DES MOINES -- Online payments service Dwolla released a new feature called Instant that gives users access to cash instantly, avoiding the two- to three-day waiting period for transfer of funds.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Member Service Solutions LLC plans to launch the first affordable credit union mobile app solution for the new Kindle Fire electronic tablet.

Verizon Wireless’s decision to prevent Google from providing its Wallet mobile payment app on the new Galaxy Nexus smart phone, has not gone unnoticed in Washington.

In the evolution of Near Field Communication-based mobile payment technology, 2011 was a big leap forward for NFC handset distribution. But experts are stopping short of calling it an unqualified watershed year in NFC development.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Genisys CU has installed 11 new Diebold Deposit Automation ATMs, allowing members and non-members the ability of depositing checks and cash without using an envelope.

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. – United Nations FCU has selected TRC Interactive to provide its staff with web-based training via its TellerSolutionsOnline.

Banks have been much maligned for nickel-and-diming their customers, but in another area–cardholder fraud protections–they are being praised as consumer champions.

Persuading consumers and merchants to shun the traditional way to pay and accept payment for goods and services using plastic remains Dwolla Corp.’s chief goal. But the company also is working to plug some holes in its service.

Mobile wallets have turned into vital payment tools for consumers in many African nations thanks to M-Pesa. Hoping to take advantage of this trend, Western Union Co. is expanding its mobile funds-transfer service to Tanzania to accommodate users who also subscribe to Vodacom’s M-Pesa mobile wallet.

Mobile wallets have turned into vital payment tools for consumers in many African nations thanks to M-Pesa. Hoping to take advantage of this trend, Western Union Co. is expanding its mobile funds-transfer service to Tanzania to accommodate users who also subscribe to Vodacom’s M-Pesa mobile wallet.

Someday, such a thing as an alternative payment no longer may exist.

A year ago, banks expressed an interest in mobile banking and payments during discussions with Fiserv Inc. This year, those that have not already made a real play to support the technology appear ready to do so, Fiserv says.

Fewer U.S. homes entered the foreclosure process in November, reflecting a seasonal slowdown in overall activity by lenders and mortgage servicers.

VIENNA, Va. – Navy FCU has implemented the latest release of the Verint System’s Vovici Enterprise Feedback Management solution.

Visa Inc. may be preparing to debut its ties to Google Inc.’s Google Wallet mobile-payments scheme in London at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, sources suggest.

Google Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. are just starting to rev up their marketing engines for their daily-deal services. Groupon Inc. and LivingSocial are the mainstays for now, but all four companies soon will face competition from PayPal Inc.

Various technology and banking analysts have identified mobile banking as a hot area for new and expanded information-technology investment, with Ovum and Celent, for example, both placing mobile high on their list of bank IT priorities for the next year.

MODESTO, Calif. – Valley First CU has signed with VINtek to implement the company’s electronic lien and title services to manage its automotive titles.

TUKWILA, Wash. – BECU said yesterday it is discontinuing its mobile banking apps for Android and Blackberry smartphones at the end of this month as it transitions to a new third-party vendor.

Direct-to-carrier billers believe they have a calling, especially among consumers wanting to make secure small-ticket transactions.