PLEASANTON, Calif.-SafeAmerica CU here couldn't say "no" to a new, state-of-the-art Internet telephone suite-after all, it's hard to beat the cost.

AUSTIN, Texas-As members begin to use powerful new "Do Not Track" privacy tools at Internet banking sites, not everyone is perfectly clear on how credit unions will verify member identity.

LINDEN, N.J. – Integrated Media Management, the maker of the popular TotaleAtlas suite of document automation services, announced this morning it has acquired DocuStep, an Edgewater, N.J.-based company specializing in the automation of electronic and paper-based workflow processes. IMM said it will immediately add the functionality afforded by DocuStep’s FormSpeed product, a Web-based workflow productivity tool for credit unions and banks that collects information and effectively routes forms through their proper channel to assure that the document process is completed correctly. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. IMM will market FormSpeed independently as a standalone add-on product, with plans to also integrate its functionality into the DocQ feature of TotaleAtlas, the company’s proprietary browser-based document presentment application. FormSpeed electronically streamlines financial institutions’ document workflow, which has historically been manual and paper-based, to minimize data entry errors, enforce data population and validate data integrity. The intelligent Wizard-based screens also help remove operational bottlenecks and missed steps in a given process. Merging this workflow into DocQ will enable TotaleAtlas users to benefit from the same efficiencies and be assured that each phase of the document process is fulfilled.

While many bankers expect Apple Inc. to help bring mobile payments into the mainstream by developing its own system for the iPhone, the consumer electronics giant could also have the same effect with its advertisements.

Zong Inc. said March 17 that its mobile carrier billing service is now available for video game consoles, interactive television services, mobile websites and other channels.

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger's office announced an agreement Thursday that shuts down Eugene, Ore.-based law firm McGavic & Finney PC, which was the subject of dozens of complaints about its collection practices. In addition to closing down the firm, the settlement requires founding partner Derrick E. McGavic to pay $70,000 and surrender his license to practice law.

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corp. on March 16 launched a prototype of the contactless smart card the subway network for the Indian city of Bengaluru will use starting Apr 4, a spokesperson for the agency tells PaymentsSource.

The National Payments Corp. of India has informed banks that it will charge remitting institutions 0.1 rupees (0.002 U.S. cents or 0.0015 euros) for every mobile transaction that flows through the interbank funds-transfer service it launched last year, the company announced March 14.

Many small businesses that do not use mobile bill-payment services are unlikely to use them in the near future, new survey data suggest.

Visa Inc. is making a bigger play in person-to-person payments by teaming with CashEdge Inc. and Fiserv Inc. for new options in money transfers to and from Visa cards.

Federal Bank Ltd. has become the latest bank to join the interbank funds-transfer service the National Payments Corp. of India launched last year, a spokesperson for the Kochi-based bank tells PaymentsSource.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Credit Union 24 has selected NitroSecurity’s NitroView SIEM, Log Management, Database Activity Monitoring and Application Data Monitoring solutions to strengthen its corporate security strategy, and demonstrate compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.

TUKWILA, Wash. – BECU said it has implemented UC4’s One Automation Version 9, which allows enterprises to deploy, manage and extend automation technology across the enterprise.

“The Board of Directors determined that the completion of a transaction on acceptable terms was unlikely at this time and that the best course of action to achieve the highest shareholder value is to continue to aggressively pursue our long-term strategic growth plan,” said Joseph Cowan, president and chief executive officer of Online Resources. “We have identified clear objectives to re-focus and maximize our technology, products and organizational structure to drive revenue and earnings growth. We are bullish about the opportunities that lie ahead for Online Resources.” The company’s shares surged almost 50% January 21 after Online Resources disclosed it was evaluating unsolicited merger offers. No suitors were ever identified but industry experts said the most likely candidates were Fiserv, Jack Henry & Associates and Western Union. Meantime, Online Resources reported a $2 million loss for its fourth quarter, and a $4.2 million loss for its fiscal year. Fourth quarter revenues slid 1% to $37.8 million, while fiscal year revenues declined almost 2% to $149.5 million.CHANTILLY, Va. – Online Resources Corp. said this afternoon it has rejected potential takeover offers and will go it alone for the foreseeable future.

PayPal Inc. has paid LML Patent Corp., a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of LML Payment Systems Inc., $7.5 million to settle a patent dispute that stemmed from an infringement complaint involving 19 other financial institutions, LML announced in a press release.

Google Inc.’s interest in Near Field Communication technology might be more about advertising than establishing its own payments network, observes one analyst.

American Express Co. cardholders borrowed less on using their cards in February compared with the two previous months, AmEx reported in a March 15 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

International energy company National Grid PLC has begun offering electronic bills to its U.S. customers through Fiserv Inc.’s e-Bill Distribution system, the companies announced March 14.

Apple Inc. boasts that its iPhone “changes everything,” but against the expectations of many bankers, it may not be changing payments–at least, not this year.

Younger credit cardholders are more likely than the general population to apply for a new card in the next year, new survey data from Auriemma Consulting Group suggest.