As the year draws to a close, we’re reflecting on some of our most-loved content; the blogs that made you click, share, and want to read more about the latest innovations, trends, and preferences in payments.

It’s clear that you wanted answers to some big questions this year, involving important topics like the best method for tipping out your staff, how to pay independent contractors, and more! Read on for teasers of our top-performing blogs and click through for a quick read if you haven’t already. 

1. Can I Tip My Workers Through Venmo & Other P2P Apps?

While the IRS has attempted to impose new tax regulations and limits on P2P apps such as Venmo and PayPal, there’s been more confusion than ever around whether these type of platforms should be used to tip out service professionals. This article dives into the pros and cons of using P2P apps for workforce payments, but the TL;DR version is that it may be more hassle than it’s worth—for both you and your staff.

Read the full article here.

2. What’s the Best Way to Pay Independent Contractors?

With the gig economy ever-expanding—50% of the workforce is projected to be involved in gig work of some kind by 2027—how you pay contractors is becoming increasingly important. Whether you’re a W-2 company looking to hire your first contractor or a 1099 company trying to compete with another platform for workers, there are important nuances to understand when dealing with 1099 gig worker payments. This article breaks down those nuances and discusses how to find the right contractor payment method for your business.

Read the full article here.

3. What is FedNow and How Will It Impact the Future of Payments?

FedNow made a big splash in the headlines this year—but deciphering what it actually is and how it will impact the payments landscape isn’t as easy as it looks. Luckily, we had our Head of Payments and Product, Ahmed Siddiqui, give us a rundown of what this new federally-backed rail is and how it might impact consumer and business payments. 

Read the full article here.

4. 4 Reasons to Prioritize Faster Pay for Healthcare Workers

The state of the healthcare industry is a hot topic these days, and for good reason: the critical nurses, doctors, home health aids, and other skilled professionals needed to care for an aging population are facing burnout and low morale in exceedingly high numbers. They’re also up against the same financial burdens the rest of us are such as rising inflation and economic uncertainty. This blog uncovers why faster pay is such a crucial benefit for healthcare heroes—and how you can make it happen for free. 

Read the full article here.

5. How to Choose the Best Tipping Method for Your Business

Finding the right tipping method for your business is a balancing act between choosing something that’s operationally efficient while also making life easier for your customers and staff. From cash to QR codes and every option in between, this article can help you evaluate which tipping method can be a win-win-win for your business, your customers, and your employees. 

Read the full article here.

Whatever payments questions keep you up at night—whether it’s how your payments strategy can help you compete in (or with) the gig economy or choosing the right tip method for your staff—we’re here to try and provide the answers. Stay tuned for more payments insights and guidance in 2024; and if you’re looking for a solution and team of experts to help you with your day-to-day workforce payment needs, Branch is here to help.