Wise Revenue Grows 21% as Card Transaction Fees Rise
International businesses face a shift in fee structures as cross-border payment platforms lean into card-based revenue streams.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Financial Services
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Wise reported $739 million in net revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year 2027, driven by a 22% increase in total payment volume to $72 billion. The international payments firm also lifted its full-year growth guidance, signaling continued momentum in card-based transaction services.
Why it matters
Revenue growth is increasingly tied to net interest income and card usage, which now accounts for 27% of total revenue. As gross yields on customer holdings decline due to the interest-rate environment, operators must monitor how transaction fees and card adoption offset tightening margins.
Wise reported $739 million in net revenue for the quarter, while active customers reached 12.5 million. Card and other revenue rose 34% year-on-year to $206 million, representing 27% of total net revenue.
The players
Wise
A global fintech company specializing in cross-border money transfers and international card services for businesses and individuals.
The details
Wise is leaning into card revenue to diversify its income stream as the broader interest-rate environment puts downward pressure on gross yields, which fell to 2.3% this quarter. The company continues to return capital to shareholders, having completed 39% of a $550 million buyback program by repurchasing 17 million shares at an average price of $12.10. Meanwhile, customer holdings remain substantial at $44 billion, providing a base for net interest income despite the compression in take rates.
Timeline
July 2026: Share buyback program began.
12 November 2026: Full first-half fiscal year 2027 results due.
March 2027: Share buyback program ends.
Market Landscape
Wise's focus on managing $44 billion in customer holdings mirrors the shift among global fintechs toward more conservative balance sheet strategies under the Basel III framework for capital liquidity. This move follows broader industry patterns of prioritizing stable interest-derived income during periods of rate volatility.
Operators using cross-border payment platforms should note that rising card revenue in the sector suggests a shift toward more complex, fee-based service models. Monitor your own platform's take rates and balance yields to determine if transaction costs are likely to remain stable or drift upward as providers compensate for lower interest-derived margins.
The takeaway
Wise's reliance on net interest income makes it highly sensitive to the broader interest-rate environment, necessitating a close watch on gross yield trends. Operators should track take rates as a key indicator of competitive pricing pressure in the international payment space.
What happens next
The company is scheduled to report full first-half fiscal 2027 results on 12 November 2026.
Further reading
For broader trends in global fintech performance, visit our Financial Services section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Fintech Times.
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