A Curated Network for Serious Payments Professionals
NPI is an invite-only community for practitioners with real payments experience—backed by a dedicated branch for students who want to grow into the industry.
We review every application to keep the signal high and the conversations real.
Learn how membership worksHow Membership Works
We built a simple process that respects your time while letting us maintain a high-quality community.
Submit a Short Application
Tell us about your role, experience, and what you're looking for in the community.
We Review for Fit
We look for real payments experience (2+ years) for Professional membership, or verified enrollment for Student membership.
Join Your Track
Accepted applicants are added to either the Professional Community or the Student Branch, with tailored benefits for each.
Not everyone who applies will be accepted as a Professional Member. If you're early in your journey, we'll often recommend you start in the Student branch or as an Early Career member.
Two Branches, One Community
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your payments journey, there's a place for you.
Professional Branch
For practitioners with real experience in payments—product, risk, operations, compliance, partnerships, and more. We curate this group to keep the conversations high-signal and deeply relevant.
- Application-based, with 2+ years payments experience expected
- Access to closed Professional-only sessions and discussions
- Priority invites to intimate events and future trainings
Student & Early-Career Branch
For students and professionals with less than 2 years in payments who want to learn, get exposure, and connect with the ecosystem. We'll clearly mark this as a Student track until you build experience.
- Access to student-focused events and content
- Discounted or free access to select sessions
- Ability to upgrade to Professional when you hit experience milestones
Student & Early-Career members do not yet have full Professional status, but we'll help you build toward it.
What Members Get Access To
For Professional Members
- Curated peer group with real experience
- Closed-door roundtables on topics like terminals, ACH, risk, and pricing
- Priority access to intimate in-person events (75–100 seats)
- Early access to future trainings and certifications
For Student Members
- Student-only sessions with industry mentors
- Access to recordings of select Professional talks
- Discounts on events and future trainings
- Guidance on how to move toward Professional membership
Intimate, Curated Events
We host small, curated events so you're not just collecting swag. Expect focused sessions, real conversations, and dinner with people who actually work in payments.
Atlanta Founders' Mixer & Payments Salon
An evening of real talk with payments founders, operators, and builders. No panels of people who've never shipped anything.
View Upcoming EventsWho We're Actively Looking For Right Now
Professionals
You've spent at least 2 years in payments roles like:
- Payments product manager
- Risk/fraud/compliance analyst or manager
- Payments operations, settlement, or reconciliation specialist
- Technical account manager or payments consultant
You're willing to share experiences, not just consume content.
You care about leveling up the industry, not just your own resume.
Students & Early-Career
- You're studying or recently graduated in fields like fintech, business, CS, or related areas.
- You're serious about payments as a career path, not just "exploring."
- You're willing to show up consistently and contribute.
Supporting Veterans in Payments
We believe the discipline, leadership, and mission-first mindset that veterans bring are exactly what the payments industry needs. That's why we're committed to opening doors for those who served.
Veterans Payments Cohort
Special cohorts designed exclusively for U.S. military veterans and active-duty service members transitioning to civilian careers. We cover the fundamentals of payments from the ground up—no prior experience required.
- Free, structured cohort covering payments basics: rails, networks, settlement, and compliance
- Taught by NPI Professional members who volunteer their time
- Small cohort sizes (15–20 veterans) for real mentorship
- Hands-on case studies and real-world payments scenarios
- Certificate of completion recognized by NPI member companies
Veterans Networking Night
Each quarter, we host a dedicated networking evening where veterans from our cohort program connect face-to-face with payments professionals. No awkward name tags and keynotes—just real conversations over dinner with people who can open doors.
- Intimate dinner format: 20–30 veterans paired with 20–30 industry professionals
- Structured but relaxed: brief intros, then organic conversations
- Professional members volunteer as mentors and connectors
- Hosted in Atlanta with plans to expand to other cities
- Completely free for veteran attendees
100%
Free for veterans
15–20
Veterans per cohort
Quarterly
Networking nights
Why the Bar Matters
What makes NPI different is the bar. Everyone in the room actually does the work day-to-day.
Senior Payments PM
Top-10 U.S. Bank
I've been in a dozen Slack groups for payments. This is the first one where I actually learn something every week.
Risk Operations Lead
Series B FinTech
As a student, having access to real practitioners changed my understanding of what a payments career looks like.
KSU FinTech Student
Class of 2025
Ready to Join a Community That Values Quality?
Submit your application today. We review every one personally and respond within 7–10 business days.