Services

What we do, and how an engagement runs.

Optima is a Manchester-based specialist payments consultancy founded in 2007. We work across the payments value chain, on the problems that move numbers: scheme fees, regulation, MI and product. Engagements are tailored, evidence-led and built to answer the question you came with.

Where we go deepest.

Four core practice areas, each with a defined methodology and a clean track record.

SCHEME FEES

Scheme fee strategy and optimisation.

For issuers and acquirers managing scheme fee exposure. We do detailed comparison studies, invoice audits, and RFP support across the Visa and Mastercard fee structures. Most engagements identify recoverable spend in the first month, with the larger structural moves landing later.

What we deliver:

  • Year-on-year fee movement analysis

  • Invoice-line audit against scheme rules

  • RFP commercial scoring and negotiation support

  • Board-ready cost reduction model

MOBILE BANKING

Mobile banking benchmarking.

The German Mobile Banking App Review is now in its eleventh edition. We benchmark 26 apps across 200+ features, twice a year, co-published with Visa. The methodology underpins bespoke benchmarking work for issuers planning their next product cycle.

What we deliver:

  • Published 11 German editions & 8 UK editions including a review of Junior accounts

  • Bespoke benchmarks for your market

  • Workshop debriefs & digital safaris for product and exec teams

  • Roadmap recommendations grounded in the data

TRAINING

Payments training for industry teams.

Open courses through Mastercard Academy and bespoke in-house training for issuers, acquirers, fintechs, and regulators. Topics include card profitability, scheme economics, the payments business model, and regulatory awareness. Delivered by Mark, written with Janine.

What we deliver:

  • Open Mastercard Academy programmes

  • In-house bespoke workshops (half-day to two-day)

  • Executive briefings for leadership teams

  • Custom course materials and benchmarks

ADVISORY + NED

Strategic advisory and NED roles.

For founders, boards and senior leadership teams who need a payments-literate adviser in the room. Mark holds a small portfolio of NED and advisory positions (currently Aspire FT and Edstart). New roles taken on selectively and only where the work is substantive.

Typical engagement shapes:

  • Board advisory retainer

  • NED appointment

  • Fractional strategic advisor

  • One-off board prep / regulatory readiness

Where we go in deeper when the brief asks for it.

Supporting work we do alongside the core practice areas, drawing on associates and PCL as the brief demands.

REGULATION & OPEN BANKING

Regulatory and open banking advisory.

FCA, PSR, PSD2 and open banking strategy. Includes the Payments Association Open Banking Working Group (chaired by Mark) and the FIS Lenders' Forum, run with Matt Simester at PCL.

MARKET ENTRY

Market and product entry support.

For issuers, acquirers and fintechs evaluating a new market or proposition. Sizing, regulatory readiness, partner mapping, commercial modelling.

EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Events & conference speaking

Mark speaks at industry events, conferences, and private client sessions across payments and financial services. He's at his best on a panel or a keynote where the audience wants a real view covering open banking, scheme economics, app and product strategy, and the shifts reshaping how people pay. Sessions are built around evidence and current examples

FRAUD + RISK

Fraud and risk advisory.

Led by Paul Lucraft, associate consultant and former GM at Mastercard UK&I. Credit risk strategy, fraud operations, APP fraud response. Selective engagements only.

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We also scope custom projects.

Tell us the question and we will tell you how we would approach it.

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