Mobile payments

Most credit unions lack the resource heft of the larger banks that are pursuing their own mobile payment projects, but they aren't left empty-handed.

Wirecard's Indonesian arm has partnered with local financial technology firms to integrate a Near Field Communication-powered mobile wallet, TCASH, into its global network.

Apple Inc. is reportedly working with Boku to bring a carrier billing option to iTunes users in Russia.

One of Europe's newest digital wallet initiatives is relying on technology that sidesteps carriers, another blow to an industry that's suffered greatly in its attempts to gain share of the mobile payments market.

The mobile wallet is still a niche product, but many companies worldwide made big strides in bringing secure payments to handheld devices. Some of the most groundbreaking changes happened just in the past year.

Mobile wallet and commerce provider Mozido continues to spread its wings with the launch of contactless payment capabilities for TWallet users in Indonesia.

While Apple Pay has been received favorably since its launch last year, Google was technically the first mobile payments system on the block with their since re-branded Google Wallet. Android Pay is their latest foray into mobile payments and Google is set to drive agenda forward with significant advantages in adoption, capability, and compatibility.

Krispy Kreme's new payment and loyalty app is betting big on customers' appetite for donating to charity.

Despite being widely encouraged to do so, most banks have not rushed to build their own mobile wallets to maintain their brand identities while complementing the capabilities of existing payment apps.

Innovation and flexibility aren’t attributes often associated with public transportation. But by deploying cutting edge open payment ticketing technologies, transit operators can give their customers greater flexibility and create a more engaging transit network.