Technology

Prevailing wisdom suggests that prepaid cards are an alternative or, at best, a bridge to a bank account, not an overlapping product.

Citizens of Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian state of Kerala may pay their property taxes online under an initiative launched Feb. 22

Celcom Axiata Bhd. is teaming with Maybank Bhd. to enable Maybank’s subscribers to make immediate payments of their mobile bills, a spokesperson from the Malaysia-based mobile operator tells PaymentsSource.

Transaction Network Services Inc.’s enhanced payment gateway will enable merchants in the United Kingdom and Ireland to process various payment types through a single system while adding an additional layer of security to card-not-present purchases, the company reported on Feb. 23.

NetSpend Holdings Inc.'s fourth-quarter net income grew 79% from a year earlier, to $6.3 million, as customers loaded more money onto its prepaid debit cards and spent more frequently.

Fidelity National Information Services Inc. said it expects first-quarter earnings to be below analysts' estimates.

The company behind the eBillme online-payment system has announced a partnership with Discover Financial Services that furthers the alternative payments provider’s strategy of aligning itself with mainstream players.

The Central Bank of Kenya has established new regulations for the country’s mobile funds-transfer market designed to protect consumers and mitigate market risk, a spokesperson for the bank tells PaymentsSource.

Etisalat Group last week inked a strategic agreement to offer Western Union Co.’s Mobile Money Transfer service in the 18 countries where it the Dubai-based mobile operator operates.

In 2012, London will become the first city where domestic and international consumers may access an entire transportation network using open-loop, network-branded contactless credit or debit cards, the Transport for London announced Feb. 24.