Integrated Delivery Technologies Inc. of Buffalo announced several additional signings for its Cartel Network, a transaction processing program it is marketing in competition with automated teller machine networks and other bank-owned payment systems.
Among the additions is Western New York Computing Systems Credit Union Group, a data processing service bureau for 21 credit unions in the Rochester, N.Y., area.
Todd Zerbe, manager of the service company, said his customers will be able to use Cartel for all electronic funds transfer processing and gateway connections to outside networks. The clients will also have the advantage of a new on-line link that will enhance system performance.
Four credit unions in New York State also signed to use Cartel: Buffalo Postal Federal Credit Union, Gloversville Federal Savings, St. Pius X Church Federal Credit Union, and Ontario Shores Federal Credit Union. The last two are clients of Western New York Computing.
Joseph E. Wolfson, chairman of Integrated Delivery Technologies, said his company is gaining momentum in the wake of a recent capital infusion from William Blair & Co. of Chicago.
Mr. Wolfson, who is returning to the electronic banking fray after running the pioneering Metroteller network in New York State in the 1970s and 1980s, said he is beefing up his small staff and has "a lot more financial institutions" in the pipeline.
He acknowledged that established networks like NYCE and MAC have paid him little notice since he began organizing Cartel in late 1994. "Their anxiety level has to be increasing now," he said. "The gnat is growing."
Through the marketing efforts of Mr. Wolfson, his partner Craig McIntyre, and a strategic alliance with Affiliated Computer Services of Dallas, Cartel has agreement to handle transactions in 44 states through 14 major retail chains and more than 10,500 terminals.
