January 2008 • CardFlash® - Payment Card Industry News

WESTERN UNION 4Q/07

5, Country, Priority, UNITED KINGDOMBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

Western Union reported that revenue for the fourth quarter was $1.3 billion, up 12%, or 10% excluding the December 6th acquisition of Pago Facil. Total consumer-to-consumer revenue in the quarter grew 12% to $1.1 billion on transaction growth of 14%. A significant portion of the growth was attributable to the continued strong performance within the
international consumer-to-consumer business, which increased revenue 17%
while growing transactions 19%. The international-to-international
subset, those transactions that originate outside of the U.S., grew
faster still, posting 25% revenue growth and 28% transaction growth.
This international-to-international subset contributed 54% of Western
Union’s fourth quarter total revenue. In January, the company signed an
agreement with Penn Traffic. Additional notable new relationships
include an agreement to offer money transfer services at over 300 China
Everbright Bank branches in more than 30 cities in China, and a new
relationship with the Bangladesh Post. For complete details on Western
Union’s current and past performance, visit CardData (www.carddata.com)

YUCHENG AWARD

5, CHINA, Country, PriorityBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

China Merchants Bank has presented Yucheng Technologies’ POS system with
“The Most Outstanding Performance Award”. Yucheng’s POS system has
launched merchant acquiring at 8,900 terminals in 2007, generating
nearly RMB2 in revenue for every RMB1,000 spent at each POS terminal,
according to experts. The newly awarded achievement is a reflection of
recognition for the company’s growth and performance. Yucheng Technologies
Limited IT service provider employs over 1,500 to provide IT consulting,
system integration, and outsourced IT operations while China Merchants Bank
has branches in over 30 major cities across China and relations with
over 1,000
banks in more than 80 countries around the world.

Advanta Becomes a LinkShare Premium Partner

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

Marketing network LinkShare has identified Advanta’s affiliate marketing program as a “Premium Partner.” Advanta is the only credit card issuer and one of a select few out of hundreds of companies to meet the Premium Partner Program criteria. According to LinkShare, Advanta consistently meets or exceeds LinkShare’s Premium Partner criteria for selected affiliate management functions in areas such as average response times to transaction inquiries and accessibility of current and complete contact information. The Advanta Affiliate program, consisting of more than 500 affiliates, is a free, easy-to-use service that allows organizations and individuals to promote Advanta small business credit cards on their web site. Advanta is one of the nationâs largest credit card issuers in the small business market today.

Alliance Data Systems’ Q4 Up 15% to $603B

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

Dallas-based Alliance Data Systems reported that fourth quarter revenue increased 15% to $603 million. The “AIR MILES Reward Program” in Canada continued its over-performance, driven by strong double-digit growth in “AIR MILES” reward miles issued and solid operating leverage. U.S. Marketing Services (Epsilon) posted the Company’s highest growth rates. Marketing spend continues to shift away from traditional media channels and into specific, highly targeted ROI-based efforts. Additionally, the Company’s private label business also continued to post solid results with better than expected new wins further driving growth. Epsilon, ADS’s U.S. platform for Marketing Services, had another outstanding quarter, posting double-digit growth fueled by escalating global demand from new and existing clients. During the quarter Epsilon announced it had signed a multi-year agreement with Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary Helzberg Diamonds, a fine jewelry retailer operating 269 stores throughout the United States, pursuant to which the Company will manage Helzberg Diamonds’ marketing database and provide data and analytical support for customer cross-sell and acquisition marketing efforts. In addition, during the quarter Epsilon announced it had signed a multi-year agreement to provide loyalty marketing and database services, analytics, permission-based email communications and strategic consulting.

CSCU and FIS Team for COMPROMISE MANAGER

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

CSCU and FIS have joined forces to introduce FIS’ “COMPROMISE MANAGER” card fraud solution. COMPROMISE MANAGER is a complete package for managing accounts with features that include the ability to delay blocks or specify a date to begin blocking, communication and monitoring capabilities, provide online account access and automatic compromise notifications to cardholders. Fidelity National Information Services is a provider of core processing for financial institutions, card issuer and transaction processing services.

M-Banking Must Connect to Low-Income Consumers

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

Yankee Group reported that mobile banking must become available to a majority of mobile users including prepaid and low-income consumers if it is to succeed in North America. M-banking solution providers in North America can learn an important lesson on service adoption from international low-income initiatives as the global rise of the Anywhere Consumer takes hold. According to the recently published Yankee Group Report, “Mobile Banking Lessons” from International Low-Income Initiatives, there is a difference between the way m-banking solutions work overseas and in North America. In countries such as South Africa and the Philippines, m-banking keeps low-income consumers’ money safe; at the same time it reduces fees, which makes these services affordable. On the other hand, North American providers typically market m-banking to a more affluent and technologically advanced user as a convenience service. However, m-banking can also benefit low-income consumers in North America much as it has overseas.

