Behind the Brand: Allen Kopelman on the Leaders in Payments Podcast
CEO of Nationwide Payment Systems and host of B2B Vault – The Biz-to-Biz Podcast, Allen Kopelman payments industry expert, recently sat down with Greg Myers on the Leaders in Payments podcast to discuss the evolution of the payments industry, the future of fintech, and his entrepreneurial journey. Here’s a deep dive into the conversation and the insights Allen shared about building a resilient payments business.
Allen’s journey into fintech didn’t begin in Finance—it started in the kitchen. After a career as a chef, he transitioned into the world of payments in the late 1990s. In 2001, he co-founded Nationwide Payment Systems, a Fort Lauderdale-based firm dedicated to delivering scalable, Technology-forward payment solutions for businesses across a variety of industries.
“I got into the business almost by accident,” Allen said. “But once I saw how the residual income worked and how much businesses needed help, I was hooked.”
This shift led him to become a respected figure in the Allen Kopelman payments industry, offering innovative solutions tailored to high-risk, B2B, and E-Commerce merchants.
The company began by selling basic terminal equipment but quickly adapted to the changing landscape—pivoting into POS integrations and full-stack fintech support for Retail, restaurant, e-commerce, B2B, and high-risk merchants.
“Today, businesses are buying technology first and merchant services second,” Allen explained. “So, we shifted our focus to be more tech centric.”
Key differentiators include:
24/7 live customer support Custom-fit solutions for high-risk, B2B, and niche verticals Enterprise-level POS systems Dual pricing (0% option) ACH, e-commerce, and recurring billing White-label options for SaaS and ISV partners
This approach has cemented Allen Kopelman payments industry leadership in the competitive merchant processing space.
Allen emphasized the importance of diversification, especially during uncertain times like the pandemic. While many processors heavily focused on brick-and-mortar clients, Allen’s strategy to include e-commerce and B2B helped soften the blow.
“We didn’t take as big of a hit because we weren’t focused on just one vertical,” he noted.
He also highlighted how referral Relationships—with business brokers, CFOs, and consultants—form a critical part of Nationwide’s go-to-market approach.
One of the core themes of the discussion was how software is reshaping the payments landscape.
“In 2001, people-built software to sell hardware. Today, they build software to sell subscriptions—and payments are just the add-on. ISVs are eating the ISO model.”
As an influential voice in the Allen Kopelman in the payments industry, he stressed the importance of finding POS solutions where the software provider also controls the processing relationship to avoid revenue loss—a lesson learned the hard way.
Here are a few trends Allen believes will shape the future of payments over the next few years: Software-first sales will dominate merchant acquisition AI will transform operations like underwriting, risk analysis, and SEO FTC’s new Click-to-Cancel rules (fines up to $55K per violation) will create compliance challenges for subscription businesses Visa and Mastercard may crack down on AI-driven Level 2/3 data manipulation Expect continued regulatory scrutiny with efforts like the CCCA and Durbin 2.0 still looming
His insights further underscore his expertise in the payments industry, helping businesses prepare for regulatory shifts and compliance requirements.
For anyone new to the industry, Allen offered this no-nonsense guidance:
“Go get your nose bloody. Get out there, knock on doors, make mistakes—that’s how you learn. And invest in your business—have a website, a real email address, and look like a professional.”
He also encourages young entrepreneurs to consider building software or partnering with ISVs, reinforcing his standing as a thought leader in the payments industry.
Allen also shared his passion for giving back—both to the payments community and the local Fort Lauderdale community. He volunteers with several charities supporting children, food banks, and animal rescue groups. He also regularly contributes to industry publications like The Green Sheet and hosts the B2B Vault Podcast, where he shares real-world business advice.
As Allen puts it:
“This business is all about helping merchants succeed—by giving them tools, knowledge, and support that actually matter.”
Listen to the Full Episode
Catch the full podcast episode on Leaders in Payments and hear more about how Allen Kopelman payments industry expertise is reshaping the future of payments.
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Allen Kopelman is the CEO of Nationwide Payment Systems and the host of B2B Vault – The Biz-to-Biz Podcast. He has been a leader in the payments industry for over 20 years, helping businesses navigate merchant services, fintech trends, and compliance challenges.
Nationwide Payment Systems is a Fort Lauderdale-based payment processing company offering solutions for high-risk, B2B, and e-commerce merchants. The company specializes in custom payment processing setups, POS integrations, and compliance support.
A business is considered high-risk due to factors like chargebacks, regulatory scrutiny, industry type (CBD, adult products, firearms, etc.), and its processing history. High-risk merchants often face challenges getting approved by traditional payment processors.
Allen Kopelman highlights key trends, including software-first merchant acquisition, AI-driven risk analysis, stricter compliance rules (like the FTC’s Click-to-Cancel regulation), and evolving Visa/Mastercard policies on data transparency.
Businesses should stay updated on compliance regulations, use secure payment gateways, maintain chargebacks below 1%, and work with trusted payment processors that understand industry challenges.
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