Payment processing

Helped by strong transaction growth across all sectors, transaction processor Euronet Worldwide Inc. reported a healthy increase in third quarter revenue and positive adjusted cash earnings, the transaction processor announced Oct. 26.

CHICAGO–Google Inc., Isis and PayPal Inc. each are attempting to position their mobile wallets as the one consumers will prefer to use on their smartphones.

Banks that stopped issuing credit cards during the recession are showing renewed interest in getting back into the business, signaling a positive trend that could bode well for payments processors next year, contends the top executive at Total Systems Services Inc., or TSYS.

An increase in transaction volume and new accounts fueled a small increase in third quarter revenue for Total Systems Services Inc., or TSYS, the company announced Oct. 25.

Taking mobile payments to new heights, MasterCard Worldwide soon will conduct a test of contactless-based payments at 30,000 feet, enabling passengers to purchase refreshments using its contactless PayPass technology aboard planes from WestJet, a Calgary, Alberta-based airline.

All South Korean point-of-sale terminals now accept China UnionPay cards through a deal with South Korea’s BC Card Co., the companies announced Oct. 21.

Accepting card payments with a mobile phone is becoming as American as baseball and apple pie now that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is selling the Square Inc. reader that turns any smartphone into a card-acceptance device.

Travelex Global Business Payments Inc. is using new software to offer an online payment program designed to save U.S. universities time and money by eliminating manual tracking when various exchange fees cause an international student’s payments to be less than what is owed, the Washington, D.C.-based company announced Oct. 13.

Total Systems Services Inc., or TSYS, has purchased the Vanguard Payment Systems Inc. portfolio of 1,200 merchant accounts, which now will receive service through TSYS Merchant Solutions, the Columbus, Ga.-based payments processor announced Oct. 21.

Google Wallet is riding on an active trend to connect retailer loyalty programs to mobile-payment systems.

Days after South Korea’s card networks agreed to slash the interchange rates they apply to credit card acceptance at small merchants, the Korean government has said that it would strive to unify their rates.

PayPal Inc.’s brand recognition with consumers is helping parent EBay Inc.’s payment unit to position its mobile offerings as the most secure product in the marketplace, eBay’s CEO noted during a conference call to discuss the company’s third quarter earnings.

Helped by a 10% increase in credit card sales from a year earlier as consumer spending accelerated, Alliance Data Systems Corp. on Oct. 20 reported significant increases in third-quarter revenue and income.

CU Business Group, a member business lending credit union service organization owned by eight corporate credit unions, has signed with BankServ to market the company’s mobile remote deposit, mobile banking, remote deposit capture and a variety of payment services to credit union’ business members.

Visa Inc. and MasterCard Worldwide, sued last week by independent ATM operators over ATM fees the operators say violate federal antitrust laws, are the target of two new suits brought by consumers regarding their ATM charges.

Citing strong cardholder spending increases across the board, American Express Co. on Oct. 19 said its U.S. Card Services unit produced income of $733 million during the quarter ended Sept. 30, up 23.2% from $595 million a year earlier.

U.S. Bancorp on Oct. 19 reported positive third-quarter earnings driven by increases in fee-based revenue, including higher payments-related income.

Bank of America Corp. does not fear losing customers because of its controversial $5 monthly debit fee, Brian Moynihan, BofA chief executive officer, told analysts today.

Customers of PT Bank Mandiri and PT Bank Central Asia, two of Indonesia’s largest banks, will be able to access one another’s ATMs beginning next month, the banks announced Oct. 11.

Marketing analysts who say mobile access is the future of loyalty programs with retailers and restaurants are closely watching to see how consumers respond to new mobile apps linking card purchases to rewards credits.