Seattle-based Remitly has acquired Talio, a mobile messaging company that developed an immersive, one-of-a-kind mobile messaging service for family and friends. Remitly is setting out to redefine money transfers to the developing world by creating a service customers love using.
When it comes to the best customer experience in the credit card industry, USAA took the top spot for the fifth straight year. Furthermore, USAA also ranked 13th overall out of 293 companies across 20 industries.
American Express this afternoon announces a new partnership with Uber and a first-of-its-kind technology integration into the Uber iOS app that allows U.S. Card Members enrolled in the Membership Rewards program to choose to earn 2x points or use points for Uber rides. This is the first time that consumers can use loyalty reward points seamlessly in-app and in real time for on-demand transportation in this way.
Members Project from American Express and TakePart have partnered with FOXâs series GLEE on a new, first-of-its-kind campaign. Kicking off Wednesday, Sept. 1, the collaboration will feature an innovative mix of original television, online and cinema content written, directed and produced by the GLEE creative team and featuring everyoneâs favorite GLEE characters. The partnership is designed to elevate common themes shared by both GLEE and Members Project, including finding inspiration by working together and harnessing the power of the collective and individual actions to do something good. GLEE and Members Project have created a broad spectrum of promotional video and online content in the distinctive voice of the series to spark dialogue about doing good versus doing nothing and to motivate fans to take a step toward making a difference.
American Express Business Travel has promoted Michael
Qualantone to vice president and general manager, Global Supplier
RelationsQualantone will manage and direct all strategic relationships
with global supplier partners, including airlines, hotel and car
companies, tour operators and cruise lines, as well as maintaining
strategic relationships with all technology providers including global
distribution systems and booking tools. During his 21 year tenure at
American Express, Qualantone has held
leadership positions within Finance, Travel Back Office, and Business
Travel. Prior to his role as vice president, Client Services Group, he
was vice president, On Sites and Customer Solutions, and vice president,
Global Distribution Strategy.
NJ-based NYCE Payment Network has renewed its Network participation with
NY-based Community Bank. NYCE Payments Network is a U.S. electronic
payments network and a Metavante company, a provider of banking and
payments technology. Community Bank has $5.3 billion in assets and 148
branches across upstate New York and northeastern Pennsylvania, where it
operates as First Liberty Bank & Trust and contributes 135,000 cards
and 132 ATMs to the NYCE Network.
American Express announced that “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” will be taped in flight from LA to NY. During the flight, Ellen and the Delta flight crew will highlight for the onboard audience ways in which American Express offers the ultimate in stress-free travel. This trip with Ellen marks one of the first initiatives to launch under American Express’ new “Are you a Cardmember?” communications campaign that showcases the value of American Express membership and its array of special benefits and services. The campaign encourages prospective Cardmembers to join the community and reinforces for existing Cardmembers the host of benefits and services currently available on American Express Cards.
GE reported that profit for its Consumer Finance unit climbed 22% in the first quarter to $735 million. First quarter revenues hit a record $4.7 billion, a 31% increase over 1Q/04. GECF posted fourth quarter revenues of $4.3 billion. During the quarter, GECF brought the “Dual Card” to Thailand by teaming up with Central Retail Group to launch the “Central MasterCard” and launched an unsecured personal loan product in Singapore called “ezyCash” through a co-operation agreement with the Singapore Post Office, one of the first of its kind in Asia, which makes full use of the Post Office’s extensive network in Singapore. The Company also launched GE Money Care Credit in Australia to finance discretionary procedures such as dental care, laser eye surgery and veterinary care, a $6 billion segment not covered by government programs or insurance. In the USA, GECF launched the “Wal-Mart Dual Card,” which offers cash back, gasoline discounts and low rates to Wal-Mart shoppers and which is accepted at more than 4 million merchant and cash access locations on the Discover Network. Also, GECF signed a seven-year extension of its private-label credit card agreement with SAM’S CLUB and launched “SAM’S CLUB Dual Cards” for consumers and businesses, with the business card being the first such card ever offered on the Discover Network. For complete details on GE’s first quarter performance, visit CardData ([www.carddata.com][1]).
GE CONSUMER FINANCIAL TRACK RECORD
Income Revenues
1Q/04: $602 million $3589 million
2Q/04: $600 million $3830 million
3Q/04: $681 million $4011 million
4Q/04: $637 million $4304 million
1Q/05: $735 million $4689 million
Source: CardData (www.carddata.com)
[1]: http://www.carddata.com
Celebrity Cruises and MBNA have teamed to launch the “Celebrity Rewards WorldPoints VISA”.
Advanta has signed Bill Rancic, a successful business owner and recent winner of the television series, “The Apprentice,” to serve as its corporate spokesperson.This is the first corporate spokesperson agreement for Rancic, an entrepreneur who launched a cigar business out of his studio apartment and grew it into a successful global company. Last spring, Rancic won the televised competition on “The Apprentice,” which was one of the highest-rated television series of the year. The hit series tapped into the entrepreneurial dreams of millions of young Americans and has sparked renewed interest in people who own their own businesses. Rancic will be an ambassador for Advanta in public appearances, media interviews, marketing and promotional campaigns. He will be promoting the features and benefits of the company’s credit card.
GE Card Services profits rose 80% in the third quarter to $266 million, compared to $148 million one year ago. Year-to-date, GE’s credit card profits are up 16% to $619 million. Compared to second quarter profits of $172 million, GE credit card 3Q/03 profits are up 55%. During the third quarter, GE teamed in the U.K. with Harrods, and in Australia with Coles Myer, to launch “DualCard,” a new co-branded product offering the benefits of both a store card and MasterCard as well as enhanced in-store benefits and loyalty programs. GE also agreed to acquire GC Corporation, a subsidiary of Promise Co., Ltd., the third-largest personal lender in Japan, adding approximately $1 billion in assets and more than three million credit card holders. Additionally, GE signed a multi-year extension with Brooks Brothers in the U.S. to continue private label credit card programs through 2006. For complete details on GE Card Services 3Q/03 results visit CardData (www.carddata.com.)
GE Capital Services reported this morning that revenues for its card services segment rose by only 1% during the second quarter, from $956 million for 2Q/01 to $962 million. Net earnings for card services declined by 6%. Net earnings for card services was $176 million for the second quarter compared to $187 million one year ago. For the first half of 2002, GE’s card services revenues have slipped by 10% from $2.0 billion to $1.87 billion. However net earnings year-to-date for card services increased by 6%, from $364 million for the first half of 2001 to $387 million for the first six months of 2002. Overall, GE’s second-quarter 2002 earnings grew 14% over second quarter 2001 to $4.4 billion, the highest of any quarter in the Company’s history. For complete details on GE’s 2Q/02 performance visit CardData ([www.carddata.com][1]).
[1]: http://www.carddata.com