Thursday, March 18, 2010

Arkansas.gov Becomes the First State to Offer Mobile Payments for eGovernment Services



http://www.Arkansas.gov

Arkansas.gov Becomes the First State to Offer Mobile Payments for eGovernment Services

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Making government payments while on the go just got easier, thanks to a new mobile Web site for Arkansas.gov. With today’s launch of http://arkansas.gov/m, Arkansas is the first state to provide secure payment processing specifically for smartphone users.
“We are committed to using multiple delivery platforms to provide easy access to government services for all Arkansans”
The Arkansas.gov mobile Web site is part of the official Web site of the state of Arkansas. Starting today, the Arkansas.gov mobile site features secure payments for three high-volume online government services: inmate trust account deposits; probation and parole supervision and restitution payments; and Pulaski County property tax payments.
These mobile applications provide a convenient, simple, and secure option for users to access government services and are available on all smartphone operating platforms, including iPhone, Blackberry, Google Android, Windows Mobile, and Palm.
“We are committed to using multiple delivery platforms to provide easy access to government services for all Arkansans,” said Claire Bailey, Chief Information Officer of the state of Arkansas. “With today’s launch, we are excited to be the first state to offer integrated online services and secure payments through a user-friendly Web site that is optimized for mobile users.”
Arkansas.gov’s mobile site is the latest enhancement to the state’s eGovernment services for mobile phone users. The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission’s Game Check service provides real-time game tagging for mobile devices and the state also provides iPhone apps for the Arkansas.gov Web site and the Recovery.Arkansas.gov searchable service to locate nearby recovery projects funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.
The state’s decision to launch an optimized mobile version of Arkansas.gov was driven by the growing popularity of smartphone devices in the state. “We recognize that Arkansans are increasingly using their smartphones for everyday Internet access and are aggressively introducing new mobile-friendly online services that work on a range of smartphone operating platforms,” continued Bailey.
The applications will render on any mobile device based on the specific device’s screen size and capabilities, which makes government information and services even more convenient and accessible. All Visa, MasterCard, and Discover mobile transactions are processed through Arkansas.gov’s secure payment system.
Additional information about Arkansas.gov’s new mobile payment services:
  • Inmate Deposit Service – Friends and family can make secure deposits to an inmate's Department of Correction-managed trust or prepaid phone account in real time.

  • Probation and Parole Supervision and Restitution Payments – Paying monthly supervision, drug court, or restitution fees is now much easier for offenders supervised by the Department of Community Correction. The mobile payment application makes paying restitution quick and easy for users that might not have access to a computer.

  • Pulaski County Property Tax Payments – Users in Arkansas’s largest county can enter their parcel information and pay installments or the total amount due on their personal property and real estate taxes.

About Arkansas.gov
Arkansas.gov is the official Web site of the state of Arkansas (http://www.arkansas.gov) and a service of the Information Network of Arkansas. The Information Network of Arkansas is a collaborative effort between the state of Arkansas and Arkansas Information Consortium that helps state government entities Web-enable their information services. Arkansas Information Consortium is a Little Rock-based subsidiary of the eGovernment firm NIC (NASDAQ: EGOV).
About NIC
NIC is the nation’s leading provider of official government Web sites, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company’s innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,000 federal, state, and local agencies that serve 97 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.nicusa.com.

Contacts

Arkansas.gov

Janet Grard, 501-324-8907

janet@ark.org
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100318006518/en/Arkansas.gov-State-Offer-Mobile-Payments-eGovernment-Services

Lafferty Retail Banking News





18th March 2010


Senator Dodd unveils new US financial reform bill

Senator Christopher Dodd has put forward a financial reform bill that if voted through could dramatically reshape the US banking industry.    more...

Ray of hope for India’s rural population

Solar-powered ATMs are to be introduced to the Indian market in a deal that has seen an engineering company agree to provide them to the State Bank of India.   more...

Erste Group reinforces its retail focus

Erste Group has established a position on its management board that is dedicated to retail banking.   more...

Scotiabank’s affiliate buys stake in Thai Bank

Scotiabank’s Thailand affiliate Thanachart Bank has agreed to acquire almost 48 percent of Siam City Bank.   more...

UK body expects progress on unarranged overdrafts

The UK’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) says that its discussions with major financial institutions are likely to give customers a greater choice about whether or not to have an unarranged overdraft facility.    more...

