurity threats, AI-driven fraud, and regulatory developments impacting community financial institutions
Product update: Continued investment in FX marketplace expansion, platform security, and wire transfer automation
Industry perspective: A lighter take on the evolving role of check processing
Expanding International Payments for Community Banks
Acceleron has partnered with Monex USA to deliver a more comprehensive solution for international wire transfers and cross-border payments.
Through a single integration, community banks and credit unions can access:
Multi-currency holding accounts to support global transactions
Virtual IBANs that improve transparency and beneficiary data for inbound wires
More competitive foreign exchange (FX) pricing, particularly across the high-volume U.S.–Mexico corridor
This type of international payments infrastructure for community banks has traditionally been limited to larger financial institutions. Today, it’s becoming more accessible, enabling smaller institutions to compete, improve customer experience, and generate additional revenue from FX fees and international transactions.
Learn more: https://acceleronbank.com/in-the-press
Acceleron CEO Damon Magnuski and Monex Managing Director of Partnerships Michael Wilson share more details below:
If you want to find out more about more about how to use these new tools to gain access to new markets and streamline end-to-end wire processing, contact us.
Leadership, Growth, and Serving Underserved Communities
Before becoming CEO of Ponce Bank, Carlos Naudon worked multiple jobs, from cleaning oil spills in the Chesapeake Bay to janitorial work, to put himself through school.
Today, he leads a growing CDFI that has expanded from $600 million to $3.3 billion in assets, serving immigrant communities across New York.
His approach reflects a broader truth for community banks:
“When you do good, business follows.”
We spoke with Carlos about leadership, growth, and how community banks can build stronger relationships while expanding their impact.
Key Trends Impacting Operations, Risk, and Revenue
Five developments shaping the landscape for community banks:
Iran-linked cyber threats are increasing cybersecurity risk for financial institutions
Fraud losses are reaching record levels, with AI accelerating fraud tactics
The Federal Reserve’s check processing review could impact legacy payment rails
Interchange fee laws continue spreading across states, creating pressure on fee income
AI adoption is rising, but many banks are still struggling to achieve measurable ROI
FX Marketplace Expansion and Platform Enhancements
What’s new on the product front? From expanding our FX marketplace to further strengthening platform security and performance, our Technical Operations Specialist, Fernanda Girelli, provides a brief overview of what we’ve built this month:
Because sometimes, humor is the best way to deal with banking realities.
The Federal Reserve is exploring what a future without check processing could look like, even as checks remain widely used across the U.S.
After seeing how the penny shortage unfolded, many community bankers are bracing themselves for what could come next. Just trying to stay calm and carry on. ☕😉
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Acceleron builds patented software that allows community banks and credit unions to conduct international payment transactions profitably through a foreign exchange (FX) marketplace. Serving over 200 financial institutions and orchestrating more than $1 billion in international payments annually, Acceleron helps small banks generate non-interest income through automation and compete more effectively with high-fee big banks.
If you haven’t already, join the Acceleron community, we’d love to connect with you!
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💬 Chat with us Have questions about streamlining international wire processes? Let’s talk! Speak with one of our FX experts to discover how new technology can help boost your non-interest income. We’re just a click away: reach out here.
Warm regards, The Acceleron Team
Note: This newsletter is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and does not provide financial services advice. It should not be considered a substitute for professional guidance.