Wednesday, April 7, 2010

5th Annual Underbanked Forum



	As financial institutions work hard to restore their reputation with the public, they have taken on a new role to educate consumers while promoting savings. But how do you motivate someone living paycheck to paycheck to start saving? Pilot programs like Michigan’s Save to Win is certainly one way to go, as reported in this April US Banker article. Peter Tufano, founder of Doorways to Dreams, consumer advocacy group behind Save to Win, and a Harvard Business School professor, says banks need to design programs that get consumers excited about saving. "Understanding people's motives can be quite effective in trying to design new products and services that will resonate with folks," says Tufano. On June 9-11, 2010, the industry’s most innovative practitioners will gather in Miami for the 5th Annual Underbanked Financial Services Forum to discuss the most cutting-edge successful programs to serve the underbanked segment. RECOMMENDED SESSIONS: Don’t miss Timothy Flacke, Executive Director, DOORWAYS TO DREAMS (D2D) FUND, as well as Irene Skricki, Senior Associate, ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION and Geraldine Walsh, Vice President and Deputy Director, FINRA, as they present the pre-conference workshop: FUN AND GAMES: LEARNING ABOUT FINANCIAL SERVICES Applying real-life experiences is important for consumers when learning to use financial products. Several games, designed to teach financial concepts through experiential learning, have recently been released. Click here for details. CUTTING-EDGE SAVINGS INITIATIVES Hear Sarah Gordon, Relationship Manager, CENTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES INNOVATION, Timothy Flacke, Executive Director, DOORWAYS TO DREAMS (D2D) FUND and Caitlyn Brazill, Director of Research & Policy, CITY OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS - OFFICE OF FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT as they discuss two programs that have recently been initiated to promote savings among the underbanked. Click here for details. Don’t delay and register now while our best rates are available. The best rates will expire on Friday, April 16th and will go up $200 after that. This is your last chance to save! 2 Easy Ways to Register Register Online Or call Arthur Glavas at 212.803.6063 or Glen Van Dusen at 212.803.6072	BEST RATES WILL EXPIRE FRIDAY, APRIL 16TH. DON’T DELAY - REGISTER NOW! Register ONLINE or call Arthur Glavas at 212.803.6063 or Glen Van Dusen at 212.803.6072 Rates go up $100 to $200 on April 17th. This is your last chance to save! DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE BROCHURE STAY CONNECTED WITH UNDERBANKED FORUM Join us on: Linkedin Twitter SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Contact Adam Dadich at 212.803.6089 Join us for the pre-conference Web Seminar: Making the most of the 5th Annual Underbanked Financial Services Forum May 11, 2010 ~ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST Join us Today
*Presented by:*

5th Annual Underbanked Forum



	As financial institutions work hard to restore their reputation with the public, they have taken on a new role to educate consumers while promoting savings. But how do you motivate someone living paycheck to paycheck to start saving? Pilot programs like Michigan’s Save to Win is certainly one way to go, as reported in this April US Banker article. Peter Tufano, founder of Doorways to Dreams, consumer advocacy group behind Save to Win, and a Harvard Business School professor, says banks need to design programs that get consumers excited about saving. "Understanding people's motives can be quite effective in trying to design new products and services that will resonate with folks," says Tufano. On June 9-11, 2010, the industry’s most innovative practitioners will gather in Miami for the 5th Annual Underbanked Financial Services Forum to discuss the most cutting-edge successful programs to serve the underbanked segment. RECOMMENDED SESSIONS: Don’t miss Timothy Flacke, Executive Director, DOORWAYS TO DREAMS (D2D) FUND, as well as Irene Skricki, Senior Associate, ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION and Geraldine Walsh, Vice President and Deputy Director, FINRA, as they present the pre-conference workshop: FUN AND GAMES: LEARNING ABOUT FINANCIAL SERVICES Applying real-life experiences is important for consumers when learning to use financial products. Several games, designed to teach financial concepts through experiential learning, have recently been released. Click here for details. CUTTING-EDGE SAVINGS INITIATIVES Hear Sarah Gordon, Relationship Manager, CENTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES INNOVATION, Timothy Flacke, Executive Director, DOORWAYS TO DREAMS (D2D) FUND and Caitlyn Brazill, Director of Research & Policy, CITY OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS - OFFICE OF FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT as they discuss two programs that have recently been initiated to promote savings among the underbanked. Click here for details. Don’t delay and register now while our best rates are available. The best rates will expire on Friday, April 16th and will go up $200 after that. This is your last chance to save! 2 Easy Ways to Register Register Online Or call Arthur Glavas at 212.803.6063 or Glen Van Dusen at 212.803.6072	BEST RATES WILL EXPIRE FRIDAY, APRIL 16TH. DON’T DELAY - REGISTER NOW! Register ONLINE or call Arthur Glavas at 212.803.6063 or Glen Van Dusen at 212.803.6072 Rates go up $100 to $200 on April 17th. This is your last chance to save! DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE BROCHURE STAY CONNECTED WITH UNDERBANKED FORUM Join us on: Linkedin Twitter SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Contact Adam Dadich at 212.803.6089 Join us for the pre-conference Web Seminar: Making the most of the 5th Annual Underbanked Financial Services Forum May 11, 2010 ~ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CST Join us Today
*Presented by:*

