Tuesday, September 6, 2011

SmartMetric Files Further Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Visa and MasterCard


SOURCE: SmartMetric, Inc.
September 06, 2011 11:36 ET

SmartMetric Files Further Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Visa and MasterCard

SmartMetric Seeks Award for Damages and a Court Imposed Injunction Against Visa and MasterCard to Prohibit Further Infringement
BAY HARBOR, FL--(Marketwire - Sep 6, 2011) - SmartMetric, Inc. (OTCBBSMME) today announced that the Company has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against smart card issuers Visa and MasterCard in California Federal Court. SmartMetric filed the lawsuit in defense of its U.S. Patent 6,792,464 ('464 Patent) which provides patent protection concerning both 'contact' and 'contactless' smart card technology specifically when used to automatically access a credit card company network via such contact points as ATM machines or Point of Sale (POS) machines.
SmartMetric is seeking preliminary and permanent injunction against both Visa and MasterCard to prohibit them from further infringements along with a cash award for damages and a royalty payment.
More information on the company's lawsuit against Visa and MasterCard can be found on Form 8-K filed by the Company today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing can be foundhttp://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1301991/000101376211002424/form8k.htm
About the SmartMetric:
The SmartMetric, Biometric Card Computer provides powerful computing with large memory capacity in a revolutionary size that has taken more than 10 years of research and development. Using the latest in sub micro technology electronics, the company has achieved a level of miniaturization that allows it to release a solution of portable computing power that combined with SmartMetric's biometric fingerprint in-card scanning technology, is so revolutionary it will change the way business is done and information is handled across a broad range of industries. For further information please go to the company website: www.smartmetric.com

TAG FinTech Announces Date for FinTech Georgia 2011


Second Annual Symposium Includes Discussions on Monetizing Financial Data and the Impact of Regulations on Payments
ATLANTASept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- TAG FinTech, a society of Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), announced that FinTech Georgia 2011 will be held November 16 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton, Buckhead. The second annual symposium will showcase some of the leading financial and payment industry executives discussing the future of technology, emerging trends in payments and factors shaping the industry, such as the Dodd Frank/Durbin Amendment.
Peter J. Kight, founder and former chairman of CheckFree Corporation (now Fiserv), will provide this year's keynote address as he accepts FinTech Georgia's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Some of the topics to be discussed include:
  • Monetization of Financial Data with executives from Cardlytics, Clovr Media, Oliver Wyman and Cartera Commerce;
  • Dodd Frank One Year Later with representatives from, SunTrust, Elavon, Global Payments, Alston & Bird and Raymond James; and
  • Regulatory Changes and Top Trends in FinTech with Madeline K. Aufseeser, a senior analyst with Aite Group.

"Last year's event showed us that there is significant interest in Georgia's influence in the financial, payments and technology space," said C. David Chambless of Abrax Business Services and Chair for TAG FinTech. "This event's participants, content and networking will make FinTech Georgia 2011 one of the best, high-level events in the financial industry and further positionGeorgia as a leading state for financial technology."
After the sessions, there will be a cocktail reception with panelists and presenters, TAG FinTech board members and executives from Georgia's leading FinTech companies. Registration details may be found at http://www.tagonline.org/TAG-FinTech-Georgia-2011.php.
About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.
About TAG FinTech
TAG FinTech was founded in 2010 to address the specific needs of companies, individuals and investors serving the financial industry both domestically and abroad. Financial technology or FinTech encompasses products, solutions, services and information providers, which drive decisions, process payments and facilitate transactions for financial institutions. Georgia FinTech company revenues are more than $34 billion annually, which places it third in the nation behind New York andCalifornia. Together, the banking, insurance and capital markets consistently spend more on technology than any other industry. For more information about FinTech, see http://www.tagonline.org/TAG-FinTech.php
Technology Association of Georgia
Becky Biggs
Becky@tagonline.org
(404) 920-2008
William Mills Agency/TAG FinTech
Scott Mills, APR
scott@williammills.com
678-781-7201
SOURCE Technology Association of Georgia

Mobile Swipe Product and Mobile Payment Middleware Unveiled by 99Bill


BEIJINGSept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- 99Bill, China's leading independent third-party payment service provider, joined with its partners recently in Beijing to launch its new '99Bill+' payment platform and announce its strategy for mobile payments. The event was attended by over 100 guests, including banking partners, operators, device manufacturers, merchant partners, as well as industry analysts and the media.

