Andrew Pilkington to Lead J.P. Morgan’s Commercial Card Business

July 18, 2011 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

- Also designated interim Principal Officer for JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s Canadian branch -

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, J.P. Morgan (NYSE: JPM) announced that Andrew Pilkington will assume leadership responsibilities for the organization’s Commercial Card business. He will continue to report to Gordon Smith, chief executive officer, Chase Card Services, and retain responsibility for the Canadian Consumer Card division. The Commercial Card business provides travel and entertainment card, purchasing card and single-use account solutions to thousands of private and public sector organizations around the world.

In addition, Pilkington has been designated the interim Principal Officer for JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s Canadian branch and President of J.P. Morgan Bank Canada, and will continue to act as the Chairman of the Canada Management Committee.“Andy has provided strong leadership in Canada and helped expand our Canadian business through this challenging economic cycle,” said Gordon Smith, chief executive officer, Chase Card Services. “He brings extensive business-to-business payment experience and a dynamic customer focus to our global Commercial Card business that will allow us to achieve continued growth.”

Pilkington joined Chase Card Services in 2008 and has led the growth of the business as chief executive officer of Chase Card Services Canada. Since establishing itself in Canada with acquisition of the Sears Canada credit card portfolio, Chase has introduced the Marriott Rewards Platinum Visa Card, the Chase Gold MasterCard, the Best Buy Rewards Zone Visa Card, the Best Buy Card and the Future Shop Card.

Prior to joining Chase, Pilkington served as general manager of American Express’ merchant services and global commercial card businesses in Canada. He joined American Express in the United Kingdom in 1997 and held a variety of senior positions within the company, including leadership roles in Canada since 2003.

Pilkington holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Modern Languages from the University of Durham in the United Kingdom.

For information on other J.P. Morgan Commercial Card Solutions, visit www.jpmorgan.com/commercialcard.

About J.P. Morgan Commercial Card Solutions

J.P. Morgan has offered commercial card solutions for more than 25 years. The Bank currently serves more than five thousand public and private sector clients and more than six million cardholders. The firm offers programs in more than 95 countries and 30 currencies and continues to expand. According to The Nilson Report, J.P. Morgan is the leading issuer of Visa/MasterCard commercial and purchasing cards in terms of dollar volume. J.P. Morgan offers the world’s most widely accepted card with coverage at more than 31 million outlets worldwide.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.2 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

4G World® 2011 Expands Four-Day Conference with Collocated Programs, Technology Summits, Keynotes, Exclusive Events and VIP Press Functions

July 18, 2011 11:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The industry’s largest event focused on the rapidly expanding 4G and mobile Internet markets will be held Oct. 24-27, 2011, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

4G World 2011

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--4G World 2011 today announced a series of extended program offerings available to registered conference and expo attendees, as well as an invite-only VIP press event. 4G World includes a comprehensive four-day conference program featuring more than 200 thought-leading speakers, including keynotes by operators from around the globe. The event Web site is http://www.4gworld.com.

“4G technologies are reshaping the wireless industry at an unprecedented speed. It is critical now, more than ever, that business and technology leaders understand how to realize the benefits and recognize the disruptive nature of 4G”

Members of the press are urged to register early in order to take advantage of the many value-added programs taking place at the show. For full details on all of 4G World’s dedicated press events, please visit: http://4gworld.com/press-events/

4G World covers the entire ecosystem of next-generation mobile broadband and mobile Internet solutions, and includes more than 30 presentations from major global operators that will be discussing their plans to deploy next-generation 4G networks and mobile Internet services. Highlighted speakers include:

