Technology

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication’s interbank payment network generates 15 million messages each day. In the past, this enormous flow of data has passed by silently; member banks had little access to it.

The number of companies caught in data breaches exposing consumers’ credit, debit and bank account numbers is growing, but the best way to make amends to customers is not yet clear.

There might not be a better time to enter the mobile-payments arena than now.

VeriFone Systems Inc. has its GlobalBay iPad retail mobile-payment software literally rolling on the sales floors at U.S. Guess Inc. clothing and accessories stores, further establishing that the company intends to position itself as a key player in mobile payments and customer marketing.

Security experts have long considered restaurants a happy hunting ground for credit card skimmers and payment-system hackers. So much so, diners have become understandably reluctant to let a waiter take their credit card away from the table when settling their bill.

Fiserv Inc.’s CheckFree and CashEdge subsidiaries have filed a patent infringement suit against Fidelity National Information Services alleging FIS’s Metavante unit is infringing on Fiserv’s patents for electronic bill payment and presentment and person-to-person payments, which are being used by thousands of credit unions and banks, the technology company announced Jan. 5.

E*Trade Financial Corp.’s securities unit has introduced mobile deposit for the Apple Inc. iPhone, the company anounced Dec. 5.

Consumers have long memories when it comes to a loss of trust in a bank or card company from a data breach. The damage from a spate of high-profile consumer data breaches over the past year appeared to bruise trust in several major brands, including that of Citigroup Inc.

The Members Group and Co-op Financial Services have entered into a strategic partnership to create the largest payment-services provider for credit unions, the companies announced Jan. 5.

Two polls suggest consumers might be planning to lean more on credit cards again after overindulging in card use before the recession. And though the economy remains relatively sluggish, fewer Americans seem worried about their personal debt.