Bank technology

In the rush to offer mobile banking to as many customers as possible, several banks have taken a fragmented approach, making different apps for separate regions, customer bases and even different functions tied to the same account. But a startup says it doesn't have to be that way.

Without guarantees of security, Japan keeps Sony from relaunching PlayStation Network; identity theft operation shut down in Oakland; consumer trust in bank security on the rise.

With an eye on the nocturnal, then, NCR Corp. has developed its Aptra Interactive Teller, which uses a built-in camera to connect any customer to a human bank representative at a distant location, even late at night.

Two community banks have signed up for Secure Vault Payments, according to eWise Systems USA Inc., the Denver company working with Nacha, the electronic payments association, to offer the technology.

Security Incorporated Corp., an armored car operator in Michigan City, Ind., has agreed to offer Fiserv Inc.'s CorPoint: Deposit Manager product.

VeriFone Systems Inc. on Monday unveiled its Paymedia add-on for gas stations to allow them to accept new payment types and to present advertising on the pump's screen.

ChargeSmart, an online consumer bill-pay firm, and Plastic Jungle, an online card exchange, are working together to turn unspent gift cards into a new currency for online bill payment.

Dwolla Corp., an alternative payments provider, is developing technology to help banks cut fraud as they start allowing transactions from mobile devices — and also help them decide which mobile devices are worth investing in to begin with.

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Paychex Inc., a payroll and benefits outsourcer, said Friday that it plans to offer an online resource kit for small-business owners the week of May 16.

Aptys Solutions LLC has launched a tablet-based, paperless invoicing system called aMobile.

To boost spending among affluent cardholders, American Express Co. is joining a nascent trend in e-commerce: deal sites for the elite.

New research by Novantas LLC, Forrester Research and others adds weight to an idea being kicked around in the industry: that mobile may have its limits as a way to entice tech-savvy customers, reduce branch use and cut costs.

The New York card brand said the partnership is a move into online "commerce solutions," planting Amex firmly between affluent shoppers and fashion merchants.

After the mobile purchasing system in the iPhone game Smurfs' Village led Apple Inc. to set new spending restrictions for mobile apps, the game's developer has followed up with further restrictions for the game itself.

Payment terminal makers are planning a cloud-connected point of sale to allow the integration of social couponing and other new functions.

The lack of data standards prevents regulators from obtaining a global view of the underlying positions for valuation in order to detect systemic threats.

PNC's new Money Bar Desktop widget brands the bank as an angel on the shoulder of its customers, an ever-present advocate reminding consumers to spend responsibly.

Michaels Stores said Wednesday that the PIN pad-tampering attack it disclosed last week is far more widespread than it originally believed, affecting at least 90 payment terminals in stores in 20 states.

DeviceFidelity Inc. on Wednesday said it was issued a patent for using near-field communication technology to perform payment and other activities on mobile devices.