Maxim Unveils NFC Smart Labels With Android(R) Application Featuring SHA-1 Security for the Samsung(R) Nexsus S Smartphone | |
 SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 22, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maxim Integrated Products (Nasdaq:MXIM) introduces a new line of near-field communications (NFC) inlays for the two-billion-units-per-year automatic identification and electronic cash (e-Cash) markets. With a 13.56MHz interface, this family of keys (MAX66000/020/040/100/120/140) is positioned to gain significant market share because 13.56MHz is becoming the worldwide RFID standard for eWallet applications.
Working in conjunction with the NFC Bootcamp and OTA Training, LLC., Maxim will be demonstrating one-way NFC inlays used with Smart Poster technology. Six scheduled events will be held in New York City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Santa Clara, Atlanta, and Dallas. The NFC Bootcamp Series, Learn How to Market with NFC: Creating Effective Marketing Strategies Using Near Field Communication, is the first standardized educational series that brings together industry leaders and hands-on demonstrations of the power of NFC to extend brand engagement.
 About Maxim Integrated Products
Maxim makes highly integrated analog and mixed-signal semiconductors. Maxim reported revenue of approximately $2.5 billion for fiscal 2011. For more information, go to www.Maxim-ic.com.
About OTA Training:
Based in Dallas, Texas, OTA Training, LLC is the creator and producer of the NFC Bootcamp series, Learn How to Market with NFC: Creating Effective Marketing Strategies Using Near Field Communication. This program brings the most knowledgeable and respected leaders in the NFC industry together to present their visions and ideas. It also feature the NFC Showcase™, which will highlight real-world, hands-on demos of NFC technology at work.
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Thursday, September 22, 2011
Maxim Demonstrates Near-Field Communication Smart Poster Technology at NFC Bootcamp(TM)
Baseball Superstar Alex Rodriguez Teams Up With RushCard to Present the DYNASTY Prepaid Visa RushCard
The DYNASTY card will offer members all of the same great features and benefits they have grown accustomed to including prescription drug discount cards, discount health plans, online money tools, and Card-to-Card Transfers. The DYNASTY card is the latest addition to the RushCard suite of cards that includes the original Prepaid Visa RushCard, Baby Phat RushCard, Diamond RushCards, and the new KLS RushCard.
"Now, more than ever, urban and rural communities need financial tools to help them navigate the struggling economy," saidAlex Rodriquez, third baseman for the New York Yankees. "I am delighted to be working alongside Russell Simmons to introduce the DYNASTY Prepaid Visa RushCard and the many unique features it provides to assist families in meeting their financial objectives. In this challenging economic climate, consumers will benefit from the financial tools that are available to its members."
The new DYNASTY RushCard features a simple yet sleek design created with Alex's input. Members can use their cards anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted – in stores, online, and at ATMs. Plus, RushCard's powerful features help members follow a budget and track their spending while saving on health care services and prescription drug costs. They can simply choose the design that best suits their style.
"As a fellow New Yorker, Alex knows how important it is to financially empower communities that continue to lack access to basic and convenient financial services," said Russell Simmons. "I'm happy that he's stepped up to the plate to help bring the new DYNASTY RushCard and its many affordable features to his fan base."
To learn more about the Prepaid Visa RushCard, and their card fees and money management tools, visit www.rushcard.com or call 866 RUSHCARD. Check out www.flexyourfreedom.com for the latest personal finance news, tips, and polls to help you stay on the road to financial freedom.
About UniRush LLC
Headquartered in Cincinnati and New York City, UniRush LLC provides members with access to services that enable them to achieve their personal and financial goals. The RushCard offers the more than 60 million Americans without access to a traditional banking relationship an array of basic financial services via the Prepaid Visa RushCard. Benefits of the program include direct deposit, card-to-card funds transfers, online budgeting tools, the ability to withdraw funds at more than 850,000 ATMs globally, the ability to use the card wherever Visa debit cards are accepted, and a suite of health products to help those underserved by the insurance industry. For more information about UniRush and RushCard visit www.rushcard.com or find us at Facebook.com/Rushcard or on Twitter @RushCard.
