Verifone CEO, Citing Conflict, Quits Cybercash Board

Hatim A. Tyabji of Verifone Inc. has resigned from the board of Cybercash Inc., citing potential conflicts of interests as the two companies' businesses overlap.

Verifone was one of the early investors in Cybercash and has a strategic alliance with it. Both companies were founded by William Melton, Cybercash's current chief executive officer.

Verifone, best known as the leading maker of point-of-sale transaction terminals, has an increasingly active Internet commerce division. Cybercash's specialty is secure payment systems for the Internet.

While many of the companies' efforts remain complementary, Reston, Va.- based Cybercash said Verifone has become a direct competitor in facilitating on-line credit card payments.

"Cybercash and Verifone will continue to explore possible joint opportunities," said Mr. Tyabji, Verifone's president and chief executive officer. "Because of potential conflicting interests in the credit card payments market, however, it would be inappropriate for me to remain on Cybercash's board."

Mr. Tyabji's board seat will be taken by Garen K. Staglin, chairman and chief executive officer of Safelite Glass Corp. He is also a director of First Data Corp., Quick Response Services Inc., and Grimes Aerospace Corp.

Mr. Melton said Mr. Staglin's "experience with rapidly growing companies and the transaction-processing industry will be a real asset to Cybercash."

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