Technology

Credit card issuers wanting to improve profitability in the wake of the recession could get better results by looking more closely at their own fraud cases to determine specifically which type of fraud criminals are perpetrating and how to stop it, new research from Experian PLC suggests.

If a hacker gets into the cash-register software of a restaurant, captures credit card information and sells it on the Internet to counterfeiters all over the world, it could take months or years for police to pinpoint the source.

The joint venture Global Payments Inc.’s entered into in Spain late last year with one of Europe’s top banks delivered better-than-expected revenue and helped drive fiscal fourth-quarter earnings, the merchant processor’s top executive told analysts during a July 21conference call to discuss the quarter’s earnings.

Buoyed by the fast uptake of smartphones and tablets in the country, First National Bank Ltd. says it has become the first financial institution in South Africa to offer a mobile-banking application to its customers.

Though contactless payments have long been advertised for their ease of use, recent trials have departed from that premise. Some banks are putting the focus back on simplicity — and making payments as easy as a flick of the wrist.

Strong revenue performance in North America helped boost Global Payments Inc.’s fiscal fourth-quarter revenue by 22.3%, to $519.8 million from $425.1 million during the same period last year, the Atlanta-based merchant processor announced July 21.

Bolstered by a resurgence in consumer spending and improving credit quality, American Express Co. on July 21 reported higher second-quarter income and revenues–and a steep increase in its marketing and rewards-program costs.

As the hype for widespread Near Field Communication-enabled mobile payments continues to heat up, eBay Inc.’s CEO doused some cold water on the concept, suggesting instead that large merchants will resist the unproven technology.

Reflecting continued growth in all three of the company’s business specialties, including private-label card services, Alliance Data Systems Corp. on July 21 reported double-digit increases in both second-quarter revenue and profit.

Mobile payments will surpass 141.1 million users worldwide this year, a 38.2% increase from 102.1 million users in 2010, according to Gartner estimates released July 21. Worldwide mobile payment sales volume is forecast to total $86.1 billion, up 75.9% from 2010 volume of $48.9 billion.