Size and Structure of Financial Card Market in the Netherlands, South Korea, South Africa, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia

Research and Markets: the Financial Cards and Payments in Netherlands Report Establishes the Size and Structure of the Market for Financial Cards

Research and Markets: the Financial Cards and Payments in South Korea Report Establishes the Size and Structure of the Market for Financial Cards

Research and Markets: the Financial Cards and Payments in South Africa Report Establishes the Size and Structure of the Market for Financial Cards

Research and Markets: the Financial Cards and Payments in Malaysia Report Establishes the Size and Structure of the Market for Financial Cards

Research and Markets: Financial Cards and Payments in Saudi Arabia: Size and Structure of the Market for ATMs, Smart, Credit, Debit, Charge, Pre-Paid and Store Cards

Size and Structure of Financial Card Market in the Netherlands, South Korea, South Africa, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia

Research and Markets: the Financial Cards and Payments in Netherlands Report Establishes the Size and Structure of the Market for Financial Cards

Research and Markets: the Financial Cards and Payments in South Korea Report Establishes the Size and Structure of the Market for Financial Cards

Research and Markets: the Financial Cards and Payments in South Africa Report Establishes the Size and Structure of the Market for Financial Cards

Research and Markets: the Financial Cards and Payments in Malaysia Report Establishes the Size and Structure of the Market for Financial Cards

Research and Markets: Financial Cards and Payments in Saudi Arabia: Size and Structure of the Market for ATMs, Smart, Credit, Debit, Charge, Pre-Paid and Store Cards

VRL Introduces Cards and Payments News

An improved home for the cards and payments industry

As someone interested in the fast-moving financial and professional services market you'll already know the value of having easy access to industry information. So welcome to our new monthly cards and payments newsletter, covering the industry-leading publications Cards International and Electronic Payments International, highlights from our research reports and full listings of our event and networking offerings.

www.vrl-financial-news.com

NEWS: Unified makes strides with SaaS

The issue of authenticating account holder identities is becoming increasingly important, and one company, Unified Software, is aiming to take on the major players with its proprietary solution. CI met with the company recently to discuss its growth plans and major objectives going forward.

Read more online

INSIGHT: US prepaid spending to rise in 2010

According to a new study, the uptake of prepaid in the US is set to rise significantly this year, driven by increased marketing and awareness, and a rapid rate of deployment in the government and payroll sectors. However, the economic downturn will negatively impact gift card growth, as Charles Davis reports.

Read more online

ANALYSIS: Maximising profits from cards and payments

Leaders in the cards and payments arena will convene on the 18 - 19 May in Madrid, Spain, to discuss and share the most successful payments strategies being used across Europe. With an impressive line up of speakers including BBVA, Citi, Bank of Spain and RBS, you will have an exclusive opportunity to hear first hand the latest news affecting this industry.

View more online

Cards and Payments Intelligence

With the launch of VRL's new portal, our site is now the only place (besides the PIN Debit Blog) you need to visit for all of your cards and payments information. For a limited time they are offering free trial subscriptions to their portal.

The PIN Debit News Blog will continue to be provided free of charge when your "free-trial" at VRL expires.

