Monday, July 18, 2011

VeriFone Provides Managed Services Pay-at-the-Table Solution to Italy’s Rossopomodoro Chain

July 18, 2011 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

PAYware Express Gateway Services and Software Drive POS-Integrated VeriFone V^x 670 WiFi-Enabled Systems

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE: PAY), today announced an agreement to supply a managed services pay-at-the-table solution to the Rossopomodoro restaurant chain in Italy. Rossopomodoro is part of the Sebeto Group.

“Servers can accommodate our guests promptly and efficiently through one integrated payment process, ensuring greater satisfaction and increased productivity.”

Utilizing Wi-Fi enabled VeriFone V^x670 mobile payment acceptance systems that are managed through the VeriFone PAYware Express gateway service, Rossopomodoro staff are able to accept payment at the table, with check amounts automatically generated from the restaurant chain’s existing POS system.

“VeriFone provides Rossopomodoro with a complete managed services solution that gives us complete control over our payment infrastructure, including consolidated reporting of payments from all of our locations,” said Sebeto Group President Franco Manna. “Servers can accommodate our guests promptly and efficiently through one integrated payment process, ensuring greater satisfaction and increased productivity.”

The VeriFone managed services solution has been deployed at all 110 Rosso Pomodoro locations in Italy. Rossopomodoro also operates in the UK, Spain, Iceland, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United States and Argentina. Sebeto Group also owns other successful restaurants brands throughout Europe including Anema & Cozze and Pizza & Contorni.

“This is a very prestigious win for VeriFone’s managed service pay-at-the-table solution and we hope to expand on our relationship with Rossopomodoro in the future,” said Imanuel Baharier, general manager of VeriFone Italy.

VeriFone managed services programs incorporate hardware, software, security and services into one cost-effective, secure and easy-to-budget solution that improves efficiency of servers and counter clerk and enhances the overall customer experience.

NYCE Payments Network Adds Record New Participants

July 18, 2011 08:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NYCE Payments Network Adds Record New Participants in the First Half of 2011

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NYCE^® Payments Network today announced that it signed a record number of new multi-year participant agreements within the first six months of 2011, representing a significant increase in new business for the network over the same time period in 2010. NYCE Payments Network, LLC, is a leading U.S. electronic payments network and an FIS™ company. FIS is the world’s largest provider of banking and payments technology.

“The first six months of 2011 have been a pivotal period for the NYCE Payments Network”

NYCE provides consumers with secure, real-time access to funds through its extensive ATM network and wide acceptance at the point-of-sale (POS) by merchants throughout the U.S. NYCE cardholders can currently use their cards at more than 360,000 ATMs and 2 million retail locations in the U.S., with international ATM expansion underway.

As an independent, unaffiliated PIN-based debit network that is focused on delivering net interchange parity with signature debit options, NYCE provides a value-added solution to financial institutions. In addition to enabling its clients to maximize interchange revenue, NYCE delivers real-time fraud monitoring and management, text and mobile banking applications, Internet debit, P2P capabilities and extensive approval rate management capabilities.

“The first six months of 2011 have been a pivotal period for the NYCE Payments Network,” said Neil Marcous, president, NYCE Payments Network. “As institutions react to the reality of the post-Durbin landscape, NYCE is a proven option for maximizing interchange revenue. NYCE’s tremendous growth during this period reflects not only its issuer-centric focus on delivering interchange value to financial institutions, but its reputation as a payments network leader. We’re excited to see so many new clients positioning themselves in advance of the regulatory deadlines, to benefit from selecting the NYCE network as their PIN-based payments network.”

About NYCE

NYCE Payments Network, LLC, an FIS™ company, helps its clients grow with innovative new products and strategic alliances that enable them to capitalize on the efficiency, consumer convenience and security of electronic real-time payments. The NYCE Network provides consumers with secure, real-time access to their money, offering hundreds of thousands of ATM locations and millions of point-of-sale locations nationwide. The NYCE On-Demand Payment Solutions offer cardholders a convenient way to pay bills online, receive loan proceeds, and fund P2P transactions, all in real-time. Headquartered in Secaucus, N.J., NYCE Payments Network, LLC, (www.nyce.net) is a wholly owned subsidiary of FIS (NYSE:FIS).

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.

American Express and Sprint Collaborate to Promote Serve

July 18, 2011 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

First Carrier Deal For Serve Offers Sprint Customers Easy Access to Mobile Payments

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Express (NYSE:AXP) and Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced an agreement that will provide Sprint customers with easy access to Serve^SM, American Express' recently launched digital payments platform. The agreement marks Serve’s first relationship with a mobile carrier since launching in late March, and builds on Sprint’s commitment to providing customers mobile solutions with convenience and choice.

“Sprint is pleased to join with American Express to offer this convenient tool for sending and receiving money to friends, paying bills and making purchases online”

This summer Serve’s mobile wallet application will be made available in the Sprint Zone to Sprint customers using select Android-powered smartphones¹. Sprint customers with these devices can find Sprint Zone, which also provides Sprint account information, recommends apps and more, as an icon on their Sprint mobile device.