'99Bill+' is a collaborative and open platform that integrates the company's existing expert personnel, products and services, which help customers improve capital efficiency, with the addition, or '+', of participation by partners, merchants and users. Through an open and collaborative platform, '99Bill+' offers a seamless linking of the end-user's back-end payment system and 99Bill's front-end e-commerce platform. This enables clients to embed all kinds of new and innovative applications aimed at improving user experience and speeding up the growth of their business. The following are a few facts about each of our three '+' factors:
  • +Partners: 99Bill has put great emphasis on developing its industry chain and has over 80 banking or financial institutions with over 300 access points.
  • +Merchants: 99Bill has over 1.1 million merchant partners that span 20 industries, including travel business, insurance, online shopping, logistics, clothing and education, etc.. 99Bill was the first to provide these merchant partners with innovative services like no-card credit card payment, large-amount online payment support and IVR voice payment.
  • +Users: The '99Bill+' platform is meant to be a quick and easy tool that covers all kinds of payment devices and media used across a range of payment scenarios so that users have the best experience possible when making a transaction.

With the growth of 3G, a great deal of e-commerce has gone mobile. Recognizing this trend, 99Bill has reallocated resources to form a new strategy that puts each of the '+ factors' of '99Bill+' at its core – partners, merchants and users – integrating them into a mobile payment ecosystem that provides overarching support for all their needs.
During the announcement, 99Bill also revealed a new mobile payment product that supports multiple operating systems and turns the user's mobile phone into a portable POS device to carry out remote payment, mobile receipt of incoming funds, management of incoming funds for SMEs and P2P payments. At the same time, 99Bill released a new form of 'mobile payment middleware' that can be seamlessly integrated into client applications, allowing users to finish payment on the same interface as the initial purchase was made, which greatly simplifies the payment process and results in more successful payments.
99Bill CEO Oliver Kwan said, "e-Commerce is driving the development of specialization and cooperation throughout the entire industry chain. This will ultimately lower costs and improve the level of service. It has also resulted in the emergence of an open, integrated and coordinated industry ecosystem in which 99Bill is using its technological advantages, in partnership with others in the industry, to develop innovative financial services that can better serve our clients."
Analysts see 99Bill's decision to launch '99Bill+' platform with mobile payment strategy at this time as a clear signal that the company has shown clear core competitiveness and positioning that puts it in a leading position in the e-payment industry since 99Bill won multiple PBoC payment licenses.
About 99Bill Corporation
99Bill Corporation is the leading independent third-party payment service provider in China, offering a comprehensive suite of secure, safe and convenient electronic payment solutions to all kinds of enterprises. With the widest range of product categories and user groups, 99Bill makes electronic payment available by various bank cards. Its services support a variety of terminals, including Internet, mobile phone and POS, which could meet different demands from all enterprises and individuals. By the end of July 2011, 99Bill has signed up a total of 103 million registered users and more than 1,070,000 merchant partners.
SOURCE 99Bill Corporation

TSYS Announces Third-Quarter 2011 Dividend


COLUMBUS, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TSYS (NYSE: TSS) today announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share on TSYS common stock, payable October 3, 2011, to TSYS shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 15, 2011.
About TSYS
TSYS (NYSE: TSS) is reshaping a new era in digital commerce, connecting consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses and governments. Through unmatched customer service and industry insight, TSYS creates a better experience for buyers and sellers, supporting cross-border payments in more than 85 countries. Offering merchant payment-acceptance solutions as well as services in credit, debit, prepaid, mobile, chip, healthcare, installments, money transfer and more, TSYS makes it possible for those in the global marketplace to conduct safe and secure electronic transactions with trust and convenience.
TSYS’ headquarters are located in Columbus, Georgia, with local offices spread across the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. TSYS provides services to more than half of the top 20 international banks. For more information, please visit us at www.tsys.com.

