VantageScore Solutions LLC in January will provide U.S. lenders with a major update of its credit-scoring model, this time using an unprecedented number of consumer credit files to more accurately reflect borrower risk following the economic downturn, the company recently announced.

U.S. consumers’ average credit scores stabilized in recent months, as credit card debt fell by 7% through the first 10 months of the year, according to data Credit Karma released Wednesday.

More than half of the nation’s largest financial institutions offer mobile-banking services, which continue to evolve from being an extension of online banking to supporting person-to-person funds transfers and other payment capabilities, according to a new report from First Annapolis Consulting Inc.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University FCU said yesterday it has deployed DigitalPersona Pro software and U.are.U Fingerprint Readers.

U.S. consumers’ average credit card debt fell by 7% through the first 10 months of the year, while average credit scores in recent months stabilized, according to new data Credit Karma released Nov. 10.

A recent partnership involving PaymentVision and PayNearMe Inc. is enabling consumers to use cash to pay for online purchases and bills at 7-Eleven Inc. convenience stores, PaymentVision, a Gaithersburg, Md.-based electronic payment services provider, announced Nov. 8.

Amalgamated Banks of South Africa Ltd. is partnering with card-technology provider Oberthur Technologies to issue a prepaid card supported by MasterCard’s PayPass contactless service.

Dubai eGovernment, Dubai’s authority in charge of civil e-payments, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Arab Emirates Central Bank to expand the scope of its ePay gateway by including more banks, the authority announced earlier this month.

The total number of consumer statute lawsuits filed in the Oct. 16-31 period reached 503, a slight increase from 497 in the first half of October and bringing the month's total to 1,000, according to data from U.S. District Courts.

Bling Nation Ltd. said Tuesday that its mobile contactless payment system will be accepted by the regional grocery chain Brookshire Grocery Co.

Mobile banking provider MShift said yesterday it is partnering with RDM Corp. to provide remote deposit capture over Mshift’s mobile banking applications for the iPhone and Android platforms.

SAN ANTONIO – Security Service FCU and Catapult Systems have introduced a new web site designed to make it easier for the credit union’s members and prospective members to securely compare products, open accounts, apply for loans and conduct online banking.

PALO ALTO, Calif. – Mobile banking provider MShift said yesterday it is partnering with RDM Corp. to provide remote deposit capture over Mshift’s mobile banking applications for the iPhone and Android platforms.

HOUSTON – Cardtronics has signed a multi-year agreement with i-design, the United Kingdom-based provider of the atmAd marketing platform, to bring third-party advertising to Cardtronics’ 30,000 U.S. ATMs.

U.S. consumer borrowing rose in September by the largest amount in two years, thanks to a surge in non-revolving credit such as college loans and auto financing.

Kinecta Federal Credit Union has begun issuing contactless credit cards supported by MasterCard Worldwide’s PayPass service to new and existing members, the financial institution announced Nov. 9.

Culver Franchising System Inc. has become the third retailer to support First Data Corp.’s Facebook e-Gift Application, which enables consumers to provide recipients with a code to use to redeem funds provided as a gift at 426 locations, the fast-food restaurant chain announced Nov. 8.

Fundtech Ltd. has begun offering clients of its PayPlus USA service access to American Express Co.’s FX International Payments services, the global banking-transaction services provider announced Nov. 9.

U.S. households sent at least $11.7 billion abroad through remittances during a 12-month period between 2007 and 2008, and typical amounts sent ranged between $500 and $1,000, the U.S. Census Bureau said in a report released Nov. 8.

With mobile access now widely accepted as a consumer channel, more banks are turning their attention to businesses.