SOURCE UniRush LLC
Fuze Network Launches Swipe2Pay at Finovate: Enables Easy Cash Payments on Virtually Any Card At Retail Checkouts
Industry-First Solution Revolutionizes Walk-In Bill Payment: Now Live At Over 2,500 Retail Locations Across the U.S.
SALT LAKE CITY and NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuze Network, Inc., an innovative payments technology company dedicated to easing the burden of making cash payments for consumers, billers and retailers today announced the launch of a revolutionary cash payment solution called Swipe2Pay™ at Finovate Fall 2011, a premier event showcasing the latest innovations in financial technology. The first ever offering of its kind, Swipe2Pay enables any retailer to process a cash payment for any card at any time with their existing point of sale (POS) infrastructure.
Increasing numbers of consumers prefer to pay their bills and other purchases with cash, since it's often the easiest, most efficient way to make a payment. Typically, these services require complicated forms which often take time and money to process and result in misdirected funds and unnecessary inconvenience. With Swipe2Pay, card issuers, banks, billers and retailers can offer added choice, speed, and convenience for their customers by enabling them to easily pay, load or deposit cash to over 1 billion cards in the United States - from credit, debit, prepaid, gas, store, gift cards and more - at virtually any retail location using their existing POS terminals. All it takes is the card and cash, and consumers can swipe for nearly instant payment posting with real-time confirmation delivered via SMS text. No more cumbersome forms. No more complicated codes. Just unparalleled speed, convenience and accessibility.
Implementing Swipe2Pay could not be easier for retailers, since it uses the same steps already in place to load and process cash payments on in-store cards. Swipe2Pay's user-friendly technology seamlessly integrates into any existing POS infrastructure with little to no start-up costs and no new equipment or training required. Plus, one low and consistent convenience fee for any card type means consumers know what they're paying, every transaction, every time - whether putting cash on a card or paying off a balance.
"Swipe2Pay is a game changer in the walk-in bill payment industry – offering unmatched speed and convenience to benefit consumers as much as retail merchants and billers. What better venue than Finovate to introduce Swipe2Pay to the world," said Fuze Network founder and CEO Dave Wilkes.
Over 25,000 additional big box retailers, regional chains, convenience stores, and check-cashing centers across the country are already committed to launching Swipe2Pay in the coming weeks and months.
Fuze BillPay Card
Fuze is also proud to introduce the all-new BillPay Card, making it easier for consumers to make in-store cash payments on recurring bills from virtually any vendor. Simply walk into one of Fuze's over 100,000 retail locations nationwide and swipe, to have cash payment applied to auto finance, rent and wireless bills to satellite TV, internet service, utilities and more. Fuze partners with individual billers to create a branded BillPay card, offering an added touchpoint to consumers to offer rewards and benefits along with increased convenience and payment control. Fuze can also help billers identify frequent/likely cash paying customers, and mail them a branded BillPay card along with simple instructions to get them started on instantly paying their bill from anywhere.
For more information on Swipe2Pay, visit www.swipe2pay.com. More information on Fuze Network's full suite of payment solution products, including the all-new Fuze BillPay Card, can be found by visiting www.fuzenetwork.com.
About Fuze Network
Fuze Network is a payments technology company providing merchants and billers with dramatically low-cost options for their customers to find and make payments at over 17,000 banks and 100,000 retail locations nationwide. Founded by payment industry experts and driven by innovation, Fuze Network is dedicated to systematically changing the way bills can be paid, to the benefit of consumers as much as service providers, by injecting speed, simplicity, and convenience into the process. Find more information at www.fuzenetwork.com or call 888-FUZE-TEAM (888-389-3832).
SOURCE Fuze Network, Inc.
MasterCard Board of Directors Announces .15 Regular Quarterly Dividend
September 21, 2011 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MasterCard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend to holders of shares of its Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The cash dividend of 15 cents per share will be paid on November 9, 2011 to holders of record of its Class A common stock and Class B common stock as of October 10, 2011.
About MasterCard Incorporated
MasterCard (NYSE: MA) is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Learn more at www.mastercard.com.
