Wells Fargo Enhances Free Rapid Alerts Service for Mobile Phone Customers

September 21, 2011 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Joint accountholders now can individually customize Rapid Alert options based on personal preferences

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) has enhanced its free Rapid Alerts service for Wells Fargo Visa consumer credit cardholders, making it possible now for joint accountholders to customize Rapid Alerts options based on each accountholder’s personal preferences. Rapid Alerts allow consumers to better manage and track their consumer credit card spending while also providing them with near real-time¹ detection of potentially fraudulent activity.

“Our Rapid Alerts service has been extremely popular with our customers since we launched it in 2010”

Rapid Alerts are triggered when the transaction meets certain criteria previously selected by the account holder and delivered via text message or e-mail. Rapid Alerts let consumers monitor their Wells Fargo Visa credit card account activity and take immediate action if they believe a potentially fraudulent transaction is taking place. Although the service is free, there may be a carrier cost associated with receiving the alert on a mobile phone, but that fee is charged by the customer’s mobile carrier.

“Our Rapid Alerts service has been extremely popular with our customers since we launched it in 2010,” said Peter Ho, product manager for Wells Fargo Card Services and Consumer Lending. “Our joint accountholders asked us to add the capability of individual preferences and we listened. We want to be our customers’ payment method of choice. Offering valuable services, such as Rapid Alerts, Mobile Banking and My Money Map, are just a few of the ways we can go above and beyond for our customers to help them succeed financially.”

Rapid Alerts messages contain the amount, time and date of the transaction, as well as currency conversion and information relating to the merchant, such as name and location. Rapid Alert messages help customers track their spending and better manage their finances. With this new enhancement, customers who share an account will be able to individually choose the kinds of transactions for which they wish to receive alerts. Criteria for transaction alerts that cardholders may choose include:

• Transactions that exceed a dollar amount chosen by the cardholder
• Transactions initiated internationally
• Card-not-present transactions, such as purchases made online or by telephone
• Cash withdrawals from an ATM machine
• Declined transactions
• Gasoline transactions

Customers also will be alerted to Wells Fargo Visa credit card payments that are declined, which may also help remind customers of recurring payments that they forgot to update due to a reissued, lost or stolen card. Wells Fargo credit card customers can learn more and sign up for the service at wellsfargo.com/rapidalerts.

Other Wells Fargo Alerts

Wells Fargo offers many other types of account alerts through Wells Fargo Online^® for no additional fee. With alerts, customers can monitor and control most of their finances for checking and savings accounts, credit cards, bill payments, loans, fraud prevention and more. For example, as a Wells Fargo Online banking customer, a customer can easily stay on top of his or her account transactions by receiving notices when:

• Balances fall below a certain amount
• A payment is due
• A deposit posts to the account
• An ATM or debit card transaction is made

About Wells Fargo Mobile Banking

Continuing its leadership in the mobile banking space, Wells Fargo also is currently running its Visa® (NYSE: V) microSD mobile payment pilot. This San Francisco based pilot includes 200 Wells Fargo team members who are also users of specific BlackBerry® smartphones and iPhone™ models. Wells Fargo team members participating in the pilot will be able to use their personal BlackBerry smartphone or iPhone to make payments wherever there are contactless payment readers, including fast food restaurants, taxis, sporting event concession stands and vending machines.

Wells Fargo offers three easy ways customers can bank on the go through mobile banking including mobile web (wf.com), apps, and text (to short-code 93557, which spells "Wells" on traditional telephone keypads).

Euronet’s epay Division Acquires cadooz, a German Market Leader for Vouchers, Rewards and Incentives

September 20, 2011 04:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: EEFT), a leading global electronic payments provider and distributor, announces the completion of the acquisition of cadooz Holding GmbH (“cadooz”), a leading German incentive company, from Palamon Capital Partners, one of Europe’s leading mid-market private equity firms. The acquisition was completed using cash from existing reserves. cadooz, headquartered in Hamburg, is Germany's largest full-service provider of vouchers, innovative merchandise and incentive solutions, serving more than 3,000 corporate customers across a range of industries in Germany, Austria and Poland, generating estimated annual revenue of approximately €80 million based on the face value of products sold. The Company offers a broad range of incentives, including multi-choice gift vouchers and cards that can be redeemed through retailers, online stores or mobile phone applications.

“We are looking forward to expanding our supply of products to new markets with the support of Euronet”

“cadooz is a fast growing promotions business, and epay’s strong retail relationships in Germany will help sustain and accelerate that growth,” said Kevin Caponecchi, President of Euronet Worldwide. “In addition, cadooz complements our core mobile top-up, prepaid and electronic payments business, giving us the opportunity to sell cadooz vouchers, rewards and incentive products to our merchants and retail partners.”

cadooz’ management team brings a significant depth of experience in the rewards business, as well as strength in voucher rewards program management. cadooz will continue to be managed by Florian Welsch, current CEO of cadooz. The cadooz management team is on track to achieve organic compounded annual revenue growth in excess of 30% over the last three years through the development of creative incentive awards that have led to remarkable product promotions and sales incentives.

