FIS-Sponsored Survey Reveals Consumer Interest in Replacing Cash and Checks with P2P Money Movement

eCom Advisors Finds 48 Percent of Consumers Surveyed Expressed Interest in Using Electronic P2P Payments

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Demand for electronic person-to-person (P2P) payments and transfers is growing rapidly and the interest of making these and other payment transactions through an ePayment Portal is strong as well. In fact, the study found that of those who were interested in the Portal concept, 70 percent would be likely to use P2P payment services within that Portal. This is according to research commissioned by FIS^™ (NYSE:FIS), one of the world’s largest providers of banking and payments technology. The study was conducted by eCom Advisors, a provider of executive consulting and research services in the financial services industry.

“This is good news for financial institutions who want to introduce or increase adoption of electronic P2P payment methods. The research reinforces FIS’ commitment to centralize the ePayments experience for banks and their customers.”

Opportunities Exist for P2P Payments to Replace Traditional Payment Types

The study revealed that a substantial opportunity exists for electronic P2P payments to replace cash and check money exchanges that take place between individuals. Almost 50 percent of consumers expressed interest in using electronic P2P for common needs – for example, sending money to a child at college, sending money out of the country or splitting the cost of a gift with family members, co-workers or friends. To encourage adoption, banks would need to position electronic P2P payments as a component of a payment and money movement solution. The research indicates that banks will benefit most by promoting P2P payments to online banking and bill payment customers, as well as users of mobile banking services and payments. The study also suggests that there should be a strong link between banks’ mobile banking solution and the electronic P2P Portal concepts.

Not only does our PCI 2.1 Certified PED Securely Two Factor Authenticate the Online Banking Session, it enables the online banking customer to make P2P and Online Payments Securely, in Real Time.  

Consumer Awareness is Key to P2P Adoption

The study also showed that there is a significant opportunity to drive adoption by increasing consumer awareness of the simplicity of initiating electronic P2P payments. Promoting the ease of use and variety of channels for P2P payments will be critical for financial institutions. Furthermore, 34 percent who expressed interest in the Portal concept indicated they would be willing to switch to a bank that offers electronic P2P payments as part of an ePayment Portal. The ePayment Portal was a new product concept tested in the research and is defined as a service provided by a financial institution that allows consumers to transfer money, pay bills, conduct P2P payments, and track all their money movement from a single place online.

“The major objective in conducting this research was to investigate and understand specific strategies to increase consumer adoption of online bill payment and P2P payments,” said Paul McAdam, a partner at eCom Advisors. “Once we uncovered the attitudes and perceptions of the participants as they related to electronic payments, we were able to determine the role of a financial institution as a centralized money movement portal and offer ideas on how to promote this type of service.”

“FIS was encouraged by results of the study indicating that almost three quarters of the participants surveyed are comfortable with the idea of P2P payment options and see the value proposition of having the ability to make all payments from within an ePayment Portal,” said Frank D’Angelo, executive vice president, FIS Payment Solutions Group. “This is good news for financial institutions who want to introduce or increase adoption of electronic P2P payment methods. The research reinforces FIS’ commitment to centralize the ePayments experience for banks and their customers.”

FIS has integrated PayPal's P2P payment system into its online bill payment application for financial institutions. FIS’ P2P solution enables its banks clients' consumer and business customers to make fast, secure payments from their bank accounts to PayPal users worldwide through the Internet or mobile devices.

This research study was jointly sponsored by FIS, PayPal and NACHA and conducted by eCom Advisors. FIS, PayPal and eCom Advisors will present more detailed research results at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, April 26^th during the NACHA Conference taking place in Seattle, Wash. FIS will also present the results of the study at its upcoming Client Conference in Milwaukee, Wis., in May of 2010. Additional research results will be posted at eCom Advisors’ website (http://www.ecomadvisors.com)

Methodological Notes

In February 2010, eCom Advisors administrated an Internet survey to 1,180 active online banking customers. The research was jointly sponsored by FIS, PayPal and NACHA. The goal was to understand specific strategies to increase consumer adoption of online bill payment and P2P payments and determine the viability of the role of a financial institution as a centralized money movement portal.

