Transforming Ideas into Scalable Payment Solutions

Innovation

OVERVIEW

Innovation in payments is evolving at an unprecedented pace. CRG helps financial institutions, fintechs, and payments providers turn market opportunities into scalable, high-impact solutions.

CHALLENGES WE ADDRESS

Is it worth it? Too much innovation spend is on opportunities which will never be commercially viable: built on small customer bases or unreliable business models.

Do customers want it? Solutions can often look beautiful, but convincing customers to part with their hard-earned money is another matter.

Can we deliver? New payment solutions usually have to navigate a maze of operational, regulatory and compliance constraints, often the death knell to innovation.

OUR CAPABILITIES

01 Opportunity Mapping
We uncover whitespace for innovation by combining rapid consumer insight tools, market trends, and business data. Our approach helps clients spot unmet needs, emerging behaviors, and strategic areas to play—ensuring innovation is grounded in real opportunity.
02 Concept Development
From idea to prototype, we help shape compelling product and service concepts. We co-create and refine solutions with target users, ensuring every concept resonates with real people and is built on insight, not assumption.
03 Commercial Validation
We stress-test innovation through the lens of commercial reality—exploring pricing models, revenue potential, and go-to-market strategies. Our validation approach helps de-risk decisions and sharpen the business case for launch.
04 Execution Support
Innovation only matters if it sees the light of day. We work with clients to activate and scale—from refining roadmaps and building partnerships to supporting internal alignment and driving results in market.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

We supported a global super-ISO in the development of a value-added business wallet for its SMB base.

01

BACKGROUND

A ~$2B annual revenue super ISO was seeing increasing SMB customer attrition, pressured by fintechs and ISV’s who were expanding their offering to meet more SMB needs in new and innovative ways. To stop the bleeding, the client sought to develop and execute a strategy to create an engaging suite of financial products, including debit and credit cards.

02

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Over 18 months, CRG was engaged to develop the product strategy, leading SMB market research, product design and customer validation, and product roadmap development, as well as assist in the execution of vendor selection, negotiation, and onboarding. 

03

OUTCOME

With CRG’s assistance, the client designed a full suite of financial capabilities to offer SMBs, including a DDA/checking capability with debit card, credit card (future offering), lending products, and financial analytics/insight tools. A proof of concept was launched within 9 months and an MVP launch is going live in month 20.

INNOVATION PRACTICE LEADER

Andrew Cowley

Andrew is a former Deloitte Innovation Leader, fintech cofounder, advisor, and investor, specializing in early-stage concept development and validation of product-market fit, with a specific focus on financial services. He brings a perspective across commercial, operational, design, and technology to create solutions with lasting value.