Michael Reed Intro

Transaction Trending: Sola CEO Discusses Company Evolution and Strategic Value of ETA Membership

In the latest episode of Transaction Trending, ETA’s podcast exploring payments evolution, Michael Reed, CEO of Sola (formerly Fidelity Payment Services and CardKnox), shares insights into how industry leaders leverage ETA membership during transformative periods. The conversation offers listeners a unique perspective on both company transformation and industry collaboration.

Throughout the interview, Reed discusses Sola’s journey from a traditional retail ISO to a technology-first organization, coinciding with their strategic decision to join ETA. “With the rebrand, we’re looking to unify not just our company but the vision that we have for our business in the market,” Reed explains. “Being part of ETA is a great opportunity for us to engage with peers and with industry leaders and to get an idea of what they’re seeing and where they’re headed.”

With 95% of Sola’s business flowing through their proprietary gateway, he describes how ETA membership enhances their ability to innovate: “The area that I’m most excited about for Sola and the ETA to work together is really through that lens of innovation… ETA provides us with a great opportunity to see what’s happening in the market, to learn more about innovative things that are that are happening that others are doing so that we can determine how best to integrate those into our platform and our offering.”

The conversation offers both established payment companies and emerging fintech firms valuable perspectives on industry collaboration through the lens of one company’s transformative journey.

Listen to the full episode to hear more about:

  • Specific ETA resources that support company transformation
  • How Sola plans to leverage their ETA membership
  • Reed’s vision for the future of integrated payments
  • Strategies for simplifying payment complexity while enhancing capabilities

Watch the full episode here. For more information about ETA membership, visit electran.org. To learn more about Sola’s payment solutions, visit solapayments.com.

Legal Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This content is based on a conversation with Michael Reed and reflects his professional opinions as of the date of the interview. Readers should not act or refrain from acting based on this information without seeking professional legal counsel. Neither the author, Michael Reed, Sola, nor any affiliated entities assume any liability for actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this blog post.