• Cristiano Amon, senior VP of Product Management, Qualcomm CDMA
• Arun Bhikshesvaran, chief marketing officer, Telefon AB LM Ericsson
• Matt Bross, co-president, vice chairman and chief technology officer, Huawei Technologies
• Rick Corker, head of North American Region, Nokia Siemens Networks
• Hank Kafka, VP of radio access and devices, AT&T
• Tom Keys, chief operating officer, MetroPCS
• Jon Kuhn, director of product management, Enterprise Mobility Group, Symantec Corp.
• Manoj Leelanivas, executive VP and general manager, Junos Applications Software (JAS) Business Group, Juniper Networks
• Dr. Hideo Okinaka, VP, emerging technologies and industry standards, KDDI Corp.
• Bernd Reul, VP, TDC Operations Technology
• Janet Schijns, VP, Business Solutions Group, Verizon Wireless
• Ton Steenman, VP of the Intel Architecture Group and general manager of the Embedded and Communications Group, Intel
• Koichi Tagawa, chairman, NFC Forum
• Gigi Wang, chief research officer, Yankee Group
• Ken Wirth, president, E2E Network Solutions, Alcatel-Lucent

View our entire lineup of speakers at: http://www.4gworld.com/4g-speakers/

A list of operators and service provider speakers can be viewed at: http://www.4gworld.com/4g-speakers/operator-speakers/

“4G technologies are reshaping the wireless industry at an unprecedented speed. It is critical now, more than ever, that business and technology leaders understand how to realize the benefits and recognize the disruptive nature of 4G,” explains Gigi Wang, chief research officer, Yankee Group.

4G World’s unique conference program includes participation and collocation of many industry events and topic areas, including:

• 4G technology training programs from Award Solutions and IEEE
• Near Field Communication Summit – hosted by NFC Forum
• 4G Backhaul Summit – sponsored by CFN Services, Ericsson, Accedian Networks, CenturyLink, Ceragon Networks, DragonWave, JDSU, RAD Data Communications and Siklu
• Yankee Group’s Customer Experience Summit
• WCAI Spectrum Summit – hosted by WCAI
• Executive breakfasts – hosted by Alvarion
• 4G Americas and GSMA Special Education Sessions
• Innovative mHealth Solutions – hosted by Forbes
• Interactive Birds-of-a-Feather Sessions – live on the expo floor
• Attendee VIP Lounge Pass – new!
• 4G technology training programs from Award Solutions and IEEE
• 4G World Solutions Theater
• 4G World News Desk – hosted by bnetTV
• VIP Press Event and Best of 4G Awards Party
• And much more

With more than 300 sponsors and exhibitors, 4G World is the industry’s must-attend event of the year. 4G World is pleased to acknowledge extensive industry support, including: Corporate Hosts Alvarion, Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and Samsung; Flagship Service Providers Sprint and Verizon; and Premier Sponsors Alcatel-Lucent, Ciena, Huawei, Intel, Juniper Networks and Qualcomm. A complete list of sponsors and exhibitors can be found at http://www.4gworld.com/4g-sponsors/corporate-sponsors/.

For complete information about the conference program, expo and special press and operator events, please visit http://www.4gworld.com. To ensure you are pre-registered to receive these special invitations early, please e-mail Kathleen Mitchell at kmitchell@yankeegroup.com.

About 4G World

4G World is the first and only conference and expo covering the entire ecosystem of next-generation technologies that enable the mobile Internet revolution, including mobile network infrastructure, advanced devices, applications and content.

Yankee Group believes operator strategies for 4G network evolution will not be driven by technology, but by competition and market demand. As the Anywhere Network® takes hold in the mature markets of North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, operators are anticipating massive growth in broadband data usage and are planning their network migration strategies and business models for monetizing mobile Internet services. 4G World offers them an opportunity to research state-of-the-practice business models and advanced mobile technologies and to learn from other operators about what works–and what doesn’t–as they migrate their networks to 4G. For more information, visit www.4gworld.com.

About Yankee Group

The people of Yankee Group are the global connectivity experts–the leading source of insight and counsel trusted by builders, operators and drivers of connectivity solutions for 40 years. We are uniquely focused on the evolution of Anywhere connectivity, and we chart the pace of technology change and its effect on networks, consumers and enterprises. Headquartered in Boston, Yankee Group has a global presence, including operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.yankeegroup.com.

