Thursday, December 8, 2011

payD Launches Internet PIN Debit Platform


Shop online with debit card







iAfrica.com  Credit and cheque cards have traditionally been the platform of choice when making online or remote purchases. However, a new patented service called payD allows debit card users to also make remote or online purchases.

Locally developed by Oltio, a JV company owned by Standard Bank (SBK) and MTN, the new payD encryption technology allows debit card users to access the online payment solution by entering their bank issued debit card PIN on their handset or directly on the Internet. The first consumers to benefit are MTN's pre- paid airtime customers.

There has been incredible demand for this service since the launch two months ago. MTN have rolled out the functionality to their pre-paid customer base which allows customers to make pre-paid airtime purchases using their debit card and mobile handset by simply dialling *141*10# and following the prompts.

To date Standard Bank customers have been the major beneficiaries of the MTN Eazi Recharge product. Nearly 100 000 customers have signed on for the service. Standard Bank customers who register for MTN Eazi Recharge can currently get an extra 20% airtime free on their first top-up and all customers are currently getting an extra 10% FREE on all top-ups.

Users of the new payment option will also be able to make e-commerce and m-commerce transactions. In the past, only credit and cheque card holders could make purchases for airline tickets online as an example. Standard Bank has already acquired more than 140 merchants who will be able to offer products and services to customers wanting to make online purchases with their PIN based debit cards.

Sugendhree Reddy, Standard Bank Director of Banking Products says: "Credit cards have become ubiquitous with online purchases. The problem with this is that the convenience and safety that online purchases offer have been confined to customers who have access to a credit card or cheque facility. This has left many consumers out of the online transacting and purchasing loop. Students, vendors and casual workers for instance have the financial means and tools to make online purchases but have been excluded from this fast growing technology due to the fact that they do not have access to a credit card. Those with debit cards are now included by making use of payD."

Currently users of the payD-based payment option have access to products and services that range from online airline tickets sales to accommodation and computer accessories. With the net thrown wide open to more users, Standard Bank expects to see a significant growth in e-commerce transactions in the near future. This as technology, access to the web and a wider choice of payment solutions make it easier to transact.

Join the NFC Revolution Today


Join the Near Field Communication Revolution Today


  

Pledge support. Set a new mobile wallet standard for security, convenience, and affordability!

Think outside the phone!

CHICAGO  /PRNewswire/ -- NFC Data, Inc. is a leader in NFC (Near Field Communication) innovation. Our flagship offering, padloc™ is both an NFC "e-wallet" and POS (Point of Sale Terminal). Fitting neatly on your key chain it completely redefines the mobile wallet experience.  
Learning from Kickstarter, we've launched our own "pre-sale" of our padloc™ mobile wallet. Shipping in February 2012, this limited pre-release is aimed at early adopters, application developers, partners and NFC enthusiasts. General availability of padloc™ begins June 1st, 2012. 
We are the manufacturer and developer. These pre-release padloc™ mobile wallets will come with valuable coupons pre-loaded in our soon to be released tap2sav™ application. 
A great gift for the Holidays! 
For those interested, the pre-sale offering is at www.nfcsocial.com and accepts pledges through January 8th 2012. This is an opportunity for technologists, early adopters, consumers, and merchants to inexpensively get an NFC key fob that turns ANY smartphone, tablet, or PC into an NFC e-wallet and an NFC payment acceptance device. Google has its Google Wallet but with a padloc™ mobile wallet you can join the open source mobile wallet solution revolution today! 
Pre-order a padloc™ mobile wallet for yourself and a friend and transfer money instantly. If you lose your padloc™ mobile wallet don't worry, with our TravelVault™ service we'll replace it for free with all your data intact.
With a padloc™ mobile wallet on your keychain, tethered to your smartphone, you can run ANY NFC app today and read or write NFC tags. Data can be displayed right on the padloc™ or on your phone or PC. The padloc™ has bank level security unlike phones.
About NFC Data: 
NFC Data develops NFC based hardware and software solutions for mobile commerce. Using ISO standards, we design solutions for ourself as well as other companies. NFC Data also publishes a popular blog, www.NFCData.com/blog, devoted to NFC with over 5000 active subscribers. NFC Data, Inc. is a privately held company with offices in ChicagoSeattle, and Hong Kong.
padloc™ is covered under US Patent 6,747,547 and NFC Data has multiple patents pending.
Google is the registered trade and service mark of Google Inc. and Kickstarter is the registered service mark of Kickstarter Inc.
Contact us at info@NFCData.com and visit us at www.NFCData.com
CONTACT:  Ken Mages, 1-312-835-8131, kmages@gmail.com
SOURCE NFC Data, Inc.