Contacts

TSYS Media Relations
Cyle Mims, +1-706-644-3110
cylemims@tsys.com
or
TSYS Investor Relations
Shawn Roberts, +1-706-644-6081
shawnroberts@tsys.com

FIS Earns an Additional Two Industry Awards in 2011


JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FIS™ (NYSE: FIS), the world’s largest provider of banking and payments technology, today announced that it is the recipient of two prestigious industry awards honoring credit and debit card authorization and Everlink, an FIS company that provides electronic transaction switching, ATM and point-of-sale (POS) solutions.
“It has always been our promise and ever-increasing goal to develop and implement the very best products and services on the market today”
FIS has been awarded the Service Quality Performance Award from Visa® in the Issuer Processor – Lowest Assured Transaction Rate category in credit and debit card authorization. The award recognizes FIS as the issuer best able to ensure system availability to respond to authorization requests in a timely manner. Visa developed this award in 1992 to recognize issuers, acquirers and processors that demonstrate consistent, superior operating performance and a continued focus on service quality improvement.
Everlink, a leader in electronic transaction switching, ATM and POS solutions, has received a Silver award from Advanced Card Technologies (ACT) Canada for its Instant Card Issuance solution. The Instant Card Issuance solution provides financial institution branches the ability to quickly deliver a fully branded personalized card on-site in less than two minutes. This innovative technology reduces costs such as activation and postage, allowing the consumer to walk out of the branch with a ready-to-use card.
“It has always been our promise and ever-increasing goal to develop and implement the very best products and services on the market today,” said Gary Norcross, chief operating officer, FIS. “As a leading provider of financial services technology, FIS strives to deliver solutions that are the most efficient and reliable in the industry. Receiving these awards validates that we are achieving our guiding principle to lead the markets we serve by delivering unparalleled value through our innovation, technological leadership and financial expertise.”
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.

Heartland Payment Systems and Marathon National Bank of New York to Offer Business Clients Expanded Services


Partnership will deliver best-in-class business services to help clients increase efficiencies and lower expenses
PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Heartland Payment Systems® (NYSE: HPY), one of the nation’s largest payments processors, and Marathon National Bank of New York are partnering to offer area businesses best-in-class services that will enable them to improve their operations and increase profitability. Headquartered in Astoria, New York, Marathon is a full-service commercial bank with 13 locations in the greater New York Metropolitan area and New Jersey.
“Marathon is a leading regional bank dedicated to offering unparalleled products and personal service to their customers — as is Heartland”
The strategic partnership provides expanded services to business clients of both companies. Heartland will offer Marathon’s clients credit/debit/prepaid card processing with competitive pricing and payroll processing through its PlusOneSM Payroll online payroll management system. In turn, Heartland will recommend Marathon’s business banking solutions to its merchant customers.
“Marathon is a leading regional bank dedicated to offering unparalleled products and personal service to their customers — as is Heartland,” said Brad Wilson, director of bank alliances at Heartland. “Our ability to offer processing solutions for payroll and card payments under one roof will enable Marathon’s customers to increase operational efficiency and lower their expenses, while our face-to-face sales and servicing approach will ensure each customer has access to local support when they need it.”
Chris Koutsis, Executive Vice President of Marathon, added, “Our paramount goal for over two decades has been to deliver our business customers the products and services they need to successfully operate their businesses. By partnering with Heartland, we can now give our customers access to efficient, cost-effective payments from a trusted processor and a state-of-the-art payroll processing platform in addition to our creative financial solutions. Our customers can concentrate on making their businesses profitable knowing they have a trusted bank and processor behind them. We are excited about this new partnership and the new opportunities for growth — both for our companies and our customers.”
Heartland is committed to educating business owners about the complexities of payments processing so they can effectively manage their costs. Heartland is the founder of The Merchant Bill of Rights (MBOR), a public advocacy initiative to promote fair credit, debit and prepaid card processing practices, and recently launched The Merchant Bill of Rights Payroll Act designed to promote fairness and transparency in payroll processing. Heartland is the exclusive endorsed provider of electronic payment solutions for the National Restaurant Association, more than 40 state restaurant associations, as well as the American Hotel & Lodging Association and more than 200 trade associations and member-based organizations.
About Heartland Payment Systems
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (NYSE: HPY), the fifth largest payments processor in the United States, delivers credit/debit/prepaid card processinggift marketing and loyalty programspayrollcheck management and related business solutions to more than 250,000 business locations nationwide. A FORTUNE 1000 company, Heartland is the founding supporter of The Merchant Bill of Rights, a public advocacy initiative that educates merchants about fair credit and debit card processing practices. The company is also a leader in the development of end-to-end encryption technology designed to protect cardholder data, rendering it useless to cybercriminals. For more information, please visitHeartlandPaymentSystems.comMerchantBillOfRights.orgCostOfABurger.com and E3secure.com.
About Marathon National Bank of New York
Marathon National Bank of New York, founded in 1989, is a full-service commercial bank serving the financial needs of consumers and business owners in the greater New York Metropolitan area. Marathon firmly believes that its ability to provide high quality customer service in a timely, responsive manner is key to attracting, nurturing, retaining, and growing a solid customer base. For over two decades, Marathon Bank has dedicated itself to this ideal. Through its 13 branch network, Marathon Bank offers creative financial solutions, innovative products and unparalleled personal service to its customers. Marathon National Bank of New York is a member of Piraeus Bank Group, which ranks among the largest financial institutions in Greece. For more information about Marathon National Bank of New York, please visit mnbny.com.