Berkery Noyes Releases First Half 2011 M&A Report For The Financial Technology And Information Industry

Fiserv Most Active Acquirer: CashEdge, Credit Union On-Line, Mobile Commerce Ltd. and Maverick Network Solutions

Huge Stock Exchange Merger Dominates Activity For The Period

NEW YORK, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkery Noyes, the leading independent investment bank specializing in the information content and technology industries, today released its Half Year Mergers and Acquisitions Trends Report for the Financial Technology and Information Industry.

The report analyzes merger and acquisition activity in the Financial Technology and Information market over the first half of 2011 and compares it with activity in the four previous sixth-month periods. This market includes information and technology companies in capital markets, payments, banking, insurance and other related professional financial services.

Berkery Noyes data shows that while total transaction volume for the period remained largely unchanged, transaction value nearly tripled, jumping from $7.0 billion in 2nd Half 2010 to $19.5 billion this period. The 187 percent increase can be attributed primarily to Deutsche Borse Group's announced merger with NYSE Euronext for $12.4 billion.

Fiserv, Inc., a leading provider of financial technology solutions, was the most active acquirer in 1st Half 2011, with four purchases: CashEdge, Inc., Credit Union On-Line, Inc., Mobile Commerce Ltd, and Maverick Network Solutions.

For the full two-and-a-half period covered by the report, Morningstar, Inc., was the sector's most active acquirer. The investment research and financial news provider made nine acquisitions.

Unique among investment banking firms, Berkery Noyes combines independent strategic research and industry intelligence with senior information technology banking expertise. Long having been an innovator in database and research technology in M&A, Berkery Noyes has committed itself to providing more expansive and more current information on the acquisition activity in their respective sectors.

A copy of the First Half 2011 Financial Technology and Information Industry M&A Report is available at the Berkery Noyes website.

About Berkery Noyes

Berkery Noyes is an independent investment banking advisory firm servicing the information industry. Focused on middle-market corporations and financial sponsors, Berkery Noyes is committed to delivering a comprehensive array of industry-leading advisory services. Since its founding by Joseph W. Berkery in 1983, the firm has worked with corporate clients to grow through acquisition, divest non-core assets, and maximize shareholder returns through strategic transactions and restructurings. For private owners, Berkery Noyes helps create liquidity and execute timely exit strategies that achieve the personal and professional objectives. For more information, visit www.berkerynoyes.com.

SOURCE Berkery Noyes

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RewardLoop Brings Secure, Transaction-Based Restaurant & Retail Loyalty Programs to Mobile Phones Via QR Codes and NFC

July 18, 2011 10:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Loyalty, Payments, and Social Media Industries to Benefit from Groundbreaking Universal Point of Sale (POS) Adaptor

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RewardLoop, the company enabling secure, card-less customer loyalty transactions via mobile phones, today announced a universal Point of Sale (POS) adaptor that enables restaurants and retailers of any size to simply and cost-efficiently deploy a secure, transaction-based mobile loyalty program. The patent-pending RewardLoop Connect adaptor connects easily to merchants’ existing Point of Sale (POS) systems, and can be set up in minutes.

“The universal compatibility of RewardLoop Connect across a deeply fragmented global POS ecosystem is nothing short of groundbreaking”

RewardLoop’s turnkey mobile loyalty programs are ideal for independent and chain merchants alike, including coffee shops, restaurants, retailers, local service providers, and other high purchase volume / frequency categories.

Transactional Loyalty

RewardLoop differentiates itself from an ever-growing number of mobile ‘check-in’ -based loyalty programs by offering a first-of-its-kind transaction-based mobile loyalty platform that offers a level of security comparable to traditional card-based programs.

“For a mobile loyalty program to deliver value and be successful in our business, it needs to be transactional and secure. RewardLoop is the only solution we’ve seen that meets these criteria,” said Tim Kraus, Interactive Marketing Manager at Quiznos USA.

