Deluxe, a Minneapolis‑based payments and data company that processes more than $2 trillion in annual payment volume, has partnered with Visa to launch dlxFastFunds, a new funding solution that uses Visa Direct to move money to eligible cards and bank accounts in near real‑time. The integration removes the typical one‑to‑two‑day settlement window that characterizes traditional card processing, allowing merchants and other business customers to access funds almost instantly.
For Deluxe, the partnership delivers a clear competitive advantage in the payments‑as‑a‑service market. Faster cash flow means merchants can pay inventory, payroll, or reinvest in growth without waiting for delayed settlements. The move also positions Deluxe to capture a larger share of the growing demand for real‑time disbursements, a trend that has accelerated as small and medium‑sized businesses seek greater liquidity and operational flexibility.
Visa benefits by deepening its presence in the payments‑as‑a‑service segment, a high‑growth area that complements its core card network. By monetizing Visa Direct through a partner that already serves millions of merchants, Visa expands its value‑added services and generates incremental revenue while reinforcing its strategy of turning network usage into a recurring income stream.
Financial context underscores the strength of both companies. Visa reported Q4 2025 earnings of $2.98 per share, beating the consensus of $2.97 and generating $10.72 billion in revenue versus the $10.60 billion forecast. The beat was driven by robust transaction volumes and pricing power in the card‑processing segment, while cost control kept margins healthy. Deluxe’s Q3 2025 results showed earnings of $1.09 per share, up from $0.92, and revenue of $540.20 million, above the $526.50 million estimate. The upside was largely due to higher demand for its merchant‑services platform and efficient scaling of its payment processing operations.
The payments‑as‑a‑service market is projected to reach $200 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual rate of 12%. Key competitors include Stripe, Square, and Adyen, but Visa’s global reach and established merchant relationships give it a distinct advantage in deploying real‑time solutions at scale.
Management comments highlight the strategic fit. Vira Platonova, Global Head of Visa Direct, said the partnership “modernizes disbursements, giving organizations new ways to adapt to evolving customer and operational needs.” Brian Mahony, President of Merchant Services at Deluxe, added that the collaboration “provides our customers with the confidence and agility to seize opportunities and thrive.”
Together, the alliance signals a broader industry shift toward instant payments and positions both companies to capture a growing share of the fast‑moving payments‑as‑a‑service ecosystem.
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