THE SIGNAL: Turning SaaS into a Payments Powerhouse with NMI | Episode 455

In this episode, we dig into how modern SaaS platforms turn payments into a core product, a revenue engine, and a defensible moat without breaking customer trust or slowing product velocity. With NMI’s CMO Peter Galvin and Product Director Luis Peña, we unpack the real path from “just accept cards” to a fully integrated commerce stack that handles fraud, chargebacks, compliance, and omnichannel experiences at scale.

We start with the SaaS payments maturity curve: ship fast with basic acceptance, then refine UX with tokenization and branded flows, and finally operate payments as a true business line with pricing strategy and revenue share. 

From there, we explore the tough stuff most teams underestimate - risk management, underwriting discipline, and the operational muscle needed to keep approval rates high while keeping losses and support tickets low. If you’re wondering when you’ve outgrown your current processor, we outline the telltale signs and how to plan a migration that is modular, phased, and invisible to your merchants.

Omnichannel is also a major focus. We break down card-present choices like Tap to Pay, offline-capable devices for field service, and cloud APIs for always-connected point of sale - all while tying in text-to-pay, QR codes, wallets, and ACH via open banking. 

Beyond lending, we also highlight high-impact add-ons: instant payouts, network tokenization, invoicing, and loyalty programs that raise approval rates, reduce churn, and boost margin. And we look ahead at what’s next: stablecoins for cross-border efficiency, open banking data for smoother experiences, and agent-driven discovery that transforms how buyers find and pay for products.