Digital Transactions Authoritative, insightful and timely information for payments professionals
• Mastercard Inc. said it will move to close its acquisition of VocaLink Holdings Ltd.“within the next few weeks” now that the transaction has been cleared by the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority.
• USA Technologies Inc. said it is providing its contactless ePort Connect payment device for entertainment kiosks from Sneaker Syndicate, a seller of athletic shoes. The amusement arcades allow users to play games to win sneakers. A month after the ePorts were installed on a small number of the machines, sales almost doubled and cashless transactions accounted for roughly 45% of revenue, USA Technologies reported.
• In related news, payments-gateway provider Apriva said it is teaming with On Track Innovations Ltd., a vendor of near-field communication technology for cashless payments, to supply an EMV chip card solution for unattended payments.
• Payments provider Harbortouch Payments LLC announced a partnership with FiveStar Loyalty Inc., which provides a rewards and marketing platform for merchants.
• Hackers using stolen email and password credentials are targeting third-party sellers using Amazon.com Inc.’s platform, The Wall Street Journal reported; in recent weeks, attackers have changed some sellers’ bank-deposit information to steal tens of thousands of dollars, while others have hacked into inactive Amazon accounts to sell nonexistent goods and collect payment.
• Payment processor First Data Corp. will provide expertise to Silicon Valley Bank’s Commerce.Innovated. accelerator program for commerce, payments, and fintech startups.
• Payments-technology provider Computer Services Inc. has elected its chief executive, Steven A. Powless, to the additional position of chairman of the board. Powless succeeds company founder John A. Williams, who is stepping down after serving as chairman since 1979. The company also elected Robert L. Walker lead independent director.
• Payments provider YapStone Inc. named Christopher Crum as senior vice president of sales and customer success. Crum previously worked at Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc.
