All articles by Verdict Staff
Verdict Staff
Voice Commerce projects positive prospects
Voice Commerce, founded by e-commerce pioneer Nick Ogden, is one organisation that is riding the wave of interest with the use of voice signature technology
The Citi sell-off begins in Brazil
After weeks of strenuous denials it was planning to offload any of its Brazilian banking operations, financial behemoth Citi has finally buckled under the need to shore up its capital reserves, and is reported to be selling its 17 percent stake in Brazilian card processor and acquirer Redecard. Such a sale could bring Citi around BRL3.05 billion ($1.27 billion), money that the group desperately needs as it fights to survive full nationalisation by the US government, which has so far ploughed $52 billion into the struggling banking giant. Citi, Redecards third-largest shareholder, will most likely sell its Redecard stake in a secondary stock offering to Redecards Brazilian bank shareholders who have right of first refusal
Private-label cards – the twilight years?
With lenders keen to restrict credit and with retailers now keener than ever to retain healthy custom, private-label card businesses are facing a dilemma Private-label cards seemed such a good idea not so long ago
UK rolls out payment services directive
The European Unions Payment Services Directive (PSD) is on the verge of becoming a UK law on 2 March 2009
New players enter the online field
As merchants continue to grumble over the cost of accepting credit card payments, momentum is gathering in the online payments space with services being launched that aim to offer merchants a cost-efficient alternative The proliferating alternative payments markets recently welcomed two new offerings entering the fray of online card-free debit-based solutions, a market where the level of competition is already high and dominated by the likes of PayPal and Google Checkout.
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Singapore launches NFC
They have outlined plans to work with banks, telecom companies and payment processors to set up the infrastructure for contactless mobile transit and payment services.
Consumer focus adds weight to US push
US credit card issuers are facing economic and political headwinds as consumer rights are now being pushed by politicians as a way of getting credit card reforms passed into law A perfect storm of consumer outrage and political pressure has renewed US Congressional interest in an omnibus credit card reform measure, which suddenly gained momentum in a Senate hearing on 12 February.
Region Round-up
During the trial, consumers downloaded the NAB Visa credit card software application to their Telstra SIM card remotely, and used their mobile phone to purchase goods and services by waving the handset over a participating merchants Visa payWave-enabled reader.
VRL’s Alternative Payments and Asia-Pacific cards reports out now
VRL, publisher of Cards International, is releasing two new reports which look at two very different areas of the cards and payments markets, set to play important roles over the next few years. Alternative Payments, written by Ray Cain, is a comprehensive overview of payments in the retail banking sector, and looks at the growth of alternative payment channels such as online and mobile payments Cains report examines the role of the transaction account, which is at the core of the customer and bank relationship, and also examines how payment services play a critical role in customer acquisition and retention
Middle Eastern promise for payments
The United Arab Emirates is defined by a large number of high net worth expatriate workers Because of this, payment card offerings are notable for their generous array of rewards and luxury services