Wachovia reaches settlement over money laundering allegations

Wachovia Bank has reached a $160 million settlement with the US authorities concerning allegations that a failure in its compliance procedures led to money laundering.   more...

Shinsei Bank to boost stake in APLUS

Japan’s Shinsei Bank is to increase its stake in consumer finance organisation APLUS from 66.4 percent to 93.5 percent.   more...
 












WAY Systems Encore Release Way5000

Boston, March 18, 2010 -- WAY Systems, manufacturers of mobile POS solutions and Encore Payment Systems, one of the foremost providers for merchant acquiring solutions announced today the release of the way5000, a credit, PIN-Debit, multi application, low-cost, pocket-sized mobile point-of-sale device. The way5000 will be fully supported and sold throughout the Encore sales network.



“WAY Systems is very proud to continue our partnership with a prestigious market leader such as Encore Payment Systems. WAY has built a reputation for bringing high quality, low-cost mobile point-of-sale devices to the market and Encore continues to be one of our most valued business alliances”, said Tim McWeeney, Vice President, North American Sales for WAY Systems.



“Encore Payment Systems is very happy to offer end-to-end sales and support of the way5000, said Ben Sparks, Vice President of Sales. We are pleased to continue our long standing relationship with Way and the 5000 will be featured prominently in our wireless portfolio".



About WAY Systems, Inc.



WAY Systems has designed, developed, tested and delivered end-to-end payment solutions for mobile merchants all over the world. Our products and services are designed to meet the payment transaction needs of mobile merchants and exceed industry security standards. We empower merchants to conduct business any time anywhere and increase their revenue by accepting credit and pin based debit cards.  WAY’s innovative mobile POS devices and dedication to service make us the ideal partner for you to conduct Transactions Without Boundaries. Users of WAY terminals are invited to explore the limitless possibilities of commerce.



About Encore Payment Systems



Encore Payment Systems, LLC is a fast growing merchant acquirer that specializes in providing small and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States with comprehensive electronic transaction processing solutions. Encore distributes and installs point-of-sale equipment and offers traditional credit and debit card processing services as well as processing for ATM cards, gift and loyalty cards, prepaid cards, EBT, checks and e-commerce solutions. Encore also proudly offers 24-hour technical support. For further information, please visit Encore Payment Systems online at www.EncorePS.com .



Source: Company press release.

Capital Payments Acquires Assets from Merchant Services Group

Melville, N.Y., March 17, 2010 -- Capital Payments announced today that it has made its fourth acquisition, purchasing a specific portion of merchant assets from Merchant Services Group, Inc. (MSG) and entering into a long-term distribution agreement with MSG's principals. Based in Syosset, New York, MSG is an electronic payments services company specializing in credit card and check processing, and other payment related services for small and medium-sized businesses, corporate merchants and ecommerce merchants.



The acquisition and alliance agreement with Merchant Services Group supports Capital Payments' ongoing strategy to offer merchant acquiring entrepreneurs opportunities to monetize their existing portfolios and benefit from Capital Payments' multiple processing relationships, geographic diversity, robust sector-specific product offerings and novel technology. MSG's merchants extend Capital Payments' commitment to being the leading national provider of payment solutions to the Trusted Advisor community and their small business clients.



"We are aggressively looking to add entrepreneurs and their portfolios to our platforms, and feel that our speed and financial flexibility as well as our comprehensive suite of payment related products positions us as a leading merchant acquirer," states Todd S. Whiton, President and CEO of Capital Payments.



Headquartered in Melville, NY, Capital Payments, LLC supports Trusted Advisors such as CPAs and attorneys in working with their small- and mid-sized business clients. Capital Payments is financially backed by Hamilton Investment Partners and Financial Partners, a business unit of Citi Capital Advisors. "We are pleased to support Capital Payments in delivering a superior level of merchant processing to Trusted Advisors and their clients, and we look forward to continuing to work with Todd Whiton, CEO and Pat Keller, CFO, and our partner investors on future successful acquisitions," said Manu Rana, Managing Director of Financial Partners. Capital Payments was represented in the transaction by Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss.



About Capital Payments, LLC



Capital Payments is a leading provider of merchant and electronic payment solutions. The company is uniquely focused on working with Trusted Advisors to help them navigate their business clients through the increasingly complex world of electronic payments. The company provides transparent and competitive pricing, very fair terms and conditions, and best of breed payment products and services to its merchants. Capital Payments is led by industry veterans with decades of experience in working with small and midsized businesses and their CPAs, Accountants, Attorneys, and other trusted advisors. For more information, please visit www.capitalpayments.com .