American Small Business Owners Continue to Hire and Plan Strategic Growth in the U.S. Market, Ink from Chase Survey Reveals
September 22, 2011 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Survey Shows Continued Optimism Toward Hiring, Despite Economy
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Three-fourths (75 percent) of small businesses say they are adding positions despite the economy, up slightly from last year (72 percent), according to the Ink from Chase survey of CEOs of fastest growing U.S. small businesses. Demonstrating continued optimism toward reviving the U.S. economy, 67 percent of small businesses plan to expand into new U.S. markets as a key growth strategy. The data was released by Ink from Chase, the business card portfolio from Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM).
“Small to mid-sized growth companies continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience in spite of economic uncertainty. Their rock solid track record of growth underscores the importance these businesses have on net new job generation and contribution to our economy.”
This is the third consecutive year that Ink from Chase surveyed CEOs and senior executives on the prominent Inc. 500|5000 list of fastest growing U.S. small businesses about their outlook on the economy, employment, general growth, and productivity tools, including mobile applications and online tools and social media channels.
Specific findings from this year’s survey revealed that:
Small business owners plan to hire employees and invest in talent, despite the economy
- Seventy-five percent say they are adding positions despite the economy (up from 72 percent in 2010 and from 49 percent in 2009)
- Fourteen percent are hiring to upgrade talent
There is room for profit growth as small business owners plan U.S.-based growth strategy
- Sixty-seven percent are planning to expand into new U.S. markets
- Fifty-nine percent are planning to produce more revenue from existing customers
- For fiscal year 2011 – 33 percent say their firms will exceed both revenue and profit goals, while 30 percent expect that they will meet their revenue/profit goals.
- When asked “Three to six months from now – how do you think your business will be doing?” – the response was:
- Fifty-one percent responded ‘Slightly better’
- Twenty-three percent responded ‘Much better’
- Twenty-one percent responded ‘About the same’
“We are inspired by the optimism shown by small business owners and their plans to grow, upgrade talent and hire, despite the current economic environment,” said Richard Quigley, president of Ink from Chase. “Ink from Chase will continue to focus on the fundamental financial needs of small business owners and providing them with the solutions they need to succeed.”
Inc. magazine President Bob LaPointe said, “Small to mid-sized growth companies continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience in spite of economic uncertainty. Their rock solid track record of growth underscores the importance these businesses have on net new job generation and contribution to our economy."
About Inc. and the Inc. 500|5000
Inc., the only major business magazine focused exclusively for CEOs of fast-growing, private companies, delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. Inc. provides hands-on resources and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. The publication also looks beyond work to address the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Inc. inspires and informs, with cutting-edge coverage that reflects our readers' energy, brashness, and imagination.
The Inc. 500|5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list of the nation's most successful private companies has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success.
The Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that brings the nation’s brightest, most successful business minds together to celebrate their remarkable achievements. In addition to an awards ceremony, the event offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers and evening functions.
For more information on Inc. and the Inc. 500|5000 Conference, visit www.Inc.com.
Editor’s Note: The 2011 Inc. 5000 CEO Research Study queried members of the Inc. 500|5000 CEO e-mail database between September 9, 2011 and September 14, 2011, and received 390 total responses.
About Ink from Chase
Ink from Chase is a portfolio of business cards offering robust, flexible payment solutions and resources to meet the unique needs of small business owners, from spending habits to cash flow needs to rewards. This business card portfolio, which features Chase’s pay-in-full charge card (a first from issuers of Visa® or MasterCard®), includes the Ink Bold, Ink Plus, Ink Classic and Ink Cash cards.
In addition to offering small business owners powerful cards and services, Ink from Chase launched Jot SM, a mobile application and online solution which saves small business owners time by enabling them to easily track, categorize and organize business expenses immediately from their iPhone® and Android™ mobile devices or online.
All Ink cards are accepted worldwide at twice as many locations as American Express, giving small business owners a broader range of purchasing options and more opportunities to earn rewards – up to 25 percent more than American Express. Ink cards are supported by Chase’s 5,000 bank branches and their trusted staffs, and are designed to meet the individual needs of small business owners. Earlier this year, Chase raised its 2011 small business lending pledge to $12 billion from $10 billion in 2010. During the first six months of 2011, Chase provided credit to more than 150,000 small businesses in the United States. It also doubled its approved SBA lending and has made the most Small Business Administration loans to U.S. companies during the first half of SBA’s current fiscal year.