Serve is an easy-to-use digital payment platform that unifies online, offline and mobile payment options into a single account. Serve can be funded from a bank account, debit, credit or charge card, or by receiving money from another Serve account. Sprint customers who register and qualify for a Serve account will be able to use their Serve card for making purchases at American Express participating merchants, paying their Sprint mobile bill, and in the future, for redeeming offers on goods and services. Across carriers, Serve supports Android and Apple iOS operating systems and will continue to be developed to support additional operating systems including Microsoft and RIM operating systems.

“Sprint is a forward thinking company that is constantly looking for new ways to simplify processes and provide the best solutions for its customers. Their decision to promote Serve in the Sprint Zone is a reflection of that philosophy and we are excited to move forward with this relationship,” said David Messenger, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Growth, American Express. “We believe that customers will benefit greatly from taking advantage of Serve’s functionality as a quick, user-friendly way for tackling the often tedious task of paying bills and making mobile payments.”

“Sprint is pleased to join with American Express to offer this convenient tool for sending and receiving money to friends, paying bills and making purchases online,” said Kevin McGinnis, vice president-Product Platforms, Sprint. “Our relationship with American Express is a great example of Sprint’s open enablement strategy. Sprint brings practical, easy-to-use apps and services to our customers from trusted brands like American Express.”

About Serve

Serve, by American Express, is a next generation payments platform designed to deliver emerging payments and services to address the changing ways consumers interact and exchange money -- with one another -- as well as merchants. Learn more at serve.com and connect with us on facebook.com/paywithserve and twitter.com/serve.

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more atamericanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 51 million customers at the end of 1Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at http://www.sprint.com orhttp://www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

¹The Sprint Zone application currently is not available on the Nexus S™ 4G or Samsung Moment™ devices.

Citi and American Airlines World Elite MasterCard with Co-Branded Product Offerings

July 18, 2011 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Citi Cards and American Airlines Introduce New Elite Traveler Credit Card with Expanded Suite of Co-Branded Product Offerings

The Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage^® World Elite^TMMasterCard^® Offers Premium Amenities, Services and Experiences, As Well As Exclusive Mileage-Earning Opportunities

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Just in time for the busy air travel season, Citi Cards (NYSE:C) and American Airlines (NYSE: AMR) announce today a new addition to the 24-year Citi® / AAdvantage® credit card portfolio that has served millions of cardmembers with its products and service. The Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage^® World Elite^TM MasterCard^®will deliver exclusive elite-level travel services and experiences to American’s flyers.

“The new Citi ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage® card is a direct reflection of the benefits frequent flyers are seeking in a rewards card and underscores the commitment of Citi and American Airlines to enhancing our customers’ experiences”

“The new Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage® card is a direct reflection of the benefits frequent flyers are seeking in a rewards card and underscores the commitment of Citi and American Airlines to enhancing our customers’ experiences,” said Terry O’Neil, Executive Vice President, Citi Cards. “With premium travel benefits, accelerated AAdvantage® miles-earning opportunities and enhanced convenience, the Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage^® card unlocks exclusive access to elite-level benefits cardmembers can’t get with any other credit card.”

The Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage^® World Elite^TMMasterCard^® provides a new class of cardmember privileges, including:

Admirals Club^® membership privileges;
No foreign transaction fees on purchases;
Enhanced Airport Experience;
Waived baggage charge for first domestic checked bag;
Expert Concierge Service.

In addition, the new card offers a once per year AAdvantage^® Elite Qualifying mileage-earning opportunity, based on annual card spend, to put cardmembers on the fast track to American Airlines AAdvantage^® elite status membership. Later this year, Citi plans to introduce the Citi Executive^SM/ AAdvantage^® card with EMV chip card functionality to provide cardmembers with the ability to use a technology that is increasingly important when making credit card purchases abroad.

“The new Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage^® card offers unprecedented airline benefits that allow cardmembers to travel in comfort and style,” said Maya Leibman, President – AAdvantage Loyalty Program. “Moving through the airport more quickly, relaxing at the Admirals Club® and earning AAdvantage® Elite Qualifying Miles are just a few of the many fantastic perks this new card provides.”

Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage^® World Elite^TMMasterCard^® Details:

Admirals Club^® Membership privileges for cardmember and immediate family or up to two traveling guests to enjoy the comfort, convenience and service of a private lounge with complimentary drinks and light snacks, WiFi, and a suite of business services – at over 40 worldwide locations
10,000 AAdvantage^® Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after the first $40,000 in eligible net purchases made on the card within a calendar year
No foreign transaction fees on purchases
Enhanced airport experience including priority check-in, airport screening and boarding privileges, regardless of the class of service of the cardmember’s ticket
Two American Airlines AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible purchases made with your Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage® World Elite^TM MasterCard^® credit card for items billed by American Airlines as merchant of record
Waived baggage charge for first domestic checked bag for cardmember and up to eight companion(s) traveling under the same itinerary
Expert Concierge Service: Top-tier customer service representatives available 24-hours a day to assist with dinner reservations, travel arrangements, gift purchases and more
No mileage cap on miles earned through purchases made with the card
EMV chip card functionality to enable purchases abroad at EMV chip-enabled merchants, planned introduction in 2011
Access to Citi’s Private Pass Program, providing cardmember opportunities such as presale events and VIP experiences
Free tools such as email and text alerts, billing due date option and automatic payments to help with account management
Extended Warranty on purchases
Complimentary Travel Services: Automatic Travel Accident Insurance, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Auto Rental Insurance, Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Coverage
Comprehensive fraud and theft protection including: Fraud Early Warning, $0 Liability for unauthorized purchases, Citi® Identity Theft Solutions, and The Lost Wallet® Service
$450 annual fee