About Merchant Services Group



Servicing thousands of merchants nationwide, Merchant Service Group, Inc. understands that offering electronic payments in today's world is a necessity for your business. Merchant Service Group provides an array of electronic payment processing options to retail, restaurant, mail order, telephone order, and Internet businesses. Services include credit, debit and EBT card processing, check conversion and guarantee, electronic gift certificate processing, and equipment leasing and sales.



About Hamilton Investment Partners



Hamilton is a private investment firm that makes equity investments in partnership with superior management teams, focusing primarily on small and middle market buyouts and growth capital financings. Following each investment, Hamilton intends to play an active role on the board of directors in guiding the company and developing its expansion and exit strategies. Together, the firm's partners have completed more than 40 financings over the past 25 years. For more information please visit www.hamiltoninvestment.com .



About Financial Partners



Financial Partners, a business unit of Citi Capital Advisors, seeks to provide primary, secondary and special-situations capital to financial services businesses and companies servicing financial institutions. Financial Partners aims to provide equity, debt or hybrid capital for event-, special situation, or growth, acquisition or recapitalization financing. Its goal is to finance exceptional management teams who can take advantage of the skills and relationships of the Financial Partners investment team to catalyze or accelerate the creation of durable value in their companies. Citi Capital Advisors, a unit of Citigroup Inc., manages $14 billion globally on behalf of institutional, corporate, sovereign and individual investors.



Source: Company press release.

Verifi and ThreatMetrix Partner to Provide Advanced Payment Fraud Detection



 Verifi, Inc.

Verifi and ThreatMetrix Partner to Provide Advanced Payment Fraud Detection

Verifi, Inc., a leading provider of payment risk management systems and ThreatMetrix, the only fraud control network that enables online businesses to verify payments, authorize new accounts and authenticate returning customers, announced today a partnership to provide merchants with advanced fraud detection capabilities for web payments.
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Verifi™, Inc., a leading provider of payment risk management solutions for card-not-present (CNP) merchants announced today a partnership with ThreatMetrix™, a fast growing provider of fraud detection solutions, to deliver advanced fraud detection to merchants through Verifi’s payment risk management system.
“Card-not-present merchants can now benefit from the combined capabilities of the ThreatMetrix Fraud Network with Verifi’s leading global electronic payment and risk management solutions to fight CNP fraud and streamline customer web payments”
The partnership provides Verifi customers with an additional protective layer of on-demand fraud intelligence and data matching to help merchants detect fraudulent customers and identify good and returning customers. Through Verifi’s platform, customers will have access to ThreatMetrix’s forensic risk assessment tools and its global fraud knowledge share database.
Current customers already use Verifi’s full service payment management system, which screens and reviews high risk transactions and comes with the best possible suite of proprietary and third party fraud detection and prevention tools. Clients also use Verifi’s best-in-class managed services for declines, refunds and chargebacks. The addition of ThreatMetrix’s advanced fraud tools and network to Verifi’s full service risk and fraud payment management system, analytics and reporting provides Verifi customers with the strongest defense against hackers, cybercriminals and large-scale global fraud enterprises without disrupting the consumer checkout experience. And with Verifi’s single source platform, customers gain immediate access to all of Verifi’s partner fraud and risk management solutions without the need for any additional integration.
“Card-not-present merchants can now benefit from the combined capabilities of the ThreatMetrix Fraud Network with Verifi’s leading global electronic payment and risk management solutions to fight CNP fraud and streamline customer web payments,” said Alisdair Faulkner, chief products officer, ThreatMetrix.
“One of the most common challenges we hear from our customers is how frequently they must plan for, invest in and allocate internal resources for the implementation of new technologies. Reducing this burden is one of the added benefits customers receive when they use Verifi’s platform. By partnering with ThreatMetrix, we not only significantly reduce this burden, but we continue our quest to provide our clients with the best and most complete set of global fraud tools available.” Jeff, Sawitke, Vice President, Product Management, Verifi Inc.
About Verifi
Verifi™ is a leading provider of global electronic payment and risk management solutions for card-not-present merchants. The highly customizable payment and real-time reporting platform serves as a foundation for Verifi’s suite of fraud solutions and risk management strategies. With a commitment of reducing risk while increasing profitability for clients, Verifi’s multi-layered approach enables transaction risk management and mitigation, business optimization strategies, cardholder authentication and chargeback re-presentment for all major credit card brands. Verifi is PCI Level 1 certified and headquartered in Los Angeles, California with a satellite office in Redwood Shores, California. For more information on Verifi, please visit: http://www.Verifi.com or please email us at Info@Verifi.com.


