While overall consumer spending on travel has remained flat since 2011, road trip purchases on gas, fast food, hotel, car rental and toll purchases saw double-digit increases between the first and second quarters of 2012 and a 3% increase since 2Q/11. Meanwhile, airline purchases only grew 1% between 2011 and 2012 and saw a 3%…
The PCI SSC open industry standards body providing management of the PCI DSS, PIN Transaction Security (PTS) requirements and the Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) announced availability of the QIR Program. This new PCI SSC program will train and qualify integrators and resellers that sell, install and/or service payment applications on the secure installation and maintenance of PA-DSS validated payment applications to support merchant PCI DSS security efforts. Integrators and resellers play a key role in securing the payment ecosystem as merchants depend on these providers to install, configure, and maintain their PA-DSS validated applications in a way that facilitates their PCI DSS compliance. Merchants will benefit from a global list of QIRs on the PCI SSC website, providing them with a trusted resource for selecting PCI approved implementation providers.
Los Angeles Firemen’s Credit Union (LAFCU) upgraded its mbanking app to accept mobile deposits, offering access to convenience tools. This allows users to check account balances and history; transfer funds; make bill payments; and find ATMs. Clients now can also deposit checks by taking a picture of the check with an iPhone or Android device for immediate access, without having to take time out of their busy schedules to drive to a branch or ATM.
Datacard Group secure ID and card personalization solutions made available its Datacard “CR500” instant issuance system, expanding Datacard Group’s portfolio of end-to-end financial instant issuance solutions. This allows banks, credit unions, retailers and service bureaus to print ready-to-use, flat financial cards on demand. The system, which offers enhanced encoding capabilities as well as superior image quality with retransfer print technology, turns blank white stock into highly customized, ready-to-use permanent payment cards instantly. It can print up to three different card types including credit, debit or ATM cards. It is also integrated with the patented Datacard® CardWizard® issuance software, which transfers all cardholder personalization data fully encrypted to the CR500 system.
After introducing an e-receipt option at its ATMs, Wells Fargo & Company announced customers used its service more than 100 million times. Wells Fargo Online Banking customers have the choice to either have an ATM receipt sent to an Online Banking inbox or to a designated personal e-mail account, used by 12% of bank ATM customers. E-receipts offer customers a convenient option to keep track of their transaction receipts in one place. Customers can set e-receipts as their preferred way to receive their ATM receipts making the transaction quicker and more convenient.
PayAnywhere mPOS solutions deployed its newest version of its solution for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, featuring boosted performance, enhanced Heat Map features and the ability to process hassle-free refunds. This is in addition to the existing landscape mode, the ability to add a custom tip at check out, and compatibility with cash drawers and AirPrint or Star thermal printers. The boost includes a reorganized menu and better detection for Star printers equal an overall performance boost for the app; enhanced Heat Maps for zoom in and out on regions of individual or grouped transactions; and a merged tip/signature screen. PayAnywhere now allows merchants more flexibility to issue refunds for specific items or to adjust the price on particular items from directly within the app.
TSYS Healthcare signed an agreement to provide benefit card processing and other services to Acclaris, furnishing solutions for consumer-driven healthcare offerings, flexible spending accounts and other reimbursement account administration for health plans, third-party administrators, outsourced human resource organizations and banks. TSYS Healthcare will bring to the partnership processing capabilities that enable advanced card functionality.
StubHub ticket marketplace launched its comprehensive loyalty rewards program, StubHub “Fan Rewards,” offering rewards for eligible purchases plus the opportunity for unique fan experiences and complimentary seat upgrades. Fans across the country can sign up for StubHub Fan Rewards online and start earning rewards on their next purchase. Similar to rewards programs in the travel industry, StubHub Fan Rewards offers perks and benefits to frequent users of StubHub.com. The program is the result of customer feedback from the company’s most frequent users and StubHub’s continued commitment to rewarding brand loyalty. The rewards program offers the Star and Superstar levels, letting users earn 2% in rewards for each eligible purchase and- once they reach $10 in rewards, they become eligible for a $10 FanCode to use on any future StubHub.com purchase.