Worldwide


CFPB Seeks Input for Campus Card Guide (Jan. 15, 2015)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is creating a guide to help colleges evaluate institutions that offer financial accounts to students—and the CFPB is seeking input in devising the document.

Viewpoint: Industry Trends to Watch in 2015

Macro trends, including increased access to mobile devices and the Internet as well as consumer appetite for deals, will continue to drive changes in shopping behavior and broaden the use of both prepaid and electronic payments in 2015.

The media as a source of reputational protection, rather than risk

For better or worse, financial institutions are more risk averse than ever. This is the direct result of continuing and growing regulatory scrutiny over a broad range of activities, including the compliance of financial institutions in areas such as international sanctions, the prevention of money laundering, the funding of terrorism or the facilitation of tax evasion.

NACS: All Eyes on Supreme Court (Jan. 13, 2015)

Retailers and payments executives who were hoping to get an answer from the Supreme Court this week on whether the court will hear NACS et al v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will be waiting a bit longer.

Obama Unveils Bills to Safeguard Consumer Data (Jan. 13, 2015)

President Obama is throwing support behind new legislation to further protect consumers from data breaches, while backing another new bill that would prevent companies from misusing student data. At a Federal Trade Commission presentation Jan. 12, President Obama outlined the Personal Data Notification & Protection Act, which would require U.S. companies to notify customers within […]

People on the Move: Dan Grotto, 1to1 Card

1to1 Card, a leader and innovator in prepaid card management services, has announced that Daniel Grotto has joined the company as CFO and member of the company’s advisory board.

Softcard Layoffs Follow Marketing Push (Jan. 12, 2015)

Shortly after Softcard unveiled Tappy, a puppet starring in a campaign to educate consumers about Softcard and mobile payments, the NFC-based mobile payment initiative backed by AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile has laid off approximately 60 employees.

Four cyber security risks not to be taken for granted in 2015

With Sony the latest victim of hacking, large organisations are witnessing yet again how data breaches cause serious damage, to the tune of millions. The prevalence of hacking in the media begs the question, what’s in store for 2015?

Blog: Why I Can’t Toss My Checkbook

P2P options abound, but I won’t be ditching my checkbook until providers make it easy and compelling enough for the local service providers I pay to make the switch.

Orchestral manoeuvres

When first reports of an integrated communications project that had attracted a $66 million investment from a consortium of banks led by Goldman Sachs appeared last year, there was an element of cloak and dagger about the enterprise. The truth is both more prosaic and more interesting according to David Gurle, chief executive and founder of the company behind it.

i2c, CPS Launch Corporate Rewards Card Down Under (Jan. 6, 2015)

Payment processor i2c Inc., and Melbourne, Australia-based program manager Corporate Prepaid Solutions (CPS) have launched the Visa-branded uChoose corporate rewards gift card in Australia, setting the stage for global collaboration on additional corporate prepaid programs.

The need for a resilient global network of FMIs

By facilitating payments, and clearing and settling transactions in the securities and derivatives markets, financial market infrastructures are essential nodes in a complex and ever more integrated international network of capital flows. The consequent inter-dependencies between financial market infrastructures will create new resiliency challenges

Derivatives markets brace for Basel III margin crunch in 2015

Derivatives market participants are concerned about the impact of new margin requirements for non-cleared derivatives under Basel III, with a large number unsure whether they will even have to comply with the rules, according to new survey published today by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.

EU VAT Law Aimed at Leveling Playing Field Goes into Effect (Jan. 5, 2015)

The start of a New Year also brings a new EU law into effect that’s intended to stop companies from undercutting their competition by setting up in low-tax countries. However, the law also could increase the tax on purchases of digital content like mobile applications, music downloads and e-books.