Media Contact: Catherine Magee
Verifi, Inc.
323-655-5789


ThreatMetrix (www.threatmetrix.com) helps companies stop web fraud and enable e-commerce. The ThreatMetrix Fraud Network helps online businesses verify new accounts, authorize payments and transactions and authenticate user logins in real-time without relying on personally identifiable information (PII). ThreatMetrix profiles the device used in an online transaction so companies can determine whether the users are fraudsters or customers. ThreatMetrix device profiling goes beyond browser fingerprinting to identify the device, bypass proxies and detect the use of botnets. ThreatMetrix’ simple and cost-effective SaaS approach to implementation enables companies to get results in hours or days, rather than weeks or months. The company serves a rapidly growing customer base in the U.S. and around the world across a variety of industries including social networks (dating, gaming), financial services, e-commerce, affiliate marketing and payments. For more information, visit www.threatmetrix.com or call 1-650-625-1451.


Media Contact: Kevin Wolf
ThreatMetrix
650-327-1641

Contacts

Verifi, Inc.

Catherine Magee, 323-655-5789

Catherine.Magee@verifi.com

or

ThreatMetrix

Kevin Wolf, 650-327-1641

kevin@toolguypr.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100317006714/en/Verifi-ThreatMetrix-Partner-Provide-Advanced-Payment-Fraud

Former PaymentsSource Editor Joins PYMNTS.com



http://www.pymnts.com/

Former PaymentsSource Publisher Joins PYMNTS.com

Andy Rowe, previous Publisher for SourceMedia’s PaymentsSource, joins PYMNTS.com
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PYMNTS.com welcomes Andy Rowe, former SourceMedia’s PaymentsSource Publisher. Rowe, 14 year veteran in the payment and financial services space joins PYMNTS.com as Senior Vice President and Publisher. Andy’s depth of knowledge in the payment landscape will further enhance PYMNTS.com as a marketing platform for companies to assemble, promote and distribute the content related to products, services and thought leadership in the payments sector. PYMNTS.com promotes the companies, products and people that drive "what's next" in payments, worldwide and is a joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway's Business Wire and Market Platform Dynamics.
PYMNTS.com promotes the companies, products and people that drive "what's next" in payments, worldwide. PYMNTS.com is a joint venture between Berkshire Hathaway's Business Wire and Market Platform Dynamics. In the five months since its launch, PYMNTS.com has assembled a very large and highly engaged community of relevant (and senior) industry executives and opinion makers across the payments ecosystem who regularly click on its newsletter, visit the site, and spend a lot of time there. PYMNTs.com has become the "hub" for payments innovation for those whose core business is payments and for those who view payments as central to their own commerce capabilities.
For information on PYMNTS.com contact info@PYMNTS.com. You can also follow PYMNTS.com on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PYMNTS and join the PYMNTS Linked In group.
About Market Platform Dynamics (MPD):
MPD is a management consulting firm that ignites catalyst businesses by leveraging new technologies, business models and pricing strategies. MPD has a wealth of experience within industries that are characterized by complex platform-centered ecosystems, including payments, mobile/telecoms, digital and advertising-supported media, and software-based businesses.
MPD works with both incumbents and new entrants, offering a unique lens into the dynamics that shape the competitive playing field. In addition to traditional consulting-based services, MPD’s Catalyst Ventures provides intellectual and human capital to new firms. MPD’s experts include economists, econometricians, product development specialists, and strategic marketers who apply cutting-edge business theory and statistical methods to the practical problems of building and growing a profitable catalyst business. MPD is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, and has offices in London and Hong Kong.
For more information visit www.marketplatforms.com.
About Business Wire
Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is utilized by tens of thousands of member companies and organizations worldwide to functionally enhance and communicate investor relations and public relations content to target audiences. As a recognized disclosure service in the United States, Canada and a dozen European countries, Business Wire facilitates the simultaneous flow of market-moving press releases from corporations to financial markets and their audiences, including regulatory authorities, media, investors, financial information systems and consumer news services. Business Wire also handles XBRL tagging, document formatting and regulatory filing into EDGAR, SEDAR, FSA and other systems.
Founded in 1961, Business Wire has dual headquarters in San Francisco and New York, with 30 bureaus in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Paris, Frankfurt, London, Brussels, Tokyo, Toronto and Sydney and reciprocal offices throughout the world. Business Wire's patented NX data platform supports XML, XHTML and XBRL code that enhances news release interactivity, social media sharing and search engine optimization. More information about Business Wire and its services is located on its website atwww.BusinessWire.com.

