MAG Insights

The Merchant Advisory Group (MAG) is committed to providing valuable learning opportunities for the payments industry, and 2024 was a year full of exciting new on-demand educational offerings. In addition to four microlearning courses, we launched a full-length course specifically for senior leaders.

Continued Investment in Full-Length eLearning Courses

In direct response to member requests,, we developed Executive Overview of Electronic Payments in the U.S. Designed specifically for  c-suite/executive audiences, this course aims to equip  leaders with the foundational knowledge they need to make strategic decisions related to payments.

In addition, our Merchant Payments 100- and 200-level content is now free to All-Access Merchant Members and Tier 1 Sponsors. This includes eight comprehensive online courses that focus on various payment aspects, including:

• A Deep Dive into the Payments Ecosystem (MP101)
• Executive Overview of Electronic Payments in the U.S. (MP101E)
• Managing a Payments Program (MP201)
• Exploring Card Types and Products (MP202)
• Navigating Fraud and Chargebacks (MP203)
• Evaluating Touchless Payments (MP204)
• An Exploration of Debit Routing (MP205)
• Payments Technology (EPT)

Microlearning Courses Launched in 2024

In 2024, the MAG prioritized developing succinct and impactful microlearning courses designed to deliver key learnings in digestible packages. Four microlearning courses were released throughout the year:

• Getting Buy-In for a Fly-In: Conveys the importance of political fly-ins, how they build relationships with policymakers, and strategies for advocating to attend to make the most of these events.
• Adopting and Implementing Payment Account Reference (PAR): Equips learners with the knowledge and skills to integrate PAR into payments processes effectively, highlighting its role in seamless transactions and fraud prevention.
• Brand Release Essentials: Centers on understanding the implications of quarterly brand updates, including fee changes, vocabulary for financial and operational implications, and necessary adjustments for managing changes.
• Overview of Global Payments Markets: Focuses on expanding organizations' international presence by covering regulatory and compliance requirements, major payments players, local schemes, and adapting to customer behavior. 

We welcome your thoughts, questions, and insights. We look forward to hearing from you, whether you have a new idea, are curious about our approach, or have feedback that could help us elevate our content. Consider this an open invitation to collaborate, challenge, and inspire us. Reach out and help us continue reshaping the educational landscape together! Contact Lisa Crockett for more information or questions regarding the MAG’s education offerings. 

Visit our website to learn more about our wide variety of eLearning courses.