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    InComm recently finalized the acquisition of PRE Holdings, Inc., a U.S. prepaid distributor and processor.
    InComm now boasts more than 145,000 distribution points including big box retail, grocery stores, discount stores, drug stores, travel centers and convenience stores.

    Consumers are increasingly turning to electronic methods to pay their bills and prefer to make those payments directly with their biller, according to the Fort Knox National Co.’s second annual consumer preference study.
    The study also points to an increase in expedited (last minute) bill payment. “We are seeing the impact of cycle billing in the survey results,” said Richard Crone of Crone Consulting. “Cycle billing complicates personal finances by spreading payment due dates over the course of the month.”

    Payment Data Systems, Inc. recently teamed with PAYjr, Inc. to launch the Billx.com teen prepaid stored value card and youth savings program.
    Teens, age 13 and up, with parent’s permission, qualify for the stored value card while children under age 13 are eligible for allowances to be deposited into a savings account. It is anticipated the stored value card will be issued with a nationally known brand leveraging Payment Data’s existing bank relationships.

    Comdata Corporation, through its subsidiary Stored Value Systems, Inc., recently acquired SASH Management, LLC which does business as Gift Card Solutions.
    In 2002, Comdata joined into a strategic arrangement with GCS to service the mid-market gift and loyalty segments. Throughout this alliance, SVS and GCS have worked together to provide gift card solutions to over 100 restaurant chains and retailers.

    United Cash Solutions, Inc., recently completed an acquisition of certain ATM-related assets belonging to Providence, RI-based ATM Advantage 2000, LLC. Boston, MA-based Tremont Capital Group, Inc.
    The acquisition primarily includes assets related to a long-term ATM license agreement with Shaw’s Supermarkets, Inc., one of the largest supermarket chains in New England, which is a division of Albertson’s, Inc.

    HomeATM recently closed a mezzanine financing round. The capital raise was led by one of the founders of Mamma.com.
    Following three years of research and development, and spending in excess of $2 million, the company now owns one issued patent and has six patents pending.

    EZCheck Check Services, Inc. recently partnered with United Bank Card, Inc., to add its new collection service, EZCollect to UBC’s line of merchant payment processing products and services.
    With this program, checks returned NSF are automatically directed from the business’s bank to EZCheck for collection. The entire process is handled electronically. Once the check is collected the merchant receives the full face value of the check via a monthly electronic deposit. EZCollect customers post a notice at each point- of-sale and write their merchant ID number on the face of the check before it is deposited. No check authorization is required with this program.

    Creditdiscovery and Cardware International recently launched a package providing a single point-of-entry technology for merchant boarding across multiple applications, as well as a comprehensive suite of services that includes full transaction support and supplies, quick reference guides and dedicated help desk assistance.
    Creditdiscovery automates the credit underwriting process, so that needed applications and paperwork are available for online or manual completion at every level. First Data Corp. recently entered into a multi-year agreement to provide global merchant processing to Microsoft Corp. Under the terms of the agreement, First Data will also provide risk management services.

    MasterCard International recently filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking an injunction against the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the governing body of the FIFA World Cup to prevent FIFA from moving forward with an agreement with Visa International to sponsor the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
    According to the complaint, FIFA had entered into that relationship despite having a contractual agreement giving MasterCard the right of first refusal to continue to be the category-exclusive sponsor of those events.
    MasterCard’s complaint states that after a period of negotiation in which FIFA assured MasterCard that it was not going to enter into an agreement with a third party, it proceeded in doing so.

    WAY Systems, Inc. recently introduced new versions of the company’s mobile transaction terminal to its product line.
    The MTT 1571 is a dual-band device that operates at 850Mhz and 1900Mhz in the United States and Canada, providing greater signal coverage in these markets. The device handles credit and online debit transactions with its integrated PCI/PED certified PIN pad.
   The MTT 1570 operates at 900Mhz and 1800Mhz. The MTT 1570 also includes the keyboard and display enhancements of the MTT 1571, handles credit, debit and EMV transactions through its integrated PIN Pad and smart card reader, which conforms to EMV Levels 1 and 2.

    Money Network, a First Data Company, and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. have teamed together to offer a, no-fee paycard check cashing option available at more than 3,000 Wal-Mart stores offering check cashing services throughout the United States.
    Using Money Network’s Transcheck product, a self-issued check system, the service enables Money Network’s Paycard clients to provide their employees immediate and free access to their payroll funds using a guaranteed, FDIC-insured check option at Wal-Mart. The Transcheck product can be electronically verified and cashed “in-lane” free of charge at participating Wal-Mart locations.

    Merchant e-Solutions, a payment processing firm for community banks and their merchants, will deploy the TriCipher Armored Credential System for risk-based, multi-factor authentication and encryption key management.
   