Mozido Announces Partnership with Kabbani Associates Targeting Money Service Businesses
September 22, 2011 09:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time
“I've known Nabil and Kabbani Associates for over 12 years and have the utmost respect for their organization. Kabbani Associates adds tremendous depth and experience to our global financial services team.”
Mozido has been offering a comprehensive suite of multi-channel payment and marketing solutions to the P2P, C2B and B2C markets for over a decade. They support numerous clients and have relationships with industry leaders such as Western Union and Moneygram. Their multi-channel payment solutions enable transfers to be completed from a PC, a POS device or a mobile phone. In addition, Mozido provides consumers access to value added services such as stored value, bill pay, airtime purchases, mobile minutes transfers, retail purchases, savings accounts and payroll deposits in addition to numerous marketing and analytics capabilities.
“We have chosen to partner with Kabbani Associates, due to their wide-ranging experience in remittances and their connections to MSBs globally. The remittance players are a natural fit for Mozido with their extensive relationships with the under-banked community, which will derive great benefits and cost savings from our technology platform,” said Gregory J. Corona, Mozido’s Chairman and CEO. “Mozido can help unlock unprecedented potential for remittance companies by enhancing the relationship that has been built over years of investing in their brand and customer base. Partnering will allow Mozido to further monetize these customers through a convenient integrated suite of essential services while increasing customer loyalty to the remittance brand,” said Nabil Kabbani, Founding Partner of Kabbani Associates.
Michael Liberty, Mozido’s Founder and Chairman of Mozido Global Strategic Initiatives added, “I've known Nabil and Kabbani Associates for over 12 years and have the utmost respect for their organization. Kabbani Associates adds tremendous depth and experience to our global financial services team.”
Mozido will be a sponsor in the upcoming 2012 International Money Transfer Conference being held in Miami and will showcase its unique offering in a private presentation session. Gregory J. Corona, Chairman & CEO of Mozido will be a featured speaker on the "Mobile Payments Day,” the first of its kind for this conference. Nabil Kabbani will make the keynote address and facilitate a panel discussion centered around the mobile money transfer industry.
About Mozido
Founded in 2007, Mozido is the leading provider of multichannel transaction services to retailers, mobile network operators and financial institutions. Mozido offers solutions that enable easy and secure transactions all from the convenience of a mobile phone, and without the need of a traditional bank account. For more information, visit www.mozido.com.
About Kabbani Associates
Kabbani Associates is a consultancy practice that seeks to increase the depth and breadth of financial services provided to the immigrant and under-banked communities. It also consults in P2P and the payments solution industry with particular focus on digital distribution and monetization. For more information on Kabbani Associates or Nabil Kabbani, visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/nabilkabbani.
Bottomline Announces Cross-Border Electronic Invoicing
September 22, 2011 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Banks and Corporates Benefit from Improved Efficiencies and Working Capital Optimization
Sibos 2011
PORTSMOUTH, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bottomline Technologies (NASDAQ: EPAY) today announced it has gone live with a secure, real-time solution for sending and receiving invoices electronically via the global SWIFT network. E-invoicing presents a significant opportunity for banks and their corporate customers to streamline paper-laden processes and reduce costs while increasing visibility into the financial supply chain.
“This implementation demonstrates how collaboration between banks, their customers and industry providers can create true cross-border invoicing solutions utilizing standards supported by SWIFT, creating a win for all contributing parties. Banks who participate can create and sustain a competitive advantage and drive new revenue streams.”
UK-based Bottomline customer Spirax Sarco is leveraging Bottomline’s SWIFT Access Service to exchange e-invoices via SWIFT with a Finnish customer. This is the first time that the SWIFT network has been used for the automated exchange of invoices between buyer and supplier through their service providers. Unlike using SWIFT for payments, with the right service provider and banking partnerships, corporates who are not SWIFT members can leverage SWIFT’s new e-invoicing standards and network.
“Bottomline is uniquely positioned to facilitate e-invoicing,” said Eric Campbell, CTO. “This implementation demonstrates how collaboration between banks, their customers and industry providers can create true cross-border invoicing solutions utilizing standards supported by SWIFT, creating a win for all contributing parties. Banks who participate can create and sustain a competitive advantage and drive new revenue streams.”
