All articles by Verdict Staff
Verdict Staff
The beginning of Big Brother
Prepaid cards are increasingly being used to deliver government benefits but, asks Jane Cooper, how far can this distribution mechanism be used to monitor peoples activities? Privacy campaigners insist the ability to monitor and control transactions infringes on civil liberties.
The best is yet to come
Targeting the over 50s is a tricky business for the financial services industry. As a generation they embrace credit, are comfortable managing debt, and have enormous spending power. But, says Louise Naughton, they can spot a sales pitch at 500 yards and do not respond well if they feel they are being patronised.
Country Survey: Germany
It may currently be the worlds fourth-largest economy, but the potentially huge German cards market is notoriously difficult to crack. An in-house payment mechanism and a cultural emphasis on cash mean international card companies have to innovate to get noticed. Will Cain reports.
Growing across the Rio Grande
Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (Banrisul), a regional Brazilian bank owned by the agricultural State of Rio Grande do Sul, is looking to expand its credit and debit card issuing business in tandem with the launch of its MasterCard acquiring operation. Robin Arnfield investigates.
PayPal sues Google over m-payments app
Google has been accused of underhand tactics by PayPal as allegations of stealing “trade secrets” and poaching employees are unveiled on the very day the search giant launches its much -anticipated m-payments platform. In a blog post, PayPays senior director of communications Amanda Pires said: Spending time in courtrooms is generally not our thing But sometimes the behaviours of people and competitors make legal action the only meaningful way for a company to protect one of its most valuable assets its trade secrets.
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Treasurers face up to risk
Risk management has become increasingly critical for corporate treasurers in todays era of economic uncertainty, Robin Arnfield writes. But where are the biggest risks coming from, and what are the implications those providing corporate payments services?
VeriFone acquires South African rival
E-payments solutions provider VeriFone is set to acquire a South Africa-based rival Destiny Electronic Commerce, currently trading as CSC.CSC provides secure payment technologies, services and solutions at the point-of-sale for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Metro Bank ups its m-banking services
UK-based Metro Bank are to implemented banking software systems provider Temenos ARC Mobile platform as it looks to move into the m-payments space. Through the usage of ARC Mobile Metro Bank can deliver a larger set of mobile services including alerts, interactive enquiries and payments.
Care costs on a card
As pressures mount on the US healthcare system to deliver cost-effective services, card payments mechanisms are being increasingly identified as a way to drive cost and risk out of the system. Charles Davis reports
Charity giving via UK ATMs agreed for 2012
UK banks, building societies and cash machine operators have unanimously agreed to enable charity giving via UK ATMs by 2012.All ATM network LINK-enabled payment cards and almost every debit and ATM card issued by a major UK bank will be able to donate through ATMs. It is not specified what rules a card out from donating.