It’s been seven decades since the advent of the modern day credit card in 1950 by the Diners Club. Since then, numerous countries have jettisoned cash and pivoted towards digital payments as the conventional payment method. Technological advancements, data security enhancements, and consumer preference for convenience have all underpinned the secular trend of cash displacement and adoption of digital payments. In recent years, we have seen rapid global adoption of a superior form of digital payments: contactless payments (also known as “contactless”, “tap to pay”, “NFC payments”). Currently, consumers interact with contactless payments through two primary forms – contactless-enabled credit and debit cards, and mobile wallets (such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay).
Recent Insights
Bailard Celebrated as a 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Top Workplace—for the Second Year in a Row
Bailard, an independent wealth and asset management firm, has once again been recognized as one of the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top Workplaces in the Greater Bay Area. Ranked first in the small company category (35-149 employees), this marks Bailard’s second consecutive year on the list—based entirely on employee feedback.
May 12, 2025
Country Indices Flash Report – April 2025
U.S. policy and global equities swung wildly during the month as ‘Liberation Day’ was followed by a 90-day pause in many tariffs and the administration’s harsh tone toward Fed Chair Jerome Powell softened. These America-centered policy shocks led to broad dollar weakness: the euro and pound reached three-year highs. EAFE had declined more than 10% before fully recovering, ending April in positive territory.
April 30, 2025
Quarterly International Equity Strategy Q1 2025
Non-US assets found renewed vigor to begin 2025, in sharp contrast to late 2024. Echoing the first Trump administration eight years ago, U.S. policy uncertainty weighed on the dollar and U.S. equities, while stimulus and reform improved sentiment elsewhere (the Eurozone in particular). The resulting spread of MSCI EAFE over MSCI USA was the widest first-quarter return differential since 1986. While reduced policy visibility may dampen real investment and activity across many countries and industries in the short-term, we believe recent volatility may provoke broader re-examination of allocation to non-US equities, and a constructive starting point for longer-term performance.
April 28, 2025
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