Editorial Note: Bottomline will be exhibiting in booth #L117 at Sibos, Sept. 19-23, 2011 in Toronto. For more information or to arrange an on-site meeting, please contact Heather Bridges athbridges@bottomline.com or visit www.bottomline.com/sibos. Join Bottomline’s Marcus Hughes at 11:00 am today in Community Room 3 for “E-Invoicing – Banks and Non-Banks Pushing for Interoperability”.
About Bottomline Technologies
Bottomline Technologies (NASDAQ: EPAY) provides collaborative payment, invoice and document automation solutions to corporations, financial institutions and banks around the world. The company’s solutions are used to streamline, automate and manage processes involving payments, invoicing, global cash management, supply chain finance and transactional documents. Organizations trust these solutions to meet their needs for cost reduction, competitive differentiation and optimization of working capital. Headquartered in the United States, Bottomline also maintains offices in Europe and Asia-Pacific. For more information, visit www.bottomline.com.
Discover Financial Services Reports Third Quarter Net Income of $649 Million or $1.18 Per Diluted Share
September 22, 2011 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Second Consecutive Quarter of Record Net Income
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) today reported net income of $649 million for the third quarter of 2011, as compared to $261 million for the third quarter of 2010.
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”
Third Quarter Highlights
- Discover card sales volume was an all-time record of $26.3 billion in the quarter, up 9% from the prior year.
- Total loans grew 8% from the prior year to $54.1 billion and were up 3% from the prior quarter, with credit card loans up 2% from the prior year and 3% from the prior quarter.
- The delinquency rate for credit card loans over 30 days past due continued to decline reaching a new record low of 2.43%. The credit card net charge-off rate declined to 3.85%.
- Payment Services pretax income was $38 million. Transaction volume for the segment was $45 billion in the quarter, an increase of 15% from the prior year.
- The company repurchased 8.4 million shares in the third quarter for $198 million.
“We achieved record results again this quarter as a result of further improvements in credit performance and record sales volume,” said David Nelms, chairman and chief executive officer of Discover. “In addition, we are very pleased to report the reemergence of year-over-year growth in Discover card receivables and continued strong growth in our personal loan and private student loan businesses. Our strong capital position has allowed us to continue to invest in growth. We also repurchased more than 8 million shares in the quarter."
Segment Results:
Direct Banking
Direct Banking pretax income of $1.0 billion in the third quarter of 2011 was a $614 million improvement from the third quarter of 2010. Pretax income included $24 million related to The Student Loan Corporation.
Discover card sales volume grew 9% from the prior year to a record $26.3 billion. The increase was driven by growth in spending from both new and existing customers, along with increased gas prices. Credit card loans grew year-over-year for the first time since the second quarter of 2009, up 2% from the prior year.
Total loans ended the quarter at $54.1 billion, up 8% compared to the prior year. Private student loans increased $3.8 billion, including the acquisition of $3.1 billion in loans in the first quarter of 2011, and personal loans increased $732 million. This was partially offset by the sale of $1.5 billion in federal student loans driven by last years announced decision to exit this business.
Net interest margin was 9.26%, up 10 basis points from the prior year and 11 basis points from the second quarter of 2011. Credit card yield was 12.46%, a decrease of 40 basis points from the prior year and 11 basis points from the prior quarter. The decline in credit card yield reflects the impacts of the CARD Act, an increase in promotional rate balances, and an increase in customers who pay their balance in full, partially offset by lower interest charge-offs. Interest expense as a percent of total loans decreased 40 basis points from the prior year and 20 basis points from the prior quarter as the company continued to take advantage of available low rate funding.
Net interest income increased $90 million, or 8%, from the prior year, primarily driven by an increase in loan balances related to the student loan acquisition and lower interest expense. This was partially offset by a decrease in interest income on credit cards due to the lower yield.
The delinquency rate for credit card loans over 30 days past due continued to decline from the prior quarter to another all-time low of 2.43%, an improvement of 196 basis points from the prior year, and 36 basis points from the prior quarter. The credit card net charge-off rate decreased to 3.85% for the third quarter of 2011, down 388 basis points from the prior year and 116 basis points from the prior quarter.
