David Heun

Payment processing technology provider SecureNet has launched an instant merchant account boarding software that allows the merchant to begin accepting payments immediately, rather than endure a two-day wait.

Natural Security SAS has launched a contactless card payment system utilizing biometrics for authentication with its partner banks in France.

Paul Whitmore was direct and blunt in his assessment of the state of payments in the U.S. when he spoke at this week's Chicago Payments Symposium at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: "I've been sitting here for two days, wondering how did you get yourself into this mess?"

Barnes & Noble bookstores has informed federal law enforcement authorities that "a sophisticated criminal effort" has potentially exposed customers' credit and debit card information to hackers.

Barnes & Noble has informed federal law enforcement authorities that "a sophisticated criminal effort" has potentially exposed customers' credit and debit card information to hackers who tampered with PIN pad devices at 63 of its stores.

If banks want to be in the forefront of future mobile payments, or at least capable players, they must first understand mobile person-to-person payments and offer that service to customers.

A significant consumer shift away from traditional banking tasks is already unfolding among early mobile-pay adopters and the underbanked.

In a payments industry in which traditional players fear less cooperation as competition heats up, the Federal Reserve Banks say they stand ready to work with anyone and everyone in the payments ecosystem.

Establishing contactless card payments in taxicabs in Barcelona, Spain provides another indication that La Caixa Bank intends to make the city a case study for new payment methods.

Issuer and merchant processors alike acknowledge the high speed of technological change is the new pace car in payments, forcing traditional industry players to hop on board or be left behind.

On Oct. 22 the joint venture of AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA will begin its much-publicized launch in Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas.

For the past two years, the word "Isis" has meant a few different things for the payments industry. Its meaning will come into focus Oct. 22, when the joint venture will begin its much-publicized launch in Salt Lake City and Austin, Texas.

Consumers who own a debit card issued by their bank definitely prefer that payment method to other options, including alternatives such as PayPal.

Transit systems are a proving ground for payments: they require high-speed, sometimes wireless, and consistently reliable payments. New York’s subways, buses and taxis are constantly testing potential new systems, and not all succeed.

First Data Corp. executive Mark Herrington has joined the board of Internet PIN debit payments provider Acculynk.

Access to a cloud-based security system that banks can use to protect Automated Clearing House transactions and online banking has moved to mobile devices.

Bank of America is offering a service that makes it possible for travelers to retrieve their chip-and-PIN card's forgotten PIN without calling a customer service representative or waiting for a mailed response.

Committees serving an independent organization seeking to help the U.S. payments industry prepare for its conversion to EMV smartcard and contactless technology have begun examining key aspects of the transition.

In the grand scheme of mobile payment readiness and adoption globally, Japan has always been at or near the top of industry measuring sticks. Now one of Japan’s mobile communication giants is partnering with MasterCard Inc. to expand contactless payments worldwide starting in 2013.

Any uncertainty in mobile wallet development fuels speculation in an industry anxious to see what shape mobile commerce will ultimately take. In this industry, products that make it even farther than where Isis is today don't always work out.