Other Breaking News
In today’s CardFlash News Que: US BANK (ScoreBoard); CARDFELLOW (Dharma); MASTERCARD (Thailand); and ETA (TRANSACT).
National Geographic Visa
The National Geographic Society and First Bankcard, a division of First National Bank of Omaha have launched the new National Geographic Visa Card. Cardholders earn exclusive savings on National Geographic products and experiences while supporting the Society’s global exploration, conservation, research and education programs with every purchase.
Singtel + Trustwave
Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) is gobbling up Chicago-based Trustwave for US$810 million. Singtel plans to combine its state-of-the-art information and communications technology (ICT) with Trustwave’s broad portfolio of managed security services.
Chase Mastery Campaign
Chase is launching a barrage of new ads showcasing everyday banking transactions like depositing checks through the Chase Mobile App or at Chase ATMs. The new Chase Mastery campaign features masters of various crafts such as the Rockettes.
ACI Worldwide Addresses The Payments Disruption Opportunity in EMEA
ACI Worldwide electronic payment and banking systems’ conferences are preeminent customer events with senior IT and business leaders from leading financial services, processors and retail organizations. This year’s EMEA event, May 13-16 in Lisbon, Portugal, brings together many of the region’s industry thought leaders to hear more about the Disruption Opportunity”how financial experts, retailers, and technology leaders are navigating a disrupted payments landscape, preparing for the future and prospering. Additional sessions will focus on all aspects of the payments industry, including wholesale payments, online banking, merchant acquiring and card issuing, as well as ATM driving, payments fraud, retailer payment processing and mobile. ACI extends thanks to this year’s EMEA sponsors, including: HP, IBM, Integrated Research, Phoenix Interactive, Stratus Technologies, Thales e-Security, XYPRO Technology, Bell ID, Futurex, Polar Moment and Spectrum.
American Express and Universal Studios Expand Partnership
Universal Studios and American Express announced an expanded multi-year agreement that brings the strength of Universal’s theme parks and filmed entertainment together with its brand to create exclusive consumer benefits and experiences. Also allowing AmEx to acquire new Card Members directly through Universal theme parks and websites, this expanded partnership presents new and innovative marketing opportunities for both companies. The partnership will now include marketing opportunities that leverage Universal Pictures’ retail partners, consumer licensing and digital media platforms on a global basis. The partnership will continue to set the stage for ongoing offers and promotions for anyone holding an American Express Card, ranging from discounts at the theme parks to special once-in-a-lifetime entertainment experiences.
APS CEO Chair the Mobile Money & Wallet Summit
Richard Wagner, CEO of Advanced Payment Solutions (APS) will chair the prestigious Mobile Money & Wallet Summit 2014, a two-day event in London on 18th and 19th March for the mobile money wallet ecosystem. The summit comes at a time when big questions are being asked about the future of mobile technology in money and banking. With the near-collapse and scandal surrounding the crypto-currency BitCoin, and a huge rise in contactless payment systems, the mobile payments’ industry now faces tough questions and challenges. APS has recently been recognised as one of the London Stock Exchange’s 1,000 companies to inspire Britain. In ten years, Richard has built APS up to be one of the most awarded electronic banking providers in Europe providing smart, fast, digital and mobile solutions which make it simple to send and receive payments.
Western Union Expands mTransfer Service
Western Union launched its new mobile money transfer service letting users send money into a mobile wallet. The new mobile money transfer service to integrates directly with eSewa, one of the leading digital wallet platforms in Nepal with more than 200,000 registered users. The functionality was developed through the collaborative efforts of Western Union, its Agent Nabil Bank Limited, and FonePay Pvt. Ltd., the owner of eSewa. Consumers in Nepal who subscribe to the eSewa mobile wallet now have the option of receiving a Western Union Money Transfer® transaction on their mobile phones, or through eSewa’s web interface. International money transfers for mobile pick-up can be initiated at westernunion.com in 23 countries, or at participating Western Union Agent locations worldwide.
Shopify Announces POS System
Shopify ecommerce platform announced its Shopify POS system designed to let anybody easily sell in-store in addition to online. Shopify POS marks a new frontier for Shopify as they branch out from helping people create ecommerce stores, to helping people run and grow businesses across all levels of commerce. Shopify POS uses the same easy-to-use online store management system as its ecommerce platform, allowing merchants to manage all aspects of their business from one place. They can add a product or update inventory on one side of the system, and it is instantly updated across the board – creating an organized, seamless integration between selling online and selling in-store.
Kovio NFC Deploys Symphony Teleca mAnalytics
Symphony Teleca Corporation has become a strategic development partner to Kovio NFC products and services. Symphony Teleca will leverage its expertise in the development of big data analytics platforms for retailers, brands, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries to co-develop mobile services and applications that enable marketers and advertisers to conduct dynamic and integrated NFC-based mobile marketing campaigns using NFC tags activated by consumers’ own NFC-enabled mobile phones. The development of NFC-based mobile marketing creates a new era in the way brand marketers engage consumers, drive conversion and build brand loyalty through opt-in, personalized, authentic, and contextual experiences at both point of purchase and point of use.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Hosts Sundance Premiere Party
Chase Sapphire Preferred premier travel rewards card hosted the premiere party for Touchy Feely at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Touchy Feely writer and director Lynn Shelton attended the celebration and walked the “Sapphire blue” carpet with cast members. Hundreds of Chase Sapphire cardholders and VIP guests toasted the film premiere and met the cast at the exclusive celebration. As a presenting sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival for the third year in a row, Chase Sapphire offered cardholders custom packages with insider access to exclusive events, people and films at the Festival. Cardholders enjoyed invite-only VIP parties, access to an exclusive Chase Sapphire Box Office priority ticket line, complimentary film screening tickets, festival credentials and coveted seats at ChefDance dinners with world-renowned celebrity chefs.
Cybercrime Expert Delivers Address at MasterCard Americas Conference
As part of MasterCard’s ongoing commitment to protecting consumers by making the global payments network more secure, the company is hosting its 10th annual Americas Global Risk Management Conference in Boca Raton, Florida from May 7-11, 2012. The symposium brings together hundreds of professionals in the financial services and fraud security fields from across North…