Contacts

PYMNTS.com

Jonathan Summey, Senior Editor, 617-374-1336

EVP, New Media

sumj@pymnts.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100316006103/en/PaymentsSource-Publisher-Joins-PYMNTS.com

Gemalto Expands Its Service Center in Sweden



http://www.gemalto.com

Gemalto Expands Its Service Center in Sweden

AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, today announced it has expanded the activities of its Swedish personalization center to include payment cards. The facility will be able to deliver new value-added personalization services to financial institutions, in Sweden and neighboring countries. EMV card personalization started at the end of 2009, and Gemalto has already secured contracts with major Swedish banks.
“Our enhanced Swedish facility enables local banks to benefit from the extensive portfolio of innovative services Gemalto already offers to its customers globally”
This Gemalto service center has been operating in Stockholm for over five years. So far, it was focused on serving national e-ID products and corporate badges, as well as contactless cards for transport and access. It is now expanding into the personalization of payment cards to locally serve financial institutions, and also to deliver innovative e-banking and e-ID applications with the same card. From this facility, Gemalto provides extended services that aim at providing Swedish banks with a VIP treatment such as picture card validation and printing, urgent change-requests handling and new product introduction management.
The company also provides Internet-based production monitoring to its customers. This value-added service consists of a highly secure web interface that enables banks to monitor their card personalization process. It provides full card traceability and real-time interaction with the Gemalto personalization center to increase efficiency and responsiveness in managing urgent customer requests. For example, banks are offered the possibility to track a particular card or batch and get real-time information regarding production status.
Our enhanced Swedish facility enables local banks to benefit from the extensive portfolio of innovative services Gemalto already offers to its customers globally,” commented Philippe Cambriel, Executive Vice-President of Gemalto’s Secure Transactions Business Unit. “It will also be capable to support introduction of advanced new products on the market, notably payment cards with value-added services such as digital electronic signature.”
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2009 annual revenues of €1.65 billion, and over 10,000 employees operating out of 75 offices, with research and service centers in 41 countries.
Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. The freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere—has become an integral part of what people want and expect, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure.
Gemalto delivers on the growing demands of billions of people worldwide for mobile connectivity, identity and data protection, credit card safety, health and transportation services, e-government and national security. We do this by supplying to governments, wireless operators, banks and enterprises a wide range of secure personal devices, such as subscriber identification modules (SIM), Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICC) in mobile phones, smart banking cards, smart card access badges, electronic passports, and USB tokens for online identity protection. To complete the solution we also provide software, systems and services to help our customers achieve their goals.
As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years.
For more information please visit www.gemalto.com.

Contacts

Gemalto

Aline Borne, +33 (0)1 55 01 51 05

M.:+33 (0)6 16 29 87 04

aline.borne@gemalto.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100317006647/en/Gemalto-Expands-Service-Center-Sweden

$20 Billion to be Spent on Retail Technology in 2014 says ABI Research



http://www.abiresearch.com

Spending on Retail Technology Systems Will Exceed $20 Billion in 2014, According to ABI Research

