Fintech

The use of barcode readers as a transaction and marketing tool¬–a mobile-commerce method popularized by early movers such as Starbucks Inc.¬–is getting a shot in the arm from a new American Express Co. partnership.

PARK CITY, UTAH –Consumer advocates still aren’t sure if new federal caps on debit card interchange will end up helping or hurting consumers.

OMAHA, Neb. – Nine credit unions and the Nebraska CU League are launching a new savings contest that will offer a $25,000 grand prize as part of an inducement to new member savings.

Larger banks may feel threatened by the string of new, aggressively priced prepaid cards, but a group of credit unions is attempting instead to embrace this trend by modifying their ATMs to sell fee-free prepaid gift cards.

Intel Corp. is using an authentication system from SecureKey Technologies Inc. in its Ultrabook computers.

U.S. consumer borrowing surged 10% in November, its largest gain in a decade, and a positive sign for the fragile economy. The increase was the 13th in 14 months and the biggest jump since creditors boosted lending after the September 11 attacks.

It appears it might take at least a few more painful payment-terminal tampering breaches like those Lucky Supermarkets and Michaels Stores Inc. experienced last year before U.S. merchants and card issuers take action to support EMV chip cards.

Three Arizona credit unions are partnering with Visa Inc. and Better ATM Services on new technology that is allowing the credit unions to dispense Visa-branded gift cards in addition to cash at their ATMs.

A 17-year-old McDonald’s employee on Jan. 9 was sentenced to 60 days in jail for skimming credit cards at the drive-thru window to steal more than $13,000 from cardholders. He also was ordered to pay $13,000 restitution.

PARK CITY, UTAH¬–Banks are asking for more data from card networks as they attempt to comply with new regulations capping debit card interchange fees.