Payments

SAN FRANCISCO-Payment cards are becoming more versatile. Instead of charging purchases to a single account, cards that can access multiple sources of funding, or even do more than simply initiate transactions, are starting to catch on.

MECHANICSBURG, Penn.-To help members battle high healthcare costs, AmeriChoice FCU is handing out the RxCut Plus Card, which reduces prices for prescriptions, laboratory tests, and diagnostic medical imaging.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.-All of the communication around Reg E may be drawing more attention to debit and boosting debit volume.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Outstanding credit card balances among credit union members grew during the second quarter, according to analysis by AssetExchange.

MADISON, Wis. -- Debit cards continue to garner a higher share in consumer payment mix according to research from the Filene Institute.

BOSTON -- The prepaid debit and payroll card industry is emerging as a formidable force in U.S. consumer financial services, according to a report from Aite Group.

Oxigen Services Pvt. Ltd. has signed a service agreement with Luup International Ltd. to launch mobile-payment services in India, Luup International announced Oct. 29.

Apple Inc.'s iPhone payments system is coming closer to reality.

More than half a year after the centerpiece protections of a sweeping overhaul of credit card regulation took effect, portfolio yields appear to have stabilized at their highest levels in two decades.

U.S. credit card defaults fell in September to a two-and-a-half-year low, continuing a downward trend as the economy heals, according to Fitch Ratings.

Jack Henry & Associates Inc. and its competitors say there is high interest in offering new consumer technologies such as mobile remote deposit capture and mobile banking in general.

The outcome of today's Election Day results could have meaningful implications for the card industry, including affecting the odds of credit card interchange legislation emerging next year, analysts at New York-based equity firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said in a report released Monday.

TCL Corp., a China-based mobile-phone manufacturer, has inked a deal with China UnionPay in which the companies will provide mobile handsets that support payment functions, the companies announced earlier this month.

AT&T Inc. has signed partnership agreements with three mobile-payment companies that enable its wireless customers to charge online purchases for such digital content as games and music directly to their mobile-phone bills.

Apple Inc.’s MFi licensing program for devices designed to work with mobile Apple products has certified Blue Bamboo’s P25-M mobile printer and card reader, the China-based point-of-sale terminal maker announced Oct. 29.

Visa Inc. said it is prepared to confront alternative and mobile payments head on.

Charge-off rates on outstanding receivables for the six largest credit card issuers in the United States declined during the third quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with the same period last year, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

SAN FRANCISCO – Visa Inc. yesterday reported its four-quarter earnings soared by 51%, to $774 million, as consumers used cards carrying its brand more and transaction processing revenue rose.

American Express Co. this week signaled its eagerness to tap into new mobile and prepaid payment technologies that will include “debit-like” products, but one analyst says AmEx has far to go before it catches up with competitors’ mobile-payments momentum.

Overnight, the young mobile payment company Bling Nation Ltd. became visible to 4 million smartphone users.