About FIS

FIS delivers banking and payments technologies to more than 14,000 financial institutions and businesses in over 100 countries worldwide. FIS provides financial institution core processing, and card issuer and transaction processing services, including the NYCE^® Network. FIS maintains processing and technology relationships with 40 of the top 50 global banks, including nine of the top 10. FIS is a member of Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500^® Index and consistently holds a leading ranking in the annual FinTech 100 rankings. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., FIS employs more than 30,000 on a global basis. FIS is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the “FIS” ticker symbol. For more information about FIS see www.fisglobal.com.

FIS-Sponsored Survey Reveals Consumer Interest in Replacing Cash and Checks with P2P Money Movement

eCom Advisors Finds 48 Percent of Consumers Surveyed Expressed Interest in Using Electronic P2P Payments

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Demand for electronic person-to-person (P2P) payments and transfers is growing rapidly and the interest of making these and other payment transactions through an ePayment Portal is strong as well. In fact, the study found that of those who were interested in the Portal concept, 70 percent would be likely to use P2P payment services within that Portal. This is according to research commissioned by FIS^™ (NYSE:FIS), one of the world’s largest providers of banking and payments technology. The study was conducted by eCom Advisors, a provider of executive consulting and research services in the financial services industry.

“This is good news for financial institutions who want to introduce or increase adoption of electronic P2P payment methods. The research reinforces FIS’ commitment to centralize the ePayments experience for banks and their customers.”

Opportunities Exist for P2P Payments to Replace Traditional Payment Types

The study revealed that a substantial opportunity exists for electronic P2P payments to replace cash and check money exchanges that take place between individuals. Almost 50 percent of consumers expressed interest in using electronic P2P for common needs – for example, sending money to a child at college, sending money out of the country or splitting the cost of a gift with family members, co-workers or friends. To encourage adoption, banks would need to position electronic P2P payments as a component of a payment and money movement solution. The research indicates that banks will benefit most by promoting P2P payments to online banking and bill payment customers, as well as users of mobile banking services and payments. The study also suggests that there should be a strong link between banks’ mobile banking solution and the electronic P2P Portal concepts.

Not only does our PCI 2.1 Certified PED Securely Two Factor Authenticate the Online Banking Session, it enables the online banking customer to make P2P and Online Payments Securely, in Real Time.  

Consumer Awareness is Key to P2P Adoption

The study also showed that there is a significant opportunity to drive adoption by increasing consumer awareness of the simplicity of initiating electronic P2P payments. Promoting the ease of use and variety of channels for P2P payments will be critical for financial institutions. Furthermore, 34 percent who expressed interest in the Portal concept indicated they would be willing to switch to a bank that offers electronic P2P payments as part of an ePayment Portal. The ePayment Portal was a new product concept tested in the research and is defined as a service provided by a financial institution that allows consumers to transfer money, pay bills, conduct P2P payments, and track all their money movement from a single place online.

“The major objective in conducting this research was to investigate and understand specific strategies to increase consumer adoption of online bill payment and P2P payments,” said Paul McAdam, a partner at eCom Advisors. “Once we uncovered the attitudes and perceptions of the participants as they related to electronic payments, we were able to determine the role of a financial institution as a centralized money movement portal and offer ideas on how to promote this type of service.”

“FIS was encouraged by results of the study indicating that almost three quarters of the participants surveyed are comfortable with the idea of P2P payment options and see the value proposition of having the ability to make all payments from within an ePayment Portal,” said Frank D’Angelo, executive vice president, FIS Payment Solutions Group. “This is good news for financial institutions who want to introduce or increase adoption of electronic P2P payment methods. The research reinforces FIS’ commitment to centralize the ePayments experience for banks and their customers.”

FIS has integrated PayPal's P2P payment system into its online bill payment application for financial institutions. FIS’ P2P solution enables its banks clients' consumer and business customers to make fast, secure payments from their bank accounts to PayPal users worldwide through the Internet or mobile devices.

This research study was jointly sponsored by FIS, PayPal and NACHA and conducted by eCom Advisors. FIS, PayPal and eCom Advisors will present more detailed research results at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, April 26^th during the NACHA Conference taking place in Seattle, Wash. FIS will also present the results of the study at its upcoming Client Conference in Milwaukee, Wis., in May of 2010. Additional research results will be posted at eCom Advisors’ website (http://www.ecomadvisors.com)

Methodological Notes

In February 2010, eCom Advisors administrated an Internet survey to 1,180 active online banking customers. The research was jointly sponsored by FIS, PayPal and NACHA. The goal was to understand specific strategies to increase consumer adoption of online bill payment and P2P payments and determine the viability of the role of a financial institution as a centralized money movement portal.

