NthCard LLC, a prepaid gift card processing and distribution firm, launched nthPOS, an app for Android, iOS, and Windows 10 devices that enables merchants to activate, redeem, and reload gift cards using a mobile phone or tablet. Fraud-management vendor Giact Systems LLC announced it and Advanced Fraud Solutions are offering a …
Read More »First Data’s Prepaid Business Shines as Struggling Bank Joint Ventures Begin Turnaround
First Data Corp.’s struggling merchant-acquiring joint ventures with three big banks are showing nascent signs of a turnaround, and business is booming in the company’s prepaid card unit, top executives reported Monday. The Atlanta-based processor reported last year that new merchant referrals from its big joint ventures with The PNC …
Read More »Digital and Other New Services To Drive 7%-Plus Annual Growth in the Prepaid Market, Aite Predicts
The prepaid market can expect to grow more than 7% annually over five years, but unlike its early days in which plastic gift cards and government payments dominated, much of the growth will come from new virtual uses for prepaid products, according to a new Aite Group LLC report. Boston-based …
Read More »Fraudsters’ First Love: Signature Debit Cards
Criminals target signature-based debit cards for fraud attempts far more than any other payment method, according to new findings from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Fed’s survey last summer, which garnered responses from 283 banks and credit unions across the country, found that more than 90% of …
Read More »Mastercard Takes $873 Million One-Time Tax Hit; Lands Cabela’s Cobranded Card
Mastercard Inc. took an $873 million, one-time charge in 2017’s fourth quarter related to the new federal tax law, and the company reported Thursday that the cobranded Cabela’s Visa card will switch to the Mastercard brand. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that President Donald Trump signed into law in …
Read More »AmEx Acquires Mezi and other Digital Transactions News briefs from 1-31-18
Processor Fiserv Inc. reported that its Accel debit network has added new transaction-routing options, including the ability to process signature-based transactions. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is using the new signature service, Fiserv said. Accel also will make signatures optional for merchants beginning in April, as are the four general-purpose card networks. …
Read More »Chenault Joins Another Board and other Digital Transactions News briefs from 1-30-18
UATP, which is owned by and provides payment processing for many of the world’s airlines, said it is now accepted for U.S. ticket purchases on Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity. General Catalyst announced that soon-to-retire American Express Co. chief executive Ken Chenault has joined the venture-capital firm as chairman and a …
Read More »Starbucks Brews New Cards and Mulls Blockchain Technology
Investors gave Starbucks Corp. the cold shoulder Friday morning on news that despite a record $6.1 billion in quarterly revenues, growth is slowing in the United States. But the coffee giant’s payments business has several initiatives brewing, executives reported late Thursday. A leader in closed-loop prepaid cards and mobile payments …
Read More »PayNearMe Announces Collaboration and other Digital Transactions News briefs from 1/26/18
• Bill processor Invoice Cloud announced a collaboration with PayNearMe to allow customers to pay bills with cash at participating retail stores, including CVS, 7-Eleven, Family Dollar, Casey’s General Stores, and ACE Cash Express. • The Miami Parking Authority, the municipal parking-management authority for Miami, said drivers had used the …
Read More »Pulse Volumes Increases 19% and other Digital Transactions News briefs from 1/25/18
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced changes to its controversial prepaid accounts rule and extended its effective date by one year, to April 2019. The changes will adjust error-resolution requirements for prepaid card providers and will make it easier for consumers to link credit card accounts to digital wallets, some …
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