"We are looking forward to expanding our supply of products to new markets with the support of Euronet," says Florian Welsch. "We will be strenghtening our position as an innovative and reliable supplier of marketing and incentive concepts for our impressive portfolio of customers."

Euronet expects the acquisition to deliver immediate and long-term value for shareholders. Specifically, Euronet believes that the transaction will:

• Allow epay, Euronet’s prepaid payment segment, to expand sales of existing and future digital content through the 3,000 corporate cadooz customers
• Expand cadooz’ opportunities in Austria and Poland through Euronet’s retail and bank customers
• Leverage cadooz’ marketing and promotional capabilities through Euronet’s EFT, epay and Money Transfer segments
• Deliver significant operational and process synergies
• Contribute approximately 3 to 4 cents to Euronet’s annual cash earnings per share in its first full year of operations.

About epay

epay, a Division of Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: EEFT), is a global processor and distributor of electronic payment solutions – enabling service providers to maximize the sales of their products and services. epay delivers innovative and tailored electronic payment, cash collection solutions including POS systems integration, a full settlement and reporting service and full marketing and distribution service support. The epay product portfolio includes prepaid mobile top-up, prepaid debit cards, e-wallets, bill payment, gift cards, digital music and other content, money transfer through its sister company RIA, lottery and transport payment solutions including road tolls and public transport. epay delivers these products through a worldwide network of approximately 276,000 retailer locations and 588,000 points of sale (POS) across a number of markets including Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the US. Visit www.epayworldwide.com for more information.

About Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

Euronet Worldwide is an industry leader in processing secure electronic financial transactions. The Company offers payment and transaction processing solutions to financial institutions, retailers, service providers and individual consumers. These services include comprehensive ATM, POS and card outsourcing services, card issuing and merchant acquiring services, software solutions, consumer money transfer and bill payment services, and electronic distribution for prepaid mobile phone time and other prepaid products. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.euronetworldwide.com.

About cadooz:

cadooz is a supplier of vouchers and loyalty/reward systems to corporate customers. Through its subsidiaries, the cadooz Group (cadooz AG, yamando GmbH, cadooz rewards GmbH, and cadooz Austria GmbH) sells shopping vouchers and experience gift certificates that allow corporate customers to reward sales performance, improve customer loyalty and recognize the contributions of business partners and employees. cadooz’ approach to vouchers is innovative, with products that are both customizable and broadly redeemable as gifts, unique experiences and rewards. cadooz’ rewards systems serve the gift industry for clients from sectors such as transportation, logistics, financial services, and the automobile industry. For more information, please visit the Company’s website atwww.cadooz.de/en/.

U.S. Payment Behavior Likely to Shift Again Soon, says Auriemma Consulting Group

September 20, 2011 03:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Now that the implications of the Durbin Amendment are sinking in, banks are responding cautiously to the new economics of debit cards. With interchange revenue streams cut in half, most banks will feel the need to begin charging some kind of fee and dropping rewards on debit cards. According to The Debit Report, a syndicated publication of Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG), banks’ caution is warranted: new pricing will put a significant amount of spending “in play.”

“Banks are all watching each other because there is a first-mover disadvantage in this case”

Less than 10% of debit card holders in the June 2011 survey currently pay a fee for their debit/checking, although another 22% have a minimum balance requirement. In the past year, Bank of America and Wells Fargo have stated that they are testing the introduction of various fee structures in certain markets; others, like Citi, have gone on record saying they have no current plans to institute such fees. The Debit Report survey illustrated how participants are vehement and consistent in their dislike of any fees, with most preferring to eliminate reward programs instead.

“Banks are all watching each other because there is a first-mover disadvantage in this case,” says Ed Lawrence, Director of the Debit Marketing Roundtable at ACG. “The first-movers to institute debit/checking fees in a given market will experience the most scrutiny and possible attrition, along with negative press; as others follow, customers will have fewer places to move to.” He expects most consumers will grumble but pay to keep a debit card, but there will be a group of older consumers who will be content going back to an ATM-only card.

Over one-third of respondents report that their debit card has rewards for usage, and they spend $551 per month on them, compared to $370 for non-reward cardholders. “Correlation is not causation and higher-spending customers are more likely to acquire a rewards card. Nonetheless, it raises the question of where that incremental spend will go if debit rewards are eliminated,” says Dr. Patricia Sahm, Managing Director at ACG.

Most consumers with debit rewards cards also have credit cards with rewards, Sahm notes. “For these people it makes logical sense to switch their spending to the rewards credit card and pay the full balance every month. However, there is a segment that doesn’t trust their own self-control, and they will tend to stick with debit cards because they’re perceived as safe.”

