Polish Banks Embrace HCE-Based Mobile Payments (Jan. 7, 2015)
Nine banks in Poland are preparing to launch mobile payments services via host card emulation (HCE) technology early this year, according to Visa Europe.
News
Political risk, SME and data tools to headline at FinTech Innovation Lab London 2015
Seven startup financial services companies have been chosen by the FinTech Innovation Lab London, which returns to the city for its third year running. Candidates include a web-based program for real-time geopolitical risk assessment, tools that help small business owners manage their finances and faster data exchange and reconciliation technologies.
SCOTUS to Determine Whether to Hear NACS Appeal on Interchange (Jan. 6, 2015)
The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled a conference this Friday to determine whether it will grant certiorari and move forward with oral arguments in NACS v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which pertains to debit interchange fees and network routing requirements.
FDIC Guidance Sheds Light on Prepaid Cards, Brokered Deposits (Jan. 6, 2015)
The FDIC has issued guidance to promote consistency by insured depository institutions in identifying, accepting and reporting brokered deposits. The guidance, which is in the form of “frequently asked questions,” addresses prepaid cards.
i2c, CPS Launch Corporate Rewards Card Down Under (Jan. 6, 2015)
Payment processor i2c Inc., and Melbourne, Australia-based program manager Corporate Prepaid Solutions (CPS) have launched the Visa-branded uChoose corporate rewards gift card in Australia, setting the stage for global collaboration on additional corporate prepaid programs.
U.K. Banks Eye Apple Pay, But Some Fear a Worm (Jan. 6, 2015)
Several major British banks reportedly are in negotiations with Apple to bring the tech giant’s Apple Pay service to the U.K. before the midway point of this year.
Derivatives markets brace for Basel III margin crunch in 2015
Derivatives market participants are concerned about the impact of new margin requirements for non-cleared derivatives under Basel III, with a large number unsure whether they will even have to comply with the rules, according to new survey published today by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.
NBPCA, ETA Request Extension of CFPB’s Comment Period (Jan. 5, 2015)
The NBPCA and the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA), the global trade association representing the payments technology industry, submitted a joint letter today requesting a 60-day extension to the comment period for the CFPB’s NPRM on prepaid.
EU VAT Law Aimed at Leveling Playing Field Goes into Effect (Jan. 5, 2015)
The start of a New Year also brings a new EU law into effect that’s intended to stop companies from undercutting their competition by setting up in low-tax countries. However, the law also could increase the tax on purchases of digital content like mobile applications, music downloads and e-books.
2014 Recap: Another Look at an Important Year in Payments (Jan. 5, 2015)
Bookmark our 2014 year in review for easy reference as you make plans and set strategy for the New Year.
Chevron to Add Apple Pay at Gas Pumps (Jan. 5, 2015)
Drivers soon will be able to pay with Apple Pay when filling up at Chevron stations, now that the fuel chain has announced plans to integrate the contactless payment system into its pumps.
Mark Your Calendars: Important Industry Deadlines in Q1 (Jan. 5, 2015)
The payments industry has two dates quickly approaching regarding NPRMs and their respective comment periods, which already have begun.
Cryptocurrencies overcome California legal hurdle – but the battle is not over yet
Digital and alternative currencies, including Bitcoin, can now be used for transactions in California, following the implementation of bill AB129 on 1 January 2015. The new bill is a step forward for cryptocurrencies which have faced tough opposition and scrutiny from global regulators. However, serious doubts about the safety of digital currencies have been voiced by banks.
Reminder: Important Industry Deadlines Ahead (Jan. 2, 2015)
With much of the holiday revelry come and gone, the payments industry must refocus on two important NPRMs and their respective comment periods, which already have begun.
SafeCharge Enters New Verticals with 3V Acquisition (Jan. 2, 2015)
Dublin-based 3V Transaction Services Ltd., which specializes in issuing, processing and management of prepaid card programs, will be the foundation of a new issuing division of SafeCharge, which acquired the technology provider for €14.5 million (US$17.4 million).
The Biggest Payments Stories of 2014
As you get back to business in 2015, bookmark this catalog of the biggest stories from the past 12 months as well as insights into the future of payments in the New Year.
“Big four” banks lose ground in current account market
The big four high street banks lost ground in the current account market in the first year of the UK Payments Council’s current account switching service, mainly through poor customer service. But the guarantee did not accelerate the pace of account switching, according to an independent survey of bank customers.
The Biggest Payments Stories of 2014: Movers and Shakers
This quick reference guide provides a snapshot of our interviews with the Movers and Shakers of 2014, including key insight into what’s ahead for payments in the New Year.
NTIS Expected to Publish Death Master File NPRM in Federal Register Tomorrow (Dec. 23, 2014)
The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) is expected to publish tomorrow its NPRM in the Federal Register that would create a certification program to replace the temporary certification program in place now for access to the Death Master File (DMF).
