In what appears to be a continuing case of revenue recovery in one area when another one gets tight, financial institutions are continuing to raise ATM fees, some to record levels, according to Bankrate Inc.’s latest annual survey of bank fees. The North Palm Beach, Fla.-based provider of financial information …
Read More »Nine Retail Trade Groups Take Their Credit Card Settlement Beefs to Congress
Numerous merchants and merchant groups have publicly declared their opposition to a controversial proposed settlement to the big credit card interchange litigation pending in federal court. In hopes of turning the settlement into a political issue, nine trade associations on Thursday took their beefs about it to Congress. In a …
Read More »The NRF Bares Its Sword Against the Credit Card Interchange Settlement
The National Retail Federation announced on Tuesday that it is ready go to court to challenge the controversial proposed settlement to a massive group of merchant lawsuits against the bank card networks and some leading banks over card interchange. The NRF’s entry into the fray is the latest indication of …
Read More »Durbin Effects Manageable So Far for Small Banks—But Worse Is Expected
Now that the Durbin Amendment’s debit card interchange caps have been in effect for nearly a year, enough time has passed for community banks and credit unions to start to determine the impact, if any, the price ceilings have had on their income. Based on conversations Digital Transactions News has …
Read More »How Visa’s New Network Fee Can Bring New Credit Risk for Acquirers
Visa Inc.’s complicated new Fixed Acquirer Network Fee, or FANF, has caused considerable head scratching if not outright consternation for merchant acquirers, independent sales organizations, and merchants since it took effect in April. But, in addition to figuring out FANF’s mysteries, the acquiring industry needs to account for a new …
Read More »After Years of Pushing Signature Debit, Big Banks Are Promoting PIN, Study Shows
The nation’s biggest debit card issuers have reversed polarity and are now promoting PIN-debit cards over signature debit and small-value transactions over bigger tickets, if the results of a debit study released this week are any indication. “Certainly, there’s a fundamental shift under way” among large banks to focus on …
Read More »Eye on Mobile: Square Offers Flat Pricing; Dunkin’ Donuts Unveils a Mobile App
Square Inc., the flashy mobile-payments startup that now counts Starbucks Corp. as one of its merchants, announced a new flat-pricing plan Thursday that puts the company squarely into the ring with independent sales organizations and merchant acquirers competing for established small businesses. And Dunkin’ Donuts, a rival of Starbucks for …
Read More »AmEx Flap Is an Embarrassment, But Not Likely to Hurt Google Wallet
Regardless of how talks between Google Inc. and American Express Co. turn out, it isn’t likely AmEx will shut down its cardholders’ access to the online search giant’s newly overhauled mobile wallet. Indeed, much of the discussion now is likely focused narrowly on the use of the AmEx brand, says …
Read More »Durbin Decries Credit Card Interchange Settlement, Hints at Small-Ticket Debit Fix
The chief sponsor of the Durbin Amendment that regulates debit card interchange is calling the proposed settlement in a big credit card interchange court fight “a stunning giveaway” and “a capitulation to the Wall Street banks and credit card giants.” In addition, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., wants to fix …
Read More »As Big Chains Chafe at Settlement, Smaller Retailers Celebrate the Deal
With each passing day, the proposed settlement of the giant antitrust suit over credit card interchange and card network rules appears to unravel even more as big-box merchants increasingly express dissatisfaction with the $7-billion-plus deal. The latest is Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which issued a statement on Tuesday opposing the agreement …
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