About FIS

FIS delivers banking and payments technologies to more than 14,000 financial institutions and businesses in over 100 countries worldwide. FIS provides financial institution core processing, and card issuer and transaction processing services, including the NYCE^® Network. FIS maintains processing and technology relationships with 40 of the top 50 global banks, including nine of the top 10. FIS is a member of Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500^® Index and consistently holds a leading ranking in the annual FinTech 100 rankings. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., FIS employs more than 30,000 on a global basis. FIS is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the “FIS” ticker symbol. For more information about FIS see www.fisglobal.com.

Visa Inc. Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences

SAN FRANCISCO, April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) today announced its participation in the following investor conferences:

• On Wednesday, May 5, James (Jim) McCarthy, Global Head of Product, will participate in a fireside chat at the Morgan Stanley Payments Summit in New York City. The discussion will begin at 1:35 p.m. Eastern Time and last for approximately 45 minutes.

• On Tuesday, May 18, Joseph Saunders, Chairman and CEO, will present at the 38th Annual J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in Boston. The fireside chat will begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time and last for approximately 35 minutes.

• On Tuesday, May 25, Bruce McElhinney, Head of Global Acceptance, will participate in a panel discussion at the UBS Electronic Payments Summit VII in New York. The discussion will begin at 10:15 a.m. Eastern Time and last for approximately 40 minutes.

• On Wednesday, May 26, Byron Pollitt, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Services Conference in New York. The fireside chat will begin at 8:50 a.m. Eastern Time and last for approximately 45 minutes.

Each presentation will be webcast live and a replay will be archived for two weeks on the investor relations web site athttp://investor.visa.com.

About Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. operates the world's largest retail electronic payments network providing processing services and payment product platforms. This includes consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, which are offered under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world, and Visa/PLUS is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

Contacts:
Investor Relations: Victoria Hyde-Dunn, 415-932-2213, ir@visa.com
Media Relations: Will Valentine, 415-932-2564, globalmedia@visa.com

SOURCE Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences

SAN FRANCISCO, April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) today announced its participation in the following investor conferences:

• On Wednesday, May 5, James (Jim) McCarthy, Global Head of Product, will participate in a fireside chat at the Morgan Stanley Payments Summit in New York City. The discussion will begin at 1:35 p.m. Eastern Time and last for approximately 45 minutes.

• On Tuesday, May 18, Joseph Saunders, Chairman and CEO, will present at the 38th Annual J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in Boston. The fireside chat will begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time and last for approximately 35 minutes.

• On Tuesday, May 25, Bruce McElhinney, Head of Global Acceptance, will participate in a panel discussion at the UBS Electronic Payments Summit VII in New York. The discussion will begin at 10:15 a.m. Eastern Time and last for approximately 40 minutes.

• On Wednesday, May 26, Byron Pollitt, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Services Conference in New York. The fireside chat will begin at 8:50 a.m. Eastern Time and last for approximately 45 minutes.

Each presentation will be webcast live and a replay will be archived for two weeks on the investor relations web site athttp://investor.visa.com.

About Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. operates the world's largest retail electronic payments network providing processing services and payment product platforms. This includes consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, which are offered under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world, and Visa/PLUS is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

Contacts:
Investor Relations: Victoria Hyde-Dunn, 415-932-2213, ir@visa.com
Media Relations: Will Valentine, 415-932-2564, globalmedia@visa.com

SOURCE Visa Inc.

Meta Payment Systems® Selects GDS Link for Advanced Application Processing, Nimble Risk Management Capabilities

Leading pre-paid card issuer simplifies implementation of complex underwriting processes

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GDS Link, a global provider of customer-centric risk management and process automation solutions, announced today that Meta Payment Systems has selected DataView360™ to support the intricate underwriting of its lending programs. DataView360 is GDS Link’s flagship solution with functionality enabling internal and external data access, attribute set creation and maintenance, scorecard model implementation, unlimited decisioning as well as retro scoring processes.

“DataView360’s modular design eliminates the burden of making wholesale changes to any organization’s legacy infrastructure, therefore improving time to market and supporting a rapid ROI”

“We required a platform to merge credit data with other internal and external sources to feed custom built scoring models, and then program these to accurately calculate consumer risk,” explained Meta Payment Systems’ Craig Johnson, director of portfolio risk management. ”GDS Link’s nimble, configurable technology addressed those needs and provided the capabilities to manage high application volumes without sacrificing quick response times.”

