The Executive Interview Series provides readers with exclusive insights from movers and shakers in the payments industry. The payments industry is under continuous transformation. This series offers diverse perspectives on everything from strategy to payments technology and the industry’s future.
In this interview between Brian Mahony, President of Merchant Services at Deluxe, and TSG’s Morgan Murphy, Brian explores his journey through the payments industry and how his diverse background shapes his leadership style. He discusses Deluxe’s commitment to simplifying the merchant experience through innovation, partnerships, and customer-centered solutions—highlighting Deluxe’s initiatives in the future of payments.
Bio: Brian Mahony joined Deluxe Corporation in February 2025 as President of Deluxe Merchant Services, bringing over 20 years of experience in payments and merchant services. He previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at Elavon, a U.S. Bank subsidiary, where he led marketing, revenue management, and distribution, and earlier held roles as Chief Financial Officer and head of product and strategy. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from University College Cork and an MBA from Emory University. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for Atlanta’s Woodruff Arts Center and the Honorary Board of the Special Olympics of Georgia.
Q. Morgan M.
You have been in the payments industry for more than 20 years. Tell us a bit about your journey.
A. Brian M.
I started my career in consulting and worked for a lot of different companies across the finance, insurance, entertainment and high-tech sectors, landing in payments; and like a lot of other people, I found that once I started work in payments, it was far too interesting to ever leave! I’m fortunate to have done a lot of different jobs – strategy, product, finance, revenue, general management to name a few – all of which prepared me to run Merchant Services at Deluxe.
Q. Morgan M.
How has your past experience shaped your approach to leading a merchant services team?
A. Brian M.
I believe in a culture of service, and in building trust by making and managing commitments. We exist to deliver service to our customers and partners, and we make our communities better by enabling our customers to grow. While our technology and product set is critical, our reputation is one of our most important assets; I lead by building teams that develop reputation and trust by consistently delivering on our commitments.
Q. Morgan M.
What unique insights do you bring to your role at Deluxe?
A. Brian M.
My background is in customer-centered design – and given the range of challenges that businesses face, putting customers at the center equips us to better understand how we can help solve real problems with practical, scalable solutions. Our customers have a lot of demands on their time and attention, and our focus is on removing friction for them, delivering real value every step of the way.
Q. Morgan M.
What exciting merchant-focused initiatives is your team working towards?
A. Brian M.
We’re laser-focused on simplifying and enhancing the merchant experience. That includes everything from rolling out mobile solutions like dlxPAY to refining our onboarding processes and deepening our integration capabilities with vertical-specific software providers. We’re also investing in analytics to help merchants better understand their customer behavior and make data-informed decisions.
Q. Morgan M.
We’ve seen a rise in integrated solutions across the payments industry. How do you see partnerships between platforms and providers evolving to meet merchant needs?
A. Brian M.
Integrated solutions are no longer a nice-to-have—they’re table stakes. Merchants expect seamless, intuitive experiences, and that often requires close collaboration between software platforms and payment providers. At Deluxe, we’re leaning into ISV partnerships that deliver verticalized value and tighter product alignment. These collaborations allow us to offer merchants an end-to-end experience, tailored to their specific industries.
Q. Morgan M.
This year, Deluxe launched their mobile app dlxPAY, which provides merchants with seamless payment solutions. What benefits are merchants seeing from equipping themselves with this tool?
A. Brian M.
dlxPAY offers flexibility and convenience—allowing businesses to accept payments anywhere, anytime, without compromising security or reliability. We’ve seen strong adoption among service-based businesses, event vendors, and nonprofits who appreciate the ease of use and the ability to get paid on the spot. It’s about empowering merchants to operate more efficiently and to better serve their customers.
Q. Morgan M.
How do you see the role of traditional financial institutions evolving in the rapidly changing payments ecosystem?
A. Brian M.
Financial institutions continue to have a critical role to play; their opportunity lies in collaboration—banks partnering with fintechs and payment providers to deliver more agile, customer-centric solutions. At Deluxe, we work closely with financial institutions to extend their reach and enhance their offerings, ensuring they remain a trusted partner for their clients in a digital-first world.
Q. Morgan M.
What excites you most about the opportunity to leverage AI and automation to enhance merchant services and payment processing efficiency?
A. Brian M.
The potential for AI and automation to transform the merchant experience is enormous. From fraud prevention and customer support to smarter reconciliation and dynamic pricing, we’re just scratching the surface. What excites me most is the opportunity to shift from reactive to proactive service—helping merchants anticipate trends, optimize operations, and unlock new growth avenues.
Q. Morgan M.
Every company has goals they strive to meet. What are some of your personal goals that drive your decision making every day?
A. Brian M.
I’m driven by a desire to build teams that win together. Success, to me, is as much about outcomes as it is about the journey. I strive to create environments where people feel empowered to do their best work, where customers feel heard and supported, and where innovation thrives. Personally, I also aim to stay curious—always learning, listening, and looking for ways to do things better.
Q. Morgan M.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the relationship between traditional banking and fintech evolving in the merchant services space?
A. Brian M.
I see a future where the lines continue to blur—in a good way. Traditional banks bring trust, scale, and regulatory expertise. Fintechs bring speed, innovation, and agility. Together, they can offer a compelling value proposition to merchants. At Deluxe, we’re excited to be at that intersection, helping bridge these worlds and deliver comprehensive solutions that are future-ready.