Credit

The Islamic banking division of Qatar National Bank has launched Qatar’s first Shariah-compliant platinum credit, the Doha-based bank announced July 6.

Vietnam Eximbank has begun acquiring merchants in Vietnam for acceptance of cards issued by Japan-based JCB International under an agreement the two companies signed last fall, according to JCB.

Nxgen Payment Services, a Whitefish, Mont.-based merchant-service provider for Elavon Global Payment Services, and wholesale roofing distributor ABC Supply Co. Inc., on July 7 announced an expanded merchant-processing relationship in conjunction with ABC Supply’s recent acquisition of Bradco Supply Corp.

Delinquencies on home equity loans and credit cards reportedly declined in the first quarter for the first time since 2008, according to data collected by the American Bankers Association.

MasterCard Inc. announced a free application for Apple Inc.'s iPhone that lets users track special deals offered through the payments network's online shopping portal, MasterCard MarketPlace.

As credit card issuers retool their offerings to cope with new industry regulations and a more-cautious consumer mood following the recession, Barclaycard US hopes to succeed by bucking a few key trends.

An unnamed quick-serve restaurant chain is testing Apple Inc.’s iPad portable computer as a customer-facing ordering and payment device, according to OrderTalk Inc., which makes online ordering systems for restaurants.

More than half of all Delhi Metro riders now use the agency’s prepaid contactless transit smart card, a spokesperson for the Delhi Metro Rail Corp. tells PaymentsSource.

RHB Bank Bhd. expects to add almost 500,000 credit cardholders this year through a promotional campaign that targets shoppers, an official from the Malaysia-based issuer tells PaymentsSource.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Ltd has teamed with Etihad Airways Ltd, the national airlines of the United Arab Emierates, to launch a cobranded Visa credit card, the Abu Dhabi-based bank recently announced.

Korea Post, the national postal carrier of South Korea, may enter the country's credit card market as early as next year, a top official for the country’s postal service said during a June 30 press conference.

U.S. Bankcard Services Inc., an Industry, Calif.-based independent sales organization, has added China UnionPay card acceptance to its list of merchant services.

Fifth Third Bancorp said July 7 its Fifth Third Processing Solutions LLC unit has acquired the assets of credit union processor TNB Card Services from credit union-owned Town North Bank of Dallas.

Some card companies use sports sponsorships to generate loyalty among cardholders, but they also are good vehicles to try out new products, one consultant contends.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corp. has teamed with Delhi Cycles Pvt. Ltd. to launch a service to enable commuters in Delhi to use reloadable smart cards to rent bicycles at some of its stations, an official from the Delhi metro operator tells PaymentsSource.

Indian consumers in April generated higher credit card sales while increasing their card use compared with the same month last year, according to India’s central bank.

Visa Inc. has formed a partnership with McDonald’s Corp. in which users of Visa cards will receive free food or other prizes when buying Value Meals at the fast-food giant, the card brand last week announced.

Jack Henry & Associates Inc. said Friday that the president of its Symitar division, which serves credit unions, would step down in October.

Two new e-wallet services from Visa Inc. are aimed at making the payments company the focus of online shopping — even if a Visa card is not.

After the financial crisis forced them to retrench, credit card issuers are again on the hunt for new customers.