RewardLoop Mobile Loyalty Programs

Through its RewardLoop Connect device, RewardLoop prints transaction-identifying QR codes on merchant bills and receipts. Consumers scan these secure, one-time-use QR codes with their mobile phones to earn and redeem merchant-defined loyalty rewards through RewardLoop’s cloud hosted platform. RewardLoop’s mobile-rendered stamp cards show users their earning progress towards each reward (Video demo: http://www.rewardloop.com/rewardloop-connect ).

How the RewardLoop Connect Device Works

RewardLoop’s groundbreaking innovation, RewardLoop Connect, is a device that sits between the merchant’s POS system and receipt printer. It intercepts the print data stream, adds a RewardLoop QR code, and then passes the print command to the printer. The printer prints the receipt exactly as delivered from the POS system, but inserts an extra footer that includes the merchant’s secure, one-time-use, RewardLoop QR codes. The device also prints QR codes for secure reward validation and redemption. When these codes are scanned by a customer the customer is delivered to a hosted, merchant-branded mobile application optimized for the user’s mobile phone.

Universal POS Compatibility

RewardLoop Connect is universally compatible with the world’s leading POS platforms. “The universal compatibility of RewardLoop Connect across a deeply fragmented global POS ecosystem is nothing short of groundbreaking,” says RewardLoop CTO, Jeff LaPorte. “This innovation provides unmatched reach across the merchant landscape for rapid scalability of our merchant network by RewardLoop and its strategic partners.” RewardLoop is ‘plug & play’ compatible with any POS system that prints to Epson or Epson-compatible receipt printers, which comprise an estimated 85% of the worldwide receipt printer market.

RewardLoop Connect – NFC

In addition to QR code-based consumer transactions, RewardLoop Connect has been designed with ports for Near Field Communications (NFC) scanners that will be enabled when market penetration of NFC-enabled devices reaches a tipping point. “We view QR codes as a strategic, transitional technology between physical cards and NFC,” says RewardLoop CEO, Nigel Malkin, “Those who leverage QR code-based technologies to mass-transition their users onto mobile phones today, will have a strategic advantage in winning the NFC races of tomorrow.”

Partnerships with Point of Sale (POS) Industry

In contrast to new mobile merchant offerings billing themselves as replacements for legacy POS systems, RewardLoop Connect has been designed to secure the role of POS platforms in the payments ecosystem. RewardLoop Connect enhances the value and relevance of existing POS infrastructure while helping POS platforms accelerate their evolution into mobile.

Forward-thinking POS platform vendors and service providers are readying to distribute the device. “The POS industry is embracing the RewardLoop Connect device and platform as a simple way to accelerate their evolution into mobile under a common set of standards,” says Malkin. For merchants whose POS vendors or service providers are slow in adopting the new standard, merchants can easily self-deploy RewardLoop Connect in a matter of minutes.”

Pricing

RewardLoop Connect devices will be available exclusively on a rental basis for $19.95 per month. As a special introductory offer, merchants who order their RewardLoop Connect units on, or before July 31, 2011 will have their monthly RewardLoop Connect device rental fees waived for 6 months. Merchants can try out the benefits of RewardLoop for free for up to 50 customers before transitioning to RewardLoop’s performance-based pricing model.

Licensing

Beyond the company’s core focus on secure, transaction-based mobile loyalty programs, the RewardLoop Connect network, device and intellectual property (IP) have been designed to solve challenges faced by several parallel industries. These solutions and IP are available under license to market-leaders in these industries.

Recent Financing

RewardLoop is also pleased to announce it has recently closed a seed financing round led by Canadian angel investor Boris Wertz (W Media Ventures) with the participation of prominent executives from leading online and offline retailers.

