News


Google Extends P2P to U.K. via Google Wallet  (Feb. 2, 2015)

Google this month extended its Gmail-based money transfer feature to the U.K., marking the search giant’s first P2P foray outside the U.S. If successful, the move could help Google expand awareness of Google Wallet internationally before Apple Pay makes its expected move into the U.K. and other global markets, observers say. Apple Inc. CEO Tim […]

Julius Baer begins core renovation

Swiss private banking group Julius Baer has chosen Temenos for a major core banking system replacement project intended to progressively modernise its front and back office systems globally.

CFPB Considers Comment Period Extension for Prepaid, but More Time Seems Unlikely 

In a Jan. 27 letter to U.S. Rep. Sean P. Duffy (R-Wis.) and several other members of Congress, CFPB Director Richard Cordray said the agency would give the lawmakers’ request for a 60-day extension to the comment period for its prepaid NPRM “serious consideration.” But the rest of the letter suggests that the agency feels 130 days since the proposal went up on its Website will be adequate for stakeholders to comment.

FDIC Backs off Operation Choke Point (Jan. 29, 2015)

Critics of the DOJ’s controversial Operation Choke Point, which encourages financial institutions to scrutinize clients that operate certain types of businesses, such as payday lenders and firearms sales, may welcome the latest news from the FDIC.

People on the Move: Ron Hynes, Mozido

Mozido, a cloud platform mobile payments and retail engagement solutions provider, this week announced it has named Ron Hynes, as president global markets.

People on the Move: Jan Marc Külper, paysafecard

paysafecard, a global provider of prepaid online payment methods and member of the international Skrill Group, has hired Jan Marc Külper as the company’s vice president of business development.

People on the Move: John Walsh, SightSpan Inc.

John Walsh, CEO of risk management and AML advisory firm SightSpan Inc. and Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the District Attorney of New York County, will present on topics related to financial crime risk management, including corporate security and counter-terrorist financing, at this year’s ACFCS Conference in New York City in April 2015.

People on the Move: Kim Martin, Vantiv Inc.

Vantiv Inc., a provider of payment processing services and related technology solutions for merchants and financial institutions, has announced that Kim Martin will join the company as chief human resources officer.

FDIC Advises Banks to Contact Examiners on Brokered Deposits

Prepaid issuers aren’t the only ones confused by the potential implications of the FDIC’s recent FAQs on brokered deposits. The agency offered some clarifications to ABA staff but recommends issuers reach out to their examiners with specific questions.

CFSI Releases Compass Guide to Payroll Cards (Jan. 27, 2015)

The Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI) has expanded its Compass Guide series with today’s release of its Compass Guide to Payroll Cards, which it says defines best practices and product features for high-quality payroll cards.

Givex Expands with Chase Gift Card Buy; Tuxedo Money to Enter U.S. with i2c (Jan. 27, 2015)

M&A activity and global expansion of prepaid continue this week with Toronto-based gift card processor Givex announcing plans to acquire Chase Paymentech’s gift card business and open an office in Dallas. Meanwhile, U.K.-based Tuxedo Money Solutions is partnering with Silicon Valley-based processor i2c Inc. for international expansion of its prepaid business, including entering the U.S. market.

Fed Issues Paper Announcing Plan to Improve U.S. Payment System (Jan. 27, 2015)

The Federal Reserve this week issued a new report, “Strategies for Improving the U.S. Payment System,” outlining a plan to enhance the overall speed, safety and efficiency of the nation’s payment system with collaboration from payment industry participants including businesses, payment card networks, processors, payment technology firms, consumers and financial institutions.

Mobile Bank Account Launches in Germany, Austria (Jan. 26, 2015)

Ditching high-overhead bank branches in favor of mobile-centric financial services is an idea that’s catching on across geographies. The latest entrant is Berlin-based startup Number26, which provides a mobile app and debit MasterCard, real-time transaction records, email or text-based P2P transfers and app-based card management, as well as foreign transactions—all at no cost.

Liquidnet seeks to remove buy-side burdens with new platform

Buy-side block trading network Liquidnet has launched a new platform called Liquidnet 5, which it says will help to cut down on conflicts that might affect best execution. The move is part of a wider shift as the buy-side seeks to claim more independence from the sell-side.

Walmart Offers Cash for Tax Refunds (Jan. 22, 2015)  

Tax time is always busy for prepaid card providers seeking to encourage consumers to have their refunds loaded onto prepaid cards for faster delivery. This year, Walmart is offering a different delivery mechanism—cash.