About Auriemma Consulting Group

Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) is a full-service management consulting firm serving the payments and lending industries since 1984. The Debit Report is ACG’s syndicated market research study of debit cardholders, conducted quarterly in the U.S. With offices in New York and London, ACG consultants are experienced practitioners, drawn from the credit, debit, and prepaid cards, private label, auto finance, mortgage, and retail banking industries that we serve. For more information, contact Dr. Patricia A. Sahm at 212-323-7000 orpatricia.sahm@acg.net.

Visa and Google Sign Licensing Deal to Boost Mobile Payment Adoption

September 20, 2011 12:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc., Visa Europe and Google today announced that Google has received a worldwide license to Visa payWave, an innovative NFC-based payment technology. Visa payWave enables consumers to make fast and secure payments at retail locations by waving their mobile phone in front of a payment terminal and is currently accepted at hundreds of thousands of retail locations worldwide.

“This agreement extends Google Wallet to Visa account holders worldwide”

The agreement sets the stage for Visa-issuing banks worldwide to enable Visa account holders to add their credit, debit and prepaid accounts to Google Wallet -- a mobile application that turns a smart phone into a digital wallet. This is the latest effort by Visa and Google to simplify the consumer shopping experience by enabling them to make mobile payments using their mobile phones.

"Mobile technology is transforming how people pay for goods and services," said Jim McCarthy, global head of product, Visa Inc. "This agreement builds on Visa's strategy of enabling consumers to make mobile payments with whatever device they choose using the trusted accounts they already have."

"This agreement extends Google Wallet to Visa account holders worldwide," said Stephanie Tilenius, vice president of Commerce and Payments at Google. "This is a crucial step towards realizing our shared vision for the future of mobile commerce - one that creates a rich shopping experience for consumers and merchants alike."

Today's news furthers Visa's progress in making its products available as a payment option in any digital wallet. This includes Visa's own digital wallet announced earlier this year which is designed to provide consumers with "click-to-buy" payment functionality and access to their Visa and non-Visa accounts using a personal computer or smart phone, to make purchases online and at retail locations.

Google Wallet is designed to enable an open commerce ecosystem enabling consumers to carry payment cards, offers, loyalty and gift cards -- and eventually much more. Google is also working with top retail brands to create a new mobile shopping experience.

About Visa

Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 20,000 transactions a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank, and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: Pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

About Google

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google's innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visit www.google.com/about.html.

Industry Leaders Give Insight into Debit Loyalty Programs Post-Durbin

September 20, 2011 09:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

(BUSINESS WIRE) PYMNTS.com:

Presenters: Steve VanFleet (RewardsNOW), Tim Kolk (TRK Advisors)

Moderator: Margaret Weichert (Market Platform Dynamics)

Webinar Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011 from 1-2 p.m. ET

In this complimentary live webinar hosted by RewardsNOW’s CEO Steve VanFleet, learn how to navigate the necessary loyalty program waters in this time of change.

In this session, participants will learn:

• How will loyalty programs – both for major FIs as well as credit unions and community banks – be impacted by the Fed’s new debit rules?
• What changes will have to be incorporated into these programs to make them viable, both for banks and consumers?
• Is there a plausible scenario under which FIs can use these programs to offset losses from debit interchange caps?
• What are the risks to FIs of merchant “tender steering” given this new environment and what can FIs do to offset that risk?
• What are the “best practices” now as it relates to loyalty in a post-Durbin world?

Steve VanFleet has been involved in most aspects of the electronic payments business over the last 25 years. Currently, he manages a rapidly growing company dedicated to the delivery of broad-based and dynamic loyalty programs for financial institutions. Previous positions include SVP of Product and Business Development for First Data Merchant Services.

Click here to sign up for the complimentary loyalty program webinar.

About RewardsNOW

For 14 years, RewardsNOW has been helping create robust Loyalty Programs for some of the best financial service providers. While the core business has historically been helping community banks, credit unions, and regional and national banks offer their own Loyalty Programs, they’ve expanded to help other industries attract, retain and grow their customer base, as well. Wherever there's a need for growth through loyalty, you'll find RewardsNOW.

About PYMNTS.com

PYMNTS.com is an online media channel that captures user-generated and expert-driven commentary, information, news, and analysis on “what’s next” in the payments sector worldwide. The site provides a platform for industry professionals to share content related to company and product developments, to tap into the collective commentary and analysis from experts, bloggers and industry pundits, and to interact with industry thought leaders and other influencers on topics of critical importance to the future of the sector. A joint venture of Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, and Market Platform Dynamics, PYMNTS.com redefines the ways in which B2B news and information is both generated and distributed.