About RewardLoop

RewardLoop provides card-less loyalty programs for the mobile era. The company’s patent-pending innovations enable a merchant of any size to simply and cost-efficiently identify their most profitable customers, and engage them in individualized, transaction-based customer loyalty relationships via their mobile devices. The company is acclaimed for its groundbreaking RewardLoop Connect invention, a plug & play, a POS-agnostic device that supports both QR code-based and NFC–based transactions, and is universally compatible with the world’s leading POS platforms. The real-time transaction-level aspects of the innovation combined with its secure mobile redemption capabilities and unprecedented cross-POS scalability have strategic implications that span several industries. More information about the company can be found at www.rewardloop.com.

Contacts

RewardLoop
Nigel Malkin, 604-783-4360
nigel.malkin@rewardloop.com

Zfere Secures $ 100 Million in Equity Funding

NEVIS, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zfere Holdings Inc. (www.zfere.com) announced today that it has secured a US $ 100 Million equity facility from Cayman based Equity Partners Funds SPC.

Zfere is an enhanced, converged new media company through wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and North America it designs, develops, and implements viable technologies for social media, social commerce, marketing, and Mobile Payment systems. 

Speaking about the agreement Chairman Steve Vanderbol said "This funding agreement enables the company to dynamically respond to market activities as well as provides the ability to deploy new technologies markedly ahead of schedule.  We are happy that Equity Partners Fund is committed to meet the funding needs of Zfere."

About Equity Partners Fund SPC

Equity Partners Fund focuses on equity investments in public companies with market capitalizations under $1 billion, as well as private companies that will be listed on a securities exchange within six months of a funding commitment. The fund will invest in all sectors including infrastructure, manufacturing, construction, mining, communications, healthcare and finance.  Equity Partners Fund sees this as a strategic investment and is interested in the technologies and global applications that Zfere has to offer.

Fund spokesperson Bruce Nelson says, "The fund is considered a private fund run by its principals, similar to a merchant bank that invests its own capital. Unlike hedge funds which have significant regulatory burdens exposing their investors to higher risks, Equity Partners Fund is able to act quickly and is more flexible when it comes to structuring an investment."  

For information on Equity Partners Fund SPC go to www.equitypartnersfund.com

About Zfere Holdings Inc.

Zfere Holdings Inc. (a Nevis, IBC) – Its proprietary Nexus has been designed from its inception to operate seamlessly with mobile devices in order to define and implement the next evolution in communications, commerce, and community.

Please send inquiries to:  press@zfere.com

SOURCE Zfere Holdings Inc

VRL: Spending Within Our Means

July 18, 2011 10:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

• New report shows debit card circulation is rising and expected to reach 5.3 billion by the year 2015 - but what does this mean for banks?

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Top financial and professional services information provider VRL has released a new report – ‘Debit Cards As Profit Drivers’ – stating that a combination of consumer confidence, tightening of credit markets and regulatory directives is resulting in debit cards beginning to outnumber credit cards in key markets world-wide.

The ratio of issued debit cards to credit cards has widened significantly since 2008. At the extreme, Germany stands out as a market where credit cards are almost totally absent, and where debit cards dominate; 4 million vs. 101 million respectively. Even where credit cards are in the majority, there has been supernormal growth in debit related payment instruments - Canada is instructive, where the number of debit cards in circulation almost doubled between 2009 and 2010.

Historically debit cards have been low margin products. So why do banks continue to promote their issuance? These and other challenges are explored and dealt with in this report which analyses how the debit market has evolved, as well as providing a roadmap as to how this market may develop over the coming years, and the strategies that banks should adopt to promote margin and profit development. The topics covered in the report include:

• The evolution and current trends in debit cards
• Debit card profitability
• Fraud related problems encountered by issuers
• The consequences of the Durbin Amendment
• How regulatory body interventions can affect issuers profitability
• Exploring the perspectives in different markets

For further details on how to purchase a copy of the report, special offers or for more information please call Jeannie Lam on +44(0)20 7563 5605 or by email info@vrlfinancialnews.com.

