Merchant

Isis, the mobile payment venture founded by AT&T Inc., Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA, said it is opening up its network and preparing for a pilot next year.

French terminal maker Ingenico SA announced April 4 that it is buying Hypercom Corp.’s U.S. payments systems business for $54 million.

Merchant processor Global Payments Inc. on March 31 reported net income of $47.8 million for its fiscal third quarter ended Feb. 28, down 1% from $48.5 million during the same period last year. Revenues, however, increased by 15%, to $456.4 million from $398.5 million.

This article was revised after Vivotech distributed a follow-up press release containing various "corrections."

A coalition representing consumers this week is urging lawmakers to oppose legislation that would put the brakes on proposed debit-interchange rate reductions, while a group of 7-Eleven Inc. franchisees similarly is vowing to keep lobbying Congress to oppose such a delay.

Google Inc. is joining the NFC Forum, a nonprofit association that sets technical specifications for how businesses use Near Field Communication technology for payments applications and other services.

Delaying the start of proposed debit-interchange rules would represent a “huge handout” to large banks that do not deserve another bailout by consumers and businesses, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told reporters during a teleconference.

Lawmakers’ efforts to pass a “stop-and-study” law that would delay the start of the Durbin amendment are gaining ground, a growing number of analysts say.

Gemalto NV is offering a software package for MasterCard Worldwide’s PayPass contactless payment system, the chip maker announced March 30.

Besides making the process easier for merchants, a good payment-security vendor can ease the burden of Payment Card Industry data-security standards compliance for independent sales organizations, a growing number of ISOs are finding.