Surprise! New Research Shows Retailers Pocketing Savings from Durbin Amendment


Consumers Seeing Red, Not Green, at the Register during Holiday Shopping Season

WASHINGTONDec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers are getting a lump of coal this year from giant retailers. According to new field research released today, at least 76 percent of retailers included in the research have not passed promised savings to consumers, despite already receiving $825 million in windfall profits from the Durbin amendment. Congress justified the Durbin amendment, which established price controls on the cost retailers pay to accept debit cards, in part because of proclamations by retailers that consumers would benefit in the form of lower prices.
But the truth is:
  • Sixteen of 21 retailers visited across the country either raised prices or kept them the same before and after the October 1 implementation of the Durbin amendment, which slashed the price that retailers pay to accept debit cards in half.
  • Overall, customers paid on average 1.7 percent more after implementation. 

"Merchants' empty promises to pass savings on debit card purchases are coming to light," said Trish Wexler, spokeswoman for the Electronic Payments Coalition. "More than two months after the Federal Reserve's rule implementation, customers are actually paying more for the same products – even though retailers are already taking home millions in additional profits. Something is very wrong with this picture."
These findings come just two weeks after the National Retail Federation, National Association of Convenience Stores, and other merchant organizations filed a lawsuit against the Federal Reserve, claiming that they should be paying even less in debit card interchange.  
To collect the data for the field research, 84 shopping trips were performed at 21 stores across the country. A consistent list of products was purchased during four separate shopping trips at each store: one in the final week of September, before the October 1 implementation deadline, and three additional times following implementation. 
After the Federal Reserve's rule implementation, shoppers paid on average:
$1.07 (or 3 percent) more for the same items at Wal-Mart in Boston, Massachusetts
$0.73 (or 2.9 percent) more for the same items at Walgreens in Little Rock, Arkansas
The same price for the same items at Home Depot in Atlanta, Georgia
And these higher prices for customers come as merchants are already seeing millions in additional savings. Heartland Payment Systems, one of the largest merchant payment processing companies, reported that their merchants have already seen $33 million (and counting) in savings. Industry-wide, this translates to $825 million saved since October 1 – just a fraction of the $8 billion merchants expect to take home.
More information, data and a video is available at www.WheresMyDebitDiscount.com.
About the Electronic Payments Coalition
The Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC) includes credit unions, banks, and payment card networks that move electronic payments quickly and securely between millions of merchants and millions of consumers across the globe. EPC's goal is to protect the value, innovation, convenience and competition in today's growing electronic payments system. EPC educates policymakers, consumers and the media on the system's role in economic growth, and the importance of protecting consumer choice and stability for the continued growth of global commerce.