Contacts

C8 Consulting Ltd
Cathy O’Neill
01189 001132
cathy@c8consulting.co.uk

Ceridian Introduces "Green" Paycards

July 18, 2011 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Ceridian Paycards Help Employers Pay Green

Converting paychecks to employee paycards saves companies money, time and paper.

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ceridian Corporation, a leading provider of human capital management and payroll outsourcing solutions and a leader in payment innovation, announced today its Pay Green initiative. Through this initiative the company will be offering existing eligible customers the option to pay their employees using paycards, an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional printed pay checks. During this initial offering, Ceridian will waive the employer fees associated with providing a paycard option.

“Our transition to electronic payroll has resulted in annual savings of $125,000. … paycards are an industry-recognized best practice for organizations like ours, with high turnover, a seasonal workforce or a geographically dispersed team.”

“Ceridian’s Pay Green initiative broadens the payment options employers provide to their employees while at the same time contributing to employers’ green initiatives,” said Bart Valdez, Ceridian executive vice president and chief commercial officer. The Pay Green initiative also supports Ceridian’s ongoing sustainability efforts, reflected by both its green solutions and company practices.

Paycard benefits
There are numerous benefits to paying employees using paycards. Some studies indicate a startling 12 percent of American households do not have a bank account. Paycards offer a simple, cost-effective solution for distributing funds to both banked and unbanked employees. Other key benefits include:

• Companies can save significant time and money by reducing check printing, shipping and distribution costs (e.g., the American Payroll Association estimates the cost of producing a paper check is $4.40, five times the cost of a comparable paycard option).
• Paycards are paperless and help organizations further their green initiatives.
• Paycards are especially ideal for temporary employees, seasonal workers or a geographically dispersed workforce.
• Paycards can be used like a debit card allowing employees access to their wages 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Paycards are accepted at ATM locations including MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus and Allpoint.
• Lost or stolen cards can be easily replaced.

Some of Ceridian’s more than 500 participating companies comment on the paycard solution
“Our transition to electronic payroll has resulted in annual savings of $125,000. … paycards are an industry-recognized best practice for organizations like ours, with high turnover, a seasonal workforce or a geographically dispersed team.”
–Major restaurateur with more than 110 locations and 4,500 employees

“[Ceridian] … has been phenomenal as a partner. They’re very responsive and gave plenty of support and guidance. They helped us design our system and educate our associates on the benefits.”
–Major hotelier who estimates it was spending more than $80,000 per year writing paper checks

Perhaps best of all the process for getting started using paycards is simple, fast and free. To learn more about Ceridian’s paycard solution, please visit us on the web at paycards, or call us at 800-729-7655.

About Ceridian
Ceridian is a leading global business services company that helps organizations control costs, save time, optimize their workforce, grow revenue, and minimize financial risk. We offer a comprehensive range of human resource, benefits and payment solutions. From workforce management and benefits to productivity and payroll services, we help organizations maximize their human, financial and technology resources. As a leader in payroll outsourcing, gift cards and corporate expense management, we're the driving force in payment innovations. Ceridian provides the insight, KnowHow and solutions organizations need to navigate the complexities of HR, benefits and payment administration. For more information about Ceridian visit www.ceridian.com or call 800-729-7655.
Follow Ceridian_US on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ceridian_us
Watch Ceridian’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/ceridian

Payment Alliance International Announces PAIWebstore.com Launch

July 18, 2011 10:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Site provides superior online customer shopping experience for ATM/POS parts and supplies

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Payment Alliance International (PAI), a leader in electronic payment processing solutions and the Electronic Transactions Association’s (ETA)2011 “ISO of the Year,” is pleased to announce the launch of the totally redesigned www.PAIWebStore.com site, the company’s ATM/POS parts and supplies web store. The new site provides a very streamlined and easy-to-use interface allowing customers to search, purchase, and track a wide variety of ATM/POS parts and supplies, as well as ATM part repairs using several forms of payment. To celebrate the launch, Payment Alliance International is running a summer-long contest whereby every customer who purchases an item from the PAIWebStore is automatically entered to win weekly drawings for a variety of the most-popular items from the online store. The contest ends September 5, 2011 with a grand prize drawing for a trip for two to Las Vegas, NV. Contest restrictions and details can be found at the www.PAIWebStore.com.