Meta enlisted GDS Link’s DataView360 as an underwriting tool for two lending programs. First, Meta applies an underwriting application tool to approve customers and establish credit lines for its small dollar line of credit that is tied to a prepaid card. Meta also effectively and efficiently aggregates disparate credit bureau data with scoring models for underwriting its unique tax season-related line of credit, offered to individuals prior to receipt of their tax refund.

Meta must accept information from credit bureaus as well as the information submitted by customers. Because DataView360 can be modified to any client’s specific needs, GDS Link was able to layer the technology into Meta’s existing architecture, resulting in just a two-month implementation time for a very complex underwriting process. Meta achieved the handling of more than 10,000 applications each hour from 5,000 office locations submitting applications at the same time.

Johnson continued, “There is no time for manual review or error. GDS Link supports the technology to streamline our underwriting and provides the expertise to guide us through the proper control of these systems for greater accuracy and compliance.”

“DataView360’s modular design eliminates the burden of making wholesale changes to any organization’s legacy infrastructure, therefore improving time to market and supporting a rapid ROI,” explained Paul Greenwood, president of GDS Link. ”Meta Payment Systems took advantage of its configurability and simple integration to benefit from increased productivity, reduced costs and greater accuracy.”

About GDS Link LLC

GDS Link is a global provider of customer-centric risk management and process automation solutions. The company specializes in advanced software designed to support the access and aggregation of disparate data sources and the rapid implementation of custom credit scorecard models and risk management policies. Its technology acts as the enabler for organizations to effectively manage the risk of their customer throughout its lifecycle. Familiar with the large investments made by institutions in their legacy applications, GDS Link’s flagship solution, DataView360™, was architected to derive continued value from these systems while delivering enhanced function and flexibility to the risk management community.

For more information, visit www.gdslink.com.

About Meta^®

Meta Payment Systems^®, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a leading provider of prepaid, credit, debit and emerging payments solutions as well as the largest sponsor of ATMs in the United States. Meta Payment Systems, a division of MetaBank™, delivers innovative financial products that change the way people use, borrow and manage money. Meta Payment Systems brings money to LIFE. Meta Financial Group, Inc.^® (NASDAQ Global Market^®: CASH) is the holding company for federally-chartered savings bank MetaBank. For more information visit www.metapay.com.

Meta Payment Systems® Selects GDS Link for Advanced Application Processing, Nimble Risk Management Capabilities

Leading pre-paid card issuer simplifies implementation of complex underwriting processes

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GDS Link, a global provider of customer-centric risk management and process automation solutions, announced today that Meta Payment Systems has selected DataView360™ to support the intricate underwriting of its lending programs. DataView360 is GDS Link’s flagship solution with functionality enabling internal and external data access, attribute set creation and maintenance, scorecard model implementation, unlimited decisioning as well as retro scoring processes.

“DataView360’s modular design eliminates the burden of making wholesale changes to any organization’s legacy infrastructure, therefore improving time to market and supporting a rapid ROI”

“We required a platform to merge credit data with other internal and external sources to feed custom built scoring models, and then program these to accurately calculate consumer risk,” explained Meta Payment Systems’ Craig Johnson, director of portfolio risk management. ”GDS Link’s nimble, configurable technology addressed those needs and provided the capabilities to manage high application volumes without sacrificing quick response times.”

Meta enlisted GDS Link’s DataView360 as an underwriting tool for two lending programs. First, Meta applies an underwriting application tool to approve customers and establish credit lines for its small dollar line of credit that is tied to a prepaid card. Meta also effectively and efficiently aggregates disparate credit bureau data with scoring models for underwriting its unique tax season-related line of credit, offered to individuals prior to receipt of their tax refund.

Meta must accept information from credit bureaus as well as the information submitted by customers. Because DataView360 can be modified to any client’s specific needs, GDS Link was able to layer the technology into Meta’s existing architecture, resulting in just a two-month implementation time for a very complex underwriting process. Meta achieved the handling of more than 10,000 applications each hour from 5,000 office locations submitting applications at the same time.

Johnson continued, “There is no time for manual review or error. GDS Link supports the technology to streamline our underwriting and provides the expertise to guide us through the proper control of these systems for greater accuracy and compliance.”