Sprint First to Launch Google Wallet with Nexus S 4G

September 19, 2011 04:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

Sprint Launches First Google Wallet

Nexus S 4G is the first smartphone with Google Wallet; users can now make their phones their wallet and make purchases with a single tap using NFC

Sprint 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint (NYSE: S) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced the rollout of Google Wallet to all Nexus S 4G customers – an app that enables consumers to transform their phones into their wallets and make purchases with a simple tap. Sprint is the first carrier and Nexus S 4G is the first phone in the United States to deliver this convenient, innovative service that lets shoppers tap-to-pay at hundreds of thousands of participating retailers, including American Eagle Outfitters, the Container Store, Macy’s, Foot Locker and Subway.

“Shipping Google Wallet to Sprint is a crucial first step in creating a new way for people to use their phones to make shopping faster and easier”

“Sprint is thrilled to be the first U.S. carrier to offer Google Wallet,” said Fared Adib, vice president of Product at Sprint. “Nexus S 4G is the first to receive new versions of Android software, and today’s upgrade puts the near-field communications, or NFC, chip in the phone to work so customers can have a secure virtual wallet on their phone. NFC capabilities on smartphones open the door to a new level of convenience and security.”

Google Wallet is a free Android app that stores virtual versions of a customer’s credit cards, offers and loyalty cards right on the one device they always have with them – their phone. At launch today, Google Wallet supports Citi^® MasterCard^® credit cards and the Google Prepaid MasterCard, powered by First Data. Google plans to support additional cards.

Google Wallet is designed to enable safe, secure payments. It requires users to set up a Google Wallet PIN that must be entered before making a purchase to prevent unauthorized access and payments.

“Shipping Google Wallet to Sprint is a crucial first step in creating a new way for people to use their phones to make shopping faster and easier,” said Osama Bedier, vice president of Payments at Google. “The world is on the brink of the next big shift in payments, and today’s announcement demonstrates that we’re making real progress in attaining the vision we share with our partners for a new and innovative mobile payments platform. We believe this is just the beginning of a transformation that’s soon to come.”

To find a participating merchant, customers can use MasterCard’s PayPass locator app for Android or visithttp://www.google.com/wallet/where-it-works.html.

How to Get Google Wallet

Eligible Sprint Nexus S 4G customers will be prompted to download the latest version of Android software. Once this download is complete, customers can launch the Wallet app to try it.

Nexus S 4G from Sprint

Featuring the blazing speeds of Sprint 4G and a pure Google experience with Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, Nexus S 4G is available today in Sprint stores and through www.Sprint.com for $49.99 with eligible upgrade or new two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card¹ (pricing excludes taxes). Nexus S 4G requires activation on one of the Sprint Everything Data plans plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, Anytime^SM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge (pricing excludes taxes and surcharges).

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 52 million customers at the end of 2Q 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 www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint andwww.twitter.com/sprint.

¹ The American Express Prepaid Reward Card (“Card”) provided in connection with this Rebate offer is a prepaid Card that is usable at U.S. merchants that accept American Express Card. Some limitations apply. The Card is not redeemable for cash (except where required by law) and does not provide ATM access. Use of Card constitutes acknowledgement that it is given as a reward and no consideration, value, or money has been paid by the holder to American Express in exchange for this Card. USE OF CARD IS SUBJECT TO THE CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT. SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, A $3.00 MONTHLY FEE WILL BE ASSESED AGAINST CARD BALANCE, STARTING SIX MONTHS AFTER CARD ISSUANCE, UNLESS FUNDS ARE EARLIER DEPLETED. For BALANCE, customer service and Cardholder Agreement, visit americanexpress.com/sprint or call 866-608-3756. Card issued by American Express Prepaid Card Management Corporation.

Contacts

Sprint
Emmy Anderson, 913-707-0618
emmy.anderson@sprint.com

Shopping On-the-Go? Yes…There’s an App for That: mark Launches Portable Shopping Application

September 19, 2011 03:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

Rome Data

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--mark, the beauty and fashion boutique brand created by Avon Products, announces the launch of its first mobile sales application: a portable version of its online store. The new application allows mark representatives to share their favorite mark products and complete sale transactions with their customers anytime, anywhere. mark’s mobile application was developed in collaboration with ROAM Data, a leading mCommerce platform provider, to offer mCommerce capabilities on mobile phones and devices that are similar to those of the mark representatives’ online boutiques.

“mark mobile represents true innovation in direct selling. Gone are the days of filling out cumbersome paper forms and insecurely writing down credit card numbers to fulfill orders”

“mark representatives are already sharing and wearing their favorite fashion and beauty trends while on-the-go and now they have the opportunity to boost their business in the process by making a sale on the spot,” says Annemarie Frank, Executive Director, Digital and Business Development for mark. “A recent survey of our mark representatives revealed that 99 percent of them carry their phones most or all of the time. Observing the continuing shift of consumer sales from in-store to online, we knew creating a mobile application would put the power of sales in our representatives’ hands all the time.”

mark’s mobile application was developed to enable mobile catalog browsing, secure order entry and electronic payment functions, allowing sales to be completed easily and efficiently. Using the mobile application, mark brand representatives have the ability to search and share specific products, and process customer orders and credit cards securely in real-time. A future release will include the ability for a representative to swipe a credit or debit card with a secure card reader plugged into the smartphone that provides further convenience for consumers and cost savings for the company.