“We proactively included our clients as part of the PAIWebStore.com redesign and asked for their input long before we began making the first change. We listened to their suggestions, created an action plan, and kept the end user in mind when developing the site enhancements.”

Neil Clark, senior vice president of Payment Alliance International, states, “We proactively included our clients as part of thePAIWebStore.com redesign and asked for their input long before we began making the first change. We listened to their suggestions, created an action plan, and kept the end user in mind when developing the site enhancements.” Clark adds, “This is the first of several phases we plan to launch as a result of the input we received. Our goal is to give our customers the best online shopping experience possible…like no other in the payments industry.”

The new graphical interface provides a much more modern look for easy navigation of the site, a one-page checkout process, and the ability to securely store credit card information for future purchases. Other highly-requested features launched include “blind shipping” options, the ability to view whether items are on back-order, as well as Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) functionality where parts repairs can be easily ordered and monitored for repair status. Additional site enhancements will be launched in the near future.

About Payment Alliance International (PAI)
Payment Alliance International is a leading provider of payment processing solutions for businesses nationwide and has been recognized as the 2011 “ISO of the Year” by the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA). We are the world’s largest deployer of ATMs and provide ATM processing and maintenance services, ATM equipment sales and support, and ATM branding programs. We also provide comprehensive payment solutions including credit, debit, and prepaid card acceptance services, RDC and check processing, mobile payments and eCommerce solutions…all designed to maximize customer success and make business easy. Payment Alliance International is based in Louisville, Ky., with offices in West Palm Beach, Fl., Jackson, Miss. and Billings, Mont. For more information, please visit www.GoPAI.com.

Contacts

Payment Alliance International
Terri Newton
Strategic Marketing Director
502-671-4088
press@GoPAI.com

U.S. Bank Introduces VITAband to Tap Market of People on the Go

July 18, 2011 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Want to Leave Your Wallet at Home?

VITAband offers first-of-its kind contactless payment feature combined with emergency medical information

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Bank, lead bank of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), continues to be at the forefront of contactless payments innovation with the introduction of the U.S. Bank MasterCard® PayPass™ VITAband®, a light-weight and durable wristband that combines contactless payment technology with emergency contact and medical information.

“Innovations like this are a natural fit for PayPass technology, which is designed to enable people to pay and quickly be on their way.”

The VITAband allows customers to simply “Tap & Go” when making purchases at merchant locations that accept contactless payments. It also links to a customizable Emergency Response Profile (ERP) that provides medical professionals with fast access to critical medical information in the event of an emergency. U.S. Bank employees began testing the VITAband in multiple states in the second quarter of 2011, making U.S. Bank one of the first major card issuers in the United States to pilot this new technology.

U.S. Bank is partnering with MasterCard Worldwide, Vita Products, Inc., Oberthur Technologies and FIS™ (NYSE: FIS) to provide this product and service that combines advanced financial management and universal health record technology.

“U.S. Bank MasterCard PayPass VITAband is great for sports enthusiasts or people who are on-the-go and don’t want the hassle of carrying cash and identification. It provides contactless payment functionality, along with access to emergency contact and medical information, all in one convenient wristband,” said Beth Blaisdell, senior vice president for U.S. Bank Payment Services. “Listening to and understanding the financial and personal needs of our customers inspire us to offer unique and powerful new products like the VITAband.”

Issued by U.S. Bank, the MasterCard PayPass VITAband contains a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) payment chip, which enables contactless purchases. Customers can load and reload funds onto the chip as needed via an online user account. Each band also carries a VITAnumber, a unique, eight digit numeric identifier that links the wearer to a customizable Emergency Response Profile, which houses the individual’s identity and critical medical information. First responders can access the profile in the event of an emergency. With a VITAband, customers benefit from both convenience and peace of mind.

