Payment processing

Emirates NBD PJSC may sell a partial stake in its credit card-processing unit, according to local media reports, which say the Dubai-based financial group has hired a firm to advise it on the valuation of its Network International LLC subsidiary.

Heartland Payment Systems Inc. experienced more merchant losses during the first quarter compared with previous quarters in part because of sustained economic weakness, the discontinuation of large individual merchants and shoddy management oversight of risk, according to Robert Baldwin, president and chief financial officer of the Princeton, N.J.-based processor.

Hypercom Corp.’s newest point-of-sale products could help the company improve its profit margins, some analysts predict.

Monett, Mo.-based Jack Henry & Associates announced this morning it has agreed to acquire iPay Technologies, the largest independent electronic bill pay provider in the U.S., from venture firms Spectrum Equity Investors and Bain Capital Ventures, for $300 million in cash.

Global Payments Inc. is offering merchants in five new Asian countries the ability to accept China UnionPay cards.

Chantilly, Va.-based Online Resources Corp. Wednesday reported a first quarter loss of $200,000, down from a $1.6 million loss for the same quarter last year.

First-quarter growth in transaction-processing volume and same-store sales reflect strengthening business conditions and contributed to improved quarterly earnings for Heartland Payment Systems Inc., the company announced May 6.

MasterCard Worldwide has promoted Ajay Banga, president and chief operating officer, to chief executive officer, effective July 1. Banga also was named a member of MasterCard’s board of directors. Banga succeeds Joseph W. Selander, who will become executive vice chairman until his retirement on Dec. 31. MasterCard also promoted Alfredo Gangotena to chief marketing officer from global products and solution lead for MasterCard in Europe. Gangotena replaces Lawrence Flanagan, who is retiring.

The passage this week of a Vermont bill to let merchants set minimum amounts for card payments (see story) has refocused retailer groups' attention on similar federal proposals.

David Leppek has an opportunity that many in the ISO and acquiring business encounter infrequently in their careers. He has the chance to design his ISO, Transaction Services LLC, without having to use years old legacy technology.

Citing a desire to remain competitive and drive issuer participation and innovation in its network, Visa Inc. in April increased the interchange rate it applies to purchases switched through its Interlink PIN-debit electronic funds transfer network.

Chantilly, Va.-based electronic biller Online Resource Corp last week announced it was granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a broad range of biller service provider bill payment transactions.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd. has inked a deal to process transactions for Cash Plus Australia Pty Ltd., which operates a network of nonbank ATMs in Australia, the Australia-based bank announced May 3. The Cash Plus network includes 160 ATMs deployed in high-traffic locations in Australia.

Monett, Mo.-based Jack Henry & Associates yesterday reported net income for its fiscal third quarter surged 28%, based on a 19% rise in revenues.Net income for the third quarter was $31.6 million and revenues were $215.5 million.

Inside Contactless is buying the secure microcontroller business from chip maker Atmel Corp., France-based Inside announced today.

Euronet Worldwide Inc., which conducts the majority of its operations outside the United States, last week reported net income of $2.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31. The Leawood, Kan.-based electronic-payments processor reported a net loss of $12.3 million during the same period last year. Revenue totaled $250 million, up 7% from $233.7 million.

The day when the U.S. joins many other large markets globally in converting to EMV chip-and-PIN cards from magnetic stripe versions will not occur any time soon. But it will come eventually, observers predict.

Independent sales organizations may realize such benefits as lower costs and faster sales cycles from using digital signatures and contracts, but they likely will find difficulty adopting a technology not widely used in the payments industry. Potential legal difficulties also exist, and not all processors and sponsor banks may approve of digital contracts, note observers.

Banks are ready to spend more on technology, but concerns over compliance expenses could keep some of them from moving forward soon with major upgrades.

As competition for clients intensifies and margins grow increasingly thin, many independent sales organizations are seeking ways to reduce costs, increase efficiency and stand out from competitors. One method gaining consideration is the use of digital signatures and contracts.