Register today

VRL Introduces Cards and Payments News

An improved home for the cards and payments industry

"Regulation E" Communication Solution Launched by Harland Clarke

Harland Clarke Launches Regulation E Communication Solution

Solution and Additional Offerings Address Financial Institutions’ Compliance Communication Requirements

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harland Clarke Corp. has announced the launch of its Regulation E Communication Solution, which is designed to assist financial institutions as they implement the requirements brought about by recent changes to Regulation E. The changes to Regulation E require a financial institution to provide specific information about its overdraft practices and policies and to obtain permission before charging an account holder a fee for one-time ATM and debit card transactions. The final Regulation E rules become effective July 1, 2010, for new account holders, and Aug. 15, 2010, for existing account holders.

“With our Regulation E Communication Solution, our goal is to help financial institutions of all sizes efficiently implement the new requirements”

“With our Regulation E Communication Solution, our goal is to help financial institutions of all sizes efficiently implement the new requirements,” said Harland Clarke President and COO Dan Singleton.

The Harland Clarke Regulation E Communication Solution is comprised of a notification communication to account holders about the regulatory changes and options offered by their financial institutions, as well as a confirmation letter to account holders who elect to opt in. Harland Clarke offers both a printed solution and a scannable notification option powered by its sister company, Scantron Corp., in addition to data collection and reporting services.

Harland Clarke also provides other overdraft communication options that are customizable, including reminder mailings. For these communications to be effective, sending the right message to the right audience is critical, because account holders will be impacted differently based on their banking behaviors. Harland Clarke’s more than 100 years of experience in serving the financial services industry has provided it unique insights. The company is using these in providing multiple marketing channels to deliver integrated solutions to help its clients effectively reach their account holders.

About Harland Clarke Corp.

Harland Clarke Corp. (www.harlandclarke.com) is a leading provider of integrated payment solutions, marketing services, technology solutions and security services. It serves approximately 13,000 financial institutions; major investment firms; business-to-business clients; small, medium and large businesses serving multiple industries; and individual consumers. With its corporate headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, and a regional headquarters in Decatur, Georgia, Harland Clarke employs approximately 4,700 people and has manufacturing and contact center facilities nationwide. Harland Clarke Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harland Clarke Holdings Corp., which also wholly owns Harland Financial Solutions, Inc. and Scantron Corp. Refer towww.harlandclarke.com.

Contacts

Harland Clarke Corp.

Donna Hinkelman, 210-694-1034

Vice President, Corporate Communications

donna.hinkelman@harlandclarke.com

Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100407005212/en/Harland-Clarke-Launches-Regulation-Communication-Solution

"Regulation E" Communication Solution Launched by Harland Clarke

Harland Clarke Launches Regulation E Communication Solution

Solution and Additional Offerings Address Financial Institutions’ Compliance Communication Requirements

“With our Regulation E Communication Solution, our goal is to help financial institutions of all sizes efficiently implement the new requirements”

About Harland Clarke Corp.

Contacts

Harland Clarke Corp.

Donna Hinkelman, 210-694-1034

Vice President, Corporate Communications

donna.hinkelman@harlandclarke.com

Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100407005212/en/Harland-Clarke-Launches-Regulation-Communication-Solution

Discover® U.S. Spending Monitor Falls 1.5 Points in March

After Rising 2.3 points in February, (see related stories below) Discover's U.S. Spending Monitor sees a 1.5 point regression in March

Families Show Decline in Economic Confidence, but Discretionary Spending Intent Slowly Rises

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumer confidence slipped in March after back-to-back gains the previous two months, led by married couples with children at home expressing a significant decline in confidence, according to the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor for March 2010.

“Since January, consumers have slightly altered their spending behavior”

Overall, the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor – a poll of 8,200 consumers that tracks consumer confidence and spending intentions on a daily basis – fell 1.5 points in March to 85 (based out of 100). Overall, 49 percent of consumers felt economic conditions were worsening in March, 3 points worse than February. The number of consumers who felt their finances were getting worse also climbed 1.5 points.

The decline in confidence was most prevalent among families. Married couples with children at home showed a 6-point increase in the number who felt economic conditions were worsening. They also showed a 3-point increase in the number who felt their finances were getting worse.

