04/12/2004 • CardFlash® - Payment Card Industry News

Jack Henry to Acquire e-ClassicSystems

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

Jack Henry & Associates has inked a deal to acquire MA-based e-ClassicSystems which offers “ATM Manager Pro”. e-Classic is a premier provider of a suite of software products developed to enable institutions to manage the complete operations and accounting of their ATM networks. e-Classic flagship software solution, ATM Manager Pro(R), will be targeted to all of our existing financial institutions, non-core financial institutions and independent sales organizations (ISOs) which operate ATM networks. Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. provides integrated computer systems and processes ATM and debit card transactions for banks and credit unions.

Axalto Lands the New ING Sony PlayStation MasterCard

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

ING has selected Axalto to provide smart cards for its MasterCard co-branded program in Belgium. The “ING/Sony PlayStation MasterCard” is targeted at students and professionally active customers in the 20-30 age bracket. The smart card features discount prices on “PlayStation 2” consoles and games as well as a differentiated card body. The bank is using SMS to promote the card. Axalto, formerly known as Schlumberger Smart Cards & Terminals, has delivered 3 billion smart cards to date.

New York Bill Wants to Stop Universal Default Practice

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

The bank credit card industry’s migration to universal default clauses, wherein cardholders who miss a payment with any creditor are considered in default of all credit agreements, is drawing more protest. Last week, New York Assemblyman Peter Rivera (D-Bronx) has introduced a bill to make it a violation for a card issuer to raise an interest rate based on universal default. Rivera says the practice is anti-consumer and represents an intrusion into the private matters of the credit card holder. Rivera aides told Newsday that the practice is akin to being found guilty before the trial. At least two major new organizations are investigating the universal default practice.

GE Consumer Finance Profits Rise 19% Sequentially

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

GE reported that its Consumer Finance unit posted a record $602 million in first quarter profit, a 10.2% gain over 1Q/03, and a nearly 19% increase over the prior quarter. First quarter revenues were $3.6 billion, a 30% jump over 1Q/03 but only up slightly over the fourth quarter. During the quarter, GE completed the acquisitions of RSGB in France and Orient Consumer Credit in Singapore, adding more than $800 million of assets and expanding Consumer Finance’s presence in growing markets for secured debt consolidation and the financing of used autos. The Company also acquired a 50% interest in IFG Group, a leading Irish specialty finance company, enabling the creation of a debt consolidation business in that market. Acquired Cashworks, a provider of technology solutions for the non-bank financial services industry that adds a strong foundation in the Americas for fee-based Consumer Finance business. GE also launched a private-label credit card and pilot dual card product with ASDA, a 270-store Wal-Mart subsidiary and one of the U.K.’s fastest-growing chains. For complete details on GE’s first quarter performance visit CardData ([www.carddata.com][1]).

GE CONSUMER FINANCIAL TRACK RECORD
Income Revenues
1Q/03: $546 million $2759 million
2Q/03: $514 million $3046 million
3Q/03: $595 million $3499 million
4Q/03: $506 million $3541 million
1Q/04: $602 million $3589 million
Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)

[1]: http://www.carddata.com

Heartland Payment Systems Adds a Board Member

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

NJ-based Heartland Payment Systems has named George Raymond to its Board. Mr. Raymond brings extensive experience in the payroll processing and information technology industries to the Heartland team. Since 1989, Mr. Raymond has been President of the Buckland Corporation, a consulting company to the information technology industry. Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. provides payment processing services to primarily small and medium-sized merchants in the United States. Heartland sells and markets its payment processing services through a direct sales force of over 700 sales professionals in all 50 states.

Elan Adds Another Fastbank ATM Client

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

Elan Financial Services has teamed with Merchants Bank and Trust of West Harrison, Indiana to provide electronic services to its customers, including access to the “Fastbank” ATM network with its surcharge-free option. They currently partner with Elan to issue their credit card program, and will now utilize Elan to process their ATM and debit card programs, as well as provide their customers with access to Fastbank. Elan Financial Services, as part of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB), supports more than 7,000 ATMs, 15 million ATM/POS cards, and 2 million credit cardholders with a complete range of products and services including credit card issuing, ATM, debit card, and merchant processing. Merchants Bank and Trust is a full-service financial institution with four branches in Dearborn County, Indiana and Western Hamilton County, Ohio.

Gemplus Replaces Three Non-Executive Directors

5, Country, FRANCE, PriorityBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

Gemplus Internationa announced that three new non-executive Directors will be proposed for election to its Board on April 27th. The three non-executive directors are proposed to replace Ron
Mackinstosh, Randy Christofferson and Thierry Dassault, who will not be proposed for re-election by the Board to shareholders. The proposed new non-executive Directors are Kurt Hellstrom, John Ormerod, and
Michel Akkermans. Hellstrom is the former President and CEO of Ericsson. Ormerod is a Senior Partner in the UK practice of Deloitte. Akkermans, is Chairman and Chief Executive of Clear2Pay.