Provision for loan losses of $100 million decreased $613 million, or 86%, from the prior year, driven by lower charge-offs and a reduction in the allowance for loan losses. Principal charge-offs decreased $441 million from the prior year, as a result of the continued decline in delinquencies in 2011. In addition, improvement in the outlook for credit performance resulted in a reserve release of $359 million in the third quarter of 2011, versus a release of $187 million in the third quarter of 2010.
Other income decreased $15 million, or 3%, from the prior year. The third quarter of 2010 included a $20 million gain related to the liquidation of the company’s Golden Key investment. An increase in net discount and interchange was offset by a decline in late fee income.
Expenses were up $74 million, or 14%, from the prior year, reflecting increased compensation costs, expenses related to The Student Loan Corporation, and investments in growth initiatives.
Payment Services
Payment Services pretax income of $38 million in the quarter was up $1 million, or 3%, from the prior year driven principally by a $3 million increase in revenues partially offset by a $2 million increase in expenses. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by an increase in transactions on the PULSE network and higher margins. The increase in expenses reflects investments related to enhancing infrastructure.
Payment Services dollar volume was $45 billion for the third quarter, up 15% from the prior year, driven by higher PULSE, Diners Club International and third-party issuer volume. The number of transactions on the PULSE network increased 8%.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
The company will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter results on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Central time. Interested parties can listen to the conference call via a live audio webcast at http://investorrelations.discoverfinancial.com.
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, visitwww.discoverfinancial.com.
A financial summary follows. Financial, statistical, and business related information, as well as information regarding business and segment trends, is included in the financial supplement filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Both the earnings release and the financial supplement are available online at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) and the company’s website (http://investorrelations.discoverfinancial.com).
Dynamics Wins Best of Show at FinovateFall 2011 as Industry Votes for Dynamics’ Chip and Choice™ Technology to Fix Crippling EMV Flaw in Europe
September 22, 2011 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Dynamics Wins Finovate Best of Show For Second Year in a Row
Finovate Fall 2011
PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dynamics Inc., an innovator in next-generation payment cards, won Best of Show of FinovateFall 2011 in New York City for the second year in a row, this time with its Chip and Choice™ technology.
Introduced this week as an immediate remedy for EMV’s critical software fragmentation problems, Dynamics’ Chip and Choice™ technology includes two chips – a secure, embedded chip and an exposed chip. A user can select different payment options by pressing different buttons on the card. Dynamics’ secure, embedded chip then writes a different, temporary chip profile into the exposed chip based on the user’s selection. In doing so, a user can select and use different payment applications even with readers that do not support such applications. This level of flexibility, unique to Dynamics payments cards, negates the needs for costly infrastructure updates in order to deliver powerful new functionality to merchants, networks, card issuers, and consumers.
Dynamics Chief Executive Officer Jeff Mullen said, “Dynamics is humbled to win Best of Show at Finovate for the second year in a row. The award validates our position as the only technology-agnostic innovator in payments. With our first Best of Show win a year ago we revolutionized magnetic stripe payment technology in the United States. Now we are revolutionizing EMV chip technology in Europe with our second win.”
Mullen continued, “After 15 years of EMV deployment in Europe, 63% of European magnetic stripe cards and 83% of European magnetic stripe point-of-sale terminals are also EMV chip enabled. To realize new payment applications in Europe, the software in each reader must be updated. Europe, however, cannot wait the 8-10 years needed to fully upgrade terminals each time a new payments application is desired by a consumer. With Chip and Choice™, Dynamics’ fixes one of EMV’s most significant flaws and, in the process, dramatically accelerates the ability for European banks to deploy new payment applications.”
Finovate is the industry’s launch pad for financial technology innovation. Best of Show is determined by a vote from the event’s attendees. Approximately one thousand industry decision makers attended the event. Sixty three companies demonstrated new technology at the event.
Dynamics’ award-winning Electronic Stripe®, the world’s first fully card-programmable magnetic stripe, is also included on the card. As nearly 100% of European point-of-sale terminals have magnetic stripes, but only 83% of European POS terminals are chip enabled, the Electronic Stripe® can be utilized to convey the user’s selection for any purchase at any terminal. Accordingly, when a user presses a button on the card, information associated with the user’s selection is also written onto the Electronic Stripe®.