Despite the more pessimistic economic and financial attitudes, the Monitor reported a positive trend toward discretionary spending intent. For the second straight month and only the second time since May 2009, less than 50 percent of consumers plan to cut discretionary spending in the month ahead. And while a majority of consumers plan to keep spending the same in the month ahead, the number of consumers planning to increase discretionary spending has slowly risen since the beginning of the year.

Consumers Indicating Slow Increase in Discretionary Spending, but 57% Percent Plan to Keep Spending the Same

March saw a Monitor-high 57 percent of consumers planning to keep their spending flat in the month ahead, tying last month’s record. But consumers are beginning to think about increasing their discretionary spending. Over the last three months, consumers said they planned to increase spending in the following categories:

Going out to dinner or the movies (up from 6 to 8 percent planning to increase their spending)

Making home improvement purchases (up from 12 percent to 14 percent planning to increase spending)

Spending on vacations or furthering their education (increased from 10 percent to 12 percent planning to increase spending)

Plans to change saving and investing levels stayed flat in March, with 9 percent planning to save and invest more, unchanged from February. And despite a rise in gasoline prices, only 26 percent of consumers anticipated spending more on gas, groceries or their mortgages, also unchanged from last month.

“Since January, consumers have slightly altered their spending behavior,” said Julie Loeger, senior vice president of brand and product management for Discover Financial Services. “More people are planning to increase their discretionary spending – or at least keep it the same – than those who say they plan to spend less. This is the opposite of what we saw for most of 2009 and the beginning of 2010.”

Nearly 40 Percent Expecting an Income Shortfall in the Month

After reaching a Monitor-low 35 percent in February’s survey, the Monitor showed a 4-percent jump in March to 39 percent in the number of consumers expecting an income shortfall in the month ahead.

Families showed an even bigger jump, as 42 percent of married couples with children at home said they expected an income shortfall in the month ahead, a 5-percent increase from last month.

Consumers also had more difficulty balancing their budgets in March than they did in February. Just 46 percent expected to have money left over after paying monthly bills, a 2-point decline from February. It has been a year since the Monitor has showed a majority of consumers having money left over. However, of those consumers who do have money left over, 81 percent plan on having the same or more money left over than the previous month, a 2-point increase from February.

57% Rate the Economy as Poor; Just 32% Rate Their Finances Good or Excellent

A solid majority of consumers, 57 percent, continue to rate the economy as poor. This number was unchanged from February. However, families share a more pessimistic view than the overall population, as 62 percent of married people with children currently rate the economy as poor, an increase of 3 points from February.

Just 32 percent of consumers rated their finances as good or excellent, 1-point lower than last month’s reading. Families, once again, were more pessimistic about their finances than the overall population. Only 31 percent rate their finances as good or excellent, down 2 percent from February.

“Despite consumer spending stabilizing and even showing signs of a slight increase, consumers are still concerned about the economy and their own household finances,” said Loeger. “With families feeling some budgetary pressures, the positive trends we have recently seen in terms of spending may be short-lived.”

For more Discover U.S. Spending Monitor survey data, charts and information, please visit www.discoverfinancial.com/surveys/spending.shtml.

About Discover U.S. Spending Monitor

The Discover^® U.S. Spending Monitor^SMis a monthly index of consumer spending intentions and capacity that is based on interviews with a random sample of 8,200 U.S. adults conducted at a rate of 275 per night. In addition to spending, the survey asks consumers their opinions on the U.S. economy and their personal finances. The Monitor began in May 2007 with a base index of 100. Surveys are conducted by Rasmussen Reports, an independent survey research firm (www.rasmussenreports.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, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.

Contacts

Matthew Towson

Discover

224-405-5649

matthewtowson@discover.com

Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100407005302/en/Discover%C2%AE-U.S.-Spending-MonitorSM-Falls-1.5-Points

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

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Harland Clarke Launches Regulation E Communication Solution

Contacts

Harland Clarke Launches Regulation E Communication Solution

Contacts

After Rising 2.3 points in February, (see related stories below) Discover's U.S. Spending Monitor sees a 1.5 point regression in March

Families Show Decline in Economic Confidence, but Discretionary Spending Intent Slowly Rises

Contacts

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