Mobile payments

As a consortium of banks and mobile networks in New Zealand puts the finishing touches on its mobile wallet system, the group chose a technology "hub" model to ensure that it can adapt to the fast-changing movements in the payments industry.

Video tellers are being touted as a way for banks to increase efficiencies and cut costs while also giving customers the human interaction they desire, but some argue that speed is more important than seeing a friendly face.

Though Amazon.com's Fire Phone sputtered out as soon as it launched, the company has built a solid foundation in mobile payments that will fuel its next big moves in 2015.

General Motors has unveiled a feature, called AtYourService, to complement its OnStar in-car assistance service by providing retail-oriented features to drivers.

The tech consultancy firm FIME, based in Antony, France, has been qualified as a near field communication certification tester in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Apple Pay has already achieved the cool factor with its innovative payment system and convenience factor.

Person-to-person payment services haven't always fared well, but a year-old French startup, Flooz, thinks a P2P app can succeed in its home country if it has the right interface — and steep social barrier to entry.

Mobile operators in Taiwan now support the nation's largest mobile commerce platform, which enables Near Field Communication mobile payments.

The payments industry is quickly adapting to new technology, new regulations and new consumer demands. Here are 15 of the industry's major transformations already in progress.

Many companies are trying to harness technology to modernize the U.S. payments system, but startups and incumbents alike forget about certain stakeholders in the industry's massive value chain.

To say the Softcard mobile wallet had an interesting year would be an understatement. By the end of 2014, it had a new name and a new competitor: the formidable Apple Pay.

Capital One plans to take advantage of two major marketing initiatives — its support of Apple Pay and sponsorship of the Orange Bowl – to give its bank-branded mobile wallet a boost.

As new technology such as Apple Pay spark fresh interest in using smartphones for payments, many card issuers are striving to make the most of this enthusiasm. But for banks, the end goal isn't the point of sale.

When you are a company that started out 125 years ago as National Cash Register, you've had to reinvent yourself a few times.

The City of New York intends to develop mobile payment options for those paying fines for parking violations.

Chevron Oil Co. is planning to support Apple Pay at its gas pumps in early 2015, despite longstanding fears among consumers that using a cell phone while fueling is a fire hazard.

Apple Pay's October debut was arguably the biggest story in mobile payments in 2014. But it's only the prologue of a larger conflict set to heat up in the year ahead.

Square is committed to its diversification strategy, furthering its transformation from a simple mobile point of sale provider to a company that also handles small-business loans, marketing and e-commerce.

2014 was a big year for payments. Disruption came from within the financial services industry and from outsiders like Apple and Walmart. Mainstream payment companies had to respond to these new competitors as well as adapt to fresh attention from regulators and fraudsters.

Huntington National Bank in Columbus, Ohio, has announced plans to support Apple Pay.