Digital Transactions Authoritative, insightful and timely information for payments professionals
In an ambitious effort to capture a share of the rapidly expanding markets for both digital content and goods at the point of sale, micropayments processor Peppercoin Inc. today is announcing a second generation of the payments model it introduced commercially only last December. Considerably revised, the Waltham, Mass.-based company's …
Read More »Free Service Is Lighting a Fire Under Online Bill Payment
The movement among banks to waive or eliminate consumer fees on electronic bill payment is rapidly pushing the transaction channel into the mainstream of consumer payment products, according to the chief executive of Online Resources Corp. “Free works,” declared Matthew P. Lawlor, who is also chairman of the McLean, Va.-based …
Read More »Consumer Groups Call on Fed to Extend Reg E to Payroll Cards
The rapid growth of the market for stored-value cards issued to employees in lieu of paychecks has prompted a wide array of consumer and labor groups to petition the Federal Reserve Board to extend to payroll cards the consumer protections of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. In a letter sent …
Read More »Key Reaches 100 in Agent-Bank Contracts for Its ATM Network
Keycorp, Cleveland, announced today it has signed the 100th contract in its agent-bank program for its ATM network. The contract, with Workman's Circle Credit Union, Cheektowaga, New York, calls for the institution's customers to have access to 289 Key ATMs in the state of New York. Under Key's agent-bank program, …
Read More »Electronic Payments Boost Growth in Canada by 25%, Report Shows
Making transactions more efficient has long been a driving force behind the conversion of paper-based to electronic systems, but now a new report shows how efficiencies derived from electronically processed payments contribute to a national economy. The report, entitled “The Benefits of Electronic Payments in the Canadian Economy,” was released …
Read More »MasterCard’s Wal-Mart Deal Could Fuel Non-Bank PIN Debit
Today's announcement by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. that the chain will begin accepting MasterCard International's signature-based debit card again, effective immediately, could spark more interest in non-bank debit networks among small and mid-size retailers, according to some expert observers. Although Wal-Mart and MasterCard refused to disclose terms of their agreement, it …
Read More »The Fed Plans More Closures As Check Volumes Slide
Having already announced last year its plan to shutter 13 check-processing facilities by the end of 2004, the Federal Reserve now says in a statement released this week it plans further closures. The announcement from the Fed does not indicate how many locations might be affected, nor is it specific …
Read More »PayPal Says Its New Pricing Should Cut Costs for Most Sellers
PayPal Inc., the online payment processor owned by Internet auction powerhouse eBay Inc., is set to roll out new transaction fees Aug. 6 that it says will slash payment costs for most of its sellers. Merchants doing very large volumes will see the greatest benefit, while mid-tier sellers will see …
Read More »How the New Anti-Phishing Group Sees Itself As Distinct
A new trade group formed to fight phishing fraud argues it will work on approaches to the problem that will distinguish it from the efforts of another organization that emerged last year to combat the online fraud. The Trusted Electronic Communications Forum, whose formation was announced this week, is aimed …
Read More »Paymentech Scores Major Multi-Year Deal with InterActiveCorp
Paymentech L.P. today won the entire credit and debit card processing business of five operating units of IAC/Interactive Corp., parent company of a number of online businesses. The multi-year deal includes Ticketmaster, Hotels.com, Expedia, HSN, and Match.com. Dallas-based Paymentech, which processed 7 billion electronic transactions in 2003, will not say …
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