With total outstanding revolving credit having jumped 11.2% in May since the year ago figure, projections indicate this consumer spending is about to grind to a halt. This in part thanks to First Data “SpendTrend” analysis in June, tracking same-store consumer spending, indicating year-over-year dollar volume growth of 6.4%, down from May’s 7.0% growth. Among…
Having just launched its “Liquid” prepaid card, Chase Bank is expanding the program nationwide through its 5,500 branches. Chase’s low-cost prepaid alternative to a checking account for the unbanked and cash-preferred offers a Visa-cobranded card for use anywhere Visa is accepted, and can be reloaded free at any of Chase’s 10,500 DepositFriendly ATMs and 5,500 branches nationwide. Features include cash withdrawal at Chase’s 17,500 ATMs and 5,500 branches nationwide; Direct deposit for paychecks or government benefits such as Social Security; allow transfer to Chase Liquid from Chase accounts via Chase.com or Chase ATMs; and account alerts via text or email.
Sage Pay has partnered The MoBank Group, allowing its 40,000+ merchant clients to integrate onto the mobile channel via MoPowered, The Mobank Group’s secure Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) mCommerce solution. This in response to Sage Pay’s annual business survey indicating only 5% of e-tailers currently had apps, but 40% planned to invest in one within 12 months. This is further supported by a report undertaken by MoBank which found that 89% of SME retailers believed that mCommerce was a necessity for the growth of their business, but only 24% had integrated an mCommerce site. The MoPowered platform has been developed with SME merchants in mind, allowing them to achieve a fully transactional mobile commerce site within a matter of weeks that is fully compatible with PCI DSS.
Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC) automatic wristband identification launched its Smart Band RFID Wristband System for cashless POS at Hersheypark amusement park to improve customer convenience and satisfaction. Guests use their Smart Band RFID wristband to make in-park purchases, check balances, and load additional funds onto their wristband at any of the park’s 200 RFID-enabled POS stations. PDC’s RFID technology has helped many theme parks across the nation deliver a better guest experience while reaping significant bottom line benefits. Proven RFID wristband applications include social media integration, cashless payments, keyless lockers, electronic access control, photo management systems, and customer loyalty programs.
OptConnect wireless ATM solutions and ATMIA has hammered out agreements for which OptConnect will make a financial contribution per wireless unit ordered through the ATMIA website towards the U.S. Defense Fund. Having an adequately funded ATMIA U.S. Defense Fund will enable ATMIA to employ the right professional resources to actively work for the benefit of the industry with lawmakers and other organizations including the Department of Justice, the Federal Reserve Board and the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
LevelUp has expanded to the state of Colorado with its launch at Larkburger, with all seven locations to accept mobile payments with LevelUp. Launched by mobile gaming giant SCVNGR in 2011, is the free app that lets you pay with your phone at more than 3,000 restaurants and shops across the U.S. Available for iPhone or Droid, you simply link up your debit or credit card to the app, which then generates a unique code for you to scan to pay at local businesses like Larkburger. It takes just seconds, and you’re instantly e-mailed a receipt – an eco-friendly LevelUp feature that’s right in line with Larkburger’s dedication to “Keeping it Natural” and minimizing its environmental impact.
Rubicon Project digital advertising technology company launched its “REVV for Mobile” solution, enabling publishers to sell mobile ad inventory through both direct and indirect sales channels. The debut of REVV for Mobile follows the acquisition of Mobsmith in May 2012, giving publishers controlled access to more than 70,000 advertisers purchasing through hundreds of buyer channels and ad buyers safe access to premium inventory and an audience of 650 million global unique users and 200 million U.S. unique users (making it the #2 network in terms of reach as measured by comScore). With the integration of REVV for Mobile, buyers now have access to the same Real Time Trading marketplace for quality comScore 500 mobile inventory.
Micropross received its validation letter issued by EMVCo, confirming the compliance of their test bench with the “EMVCo PICC Test Bench and Test Cases Requirements” version 2.0.1c. This will make sure a contactless smartcard, or a NFC device that operates as a smartcard, behaves in conformance with the criteria defined by EMVCo. Customers using Micropross EMVCo L1 Contactless test bench in their R&D centers can be sure they will obtain the same results they would get at an accredited EMVCo laboratory. The EMVCo L1 Analog Contactless test solution is a member of Micropross Contactless Test Station, allowing customers to performance conformance testing of their prototypes with different standards (ISO 10373-6, ISO 10373-7, EMVCo, ICAO, NFC Forum).
Alfa Insurance has chosen Kony to launch the newest version of its Alfa2GoTM mobile app, offering customers the option of paying bills, filing claims and accessing policy information on their iPhone and Android smartphones. Alfa insurance and financial service providers currently has more than $25 billion in force, and Alfa’s property and casualty companies service more than 1 million policies. Customers who register their policies with MyAlfa can now access policy information or view their auto insurance identification cards through a secure connection on their handheld devices.
Customers can now top-up the mobile phones of their relatives back home with “Ezetop” and reload their cashU card, the online money payment card from any of the seven branches of Qatar – UAE Exchange. The brand’s tie-up with Ezetop enables customers to top-up the mobile phones of their friends and family, back in their home countries, instantly. The tie-up with cashU empowers customers to reload and activate their online payment facility from any of the seven branches across the country.
MasterCard Worldwide has appointed Philip Panaino Division President for South Africa. This follows the recently announced restructuring of the Middle East and Africa (MEA) business to comprise three divisions including Middle East & North Africa (MENA), Sub Sahara Africa and South Africa – a change that enabled MasterCard to get closer to its customer banks, merchants and consumers in the markets. He will be responsible for the overall performance of MasterCard in South Africa. He will provide strategic direction for the overall business ensuring that MasterCard continues to provide simple and secure electronic payment solutions to customers and cardholders across South Africa. Panaino joins MasterCard from Smartec Technologies payments service and technology organisation that provides 24-hour payment, pre-payment and ATM solutions as COO.
The Single European Sky ATM Research Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) will attend World ATM Congress in 2013 to develop a modernised air traffic management system for Europe. The participation of SESAR is representative of the quality of the participants already lined up for World ATM Congress 2013. In addition to SESAR, other world-class organizations have made exclusive commitments to exhibit at World ATM Congress including AENA, The Boeing Company, Eurocontrol, ENAV S.p.A., Harris Corporation, Indra, Lockheed Martin, Metron Aviation, NATS UK, Saab-Sensis, and Thales.