For more information about the Citi Executive^SM / AAdvantage^® World Elite^TM MasterCard^®, please visit citiexecutiveaadvantage.citi.com.

About Citi® / AAdvantage®

The industry-leading Citi^®/ AAdvantage^® credit card was among the first of its kind when it debuted in 1987. The co-branded credit card program has since grown to include millions of loyal customers and is one of the most dynamic and unique card programs in the industry. Citi and American Airline’s suite of co-branded mileage rewards cards include: Citi® Gold / AAdvantage® World MasterCard®, Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® World MasterCard®, Citi® Gold / AAdvantage® Visa Signature®card, Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® Visa Signature® card, Citi® / AAdvantage® American Express® card, Citi® SelectSM / AAdvantage® American Express® card, Citi® ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage® World EliteTM MasterCard®, CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® MasterCard®, CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Visa® card and Citibank® / AAdvantage® Debit Card. To apply for the Citi ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage® Card, visit citiexecutiveaadvantage.citi.com.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 50 countries with, on average, more than 3,600 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve approximately 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 145 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR). Facebook: www.facebook.com/AAdvantage. Twitter: www.twitter.com/AAdvantage (Twitter handle @AAdvantage.)

Citi and Elavon Announce Antonio Castilho as the New President of Elavon in Brazil

July 18, 2011 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Executive arrives with objective to position Elavon as a leading acquirer in the Brazilian market by 2015

SÃO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Citi and Elavon today announced that Antonio Castilho is the new president of Elavon in Brazil, the merchant services company created by a joint venture between Credicard, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), and Elavon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) and leading global payments provider.

“Castilho brings a wealth of industry and local market knowledge to our business in Brazil”

Castilho’s main objective will be to position Elavon as a competitive, leading acquirer in Brazil’s fast-growing payments market by 2015. Elavon’s expertise in technology and specialized services for the aviation, tourism, health and large retailers segments and Credicard’s market expertise will be key drivers in the company’s ability to meet this objective. At present, the company is hiring personnel and organizing the structure of the Brazilian head office. It is estimated that Elavon will begin operating in Brazil by the end of the year.

“Castilho brings a wealth of industry and local market knowledge to our business in Brazil,” said Mike Passilla, President & CEO of Elavon. “We are very fortunate to have such a well-respected and proven industry executive leading the challenge to build and grow our business in Brazil’s evolving payments market.”

Widely experienced in the card issuing and acquiring segments, Castilho previously occupied senior positions at Visanet (currently Cielo), Banco Votorantim, in addition to Ticket and Vale Refeição. He holds a degree in Mining Engineering from West Virginia University, in the United States, and holds a Masters in Business Administration, from Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM) in Brazil, and a specialization in Business Administration from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) in Brazil. He also holds a business management course degree from the Instituto Européen d'Administration des Affaires (Insead), in France.

Credicard

Present in the Brazilian market for over 40 years, Credicard – administrator of Citi’s credit card portfolio, one of the largest credit card issuers in the world, – is synonymous of credit cards in Brazil and manages Diners Club International, Visa and MasterCard labels. In 2009, the brand expanded its expertise in the country’s payment means market to engage in financing operations in Brazil, creating a complete portfolio of credit solutions for consumers. For more information, please visit www.credicard.com.br.

Elavon (www.elavon.com)

Elavon's Global Acquiring Solutions organization is a part of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) and provides end-to-end payment processing services to more than one million merchants in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Elavon markets solutions including credit and debit card processing, electronic check services, gift cards, dynamic currency conversion, multi-currency support, and cross-border acquiring through multiple alliance channels including financial institutions, trade associations and third party sales agents. Elavon’s suite of solutions is tailored to meet the needs of merchants in specialized markets such as small business, retail, hospitality/T&E, health care, education and the public sector.

Citi

USB (www.usbank.com): 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.

Contacts

Public Affairs – Citi Brazil/Credicard
Priscilla Cortezze, (+55) 11 4009-3818
priscilla.cortezze@citi.com
or
Citi Latin America
Anthony Ingham, +1-305-347-1400
anthony.ingham@citi.com
or
Public Affairs - Elavon
Holly Lytle, +1-678-731-5236
holly.lytle@elavon.com
or
Public Affairs - U.S. Bank
Teri Charest, +1-612-303-0732
Teri.charest@usbank.com