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Even as the recession has taken its toll on retail sales, retailers have continued to invest in retail technology. The retail technology hardware market, consisting of integrated point of sale (POS) systems, payment terminals, POS barcode scanners, POS printers, and electronic article surveillance systems, managed to continue growing during 2009, while many retailers experienced declines in sales as consumers tightened their purse strings.
“Retailers look to technology to enhance the customer experience, drive customer loyalty, reduce costs, and to become more efficient at managing inventory, space and human resources. It is also a way to stay competitive as peers look to achieve the same goals.”
In its new market study “Next Generation Point of Sale Systems and Retail Technology” (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1004580), ABI Research forecasts that growth in this market will continue for the foreseeable future as retailers invest in the latest technology. ABI Research anticipates retail technology spending will grow to nearly $21 billion in 2014, from $14.8 billion in 2009.
The study finds that continuing growth in retail technology systems shipments and revenues will be driven by global demand for technologies needed to meet rapidly evolving security standards, as well as retailers’ demands for highly efficient and customer-friendly technology.
According to research director Larry Fisher, “Retailers look to technology to enhance the customer experience, drive customer loyalty, reduce costs, and to become more efficient at managing inventory, space and human resources. It is also a way to stay competitive as peers look to achieve the same goals.”
Fisher continues, “Retail technology vendors fared well despite the recession, as retailers maintained their long-term technology investment plans. Additionally, the outlook is positive for retail technology, as retailers in emerging countries look to emulate the successful implementation of technology in more-developed nations.”
The new market study focuses on several key retail technologies, and examines the market drivers behind the growth in this large market sector. Much of the report is focused on the hardware aspects of the technology market, including customer-facing systems such as point of sale systems, payment terminals and peripherals. It includes forecasts through 2014.
This study is published under the Human-Machine Technologies Research Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Human-Machine_Technology_Research_Service ), which is a part of NextGen, the ABI Research emerging technologies research incubator.
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advise thousands of decision makers through 28 research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

Contacts

ABI Research

Christine Gallen, +1-516-624-2542

pr@abiresearch.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100318005869/en/Spending-Retail-Technology-Systems-Exceed-20-Billion

Banking Password Stealing Virus Targets Facebook







ReutersBOSTON (Reuters) – Hackers have flooded the Internet with virus-tainted spam that targets Facebook's estimated 400 million users in an effort to steal banking passwords and gather other sensitive information.  The emails tell recipients that the passwords on their Facebook accounts have been reset, urging them to click on an attachment to obtain new login credentials, according to anti-virus software maker McAfee Inc.  If the attachment is opened, it downloads several types of malicious software, including a program that steals passwords, McAfee said on Wednesday.  Hackers have long targeted Facebook users, sending them tainted messages via the social networking company's own internal email system. With this new attack, they are using regular Internet email to spread their malicious software.


Continue Reading at Reuters 

Billers vs. Banks in Online Payments



The war rages. In one corner: Billers--the credit card companies and utilities that offer online mechanisms for customer payments. In 2009, 44 million U.S. households used online payment mechanisms provided directly by billers, according to the Online Banking Report, as noted by E-Commerce Times. That will grow by 26 percent to 56 million households by 2012.



In the other corner: Banks, which provide online services that allow customers to make payments in general. By 2012, the number of households using third-party channels will grow by 11 percent to 29 million. There would appear to be plenty of room for banks and third-party consolidators to poach a bit. And the reality is there's a lot of business to be had from people who are still more comfortable in the paper payment world.



The demographics favor the movement, but it remains to be seen who will win the customer. There is a lot of vendor activity underway. In the end, for banks anyway, this is a marketing and branding war as much as a technology war.



For more: Here's the E-Commerce Times article

Read more: http://www.fiercefinanceit.com/story/banks-vs-billers-online-payments/2010-03-17#ixzz0iZBClIbE

Rite Aid Stores Nationwide Now Accept EBT Cards/Food Stamps



http://www.riteaid.com
“One in eight Americans are receiving food assistance through SNAP according to the USDA”
SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is administered by the USDA and offers families and individuals at certain income levels financial assistance in purchasing food and beverages. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the electronic system that allows a SNAP recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits from a federal account to a retailer account to pay for products received.
SNAP benefit recipients are issued EBT cards that look like debit cards. Customers swipe their EBT card like a credit card at the time of the purchase and the cash register automatically deducts the eligible purchase (any food, candy or non-alcoholic beverage) from the balance on their card. For additional details on SNAP, visit www.usda.gov.
“One in eight Americans are receiving food assistance through SNAP according to the USDA,” said Brian Fiala, Rite Aid Executive Vice President, Store Operations. “With nearly 4,800 Rite Aid stores nationwide offering assorted groceries, accepting EBT cards is just another convenience we can offer to our customers and help make their lives a little easier.”
Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,800 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2009 annual sales of more than $26.3 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through Rite Aid’s Web site at www.riteaid.com.

