Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Payment Service Provider GlobalCollect Obtains License Pursuant To European Payment Service Directive



The Dutch Central Bank awarded GlobalCollect, the world's premier payment service provider of local e-payments, the status of Payment Institute

AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dutch Central Bank recently granted GlobalCollect a license as a Payment Institute, a so-called Payment Services Directive (PSD) license. The PSD provides a system of licenses for Payment Service Providers, lays down information requirements regarding payment services, and lists rights and obligations of both Payment Service Providersand users. The aim of this Directive is to ensure the user-friendliness, safety, and efficiency of payments throughout the European Union / European Economic Area - in particular credit transfers, direct debit mandates, card payments, and so-called money transfers. It introduces and harmonizes rules concerning the providers of payment services.

GlobalCollect offers an unrivalled portfolio of payment methods in over 200 countries and for 170 currencies.


Jan Manten, CEO of GlobalCollect, said: “The fact that GlobalCollect obtained a license as a Payment Institute is a milestone in our very own 15+-year history which reflects the professionalism and industry knowledge of GlobalCollect and its employees. At the same time, it marks the coming of age of the e-commerce industry which emerged 10+ years ago. With this license, GlobalCollect will be able to continue to provide the service portfolio its merchants expect and expand it further while giving them the peace of mind of working with a certified Payment Service Provider.”
About GlobalCollect
GlobalCollect is the world's premier Payment Service Provider of local e-payment solutions for international Customer Not-Present (CNP) channels such as internet, mail and telephone orders, and specializes in a wide range of industries such as travel, ticketing, telecommunications, retail, publishing, portals, online gaming, and digital content. While most providers limit their services to a technical link with payment acquirers, GlobalCollect is a full service partner consulting clients on how to increase transaction volumes, expand distribution channels, and reduce costs by streamlining back office processes. Through a single-interface online payment platform, we offer access to an unrivalled portfolio of local and international payment methods in over 200 countries, including all major credit and debit cards, direct debits, bank transfers, real-time bank transfers, eWallets, cash at outlets, prepaid methods, checks, and invoices. www.globalcollect.com

Contacts

GlobalCollect
Bettina Duske
Senior Manager PR & Marketing Communications
tel: +31-(0)23 567 1500
e-mail: press.globalcollect@globalcollect.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101129005252/en/Payment-Service-Provider-GlobalCollect-Obtains-License-Pursuant



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First Data Releases Black Friday 2010 SpendTrend™

Image representing First Data Corp as depicted...Image via CrunchBase

Card Based Spending Surges on Black Friday; Same-Store Dollar Volume Up 12.3%

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Data Corporation, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, today released its First Data SpendTrend™ analysis for Black Friday 2010compared to Black Friday 2009. SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending via credit, signature debit, PIN debit and EBT cards at U.S. merchant locations.
On Black Friday 2010, card spending growth returned to pre-recession levels. Overall, consumers responded favorably to aggressive Black Friday marketing campaigns which resulted in year-over-year same-store dollar volume growth of 12.3%. Transaction growth showed strength at 10.1%. Americans also substantially increased their Thanksgiving-related travel and food consumption. Overall dollar volume growth was particularly good in light of solid spending in the comparable Black Friday of 2009 when year-over-year dollar volume growth was 4.8%. The Retailer merchant category saw somewhat more muted dollar volume growth of 8.6%.
After several months of declining average purchases, consumers actually increased their overall average purchase size by 1.9% on Black Friday 2010. Despite discounting across most merchant categories, consumers made bigger purchases. Among Retailers, average tickets increased 1.1% as average ticket gains by “softline” retailers such as Clothing/Accessory Stores were somewhat offset by average ticket declines among “hardline” retailers including Electronics/Appliances Stores.
Overall, Retailers saw Black Friday 2010 dollar volume growth of 8.6%. However, three retail subcategories did particularly well, posting double digit sales increases. Leading the way were General Merchandise Stores (including Value Retail), which outperformed all other retail sub-categories with dollar volume growth of 12.6%. Clothing sales were quite strong as Clothing/Accessory Stores posted dollar volume growth of 10.6%. Sporting Goods/Hobby/Book and Music Stores saw dollar volume growth improve to 12.2%. Conversely, the higher ticket category ofElectronics/Appliances fared poorly and was down -6.7% compared to last year. Consumers may be holding out for lower prices on electronics later in the holiday season.
As consumers flooded shopping malls in search of holiday deals this Black Friday, average tickets at Retailers increased 1.1% compared to last year. Consumers were willing to spend when the price was right. General Merchandise Stores (including Value Retail) was one of the most successful at increasing average ticket sizes due to a broader selection of sale items. Mail Order, Telephone Order and Online sales had the biggest drop in average tickets as consumers cherry picked deals offered by NonStore Retailers.
Overall Industry View of Black Friday 2010
Black Friday dollar volume growth was 12.3%, a significant improvement over last year. Retail merchants lured value-conscious consumers with low prices in the hopes that consumers would purchase more items. This strategy appears to have worked with improved dollar volume growth and increased average ticket sizes. Thanksgiving-related purchases also substantially increased. Travel merchant dollar volume growth was 15.9% as more Americans travelled for the Thanksgiving holiday. Food/Beverage Stores (Supermarket/Grocery) also had an impressive Black Friday with dollar volume growth of 17.0% and average ticket growth of 5.8%.
For more information on First Data SpendTrend, visit www.firstdata.com/infoanalytics or call SpendTrend Customer Care at 800-430-0169.
About First Data
First Data powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses to buy goods and services using virtually any form of electronic payment. Whether the choice of payment is a gift card, a credit or debit card or a check, First Data securely processes the transaction and harnesses the power of the aggregate data to deliver intelligence and insight for millions of merchant locations and thousands of card issuers in 36 countries. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.
First Data SpendTrend, a macro-economic indicator, is based on aggregate same-store sales activity in the First Data Point of Sale Network. First Data SpendTrend does not represent First Data’s financial performance.

