David Heun

Cadence Bank NA plans to issue new Discover debit cards to all of the bank’s debit cardholders during the second quarter of 2013, Riverwoods, Ill.-based Discover Financial Services announced Jan. 14.

A German banking committee has approved an Ingenico SA payment terminal as the first to accept contactless payments in the country under a new contactless pay system called giorgo.

Certain U.S. Bank customers will soon have an opportunity to try the bank's new Go Mobile payment system, which allows iPhone owners to make contactless payments using a Near Field Communication-equipped case.

Surcharge-free ATM networks are expanding in Canada. The push is being led by Canadian credit unions as well as the efforts of U.S.-based Cardtronics.

Certain U.S. Bank customers will soon have an opportunity to try the bank's new Go Mobile payment system, which allows iPhone owners to make contactless payments using a Near Field Communication-equipped case.

Cezar Butu of Romania, who pleaded guilty to taking part in hacking terminals at hundreds of U.S. Subway sandwich shops from 2009 to 2011, was sentenced this week to 21 months in prison.

Incipio Technologies introduced its Cashwrap sleeve for Apple Inc. iPhones two years ago as a way for merchants to accept card payments in the same manner as a Square mobile reader.

Mozido LLC, having purchased PagoVision Inc., plans to expand its cloud-based digital wallet and financial services while more readily getting mobile products in front of unbanked consumers.

Banking on its brand and reputation for handling and transporting money securely, The Brink's Co. plans to enter the payments industry with a prepaid payroll card during the first quarter of 2013.

Heartland Payment Systems' payroll business got a shot in the arm when the company purchased Ovation Payroll at the end of December, and the payment processor's mobile commerce business stands to also get much bigger because of the acquisition.

The McDonald's at 6 Water St. in New York City has been shut down for more than two months, as it was one of the first buildings struck by surges of sea water from Hurricane Sandy. The ATM inside, if it still exists, has been inaccessible ever since. But the machine has shown up for weeks afterwards on some ATM locator smartphone apps, which did not notice the machine's absence in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

Heartland Payment Systems has boosted its payroll services by acquiring Ovation Payroll, a Rochester, N.Y.-based outsourcing company.

Churches often frown on worshippers bringing mobile phones into services. But they may have a different view if those churchgoers use their phones to make donations to the church.

Consumer use of prepaid gift cards grew 10% in 2012, up to $110 billion in card loads, but an increase in fraudulent use of those cards and a growing need to protect consumers could follow, a new report warns.

Visitors of the Vatican Museum in Vatican City will need cash to buy tickets and souvenirs in the aftermath of Italy’s central bank ordering all payment terminals deactivated, AFP reported Jan. 3.

If things are truly bigger in Texas, then mPowa CEO Dan Wagner figures it's a good place for merchants to be able to accept credit card payments via mobile devices in those wide, open spaces.

MasterCard Inc. plans to introduce its contactless payment technology into Azerbaijan during the first half of 2013.

With many of its legal questions and organizational issues addressed, the Merchant Customer Exchange has turned its focus to the technology that will drive its mobile commerce initiative.

Since Google Wallet launched on Sprint, the only major U.S. carrier not involved in the Isis mobile wallet venture, rival carriers have resisted putting Google's payment system on their phones. Verizon Wireless in particular has been the focus of media criticism and, most recently, has been holding its ground against an FCC inquiry as well.

As 2012 progressed, one thing became strikingly clear: the card networks do not want to be left behind as new digital payment methods threaten plastic.