Fintech

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.

A Los Angeles city committee agreed to seek a vendor to offer an identification card that doubles as a prepaid ATM card for the underbanked.

Visa is reportedly planning to name a new chief executive officer as early as this month.

Retailers’ mobile-pay apps are gaining popularity, and many merchants hope their customers will spread their brand affinity by using the apps to send virtual gift cards to a friend or family member’s device.

Whimsical birdcages, colorful jackets made of recycled fabric and other arts and crafts knick-knacks on Etsy can now be purchased with gift cards.

A TransUnion study found that people who monitor their credit files open significantly more new credit cards and auto loans, and perform about as well on those loans as people who do not monitor their files.

Customers will soon make purchases in Apple’s retail stores with the company’s new limited mobile wallet, Passbook, according to an Apple news site.

Dodd Frank 1073, which covers remittances and U.S. initiated international payments, is one of more than two dozen payments related rules or regulations either issued in 2012 or with a pending deadline during the next year, which cover most payment types.