For example, a user can use the buttons on his/her card to select to pay for a purchase with credit or to pay for a purchase with rewards. The user can swipe the card at a magnetic stripe terminal and information regarding the user’s selection may be communicated through the Electronic Stripe®. If the user inserts the card at a chip-enabled terminal, the card will communicate the user’s selection through Dynamics’ Chip and Choice™ technology.
Dynamics’ Chip and Choice™ and Electronic Stripe® technology can be utilized in any country with EMV penetration. For example, Dynamics’ Chip and Choice™ may be utilized in the 40% of Asia Pacific’s point-of-sale terminals that are chip enabled and Dynamics’ Electronic Stripe™ technology may be utilized in the near 100% of Asia Pacific’s point-of-sale terminals that have magnetic stripe readers. Dynamics’ technology provides cardholders in all markets with new, advanced capabilities and a more meaningful and seamless payments experience.
About Dynamics Inc.
Dynamics Inc. was founded and seeded in 2007 by Jeff Mullen, its President and CEO. Dynamics produces and manufactures intelligent powered cards such as advanced payment cards. Focused on introducing fast-cycle innovation to top card issuers, the company's first commercial application is the world's first fully card-programmable magnetic stripe for use in next-generation payment cards. The company has won many of the world's most prestigious international business plan competitions, including the Rice Business Plan Competition, Carnegie Mellon McGinnis Venture Competition and the University of San Francisco Business Plan Competition. The company won DEMOgod and the $1M People's Choice Award at DEMO Fall 2010 and Best of Show at FinovateFall 2010. In January, the company won Best in Show at the 2011 International CES for Personal Electronics. Dynamics has closed a $5.7M Series A round led by Adams Capital Management and a $35M Series B round led by Bain Capital Ventures. Dynamics is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa. More information on the company, its technology and applications can be found at www.poweredcards.com.
Blackhawk Network and NetSpend Announce Prepaid Card Distribution Partnership
Source: NetSpend Holdings, Inc. Date: September 20, 2011 08:00 ET | |
Consumers to be Offered Convenience of Purchasing NetSpend Visa(R) Prepaid Cards at Top Grocery Stores Within the Blackhawk Prepaid Network | |
"We are proud to once again be distributing our GPR card through Blackhawk and are very excited about our renewed partnership. The NetSpend card will initially be available in more than 3,000 locations with the potential in the future to expand to significantly more," said Dan Henry, Chief Executive Officer of NetSpend.
"We are thrilled about this opportunity to grow our retail footprint."This distribution agreement will expand NetSpend's partnership with Blackhawk Network. NetSpend customers are currently able to reload their NetSpend prepaid cards by purchasing a REloadit pack at any retail location within Blackhawk's REloadit Network. The REloadit pack, currently priced at $3.95, is featured at these locations on dedicated displays with multiple facings and signage. "Our distribution partnership with NetSpend provides customers with even more convenient access to the alternative payment products they depend on," said Talbott Roche, president, Blackhawk Network. "We are proud to partner with NetSpend in providing consumers with simple and safe financial solutions in conducting their every day banking." About NetSpend
NetSpend is a leading provider of general-purpose reloadable (GPR) prepaid debit cards and related financial services to the estimated 60 million underbanked consumers in the United States who do not have a traditional bank account or who rely on alternative financial services. The Company's mission is to develop products and services that empower underbanked consumers with the convenience, security and freedom to be self-banked. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NetSpend is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the symbol NTSP.
The NetSpend Holdings, Inc. logo is available athttp://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8154
Please visit http://www.netspend.com for more information.
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About Blackhawk Network
Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. The company's Gift Card Mall™ offers the industry's most popular prepaid gift card and telecom products. Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million people each week through an exclusive network of leading grocery, big box, convenience, drug, and specialty stores and is available through Internet retailers including GiftCardMall.com. Blackhawk Network's business solutions include reward and incentive programs that offer choice and flexibility through a wide array of card brands, custom designed Visa® prepaid cards and fulfillment options.
Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com and www.giftcardmall.com
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