Go-Ahead for Banks-Only EBT Bidding

WASHINGTON - The Treasury Department is free to move ahead in its discussions with banks bidding for the biggest-yet electronic benefits transfer contract, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Emmett G. Sullivan denied Transactive Corp.'s request for a preliminary injunction halting the banks-only bidding process. But he promised to rule before Oct. 17, when the contract is scheduled to be awarded, on the merits of the company's complaint that it should be allowed to bid for the job.

The next hearing in the case is set for Aug. 8. Citicorp and NationsBank are among the institutions that have expressed interest in running the new EBT system for eight southern states.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER