Technology

Western Union Co. is rebranding Custom House, an international business-payments provider it bought last year, and is planning to expand the unit into new markets, the funds-transfer company announced Nov. 1.

iQor Holdings Inc., a New York-based global business process outsourcing (BPO) company, has acquired RMS, an accounts receivable outsourcing services firm.

TCL Corp., a China-based mobile-phone manufacturer, has inked a deal with China UnionPay in which the companies will provide mobile handsets that support payment functions, the companies announced earlier this month.

AT&T Inc. has signed partnership agreements with three mobile-payment companies that enable its wireless customers to charge online purchases for such digital content as games and music directly to their mobile-phone bills.

MBNA Europe Bank Ltd. will be issuing some 5 million contactless credit cards to its customers in the United Kingdom as part of a two-year initiative the Bank of America Corp. subsidiary announced on Oct. 29.

Apple Inc.’s MFi licensing program for devices designed to work with mobile Apple products has certified Blue Bamboo’s P25-M mobile printer and card reader, the China-based point-of-sale terminal maker announced Oct. 29.

Encore Capital Group Inc., a San Diego-based collection agency and debt buyer, this week reported third quarter net income of $12.3 million, compared to $9 million in the year-ago quarter. The company's revenue grew 22% from the prior year’s third quarter to $98 million.

Fifth Third Processing Solutions has signed processing deals with four Hawaii credit unions: Hawaiian Tel Federal Credit Union, Windward Community Federal Credit Union, The Queen's FCU and Garden Island Federal Credit Union.

Credit bureau Equifax on Wednesday said an 11% rise in third quarter revenues helped fuel a 28% rise in earnings for the period.

Visa Inc. said it is prepared to confront alternative and mobile payments head on.