Bank technology

Three online authentication tools stand out from the pack for balancing a high level of security, a favorable return on investment, and a low likelihood of annoying customers, a report released Wednesday says.

The biometric payment system vendor BioPay LLC has been awarded its first patent, which may help in its legal dispute with Solidus Networks Inc.

Fiserv Inc. resolved one question about its future by naming an outsider to succeed its longtime chief executive, but that change and others in the executive suite raised fresh speculation about the Brookfield, Wis., technology vendor’s strategy.

Sovereign Bancorp Inc. of Philadelphia is betting that it can capture customers from larger northeastern rivals by offering more sophisticated online banking services for small businesses.

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Online banking has become so common, especially among big banks, that some vendors of software for it are refocusing on smaller customers and trying to manage their product lines better.

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The table lists daily composite stock prices at 4 PM (unless otherwise noted) as measured by market capitalization.

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Many banking companies offer separate online services to small and large businesses, but companies like Bank of America Corp. and CashEdge Inc. are trying to bring large-business payment services to mom-and-pop shops.

eFunds Corp., which provides electronic payments software and outsourcing services, reported strong third-quarter earnings and said the newly acquired WildCard Systems, a prepaid card company, bolstered revenue.

Nacha, the electronic payments association, has authorized banks to turn some business checks into automated clearing house transactions through accounts receivable conversion.

A year after the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act took effect, and supposedly triggered a race to use image exchange networks, many bankers are still at the starting blocks.

Two deals in the past two days will soon have a pair of check businesses bouncing to new owners.

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Enticed by convenience and rewards programs, a growing number of people are paying recurring bills with their debit cards.

Computer Sciences Corp. has been named as a possible target for a private equity buyout, and analysts say that if such a deal occurs, its bank core processing unit could be spun off.