“DataView360’s modular design eliminates the burden of making wholesale changes to any organization’s legacy infrastructure, therefore improving time to market and supporting a rapid ROI,” explained Paul Greenwood, president of GDS Link. ”Meta Payment Systems took advantage of its configurability and simple integration to benefit from increased productivity, reduced costs and greater accuracy.”

About GDS Link LLC

GDS Link is a global provider of customer-centric risk management and process automation solutions. The company specializes in advanced software designed to support the access and aggregation of disparate data sources and the rapid implementation of custom credit scorecard models and risk management policies. Its technology acts as the enabler for organizations to effectively manage the risk of their customer throughout its lifecycle. Familiar with the large investments made by institutions in their legacy applications, GDS Link’s flagship solution, DataView360™, was architected to derive continued value from these systems while delivering enhanced function and flexibility to the risk management community.

For more information, visit www.gdslink.com.

About Meta^®

Meta Payment Systems^®, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a leading provider of prepaid, credit, debit and emerging payments solutions as well as the largest sponsor of ATMs in the United States. Meta Payment Systems, a division of MetaBank™, delivers innovative financial products that change the way people use, borrow and manage money. Meta Payment Systems brings money to LIFE. Meta Financial Group, Inc.^® (NASDAQ Global Market^®: CASH) is the holding company for federally-chartered savings bank MetaBank. For more information visit www.metapay.com.

Acacia Research Reports Record First Quarter Financial Results

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acacia Research Corporation⁽¹⁾ (Nasdaq:ACTG) today reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

“Acacia's success in completing over 770 licensing agreements covering 73 different technologies is generating new agreements with technology companies, universities, research centers, and large multinational companies based in the US, Europe, and Asia wanting to partner with us for the licensing of their patented technologies”

Acacia Research reported record quarterly license fee revenues of $39,772,000 during the first quarter of 2010, as compared to $16,957,000 in the comparable prior year quarter.

Trailing twelve-month revenues totaled $90.2 million as of March 31, 2010, as compared to $67.3 million as of December 31, 2009, $65.7 million at September 30, 2009, $63.4 million as of June 30, 2009 and $56.1 million as of March 31, 2009.

Acacia Research reported first quarter 2010 net income of $18,512,000, or $0.55 per diluted share, as compared to a quarterly net loss of $268,000, or $.01 per diluted share for the comparable prior year quarter. Included in first quarter 2010 net results are non-cash stock compensation and patent amortization charges totaling $3,598,000, as compared to $2,985,000 of non-cash charges in the comparable prior year quarter.

First quarter 2010 revenues included license fees from 40 new licensing agreements covering 29 of our technology licensing programs, as compared to 28 new licensing agreements covering 16 of our technology licensing programs in the comparable prior year quarter. First quarter 2010 revenues included initial license fee revenues for 13 of our technology licensing programs, as compared to initial license fees for 4 of our technology licensing programs in the comparable prior year quarter.

First quarter 2010 inventor royalties, including net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary totaled $4,448,000, as compared to $5,377,000 in the comparable prior year quarter. First quarter 2010 contingent legal fees expenses were $4,407,000, as compared to $3,532,000 in the comparable prior year quarter. On a combined basis, inventor royalties, including net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary, and contingent legal fees, as a percentage of total license fee revenues decreased to 22%, as compared to 53% in the comparable prior year quarter. The economic terms of the inventor agreements, operating agreements and contingent legal fee arrangements, if any, including royalty rates, contingent fee rates and other terms, vary across the patent portfolios owned or controlled by our operating subsidiaries. Inventor royalties, payments to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries and contingent legal fees expenses fluctuate period to period, based on the amount of revenues recognized each period, the terms and conditions of license agreements executed each period and the mix of specific patent portfolios with varying economic terms generating revenues each period. Inventor royalties and contingent legal fees expenses will continue to vary significantly quarter to quarter based on the mix of license agreements and the terms and conditions of license agreements executed each period.

First quarter 2010 marketing, general and administrative expenses increased 18% to $6,332,000 (including non-cash stock compensation charges of $1,895,000) from $5,378,000 (including non-cash stock compensation charges of $1,920,000) in the comparable prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in variable performance-based compensation costs.

