Robert McKinley, Senior Analyst/Editor Robert McKinley, with 33 years experience covering payment cards and payment systems, is Senior Analyst/Editor for CardFlash and other payments-related publications. He is the retired founder and chief executive of RAM Research, CardWeb and CardTrak. McKinley served as an expert witness in 100+ litigations including two multi-$billion trials, testified before the U.S. Congress, chaired multiple payments conferences, hired as consultant by Fortune 100 companies and several overseas financial institutions. Full Bio: www.rbm4.com

PAI Exec Named Top Influential Woman in Payments

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Payment Alliance International (PAI) electronic payment processing solutions announced Donna Embry, SVP, strategic development, was named the Most Influential Women in Payments by PaymentsSource. Having held executive product, marketing and operations positions with major industry players such as Citizens Fidelity Bank (now PNC Bank) and Vital Processing Services (now TSYS Acquiring Solutions), Embry has led the development, roll-out and enhancement of the entire suite of PAI products and services, and is a mentor to her staff and peers. In October of last year, Embry was elected president of the Midwest Acquirers Association (MWAA) and continues to foster changes throughout the entire industry as she serves in the top leadership role for the regional association.

Centennial Bank Deploys FIS to Enhance Merchant Relations

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FIS banking and payments technology announced Centennial Bank will deploy its “Merchant Services” solutions to support continued growth in merchant relationships. By deploying the comprehensive suite of products and services with customized credit, debit, check and gift card processing, Centennial Bank will adopt a true end-to-end merchant services solution for managing merchant portfolios while gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace. FIS’ Merchant Services helps financial institutions strengthen merchant relationships through merchant processing options while Centennial Bank provides commercial and retail banking plus related financial services.

Circle K Renews Exclusive Agreement with MoneyGram

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MoneyGram renewed its exclusive relationship with Circle K, the nation’s second-largest convenience store chain, and expanded its product offerings to include money transfer and bill payment services, in addition to the money order service previously provided to Circle K’s 2,900 company-owned stores. MoneyGram offers bill payment services in the United States and Canada and money transfer services worldwide through a global network of more than 310,000 agent locations – including retailers, international post offices and financial institutions – in 197 countries and territories.

MasterCard Expands ePayment Service

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MasterCard Canada launched its MasterPass digital payment services. This offers a seamless, secure and speedy check out regardless of where consumers may be and what screen they may be using – MasterPass securely stores credit card information and shipping information in a secure cloud hosted by trusted entity. It also provides added tools that provide consumers with real-time alerts, account balances, loyalty programs as well as Priceless offers and experiences. Merchants including Porter Airlines, WagJag, Jaunt.ca and Grocery Gateway have enabled MasterPass checkout services on their eCommerce websites. MasterCard plans to expand the number of MasterPass enabled merchants in Canada to 800 merchants by the end of 2013 and 2,800 merchants by the end of 2014. When making purchases through these companies’ eCommerce websites, MasterPass digital services will allow Canadian consumers to securely and seamlessly complete their transaction in a few clicks, eliminating the burden of filling out card and shipping information repeatedly.

PayAnywhere Expands mPOS Footprint

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PayAnywhere mobile mPOS announced five new regional retailers are now offering its solution in their stores. Making the PayAnywhere reader available at these regional retail chains gives contractors and small business owners the opportunity to shop locally for the mobile point of sale solution proven to boost businesses’ cash flow. With the ability to conduct on-the-spot credit and debit card transactions using the PayAnywhere mobile credit card reader, the PayAnywhere app, and a standard smartphone or tablet device, PayAnywhere eliminates the need for contractors to chase down payments from customers once a service has been provided and gives businesses an easy and safe way to accept credit cards from wherever they are. Compatible with iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android smartphones and tablets, and BlackBerry devices, PayAnywhere provides merchants transaction fees of just 2.69% per swiped transaction.

DataCash Launches Fraud Management Tool

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DataCash global payments services launched its GateKeeper:2.0, allowing online merchants and acquiring banks advanced technologies to offer end-to-end fraud monitoring, detection and prevention. Merchants can detect fraud and risk and crucially identify genuine customers with pin-point accuracy, regardless of the channel or geographic market that the transaction originated from. Merchants reduce costs of fraud with an average chargeback rates of less than 0.1%; increase web sales revenues; ncrease efficiency – through reduction in transactions sent for manual reviews & resourceful handling; and enhance visibility and control as able to process, manage and report on all transactions despite currency, geography and payment type through one solution.

NCR Anounces Movie Time App

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NCR launched its Movie Time mobile app, letting cinema operators engage customers on a custom-branded smartphone platform. The app features a user interface making it easier for consumers to navigate, purchase and share movie tickets and is integrated into NCR’s cinema solutions. The “NCR Movie Time” securely stores loyalty and credit card information with password protection and allows users to redeem orders at any point-of-sale, kiosk or usher stand. It is designed to be easily customized for individual cinema brands, making it seamless for theater operators to maximize valuable marketing opportunities with consumers and to build loyalty through an exceptional user experience.

Ingenico Partners eMoney on Remittance

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Ingenico payment solutions launched its Money Transfer solution in partnership with eMoney Solutions, specialized in the implementation of Vertical market’s solutions, allowing under and unbanked population to access to financial services. This solution was born from both companies’ commitment to bridge the gap between their cutting edge electronic transaction technology, and the great difficulty that most individuals in Africa face on a daily basis to carry out simple money transfers. The transaction model is based on immediate compensation: the agent enters the beneficiary’s name which generates a secret transaction code, sent by SMS to activate the transaction. The end-users thereby access easily to fast “anywhere, anytime” money solutions and also benefits of reduced commission rates with no obligation to credit their own account.

MoneyGram Renews India Post Agreement

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MoneyGram global money transfer renewed its agreement with India Post. MoneyGram’s growth strategy includes aligning with post offices, among other types of agents, providing consumers with convenient access to reliable and affordable money transfer service close to where they live and work. Currently, MoneyGram has nearly 30 postal relationships globally in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Italy with plans to expand further in the coming years.

First Data SpendTrend Shows Card Spending Skyrockets

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[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”0″ ihc_mb_template=”1″] First Data released its SpendTrend analysis for March 1-29, 2013. Compared to March 2-30, 2012, it tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations. Year-over-year dollar volume growth increased 6.0% in March, up from February’s 4.6% growth, as the…

Fiserv Launches Solution to Reduce Improper Govt Payments

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Fiserv financial services technology solutions has launched a payment accuracy and fraud solution to reduce improper payments for U.S. federal government agencies. The professional services engagement will allow government agencies to reduce the overall loss of cash associated with improper disbursement and recovery of funds, thereby enabling that money to instead be used for citizens and tax-payers. Improper payments can include payments to the wrong person, for the wrong amount, or to citizens who are no longer eligible for benefits. An estimated one-third or more of improper payments are due to fraud, while two-thirds are the result of errors or incorrect information. Using a rigorous process and data analysis, the Fiserv solution finds and eliminates process variation, waste and opportunities for error that may result in payment inaccuracy.