FREESTAR EXPANSION

5, Country, IRELAND, PriorityBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

To expand upon its January 23rd announcement for expansion, FreeStar
technology corporation has released a statement to reiterate on the topic.
FreeStar holds that the company will expand its operations by developing
new products, providing new services, and expanding its client base in the
name of increasing revenue, especially with the organization’s
international
card processing business. Moreover, the company is developing several
different contracts with various, undisclosed clients for expansion in
international markets. FreeStar Technology Corp. provides merchant and
acquirer clients in over 20 countries with technological enhancements.

AMEX BIZ TRAVEL

5, CANADA, Country, PriorityBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

In addition to signing $6.3 billion in 2007 contracts, American Express
Business Travel has reported the provision of over $1 billion in travel and
entertainment savings for clients across North America. Furthermore, the
Business Travel division’s new sales grew by 25% throughout the region,
the Pacific Region saw 105% increases in new business and Europe saw
a 20% sales increase. Experts credit these developments to Business
Travel’s new partnership, such as the joint venture with Barcelo Business
Travel in Spain, and the introduction of new solutions and services,
including the global implementation of servicing technology, the popularity
of the organization’s “Intelligent Online Marketplace” (AXIOM) POS
compliance and the introduction of “AX Hotel Hub” interface for the
control of hotel spending efficiency. Regarding American Express Business
Travel’s 3-year growth strategy, the division will be focusing on
enhancements
to address the environmental impact of its programs, meetings expense
management and globalization. The AmEx division operates a travel service
network of over 2,200 in 140 different countries and processed $24.6
billion
in global travel sales throughout 2007.

NCR’s ATM Income Rises 14% in 4Q/07

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

NCR reported that its “Financial Self Service” segment generated fourth quarter revenue of $537 million, an annual increase of 14%. Operating income of $79 million was impacted by an adverse geographic and deal mix of revenue in the quarter and compared to $84 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Meanwhile, the “Retail Store Automation” segment reported revenue of $331 million, up 28% from the fourth quarter of 2006. The year-over-year revenue comparison included 4 percentage points of benefit from currency translation. Revenue growth was driven by traditional point-of-sale roll-outs in the quarter with continued momentum in self-service solutions. For complete details on NCR’s current and past performance, visit CardData ([www.carddata.com][1])

NCR ATM REVENUE HISTORICAL
4Q/06: $472 million
1Q/07: $312 million
2Q/07: $380 million
3Q/07: $407 million
4Q/07: $537 million
Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)

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

PAGO 4Q/07

5, Country, GERMANY, PriorityBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

Pago eTransaction Services is reporting an expansion of its international partner network
in addition to its total transaction volume. Emphasizing
this
development, the organization is showing an increase in clearing volumes
by over 20% while sales partners in the company’s “Partner Program” are
producing a growth of about 12%, resulting the deployment of over 8,000
terminals. Pago was founded in 1999 by Deutsche Bank AG, serving over
6,000 internet, mail order and in-store merchant clients.

Western Union Fourth Quarter Revenues Up 12%

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

Western Union reported that revenue for the fourth was $1.3 billion, up 12%, or 10% excluding the December 6th acquisition of Pago Facil. Total consumer-to-consumer revenue in the quarter grew 12% to $1.1 billion on transaction growth of 14%. A significant portion of the growth was attributable to the continued strong performance within the international consumer-to-consumer business, which increased revenue 17% while growing transactions 19%. The international-to-international subset, those transactions that originate outside of the U.S., grew faster still, posting 25% revenue growth and 28% transaction growth. This international-to-international subset contributed 54% of Western Union’s fourth quarter total revenue. In January, the company signed an agreement with Penn Traffic. Additional notable new relationships include an agreement to offer money transfer services at over 300 China Everbright Bank branches in more than 30 cities in China, and a new relationship with the Bangladesh Post. For complete details on Western Union’s current and past performance, visit CardData (www.carddata.com)

Springbok Hires a New Marketing Exec

5, Country, Priority, UNITED STATESBy Robert McKinley 01/31/2008

Prepaid Mastercard provider Springbok has hired Ellen Kramer, Founder of NOW what?, as its SVP of Marketing. Kramer’s background consists of leadership positions in powerful marketing organizations such as USA Today, Time Life, Inc. and America Online (AOL), where she initiated, developed and ran AOL’s direct marketing efforts. Kramer will provide that same knowledge and assistance to Springbok Services, and will serve as a powerful resource for Springbok Services customers who want to reduce employee turnover, enhance sales incentive programs or build winning consumer promotions. Springbok Services is PCI certified for card processing.

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