"mark mobile represents true innovation in direct selling. Gone are the days of filling out cumbersome paper forms and insecurely writing down credit card numbers to fulfill orders,” says Rob Stringer, Vice President of Marketing and Products at ROAM. “mark is at the forefront of leveraging mobile technology to improve its representatives' businesses. We at ROAM are proud to partner with such a forward-thinking company and will continue to innovate to help mark's mobile business succeed."

mark representatives will be able to redeem coupon codes for mark promotions. After a purchase is made, customers will get an e-mail confirmation of their purchase. mark’s mobile application is free of cost to mark representatives and is available for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and various Android smartphones and tablets. It can be downloaded in the iTunes App Store and the Android Marketplace.

A significant benefit of being a mark representative is having the opportunity to develop valuable business skills, which are learned through managing a small business. mark’s mobile application gives mark representatives a high tech and high touch advantage, allowing them to combine in person business skills with cutting edge technology while earning commission on sales.

About mark

mark is an expertly edited, on-trend beauty & fashion boutique brand that connects, engages and empowers young women to express their individuality and make their mark…in their own way, on their own terms. mark was created by Avon Products, Inc. in 2003 to re-imagine direct selling for the digital age and has been providing young women with the opportunity to open and grow their own businesses ever since.

mark’s customizable product portfolio includes first-to-market beauty innovations and on-trend fashion and accessories items. The portfolio is currently available for purchase in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. For more information, visit www.meetmark.com or follow mark on Facebook at facebook.com/mark-girl, Twitter @markgirl or on YouTube atyoutube.com/markgirlTV.

Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.

About ROAM Data

ROAM Data is the leading mCommerce platform provider that extends both physical Point of Sales (POS) and eCommerce to the mobile environment. It provides patented mCommerce software-as-a-service, payment peripherals, and a platform of development tools that enable scalable mobile commerce applications to help merchants win customer spend and loyalty.

Examples of ROAM applications include ROAMpay X, that turns merchants’ mobile devices into secure POS terminals to accept payment anywhere; ROAMoffers and ROAMwallet, that enables merchants to deliver compelling offers to their consumers’ cell phones that can be conveniently and securely acted upon. ROAM also provides a set of tools (APIs, SDK, IDE) for developers to build their own mobile POS or eCommerce apps on ROAM’s platform. Visit us at www.roamdata.com.

Contacts

Kaplow
Jacqueline Agosta, 212-221-1713
jagosta@kaplowpr.com
or
mark
Jessica Goon, 212-282-8082
Jessica.goon@avon.com
or
ROAM Data
Rob Stringer, 857-254-2411
rstringer@roamdata.com

Tyfone to License SideTap™ MicroSD NFC and Secure Element Card Technologies to AboMem

September 19, 2011 07:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time 

Strategic relationship with AboMem includes go-to-market distribution of SideTap cards across China

PORTLAND, Ore. & TAIPEI, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tyfone (www.tyfone.com) announced today an agreement with AboMem Technology Corp. (www.abomem.com.tw), Taiwan’s premier memory products manufacturing company, to manufacture, distribute and service Tyfone’s SideTap™ microSD NFC products. This partnership also includes a widespread distribution of SideTap microSD cards to consumers throughout The People’s Republic of China via AboMem’s extensive distribution network.

“This announcement demonstrates that Tyfone will be equipped with the manufacturing capabilities that will be critical for matching incoming demand for NFC hardware as the floodgates are opened.”

Tyfone’s patented SideTap microSD product can be added to mobile devices for enabling secure element functionality with NFC connectivity. SideTap is a unique feature of Tyfone’s groundbreaking u4ia® platform that provides end-to-end mobile financial services solutions from informational services and commerce to secure identity and contactless payments via NFC.

“A necessary element required for the success of add-on NFC and secure element capabilities is the ability to scale to meet demand,” said Nick Holland, senior analyst with the Yankee Group. “This announcement demonstrates that Tyfone will be equipped with the manufacturing capabilities that will be critical for matching incoming demand for NFC hardware as the floodgates are opened.”

“AboMem has partnered with Tyfone because of its commitment, innovation, superior technology and patent portfolio for enabling mobile commerce,” said Aaron Yang, chairman of AboMem. “AboMem has seen Tyfone evolve SideTap from the prototype phase into a market-ready solution, and is excited to take our relationship to the next level and look forward to achieving success in China and the rest of the world.”

