The pandemic has changed consumers’ preferences for how they pay vendors and receive disbursements that range from paychecks to insurance payouts. Contactless payments’ growing popularity helped consumers discover how easy it could be to make purchases, pay bills, receive their paychecks and exchange money with family and friends at the tap of a button. This digital development has occurred in tandem with the growth of real-time payment capabiliti es, freeing consumers from having to waiting for manual payments, such as paper checks, to settle in their accounts. Customers have grown to appreciate the convenience and safety of real-time payments, and more financial institutions (FIs) are seizing the opportunity to provide these payments and educate consumers on the benefits they offer.