Merchant

This past weekend’s launch of Apple Inc.’s iPad also saw the introduction of Square Inc.’s payment card-acceptance application for the device.

Without a doubt people choose to live in Florida for its climate, beautiful beaches and year-round recreational diversion. But there is another reason why people flock to the state.

Global Payments Inc. this summer hopes to begin processing renminbi payment card transactions in China after securing approval to do so from China UnionPay and the People’s Bank of China, the company announced yesterday afternoon during its third-quarter earnings conference call. It has a few hoops to jump through first, however.

NCO Group, the largest collection agency based on revenue, reported an $84.2 million loss for the year ended Dec. 30, 2009 in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Tobias Boyland, a principal of nine Western New York collection agencies under investigation for illegal practices, was sentenced today on weapons charges, receiving 15 years in prison and a $1,000 fine.

A majority of ISO and merchant-acquiring salespeople say the nation’s latest recession had an impact on their compensation, the results of the ISO&Agent 2010 Compensation Survey show.

Speakers at a recent Internal Revenue Service hearing on proposed transaction-reporting requirements that take effect next January largely focused on the potentially detrimental effects their companies may experience from a foreign-merchant rule contained within the law.

Visa Inc. has promoted Elizabeth Buse to group executive, international from global head of product. Jim McCarthy, previously senior sales executive for North America, succeeds Buse. Rupert Keeley, previously group president for several international regions, is leaving the company.

Hoping to cut its payment card acceptance costs, Royal Dutch Shell PLC in January last year launched its own debit card after learning a $20 purchase settled over the automated clearinghouse system would cost the petroleum company about 60% less to accept than traditional credit cards. Thus far, the company says, the product has exceeded expectations.

The telemarketing business will be permanently off limits to a pitchman whom the Federal Trade Commission sued last year for allegedly tricking consumers into paying hundreds of dollars for a credit card that could only be used to buy merchandise from his companies’ Web sites.