    Hypercom Corp. recently unveiled a new network server appliance enabling plug-and-play deployment of value-added applications for POS systems.
    The new appliance comes with pre-loaded application software along with tools permitting remote configuration by Hypercom. This eliminates the need for end users or ISOs to install, test, integrate and configure the software for the user’s network.

    ExaDigm, Inc. recently launched the XD1000, a low-cost, PC-based, countertop POS terminal. Built as an IP terminal from the ground up, it incorporates dial-up and IP connections as standard, and an optional, removable WiFi card.
    The XD1000 includes standard PC-style components, such as host-based USB and serial ports and easy hardware integration. The XD1000 incorporates ExaDigm’s PC-based Linux operating system, the same found in the XD2000. This platform allows for fast software changes, updates and customization. The XD1000 also offers 256-bit SSL encryption starting from the time of card swipe, the same as is used in online banking.
   ExaDigm also recently unveiled its CDMA/1XRTT and GSM/GPRS cellular airtime programs. Designed specifically to be bundled with the XD2000 Cellular Wireless Solutions, the airtime programs give ExaDigm’s customers the ability to purchase a complete cellular wireless solution that works right out of the box.

    New Edge Networks recently unveiled an always-on narrowband Internet solution for speeding up payment card transactions at business locations where high-speed broadband access is not yet available or feasible.
    New Edge Networks’ Always-on Internet Service eliminates the need for POS devices to dial-up toll-free numbers to get individual payment card authorizations. Multiple POS terminals or cash registers can share the line.
   New Edge Networks accelerated introduction of its service offering through new network interconnections with EarthLink, Inc., which completed its acquisition of New Edge Networks July 13.

    TPI Software, LLC recently released a new version of their PC payment processing software, TPI SmartPayments Client Version 2. SmartPayments Client is a PC payment processing software solution designed to meet the needs of both large and small businesses.
    SmartPayments Client Version 2 brings many new enhancements: support for customer facing signature capture card payment terminals, including Ingenico’s 6770 & 6550, Hypercom’s L4100 as well as enhanced check processing support with MagTek’s Excella check reader and imager.

    VeriFone Holdings, Inc. recently expanded its all-inclusive VeriFone Connect POS turnkey services with a comprehensive program for the U.S. hospitality industry.
    Four VeriFone Connect Hospitality packages provide acquirers and Independent Sales Organizations with the ability to resell all-in-one wireless and broadband payment bundles.

    Payment Data Systems, Inc. recently received a patent for the company’s technology and method for managing and processing bill payment via a stored-value debit card, check card, signature debit card, PIN based card or automatic teller machine card from a variety of access points.
   

    Total Compliance Group, an associate of Commercial Business Intelligence, Inc., recently launched a new service aimed at ISOs and their sponsor banks to assess and evaluate member compliance of new rules imposed by MasterCard and Visa concerning the ownership and operations of ATMs, and federal regulations to ensure compliance with Patriot act requirements for ownership and operation of ATMs.
   

    Electronic Clearing House, Inc. recently received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a new patent covering Internet-based check cashing and Clearing.
    The corresponding patent should be issued within the next several months.

    Visa recently expanded its No Signature Required program and Small Ticket Payment Service to accelerate card acceptance and usage at traditionally cash-heavy merchants.
    As part of Visa’s No Signature Required program for transactions less than $25, a broad range of cash-heavy businesses can now accept Visa for purchases without obtaining a cardholder signature. Visa’s small ticket strategy also expands the Small Ticket Payment Service to offer acquirers decreased credit and debit interchange rates on consumer card transactions of $15 or less in seven new merchant categories.

    The week that MasterCard launched its initial public offering, merchants challenged the stock offering, claiming that the transaction is MasterCard’s “attempt to insulate itself from antitrust liability.”
    The letter sent to Eastern District of New York Judge John Gleeson arguing that “contrary to MasterCard’s public statements, class plaintiffs do not believe that MasterCard’s agreements and IPO removes MasterCard or its member banks from the purview of Section One of the Sherman Act. However, if the transaction is not a sham, then it violates section 7 of the Clayton Act and section one of the Sherman act.”
    MasterCard didn’t return calls to Transaction World regarding the merchants’ action.
    K. Craig Wildfang, co-lead attorney for the merchants, declined to comment on the letter because the IPO had already taken place when he provided a copy of the letter to Transaction World. In its first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, MasterCard rose from its initial offering price of $39 a share to close at $46 a share.
    The size of the initial public offering came up short of the company’s original expectations as MasterCard fell victim to a volatile market and concerns over its mounting legal problems. The initial offering price of $39 was below the company’s original forecast of $40 to $43 a share.

    John M. Perry left Pay By Touch in May to become the executive vice president, sales and marketing for Ruesch International, Washington, D.C. Ruesch is a provider of business-to-business payment solutions.
   


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