Contacts

For Heartland Payment Systems
Leanne Scott Brown, 610-455-2742
LBrown@VaultCommunications.com

Swedbank Deploys Global Identity Management System Based on Protiva Solution From Gemalto


Seamless implementation across Swedbank’s Nordic and Baltic networks
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, announces that Swedbank is deploying the Protiva corporate solutionacross its organization, as well as in 60 savings banks in Sweden. The result: a single global identity management system to provide better access protection for networks and cloud resources. Swedbank is the leading bank in Sweden and the Baltic countries, with 10 million private customers and nearly 700,000 corporate clients. The Protiva solution, part of Gemalto’s cloud computing security offer, will secure access to data networks and physical access for 20,000 employees, irrespective of country, branch or IT system. Implemented initially in Sweden, the solution is being deployed across the Baltic countries, as well as in a number of smaller representative offices internationally.
“At Gemalto, we strive to develop innovative security solutions to ensure our customers are able to implement strong access controls while being both cost-effective to deploy and convenient for the end user.”
As part of a multi-year contract, Gemalto is providing Swedbank with the Protiva converged badge solution based on PKI1, a proven technology for secure online identity authentication. The solution includes a server platform and software applications for a complete card management. It also includes comprehensive deployment support and maintenance services, personalization and fulfillment services based out of Gemalto’s Stockholm offices, as well as advanced card renewal services. In addition to providing Swedbanks’ employees with secure access to their company network remotely or on-site, the Protiva corporate badge will also enable email encryption and eSigning.
Gemalto’s corporate badge solution made it easy to deploy a single identity platform that integrates seamlessly into our multitude of co-existing IT networks in Sweden and Baltics,” commented Pavel Balashov, Head of Identity Infrastructure at Swedbank. “The project management and integration support has been remarkable and enabled us to meet tight deadlines, with the result of high user adoption and satisfaction.”
“The Protiva Corporate solution allows us to meet the high security demands for customers like Swedbank,” added Brigitte D’Heygère, Director of On-line Authentication at Gemalto. “At Gemalto, we strive to develop innovative security solutions to ensure our customers are able to implement strong access controls while being both cost-effective to deploy and convenient for the end user.”
1 Public Key Infrastructure
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2010 annual revenues of €1.9 billion and over 10,000 employees operating out of 87 offices and 13 Research & Development centers in 45 countries.
Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. Billions of people worldwide increasingly want the freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure. Gemalto delivers on the growing demands for personal mobile services, identity protection, payment security, authenticated online services, cloud computing access, modern transportation, e-healthcare and e-government services. Gemalto does this by providing secure software, a wide range of secure personal devices, and managed services to wireless operators, banks, enterprises and government agencies.
Gemalto is the world leader for electronic passports and identity cards, two-factor authentication devices for online protection, smart credit/debit and contactless payment cards, as well as subscriber identification modules (SIM) and universal integrated circuit cards (UICC) in mobile phones. Also, in the emerging machine-to-machine applications Gemalto is a leading supplier of wireless modules and machine identification modules (MIM). To operate these solutions and remotely manage the software and confidential data contained in the secure devices Gemalto also provides server platforms, consulting, training, and managed services to help its 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 visit www.gemalto.comwww.justaskgemalto.comblog.gemalto.com, or follow @gemalto on Twitter.

Contacts

Gemalto:
Peggy Edoire
Europe, Middle East & Africa
+33 4 42 36 45 40
peggy.edoire@gemalto.com
or
Jessi Marshall
North America
+1 512 257 3902
jessi.marshall@gemalto.com
or
Yvonne Lim
Asia Pacific
+65 6317 3730
yvonne.lim@gemalto.com
or
Ernesto Haikewitsch
Latin America
+55 11 51 05 92 20
ernesto.haikewitsch@gemalto.com

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