This agreement leverages AboMem’s established manufacturing and distribution infrastructure with Tyfone’s design and manufacturing know-how to achieve wide-scale adoption of an add-on secure element solution.

“Tyfone’s partnership with AboMem in China enables Tyfone to scale its business with a recognized leader in manufacturing memory products, and unleash its established distribution supply chain,” said Prabhakar Tadepalli, Tyfone’s president of Asia Pacific and chief operating officer. “The support AboMem has provided Tyfone over the past several years for our vision for mobile commerce has been invaluable, and we look forward to our partnership and the opportunity to serve the world’s largest consumer market.”

Companies wishing to deploy SideTap microSD secure element solutions will be able to purchase directly from AboMem, a recognized manufacturer, while working with Tyfone on TSM software integration for identity provisioning and implementation of mobility services.

For more information on Tyfone’s SideTap microSD solution, please visit: www.tyfone.com/product-contactless-payment.

About AboMem

AboMem Technology Corporation specializes in designing, manufacturing and marketing portable memory products and various test devices of memory products. To provide users in suitable storage device, AboMem’s developed products include Linear Flash Card, SRAM Card, IDE Card, Multi Media Card, SD and MoBe USB Drive.

AboMem has the strongest capability in memory storage device to support both OEM and ODM style for customers. That is why internationally well-known customers seeking to create customer-designed products select AboMem. Since its establishment AboMem has been not only capable to supply specialized memory storage device compliance with customer's requirement but also continuously enhance performance and innovation in quality, price and service to meet the world standard. For more information visitwww.abomem.com.tw.

About Tyfone

Founded in 2004, Tyfone’s corporate headquarters are in Portland, Oregon, and its Asia-Pacific headquarters are in Bangalore, India. Tyfone connects money and mobility via a highly secure, scalable and flexible mobile financial services solution tailored to meet the evolving needs of consumers, financial institutions, mobile network operators, transportation companies and retailers. Operating in any standard memory card slot, Tyfone’s u4ia® platform and its companion SideTap™ memory card comprise the world’s first patented, neutral, and comprehensive memory card-based payments solution for mobile contactless payments. Tyfone and its partners enable a suite of services including Mobile Banking, Mobile Identity Management, Mobile Remote Payments, Mobile Retail Services and Mobile Contactless Payments. For more information visit www.tyfone.com.

Joining Forces to Bring a New Generation of Touch-based NFC Products and Services to Healthcare

September 19, 2011 03:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time

DAYTON, Ohio & LAUSANNE, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard Register (NYSE: SR), a recognized leader in managing critical information and communications for healthcare, and Poken, a Swiss-based technology company, announced today they have joined forces to launch a new product and service platform, pokenHEALTH™, which Standard Register will exclusively market to healthcare in North America.

“Our platform caters to these needs, while providing a secure and confidential platform for continued interaction.”

“This exclusive relationship brings together Poken’s market leadership in real-world, social media with our healthcare expertise to offer clients an unprecedented way to transform events, build stronger connections with their stakeholders and truly differentiate their brand,” said Scott Wallace vice president of strategic development for Standard Register Healthcare, a business unit of Standard Register that serves 62 percent of U.S. hospitals.

“Together, we have the opportunity to transform events and help hospitals create connections with people that are fun and memorable,” said Stéphane Doutriaux, founder & CEO of Poken. “Our platform caters to these needs, while providing a secure and confidential platform for continued interaction.”

pokenHEALTH provides healthcare marketers with a leading-edge suite of interactive, touch-based marketing tools to manage community and professional events. Using Swiss watch-industry microelectronic knowledge, pokenHEALTH runs on a unique, near-field communication (NFC)-enabled ecosystem of Poken devices, smart phone apps and tags that allow meeting participants to interact with each other and the sponsor. Users can collect and share contact information, event materials and other resources. Data is wirelessly and instantly sent from one device to the other based on the proximity of their keychain devices or smart phones.

No Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI) is exchanged, only unique metadata identifiers, which are uploaded to the user’s secure, private online hub where the user can view the people and information collected throughout the event. The private hub can live on long after the event, allowing the sponsor to nurture connections.

“What makes pokenHEALTH great is not the Poken technology alone, but the user experience. The consumer interface is amazingly intuitive, colorful and engaging – something you rarely see in healthcare today. This marks the first milestone with our friends in Switzerland. Every day, we think of new ways it could be used to transform interactions within healthcare,” said Yeva Roberts, emerging technology strategist for Standard Register Healthcare.

“The introduction of this new suite of products and services is a natural extension of our strategy. It has the power to enhance the meeting experience and help our customers elevate their brand and advance their reputation,” Wallace added.

pokenHEALTH made its debut last week at the Society of Healthcare Strategy and Marketing Development’s (SHSMD) annual conference, Connections 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona. The innovative Poken devices were provided to participants during event registration and showcased in this product video.

