Payments

Delinquencies on bank card payments fell to an 18-year low for the third quarter, and a combined ratio covering late payments in eight loan categories also dropped, the American Bankers Association reported.

Consumer credit originated year-to-date through last September increased nearly 30 percent during the same timeframe in 2011, according to Equifax's latest National Consumer Credit Trends Report.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Friday issued a report that concluded small issuers of debit cards, including credit unions, have been largely unaffected by new rules that have limited interchange.

The FTC issued a report to Congress explaining steps the agency has taken in connection with new rules on debit card transactions that were put in place last year.

ATMs do a lot more now than they did in 2011. They still accept deposits and dispense cash, but today a few also dispense prepaid cards, connect to Facebook, and interact with smartphones. Other types of machines are also treading on ATMs' turf.

Google’s mobile wallet appears to be staggering to the finish line of 2012. After all, it was a year that started with a reported security breach and is ending with speculation that the search-engine giant will add a plastic card to the otherwise entirely digital wallet.

The Google Wallet we see today is a much different product from what we had a year ago. Here are the major changes that took place this year, and the challenges Google faced — and still faces today.

LIVE OAK, Texas – Randolph-Brooks FCU reported it has returned more than $2.9 million to members as part of its Gold Cash Back MasterCard credit cards.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill. – Since the Durbin Amendment rules went into effect last October, banks, thrifts and credit unions with greater than $10 billion in assets will have lost an estimated $5.6 billion in debit card interchange revenue through the end of 2012, according to Moebs $ervices.

U.S. credit card holders continued to pay off their balances at historically strong rates in November, defying predictions that delinquencies would rise as the economy improves and card issuers take on more risk.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Sales of gift cards this holiday season are up 119%, according to The Members Group.

LAKE BLUFF, Ill. – Further evidence that overdraft income is coming back for financial institutions: overdraft revenue crept up in the third quarter of 2012 according to Moebs $ervices.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. and FRANKLIN, Mass. –Well-targeted marketing and incentives are being credited for driving a 201% increase in average monthly spending among credit union members in a “Season of Giving” promotion from CO-OP Financial Services.

Capital One Financial Corp.'s U.S. credit card delinquencies rise in November while international numbers fall.

A new pre-paid card solution offers cardholders a "closed-loop," merchant-specific card, backed by Discover that can be used exclusively at participating merchants such as Macy's and Outback Steakhouse.

The executive shuffle is ramping up at Visa.

Twitter's immense popularity has caught the attention of many established payment companies and entrepreneurs. Several have attempted to turn the microblogging service into a payment channel, but so far there are few success stories.

The Federal Trade Commission shut down an operation, pending trial, that allegedly tricked consumers into paying hundred of dollars based on empty promises of lower credit card interest rates.

TransUnion released its annual forecasts Wednesday on two primary consumer credit variables - credit card and mortgage delinquency rates.

U.S. consumer debt reached an all-time high in October as Americans used their credit cards more often and borrowed more money to attend school and buy cars.