SVS: 92% of Shoppers to Spend Same or More on Gift Cards (Dec. 23, 2014)
Seven of every 10 shoppers plan to buy gift cards this holiday season and, among them, 92 percent of shoppers plan to spend either the same amount or more on gift cards than they spent last year, according to an interim holiday spending report by Stored Value Solutions (SVS).
Alibaba, SoftBank Discuss Collaboration in India (Dec. 23, 2014)
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and Japanese telecom and Internet firm Softbank are in the midst of preliminary talks to work together, instead of compete, to capture a sizable chunk of India’s consumer Internet market, according to a report.
People on the Move: Mike Cahill, Boku Inc.
Mike Cahill has returned to carrier billing specialist Boku Inc. as chief technology officer.
Company on the Move: CPI Card Group, Center of Excellence Recognition
Littleton, Colo.-based card producer CPI Card Group has received the Center of Excellence award for the second consecutive year at the Smart Card Alliance’s annual member meeting.
Company on the Move: Fiserv Inc., Technology Award
Fiserv Inc., a global provider of financial services technology solutions, has received awards in two categories at the Banking Technology Awards, held in London.
People on the Move: Kaylene Barnes, Sheryl Britton, Chassidy Butler, Bonnie Lemke, Jason Medick and Matt Flynn, The Members Group
The Members Group (TMG) has announced the addition of several directors, each of whom brings extensive financial services experience to the Des Moines, Iowa-based payments processor.
Clock Starts Tomorrow for CFPB’s Prepaid Card Comment Period (Dec. 22, 2014)
The CFPB’s NPRM on prepaid accounts is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register tomorrow.
N.J. General Assembly Passes ZIP Code Repeal Bill (Dec. 22, 2014)
The N.J. General Assembly last week approved by a vote of 73-1 the ZIP code repeal bill (A-3480), which eliminates the collection of consumer ZIP code information for gift cards at the POS.
Starbucks, Square Go Separate Ways on Mobile Payments (Dec. 22, 2014)
The mobile payments piece of Starbucks’ partnership with Square has ended.
M&A Roundup: Mozido, CorFire, Payment Data Systems, Akimbo Financial (Dec. 22, 2014)
Industry experts earlier this year predicted abundant M&A activity in the payments industry, and they are being proved correct right to the very end of 2014.
Data analytics do drive financial growth finds EY study
Firms that excel at data analytics also achieve better financial results according a study by EY. High-growth companies are twice as likely to focus on data and analytics in revenue-generating areas such as marketing and sales,
EU Officials Agree to Cap Interchange Fees (Dec. 18, 2014)
Members of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and European Union Council negotiators yesterday agreed to cap the interchange fees on cross-border and domestic card-based payments, ensuring uniform rules across the EU.
Holiday Spending Growth Down, But Consumer Confidence Appears Stronger (Dec. 18, 2014)
Store openings on Thanksgiving Day and the typical headline-seeking weekend deals by retailers helped somewhat during the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season this year.
Toronto, Jakarta Transit Payment Systems Going Electronic (Dec. 18, 2014)
Transit systems throughout the world continue to adopt electronic payment systems—the latest among them Toronto and Indonesian province Jakarta.
ESMA: ‘crowdfunding would benefit from regulation’
The European Securities and Markets Authority says that crowdfunding platforms are incentivised to operate in a way that they fall outside existing regulations, which is holding back their growth and increasing risks for investors.
BAML boosts EMEA GTS team with internal promotions
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has made a series of internal promotions in its EMEA Global Transaction Services team.
CFPB Calls for Greater Transparency in Campus Card Agreements (Dec. 16, 2014)
The CFPB is calling for greater transparency from colleges and financial institutions when they enter agreements to offer prepaid or debit products to students.
First Data, Verifone Reduce Merchants’ Data Breach Exposure (Dec. 16, 2014)
First Data Inc. and Verifone are helping U.S. merchants reduce their exposure to large-scale consumer payment data breaches and expedite merchant acceptance of EMV-enabled credit and debit cards.
Apple Making it Easier for PayPal, Google Wallet Users (Dec. 16, 2014)
Apple in recent weeks has become somewhat more accommodating to consumers who use PayPal or Google Wallet. For example, consumers in the U.S. and U.K. now may use PayPal when making purchases on Apple’s online store.
LevelUp Completes NCR Silver Integration, Rolls Out Gift Card Feature (Dec. 16, 2014)
NCR Corp. today announced the NCR Silver POS system now includes a feature enabling merchants to easily add LevelUp, the mobile payments and loyalty network, to customer payment options.
Fingerprint authentication for mobile finance moves closer with FIDO
Widespread use of fingerprint authentication for financial transactions on mobile devices could start taking off from early next year as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Google, Samsung, Lenovo, Microsoft, Alipay and others adopt a new authentication standard through their joint project, the FIDO Alliance, which has just published its specifications and launched its first server.