About Standard Register

Standard Register (NYSE: SR) is trusted by the world's leading companies to advance their reputations by aligning their communications with corporate standards and priorities. Standard Register Healthcare is a business unit of Standard Register, serving more than 3,100 clients from across the healthcare delivery network, including acute, ambulatory, and long-term care, managed care and the suppliers that support them. A recognized leader in managing critical information and communications, SR Healthcare, together with Dialog Medical, a subsidiary of Standard Register, provides industry-leading technology, solutions and services to accelerate performance, attract and educate patients, enhance patient safety, and improve the quality of care. More information is available atwww.standardregister.com/healthcare.

About Poken

Poken enhances your social networking experience by providing a 360-degree experience to people meeting in the real world, sharing an experience, and staying in touch both on and offline. With NFC technology built-in, we deliver flexible turnkey solutions allowing users to collect people, places and things with a touch. Headquartered in Switzerland, Poken is the recognized market leader, with enthusiastic clients in over 50 countries – and expanding - supported by a growing network of resellers. Poken has attracted significant media attention around the world, and has won a number of awards for technical innovation and excellence. For more information, visithttp://www.poken.com.

Google Granted Worldwide License to Visa's payWave NFC Technology

September 19, 2011 04:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

Visa and Google Sign Licensing Deal to Boost Mobile Payment Adoption

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc., Visa Europe and Google today announced that Google has received a worldwide license to Visa payWave, an innovative NFC-based payment technology. Visa payWave enables consumers to make fast and secure payments at retail locations by waving their mobile phone in front of a payment terminal and is currently accepted at hundreds of thousands of retail locations worldwide.

“This agreement extends Google Wallet to Visa account holders worldwide”

The agreement sets the stage for Visa-issuing banks worldwide to enable Visa account holders to add their credit, debit and prepaid accounts to Google Wallet – a mobile application that turns a smart phone into a digital wallet. This is the latest effort by Visa and Google to simplify the consumer shopping experience by enabling them to make mobile payments using their mobile phones.

“Mobile technology is transforming how people pay for goods and services,” said Jim McCarthy, global head of product, Visa Inc. “This agreement builds on Visa’s strategy of enabling consumers to make mobile payments with whatever device they choose using the trusted accounts they already have.”

“This agreement extends Google Wallet to Visa account holders worldwide,” said Stephanie Tilenius, vice president of Commerce and Payments at Google. “This is a crucial step towards realizing our shared vision for the future of mobile commerce – one that creates a rich shopping experience for consumers and merchants alike.”

Today’s news furthers Visa’s progress in making its products available as a payment option in any digital wallet. This includes Visa’s own digital wallet announced earlier this year which is designed to provide consumers with “click-to-buy” payment functionality and access to their Visa and non-Visa accounts using a personal computer or smart phone, to make purchases online and at retail locations.

Google Wallet is designed to enable an open commerce ecosystem enabling consumers to carry payment cards, offers, loyalty and gift cards -- and eventually much more. Google is also working with top retail brands to create a new mobile shopping experience.

About Visa Inc.:

Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 20,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank, and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: Pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visitwww.corporate.visa.com.

About Visa Europe:

As a leader in the development and implementation of payments technologies, Visa Europe is at the forefront of contactless and mobile payment innovation in Europe.

Visa Europe is owned and operated by more than 4,000 European member banks and was incorporated in July 2004. In October 2007, Visa Europe became independent of the new global Visa Inc., with an exclusive, irrevocable and perpetual licence in Europe. As a dedicated European payment system it is able to respond quickly to the specific market needs of European banks and their customers - cardholders and retailers - and to meet the European Commission’s objective to create a true internal market for payments. For more information, visit www.visaeurope.com.

About Google:

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. Google’s innovations in web search and advertising have made its website a top internet property and its brand one of the most recognized in the world. For more information, visit www.google.com/about.html.

Contacts

Press & Analysts Only:
Visa Inc.:
Elvira Swanson, +1-415-932-2564
globalmedia@visa.com
or
Visa Europe:
Eleanor Orebi Gann, +44 207 795 5291
eleanor.orebigann@visa.com
or
Google:
Nathan Tyler, +1-650-930-3555
press@google.com

Visa’s Yearly Payments Volume in Latin America and the Caribbean Grew to 26.2%

September 19, 2011 01:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) reported a total payments volume in Latin America and the Caribbean of US$ 313 billion, representing a year to date 26.2% growth during the 12 months closing on June 30, 2011. Quarterly results² confirm this trend with US$ 86 billion in total payments volume, for a 28.7% growth.