First quarter 2010 litigation and licensing expenses-patents increased to $3,696,000 versus $1,708,000 in the comparable prior year quarter, due to an increase in litigation and licensing support related out of pocket expenses, third party technical consulting expenses, professional expert expenses and other litigation support and administrative costs incurred in connection with our investment in certain of our licensing and enforcement programs with trial dates scheduled for 2010, and a net increase in costs related to new licensing and enforcement programs commenced since the end of the prior year quarter. First quarter 2010 litigation and licensing expenses-patents decreased 34%, versus the $5.6 million of licensing expenses-patents recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009.

“Acacia accelerated its growth in the first quarter with a record 13 new licensing programs generating revenues and a record 11 new patent portfolios for future licensing, as we build our leadership position in patent licensing. Quarterly revenues will continue to be uneven,” commented Acacia Chairman and CEO, Paul Ryan.

“Acacia's success in completing over 770 licensing agreements covering 73 different technologies is generating new agreements with technology companies, universities, research centers, and large multinational companies based in the US, Europe, and Asia wanting to partner with us for the licensing of their patented technologies,” concluded Mr. Ryan.

Acacia Research Reports Record First Quarter Financial Results

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acacia Research Corporation⁽¹⁾ (Nasdaq:ACTG) today reported results for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

“Acacia's success in completing over 770 licensing agreements covering 73 different technologies is generating new agreements with technology companies, universities, research centers, and large multinational companies based in the US, Europe, and Asia wanting to partner with us for the licensing of their patented technologies”

Acacia Research reported record quarterly license fee revenues of $39,772,000 during the first quarter of 2010, as compared to $16,957,000 in the comparable prior year quarter.

Trailing twelve-month revenues totaled $90.2 million as of March 31, 2010, as compared to $67.3 million as of December 31, 2009, $65.7 million at September 30, 2009, $63.4 million as of June 30, 2009 and $56.1 million as of March 31, 2009.

Acacia Research reported first quarter 2010 net income of $18,512,000, or $0.55 per diluted share, as compared to a quarterly net loss of $268,000, or $.01 per diluted share for the comparable prior year quarter. Included in first quarter 2010 net results are non-cash stock compensation and patent amortization charges totaling $3,598,000, as compared to $2,985,000 of non-cash charges in the comparable prior year quarter.

First quarter 2010 revenues included license fees from 40 new licensing agreements covering 29 of our technology licensing programs, as compared to 28 new licensing agreements covering 16 of our technology licensing programs in the comparable prior year quarter. First quarter 2010 revenues included initial license fee revenues for 13 of our technology licensing programs, as compared to initial license fees for 4 of our technology licensing programs in the comparable prior year quarter.

First quarter 2010 inventor royalties, including net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary totaled $4,448,000, as compared to $5,377,000 in the comparable prior year quarter. First quarter 2010 contingent legal fees expenses were $4,407,000, as compared to $3,532,000 in the comparable prior year quarter. On a combined basis, inventor royalties, including net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiary, and contingent legal fees, as a percentage of total license fee revenues decreased to 22%, as compared to 53% in the comparable prior year quarter. The economic terms of the inventor agreements, operating agreements and contingent legal fee arrangements, if any, including royalty rates, contingent fee rates and other terms, vary across the patent portfolios owned or controlled by our operating subsidiaries. Inventor royalties, payments to noncontrolling interests in operating subsidiaries and contingent legal fees expenses fluctuate period to period, based on the amount of revenues recognized each period, the terms and conditions of license agreements executed each period and the mix of specific patent portfolios with varying economic terms generating revenues each period. Inventor royalties and contingent legal fees expenses will continue to vary significantly quarter to quarter based on the mix of license agreements and the terms and conditions of license agreements executed each period.

First quarter 2010 marketing, general and administrative expenses increased 18% to $6,332,000 (including non-cash stock compensation charges of $1,895,000) from $5,378,000 (including non-cash stock compensation charges of $1,920,000) in the comparable prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in variable performance-based compensation costs.

First quarter 2010 litigation and licensing expenses-patents increased to $3,696,000 versus $1,708,000 in the comparable prior year quarter, due to an increase in litigation and licensing support related out of pocket expenses, third party technical consulting expenses, professional expert expenses and other litigation support and administrative costs incurred in connection with our investment in certain of our licensing and enforcement programs with trial dates scheduled for 2010, and a net increase in costs related to new licensing and enforcement programs commenced since the end of the prior year quarter. First quarter 2010 litigation and licensing expenses-patents decreased 34%, versus the $5.6 million of licensing expenses-patents recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009.