Contacts

First Data
Elizabeth Grice, 303-967-8526
elizabeth.grice@firstdata.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101129006522/en/Data-Releases-Black-Friday-2010-SpendTrend%E2%84%A2





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Discover® Small Business WatchSM: Small Business Confidence Rises for Third Straight Month


Reported Cash Flow Issues Lowest in 17 Months, Forward-Looking Indicators Trend Positive or Steady

HAPPIER HOLIDAYS? 19% of Small Business Owners Expecting Year-Over-Year Increase in Business this Season, up from 11% Last Year
EXTENDING CREDIT: Fewer Customers Asking to Delay Payments than in 2009
http://www.discoverfinancial.comRIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Economic confidence among the nation’s small business owners continued to improve in November, according to the Discover® Small Business WatchSM. The monthly index rose to 87.2 in November, up 3 points from 84.2 in October – the third consecutive monthly gain, and nearly 11 points higher than a year ago.
“There would appear to be some measurable hope for the holidays that business will improve. Even still, there’s no getting around the fact that 59 percent of America’s small business owners still rate the economy as poor.”
Cash-flow concerns were at their lowest level in 17 months: 43 percent of small business owners experienced cash flow issues in the past 90 days, down from 46 percent in October. The highest this percentage has ever reached was 53 percent in August 2010 and July 2009; the lowest it has ever been was 32 percent in January 2007.
“We see slight improvements in nearly every survey category of the index, with significant improvement in the confidence of small business owners who sell consumer goods and services,” said Ryan Scully, director of Discover's business card. “There would appear to be some measurable hope for the holidays that business will improve. Even still, there’s no getting around the fact that 59 percent of America’s small business owners still rate the economy as poor.”
The subset direct-to-consumer segment of small business owners registered a confidence index of 89.6 in November, up from 83.6 in October, and 65.6 in August. The November index for this segment is the second highest recorded since October 2007.
Other November Confidence Indicators:
  • 25 percent of small business owners reported they will increase spending on business development in the next six months, up from 22 percent in October; 40 percent will decrease business development spending in the next six months, down from 46 percent in October; and 28 percent don’t plan any changes.
  • 33 percent believe the economy is getting better, up from 31 percent in October and the highest since May; while 46 percent believe the economy is getting worse, down from 48 percent in October; 17 percent believe it’s staying the same, equal to last month; and 4 percent are not sure.
  • 59 percent rate the current economy as poor, 30 percent rate it fair, 6 percent rate it as good and 4 percent rate it excellent.
Expectations Rise for the Holiday Season
The number of small business owners expecting more business over last year was 19 percent in November, up from 11 percent in 2009 and doubling from 9 percent in 2008. On the flip side, 32 percent of small business owners expect less business this holiday season, a drop from 2009 when 46 percent expected less holiday business. Forty-five percent of business owners expect business to be about the same as last year.
Fewer Extended Credit Customers Asking to Delay Payments than in 2009
Twenty-four percent of small business owners extend credit to their customers, according to the Watch. When asked whether in the past three months, any customers have delayed a payment or asked if they could delay a payment, 66 percent said yes, down from 73 percent in 2009.
In the past three months have any of your
customers delayed a payment or asked if they
could delay a payment?
 