“At the same time, we are advancing an aggressive innovation agenda to drive the migration to Visa products, while delivering new products and services that add value in areas such as mobile, digital money transfer and person-to-person payments”

“A cornerstone of Visa’s strategy to extend its leadership in its core credit and debit products is driving greater usage at the point of sale, particularly in key emerging markets such as Latin America and the Caribbean, where the migration process from cash to electronic payments is still at an early stage,” said Eduardo Eraña, President of Visa Latin America and Caribbean. “At the same time, we are advancing an aggressive innovation agenda to drive the migration to Visa products, while delivering new products and services that add value in areas such as mobile, digital money transfer and person-to-person payments,” added Mr. Eraña.

This approach is achieving results with credit and debit payments in Latin America and the Caribbean growing at 23.9% and 29.3% respectively, in the 12 months closing on June 30, 2011.

Recent company announcements in Latin America and the Caribbean include the launch of a Debit Conversion Platform; the activation of Visa sponsorship rights for both, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico and the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia; the acquisition of South Africa based mobile payments company Fundamo, specialized in mobile payments in emerging markets; and the publication of studies on the spending habits of tourists in and from Brazil and Mexico.

About Visa

Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 20,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

¹ All growth data quoted in this release is in Constant US$ terms.

² In constant USD terms for the three months closing on June 30, 2011.

Payment Alliance International Named 2011 Hot Dozen Company

12 of the Hottest Early Stage Companies in Louisville Debuted at 21c Museum Hotel

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Payment Alliance International (PAI), a leader in electronic payment processing solutions and the Electronic Transactions Association’s (ETA) 2011 “ISO of the Year,” has been named a 2011 Hot Dozen company by Greater Louisville Inc.’s EnterpriseCorp. The Hot Dozen is an annual celebration of 12 locally owned companies that have benefited from Louisville’s entrepreneurial atmosphere and continue to flourish in our region. The companies represent the cutting edge of innovation and entrepreneurship in Louisville’s business community.

John J. Leehy, III, president and chief executive officer of Payment Alliance International, states, “We are honored to have been selected as a 2011 Hot Dozen company from Greater Louisville Inc.’s EnterpriseCorp and are excited to be sharing this recognition with such a terrific group of Louisville companies. Our team loves what we do, and the fact that we get to do it in such a wonderful, 'business friendly' city as Louisville makes it all the better. We’re proud to call this town home and grateful for the unending support and encouragement we receive.”

Honoring them is part of EnterpriseCorp’s mission to create a new culture of entrepreneurship, provide strategic and network solutions that help client companies realize their full potential and dramatically increase the number and quality of fast-growth, entrepreneurial companies headquartered in our region.

“This year’s dozen is an exceptional group. We are confident they will add to the tradition of success realized by several of our past honorees. This year’s group shows a continued strength in life sciences, a strong push in software, and unique approaches to distribution of novel services and products. All these companies boast outstanding teams and 'think big' mentalities. Several also display the ability to quickly create employment opportunities for the community. We really look forward to cheering on their continued development,” commented Bobby Ferreri, EnterpriseCorp executive director.

Founded in 2005, PAI has experienced explosive growth through innovative products and superior service. Today, the company has more than 80,000 customers and is the largest ATM deployer in North America, with more than 56,000 locations in the PAI Alliance Network. Uniquely positioned in the payments marketplace, PAI offers payment solutions to retailers, financial institutions and market distributors that encompass credit and debit processing, check services, cash management solutions, ATM branding and ATM management.

The company was honored in an event held Sept. 14 at 21c Museum Hotel and sponsored by Hilliard Lyons. Payment Alliance International is proud to earn the Hot Dozen distinction and enjoy the opportunity to be a part of the thriving entrepreneurial community of Greater Louisville.

About Payment Alliance International (PAI)

Payment Alliance International is a leading provider of payment processing solutions for businesses nationwide and has been recognized as the 2011 “ISO of the Year” by the Electronic Transactions Association (ETA). We are the world’s largest deployer of ATMs and provide ATM processing and maintenance services, ATM equipment sales and support and ATM branding programs. We also provide comprehensive payment solutions including credit, debit, and prepaid card acceptance services, remote deposit capture and check processing, mobile payments and eCommerce solutions…all designed to maximize customer success and make business easy. Payment Alliance International is based in Louisville, Ky., with offices in West Palm Beach, Fla., Jackson, Miss., and Billings, Mont. For more information, please visit www.GoPAI.com.

About EnterpriseCorp

EnterpriseCorp is the enterprise development arm of Greater Louisville Inc. - The Metro Chamber of Commerce that cultivates Louisville’s entrepreneurial vitality. With help from community partners, they keep Louisville at the top of the nation’s list of “entrepreneurial hot spots” by serving the companies that create the vast majority of new wealth, new revenue and new jobs. Clients range from technology start-ups to established, fast-growth companies to mature businesses in traditional industries. EnterpriseCorp provides the voice, outreach, assistance and education for all that is entrepreneurial in Greater Louisville. For more information on EnterpriseCorp, visitwww.EnterpriseCorp.com.