“Combining the speed and convenience of contactless payments technology with a high-tech medical ID bracelet, the U.S. Bank MasterCard PayPass VITAband is the perfect companion for those with an active lifestyle,” said Mario Shiliashki, senior vice president, U.S. Emerging Payments. “Innovations like this are a natural fit for PayPass technology, which is designed to enable people to pay and quickly be on their way.”

With the VITAband, customers can conveniently check their account balances, reload associated prepaid accounts and customize their Emergency Response Profiles. Signatures are also not required for purchases under $50 that are made with the PayPass-enabled wristband, further expediting transactions. All transactions for the initiative are processed by FIS.

About VITA Products, Inc.
Launched in Spring 2011, Vita Products, Inc. combines innovative contactless payment technology and the safety of a personal health record in a convenient, wearable line of accessories known as VITAforms. Vita Products accessories offer access to cash with a state-of-the-art contactless payment system, while also housing personal information through an Emergency Response Profile (accessed in the event of an emergency) - all in a sleek, comfortable accessory that’s perfect for anyone on-the-go. The company’s debut VITAform, theVITAband, is a first of its kind bracelet. Vita Products are sold online at www.VITAband.net.

About MasterCard PayPass
MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where speed is essential, and has led the way in bringing contactless technology to consumer categories such as quick serve restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, vending machines, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters, transit systems, taxis, parking garages and more. As of Q1 2011, more than 92 million PayPass cards and devices have been issued for use at approximately 311,000 merchant locations worldwide. For more information about MasterCardPayPass and a full list of participating merchants, visit www.mastercard.com/paypass.

About MasterCard Worldwide
As a leading global payments company, MasterCard Worldwide prides itself on being at the heart of commerce, helping to make life easier and more efficient for everyone, everywhere. MasterCard serves as a franchisor, processor and advisor to the payments industry, and makes commerce happen by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, governments, businesses, merchants, and cardholders worldwide. In 2010, $2.7 trillion in gross dollar volume was generated on its products by consumers around the world. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network – the fastest payment processing network in the world – MasterCard processes over 23 billion transactions each year and has the capacity to handle 160 million transactions per hour, with an average network response time of 130 milliseconds and with 99.99 percent reliability. MasterCard advances global commerce through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro®, and Cirrus®; its suite of core products such as credit, debit, and prepaid; and its innovative platforms and functionalities, such as MasterCard PayPass™ and MasterCard inControl®. MasterCard serves consumers, governments, and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information, please visit us at www.mastercard.com. Follow us on Twitter: @mastercardnews

About FIS
FIS (NYSE: FIS) is the world’s largest global provider dedicated to banking and payments technologies. With a long history deeply rooted in the financial services sector, FIS serves more than 14,000 institutions in over 100 countries. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., FIS employs more than 32,000 people worldwide and holds leadership positions in payment processing and banking solutions, providing software, services and outsourcing of the technology that drives financial institutions. FIS is ranked 426 on the Fortune 500, is a member of Standard & Poor’s 500® Index and consistently holds a leading ranking in the annual FinTech 100 list. For more information about FIS, visit www.fisglobal.com.

About Oberthur Technologies
Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies: systems development, solutions and services for smart cards (payment cards, SIM cards, access cards, NFC…) and for secure identity documents, traditional and electronic (identity card, passport, health care card), production of banknotes, cheques and other fiduciary documents, intelligent systems to secure cash-in-transit and ATM. Oberthur Technologies has 6,800 employees through 40 countries and 65 sites. The Group posted 2010 sales of €979M. Website:www.oberthur.com

About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $311 billion in assets as of March 31, 2011, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 3,082 banking offices in 25 states and 5,238 ATMs and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. U.S. Bancorp and its employees are dedicated to improving the communities they serve, for which the company earned the 2011 Spirit of America Award, the highest honor bestowed on a company by United Way. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.