 Yes No Not sure
November 201066%30%4%
November 200973%26%1%
July 200870%35%5%
September 200764%36%0%
 
About the Small Business Watch
The Discover Small Business Watch is a monthly index measuring the relative economic confidence of U.S. small business owners who have less than five employees, a segment that consists of 22 million businesses producing more than a trillion dollars in annual receipts. The Watch is based on a national random survey of 750 small business owners. It is commissioned by Discover Business card, which strives to offer the best business credit card for American small businesses, and is conducted by Rasmussen Reports, LLC (www.rasmussenreports.com), an independent survey research firm. The numeric index is calculated by assigning values to responses to a set of five consistent questions. The base value of the Watch was established at 100.0 based on surveys conducted in August 2006. In addition to generating the index, the Small Business Watch surveys small business owners every month on key issues, and polls 3,000 consumers four times per year to gauge purchasing behavior and attitudes towards small businesses. For past results and survey data, visit www.discovercard.com/business/watch. For information on Discover Business card, visit www.discovercard.com/business.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company operates the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers personal and student loans, online savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its Discover Bank subsidiary. Its payment businesses consist of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.
The views and opinions expressed by small business owners and consumers who participate in the Small Business Watch survey are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Discover Financial Services or its affiliates.

Contacts

Discover Financial Services
Jon Drummond
224-405-1888
jondrummond@discover.com
or
Burson-Marsteller
Jessica Douglas
312-596-3441
jessica.douglas@bm.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101129005308/en/Discover%C2%AE-Small-Business-WatchSM-Small-Business-Confidence



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Discover Begins Rollout of Contactless Devices to Consumers


Discover® Zip® offers Discover cardmembers increased speed and convenience at point-of-sale

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Discover card today announced that it has begun issuing Discover® Zip® contactless credit cards and stickers, targeted at early adopters of its mobile technology.
http://www.discoverfinancial.com
“Given how tied consumers are to their mobile devices, we know they will appreciate the tremendous value and convenience Discover Zip contactless cards and stickers provide.”
Select Discover cardmembers began receiving contactless cards and stickers in the mail on November 15. Additional plastics and stickers will be issued to more cardmembers beginning in January 2011. To request contactless devices Discover cardmembers can call 1-800-DISCOVER.
Discover® Zip® is an innovative payment solution that enables fast and convenient transactions with enhanced security features via contactless technology. Consumers simply touch a payment device, which is in the form of either a plastic card or a sticker that can be applied to a mobile phone or any personal item of their choosing, to a Zip-enabled contactless reader to make a payment. Currently, over 100,000 U.S. merchant locations offer contactless readers that accept Zip transactions at the point-of-sale, including quick service restaurants, gas station and convenient stores, retailers and pharmacies, and public transit agencies.
“At Discover, we put a high bar on value to the customer, and are always evaluating technology solutions that make things faster, safer, and more convenient for our cardmembers,” said Mark Scarborough, senior vice president of cardmember marketing at Discover. “Given how tied consumers are to their mobile devices, we know they will appreciate the tremendous value and convenience Discover Zip contactless cards and stickers provide.”
Discover is not new to the contactless space. The company’s payments business, Discover Network, has worked with merchants to certify contactless readers for many years, and was the first to test credit-based contactless stickers. Issuers, merchants, and acquirers can benefit from Discover Zip with increased transaction volume and customer loyalty.
To learn more about Discover Zip contactless cards and stickers, please click here.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company operates the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers personal and student loans, online savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its Discover Bank subsidiary. Its payment businesses consist of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.

Contacts

Discover
Media Contact:
Laura Gingiss, (224) 405-0185
Email: lauragingiss@discover.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101129005927/en/Discover-Begins-Rollout-Contactless-Devices-Consumers







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