Contacts

Rite Aid Corporation

Ashley Flower, 717-975-5718

aflower@riteaid.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100318005843/en/Rite-Aid-Stores-Nationwide-Accept-EBT-CardsFood

SmartMetric's Lawsuit Against Visa and MasterCard

SmartMetric's Lawsuit Against Visa and MasterCard



SURFSIDE, FL--(Marketwire - March 17, 2010) - Mr. Colin Hendrick, President of SmartMetric, Inc. (OTCBBSMME), said today that on March 15, 2010, SmartMetric, Inc. (the "Company") filed a complaint in the United States District Court, Central District of California (the "Court"), Case No. CV10-01864, against MasterCard, Inc. ("MasterCard") and Visa, Inc. ("Visa"), alleging patent infringement on the Company's patent, U.S. Patent 6,792,464. The Company is seeking the following relief from the Court against MasterCard and Visa:
  1. For an order pursuant to 35 U.S.C. section 271 declaring that each Defendant has infringed one or more claims of the '464 patent

  2. preliminary and permanent injunction against each defendant prohibiting each of them from further infringement of the '464 patent

  3. An award of actual damages SMME has suffered by reason of the infringement charged in this complaint in an amount not less than a reasonable royalty on each Defendant's infringement of the '464 Patent

  4. An award to plaintiff SMME of their costs herein

  5. Such other relief as this Court may deem just and proper



Investor Contact: 
Redwood Consultants, LLC 
415.884.0348


Company Contact: 
SmartMetric, Inc. 
Colin Hendrick 
305.607.3910 

uMonitor Announces P2P Money Transfer Service



uMonitor Announces P2P Money Transfer Service

Person-to-Person Payments Available to Community and Regional Banks Through uTransfer
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--uMonitor, the innovative financial solution services provider for operational excellence with customer acquisition and retention, introduced person-to-person (P2P) money transfer services today at the ICBA National Convention & Techworld. The solution is a standard feature of uTransfer® Release 5.0, which is currently being deployed.
“Consumers today are savvier than ever before, and their quest for added convenience and better services provides a timely opportunity for banks to launch P2P services”
uTransfer, a funds transfer services platform that allows users to move money online in a highly secure environment, is deployed by banks and credit unions ranging from 50 million-dollar community organizations to $30 billion regional banks. The account-to-account money transfer service has been in use since 2003. Its new P2P service enables customers to send and receive money electronically via email and mobile phone to and from any third party with a U.S. bank account. It gives banks the ability to enhance customer money transfer options, helping to retain marketshare and grow their deposit-base. The uTransfer 5.0 Release will also expand the back-office reporting, analytics, support, risk management and operational capabilities of this proven platform.
“Consumers today are savvier than ever before, and their quest for added convenience and better services provides a timely opportunity for banks to launch P2P services,” explained Dinesh Sheth, CEO of uMonitor. “Facilitating transactions between a bank’s customer and their friends and family not only enhances service for the existing customers, but will also provide a point of contact into new relationships. This is another piece of a full-service bank’s Web and mobile offering that delights consumers and cements strong banking relationships.”
uTransfer’s express next day transfer service, scheduled transfer service, recurring transfer service and other options enable customers to make money transfers in an appropriate amount of time for their given situation. Taking advantage of uMonitor’s multi-party shared risk management services allows financial institutions to monitor money flow while engaging get users and employees in fraud prevention activities. uMonitor does the heavy lifting of service monitoring and risk management for clearing the most transactions in a highly secure environment The ongoing service enhancements are a testament to uMonitor’s commitment to providing the most advanced technologies available in a highly configurable and customizable format, thus meeting the needs of the financial institution and its customers.
About uMonitor (www.umonitor.com)
uMonitor offers a wide range of online solutions specifically designed to help financial institutions provide the most up-to-date services. These highly configurable and customizable solutions enable financial institutions to increase profitability, generate revenue, improve regulatory compliance, improve employee productivity while reducing costs and delighting customers. uMonitor solutions include New Account Setup and Online Funding with Switch Kit, New Loan Application Processing, Funds Transfer Service, Bill Presentment and Payment Solutions, Premium Account Management Service, Advisor-Client Relationship Management, and other services. The company’s growth and success were recognized by its inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list in 2008 and 2009.
For more information on uMonitor or its solutions, contact Gillian Smoot at gsmoot@umonitor.com, call 901.757.1212 ext. 7115, or visit the company at www.umonitor.com.

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