Small Issuers Outstandings Up 7.5% as Pulaski Leads

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

Small issuers, with $15 million to $100 million in outstandings, posted an average 7.5% increase in year-over-year outstandings and an 8.8% gain in first quarter volume, compared to the first quarter of last year. Sequentially, this peer group reported an average seasonal contraction of 1.9% in first quarter card loans, according to statistics reported last week to CardData. Among the strongest issuers in this segment are Americu Credit Union in Rome, NY; MAX Federal Credit Union in Montgomery, AL; Citizens Financial Group in Riverside, RI; and, Pulaksi Bank & Trust in Little Rock, AR. Americu reported 1Q/04 outstandings of $18.9 million, a nearly 60% jump. MAX posted $35.7 million in first quarter card loans, a gain of 29%. Citizens Financial reported $26.4 million in first quarter outstandings. Pulaski, which markets a low-rate card nationwide, posted a 26% in card loans and a stunning 78% gain in volume. For complete details on first quarter portfolio results, posted daily, visit CardData ([www.carddata.com][1]).

$15 Million to $100 Million Peer Group – 1Q/04
ISSUER Outstandings Y/Y Volume Y/Y
1. Randolph Brooks FCU $88,606,965 (+4.5%) $72,898,961 (+12.1%)
2. Farm Bureau Bank FSB $87,446,058 (-6.4%) $66,058,269 (-6.8%)
3. Amalgamated Bank Chi $75,319,122 (-4.6%) $59,814,419 (-4.6%)
4. MacDill FCU $44,201,493 (+6.8%) $17,342,725 (+10.2%)
5. Pulaski Bank & Trust $41,278,435 (+25.9%) $17,881,257 (+77.5%)
6. USE Credit Union $39,776,026 (+13.7%) $10,979,745 (NC)
7. Anheuser Busch CU $39,069,907 (+9.1%) $26,060,642 (+13.0%)
8. MAX FCU $35,674,059 (+29.3%) $14,503,568 (+38.1%)
9. Citizens Financial RI $26,408,631 (+28.2%) $42,887,646 (+21.1%)
10. Americu Credit Union $18,919,555 (+59.7%) $ 6,206,392 (+33.3%)
TOTAL $495,700,251 ( +7.5%) $334,640,624 ( +8.8%)
Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)

[1]: http://www.carddata.com

SKYMILES CARDS

5, COLOMBIA, Country, PriorityBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

Delta Air Lines and Lloyds TSB Bank have partnered to launch two co-branded credit cards and three co-branded debit cards for Colombian residents. This is the first time Delta has offered a debit card that earns “SkyMiles” in any country. The new “Platinum VISA” and “VISA Gold SkyMiles” credit cards, and the “Platinum”, “Gold,” and “Classic SkyMiles VISA” debit cards all award one mile for every U.S. dollar spent. Purchases of Delta Air Lines products and services made with the cards will earn two miles for every U.S. dollar spent. As an introductory offer, customers who choose the “Delta SkyMiles Lloyds Platinum VISA” credit card will be awarded 7,500 bonus miles with their first purchase, and customers who choose the “Gold” credit card will be awarded 5,000 bonus miles. Delta now offers co-branded VISA cards in nine international markets. In the USA, Delta has partnered with American Express to issue co-branded credit cards.

IRS Needs to Eat Card Fees to Boost Card Usage

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

A new survey shows that while 63% of American adults are aware that the IRS accepts credit cards, only 1% plan to use a credit card to pay incremental Federal income taxes the next time they owe because of the convenience fees associated with the transaction. The study reveals that if the service were free, 34% of taxpayers would use it. NY-based Ipsos-Insight’s Financial Services survey of 1,000 Americans found that a significant number of taxpayers would use this service if the fees charged to them were 1% or less. Ipos says if the IRS decides they want broader usage of this payment option, they will need to find a way to pay the card companies a processing fee.

Optimal Group Finalizes U-Scan Sale to Fujitsu Transaction Services

5, CANADA, Country, PriorityBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

Despite a higher offer from NCR, Montreal-based Optimal Robotics approved the sale of the “U-Scan” business to Fujitsu Transaction Solutions. Fujitsu offered $35 million to acquire the self-checkout business of Optimal. However, NCR raised its offer to $38 million with an April 9th closing date. In February, NCR agreed to buy Optimal’s self-checkout business for $30 million. NCR indicated it will take legal action against Optimal and others related to Optimal’s solicitation of the bid from Fujitsu. NCR says it believes that Optimal’s actions to date are improper and in breach of its legal obligations.

Multiple Application Loyalty Card Solution Launched

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 04/12/2004

PA-based CardSelect International says its patented Internet-based co-branding and loyalty management solution enables issuers of mag stripe and smart cards to offer credit cards that users can customize with their favorite merchant reward programs. This new technology platform will allow consumers to select the merchant reward programs they use most often and link them either online or offline to their financial transaction card of choice. The system can be tailored for use in either magnetic stripe or smart card environments. CardSelect International was founded by former executives of a major international smart card manufacturer.

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