Payment processing

Groupon's push into the payments business continues with an update that brings its mobile card reader to Android phone users.

Cezar Butu of Romania, who pleaded guilty to taking part in hacking terminals at hundreds of U.S. Subway sandwich shops from 2009 to 2011, was sentenced this week to 21 months in prison.

It's been more than two months since Lower Manhattan was engulfed by flood waters from Superstorm Sandy and many merchants are still without the ability to accept credit and debit cards.

Global Payments Inc. has "essentially completed" its data intrusion remediation efforts and will soon have its response to last year's massive breach of merchant and consumer card data reviewed by the major card networks—the final step before it can return to the networks' list of approved PCI-compliant vendors, according to executives of the Atlanta-based merchant processor.

AJB Software Design Inc. plans to announce Friday its participation in the Visa POS Solutions Program (VPSP), which AJB says could allow it to link Visa's digital wallet, V.me, to the point of sale.

Heartland Payment Systems' payroll business got a shot in the arm when the company purchased Ovation Payroll at the end of December, and the payment processor's mobile commerce business stands to also get much bigger because of the acquisition.

Heartland Payment Systems has boosted its payroll services by acquiring Ovation Payroll, a Rochester, N.Y.-based outsourcing company.

Payments and social media have had a rocky relationship. Many companies that have tried to blend the two have failed or been forced to change their business model. Gumroad Inc., a startup founded by a 20-year-old veteran of Pinterest, says it gets it right.

Churches often frown on worshippers bringing mobile phones into services. But they may have a different view if those churchgoers use their phones to make donations to the church.

ICBA Bancard is partnering with the payment processor Vantiv to provide payment services for the Independent Community Bankers of America's member banks.

It's going to be a big year for mobile payments. Now that several mobile wallets are in consumers' hands, the companies behind them are refining their products. What do Apple, Isis, Google, PayPal and others have in mind for the near future?

Google's initial launch of its mobile wallet at a special event in New York last year was a flashy affair meant to showcase every feature and every partnership. Its approach this year is much more low-key, as is that of its rival Apple.

In a Q&A with PaymentsSource, CEO Philip Beck explains how technology can help manage the complexity of international payments and the value proposition it brings to merchant acquirers.

If things are truly bigger in Texas, then mPowa CEO Dan Wagner figures it's a good place for merchants to be able to accept credit card payments via mobile devices in those wide, open spaces.

Many banks have kept hybrid credit and debit cards in testing mode for lengthy periods, suggesting that single cards offering dual payment options are yet to live up to their initial promise—and may never do so. The one exception: Fifth Third Bank, which says its hybrid Duo card has been a success.

With many of its legal questions and organizational issues addressed, the Merchant Customer Exchange has turned its focus to the technology that will drive its mobile commerce initiative.

PayPal signed many new retail partnerships this year, while also building a digital wallet and a handful of plastic cards to complement its online payment system.

2012 began with the abrupt departure of PayPal's president. Upon putting a new leader in place, the eBay unit made many key moves to adapt its operations and its product line to the fast-changing payments market.

As 2012 progressed, one thing became strikingly clear: the card networks do not want to be left behind as new digital payment methods threaten plastic.

After a flurry of activity in the past year and a half to establish itself as a global payments processor, EVO Payments International LLC plans to move into the Spanish market with a proposed acquisition of Banco Popular's merchant acquiring business.