A trusted partner to financial institutions that move the world's payments.
For over a decade, Pinnacle has helped issuers, acquirers, BIN sponsors and PayFacs turn the complexity of scheme economics into measurable profit. Our work speaks for itself — in recurring savings realised, incentive value unlocked and revenue maximised.
A client base that spans the global payments ecosystem
We partner with a broad spectrum of payment institutions — from tier-1 global players to regional banks to fast-scaling fintechs. Regardless of client location, size or complexity, they share two things in common: a need to understand and control the true economics of their payment portfolios and a desire to partner with those with the practitioner experience and depth of expertise to deliver.
Card issuers
From leading global consumer and commercial card issuers, regional banks and fintechs, to specialist programme managers. Often seeking cost savings, interchange maximisation and more effective tracking of scheme fees and announcements.
Merchant acquirers
Global acquiring groups and regional specialists often seeking scheme fee and interchange cost reduction, a clearer understanding of transaction economics and merchant profitability.
BIN sponsors
BIN sponsoring institutions seeking maximum scheme fee recovery through accurate, defensible and evidenceable cost allocation to their clients.
PayFacs and ISOs
Payment facilitators and ISOs seeking to validate their upstream pricing and ensure accuracy and efficacy of downstream pricing to merchants.
Results that speak for themselves
Across our engagements, Pinnacle has helped unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in additional value for issuers, acquirers and BIN sponsors — through smarter scheme cost control, sharper interchange qualification and disciplined incentive negotiation.
A sizeable European acquiring and issuing group with multiple markets and subsidiaries achieved a step-change reduction in scheme fee expense — improving profitability and enterprise valuation.
A well-known North American financial services firm engaged Pinnacle to identify rapid scheme-fee savings, materially increasing portfolio profitability.
A global acquiring group turning its focus from growth to cost control achieved significant optimisation of its scheme billing.
A large European credit card issuer renewing a deal with an international scheme secured a 63% uplift in incentive value, softer performance clawbacks, and over 90% of incentives as cash (up from c. 70%).
A BIN sponsor experiencing fee under-recovery from its downstream clients improved recovery from 67% to over 98% using Pinnacle's cost allocation service.
A B2B virtual card issuer whose billing did not accurately reflect scheme fee pass-through saw the shortfall identified and rectified.
A European acquirer validated its interchange levels and unlocked significant savings through merchant reclassification and resolution of downgrade performance.
A leading fintech unknowingly incurring late-settlement penalties gained the visibility needed to identify the root cause and reclaim rebates from its processor.
A top-10 acquirer operating across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific — with 20+ anomalous billing events identified and 200+ cost-saving opportunities surfaced.
A Private Equity-owned issuer of prepaid cards across the US, Australia, UK and Republic of Ireland — with 27 anomalous billing events identified and 209 cost-saving opportunities surfaced.
A NASDAQ-listed global payments company with card issuing businesses across multiple continents — with 8 anomalous billing events identified and 24 cost-saving opportunities surfaced.
A European issuer of commercial cards across multiple geographies — with 19 anomalous billing events identified and 21 cost-saving opportunities surfaced.
The Pinnacle difference
Why payment institutions choose us — and stay.
Practitioner-led
Our consultants, data scientists and engineers typically bring 20+ years of senior experience from global financial services and payments organisations.
Profitability-anchored
Every engagement is measured against one outcome: improving our clients' bottom line.
Recurring, not one-off
From rapid diagnostics to our SchemeSense SaaS platform, we deliver benefits that compound year after year.
Figures reflect results delivered on individual client engagements; outcomes vary by portfolio, scheme mix and market. Client identities are withheld; examples are described by type, scale and region.
Ready to see what we could deliver for your portfolio?
Talk to our practitioners about turning your scheme economics into measurable profit.
Talk to our team