“Acacia accelerated its growth in the first quarter with a record 13 new licensing programs generating revenues and a record 11 new patent portfolios for future licensing, as we build our leadership position in patent licensing. Quarterly revenues will continue to be uneven,” commented Acacia Chairman and CEO, Paul Ryan.

“Acacia's success in completing over 770 licensing agreements covering 73 different technologies is generating new agreements with technology companies, universities, research centers, and large multinational companies based in the US, Europe, and Asia wanting to partner with us for the licensing of their patented technologies,” concluded Mr. Ryan.

NetSpend Names George W. Gresham Chief Financial Officer

Appointment Adds to Depth of Management Team

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NetSpend Corporation, a leading provider of prepaid, reloadable debit cards, announced today that George W. Gresham has been appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gresham joins NetSpend from Global Cash Access, Inc. (GCA) where he served in the same capacity. He will be based at NetSpend’s corporate headquarters in Austin, TX and will assume his duties next month.

“I am pleased to welcome him to our company and believe that his wealth of knowledge will add to a management team that is unparalleled in the financial services space.”

At NetSpend, Gresham will have responsibility for the treasury, accounting and finance departments and will report directly to chief executive officer Dan Henry.

“George brings to NetSpend an outstanding background in payments and financial services at publicly traded companies,” said Henry. “I am pleased to welcome him to our company and believe that his wealth of knowledge will add to a management team that is unparalleled in the financial services space.”

Gresham joined GCA — a leading provider of cash access services to the gaming industry — in February 2008 and was responsible for all facets of the company’s financial activities. Prior to his tenure at GCA, Gresham served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President of EFD eFunds Corporation, a NYSE-listed company that specialized in the development and deployment of payments and payments-related technology.

Gresham holds a BS in Accountancy from Northern Arizona University, an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and is a Certified Public Accountant.

About NetSpend Corporation

NetSpend Corporation is one of the leading providers of prepaid debit cards in the United States. A pioneer in the industry since its inception in 1999, NetSpend prepaid debit cards give financial freedom and convenience to the more than 60 million underbanked consumers in the United States. NetSpend is the only company in the prepaid debit industry to offer an end-to-end solution for consumers and merchants with a proprietary processing platform, card fulfillment, customer service and risk management capabilities. More information about the company can be found athttp://www.netspend.com or by following the company on Facebook or Twitter.

Contacts

NetSpend Corporation

Brad Russell, 512-539-5932

brussell@netspend.com

Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100426007284/en/NetSpend-Names-George-W.-Gresham-Chief-Financial

NetSpend Names George W. Gresham Chief Financial Officer

Appointment Adds to Depth of Management Team

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NetSpend Corporation, a leading provider of prepaid, reloadable debit cards, announced today that George W. Gresham has been appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gresham joins NetSpend from Global Cash Access, Inc. (GCA) where he served in the same capacity. He will be based at NetSpend’s corporate headquarters in Austin, TX and will assume his duties next month.

“I am pleased to welcome him to our company and believe that his wealth of knowledge will add to a management team that is unparalleled in the financial services space.”

At NetSpend, Gresham will have responsibility for the treasury, accounting and finance departments and will report directly to chief executive officer Dan Henry.

“George brings to NetSpend an outstanding background in payments and financial services at publicly traded companies,” said Henry. “I am pleased to welcome him to our company and believe that his wealth of knowledge will add to a management team that is unparalleled in the financial services space.”

Gresham joined GCA — a leading provider of cash access services to the gaming industry — in February 2008 and was responsible for all facets of the company’s financial activities. Prior to his tenure at GCA, Gresham served as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President of EFD eFunds Corporation, a NYSE-listed company that specialized in the development and deployment of payments and payments-related technology.

Gresham holds a BS in Accountancy from Northern Arizona University, an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and is a Certified Public Accountant.

About NetSpend Corporation

NetSpend Corporation is one of the leading providers of prepaid debit cards in the United States. A pioneer in the industry since its inception in 1999, NetSpend prepaid debit cards give financial freedom and convenience to the more than 60 million underbanked consumers in the United States. NetSpend is the only company in the prepaid debit industry to offer an end-to-end solution for consumers and merchants with a proprietary processing platform, card fulfillment, customer service and risk management capabilities. More information about the company can be found athttp://www.netspend.com or by following the company on Facebook or Twitter.

Contacts

NetSpend Corporation

Brad Russell, 512-539-5932

brussell@netspend.com

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