SOURCE Electronic Payments Coalition

Four in Five Consumers Won't Tolerate a Monthly Debit Card Fee


CHICAGODec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers are quickly becoming fed up with banking fees. If your financial institution began charging $2/month for the convenience of having a debit card with your checking account, what would you do? Recent research from Mintel Comperemedia found that only 19% of consumers would pay the fee and continue to use the card, while 56% said they would use another payment method instead.
Not surprisingly, consumer sentiment about bank fees doesn't seem to be subsiding. Almost a quarter of those surveyed (24%) reported that they would switch banks over a $2/month fee. Moreover, 29% of individuals surveyed for a separate study said they had heard of Bank Transfer Day that took place November 5th, 13% actually transferred banks and 8% planned to do so.
"Banks moved customers into new services like debit cards and online banking because they were cheaper and more profitable than cash and checks," says Susan Wolfe, vice president of financial services at Mintel Comperemedia. "They can't now backtrack and charge consumers for things they've been offering for years at no additional cost."
It seems banks aren't getting the hint, as the incidence of free checking accounts has plummeted in recent years. In Q3 2007, 75% of checking acquisition offers mentioned free checking. For the same period in 2011, that number dropped to 29%.
"It's clearly been a tough year for banks, but the answer doesn't lie in charging customers for things that the bank wants them to do anyway—like using their debit card," adds Susan Wolfe. "A better idea would be offering new products and services they wouldn't mind paying extra for: personal financial management tools, coupons and discounts offered through the online banking system, these are untapped markets that customers would respond to, and wouldn't mind being charged for."
Hear more from Susan Wolfe on this topic here.
About Mintel Comperemedia
Mintel Comperemedia provides competitive intelligence for businesses looking to advance and improve their direct marketing strategy. Tracking direct marketing (including mail, email and print advertising) targeted at consumers, small businesses and insurance agents, Mintel Comperemedia offers a unique perspective on everything from banking trends to insurance trends to credit card statistics. For nearly 40 years, Mintel has provided insight into key worldwide trends, leading the industry for consumer, product and media intelligence.

I Love Velvet's U-Holster's Fully Encrypted Software Trumps All Mobile Payment Devices with Its Fully Encrypted and Secure Payment Process


Universal Holster Helps Restore Customer's Trust with the Safest Mobile Payment Method Anywhere
NEW YORK--()--With identify theft and customer trust two of the hottest topics in today's digital marketplace where financial transactions are concerned, I Love Velvet©, the newcomer to the mobile payment industry, is already steps ahead with its U-Holster, which is customized to slide over a tablet, iPhone or a smart phone, the most commonly used consumer electronic devices. Because the U-Holster is always in full view of the customer, it eliminates the disappearing credit card trick, and ensures a safe and secure financial transaction. Issues like security of sensitive information and PIN entry are at the heart of I Love Velvet© innovations.
“This is the only way to ensure ultra security for our consumers, which is thus far missing in Bluetooth and other systems”
"Point-to-point encryption is one of the key attributes that we looked at when developing our new product, the U-Holster," explained Patrick Bouaziz, Chief Visionary Officer and co-founder of I Love Velvet©. "We know already from our market studies that the quickest way is not always the securest way when transferring data via a mobile device. We beat the odds by investing more than half a million dollars in encryption and security in 2011, thus developing the fastest and securest barcode reader ever. All of the customer's sensitive information is encrypted by a one-time encryption key," added Bouaziz.
"Given that credit card fraud is a serious security risk today and an issue that is on everyone's mind," continued Bouaziz, "we set out to create a device that will restore the customer's trust and that establishes a comfort level with customers. The mobility payment market is already growing exponentially and it is our goal to be ahead of the pack."
The U-Holster's integrated pad and screen for PIN entry enables a controlled data flow from the U-Holster using an Apple-certified connector. "This is the only way to ensure ultra security for our consumers, which is thus far missing in Bluetooth and other systems," added Bouaziz, who worked at SAP and Oracle before launching I Love Velvet©. This built-in Apple microchip gives the U-Holster a unique edge over competitors. www.ilovevelvet.com
 

Near Field Communication Forum Welcomes Intel to Board of Directors


Organizations from Building and Automotive, Communications, Fitness Monitoring, Imaging, Smart Cards, and Testing Industries Join Consortium
WAKEFIELD, Mass.--()--The NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association that advances the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, today announced that Intel Corporation, a world leader in computing innovation, has upgraded from Principal to Sponsor level. Sponsor membership is the highest category, and its privileges include a seat on the NFC Forum Board of Directors, which manages the organization.
“Intel's decision to increase its level of involvement with the NFC Forum highlights the rising importance of NFC technology to our members and its value to consumers and businesses around the globe. I'm delighted to welcome Intel to our Board of Directors”
Sponsor members may designate individuals to run for Forum leadership positions, and each Sponsor member may appoint one voting representative to all NFC Forum Committees and Working Groups. Other privileges include proposing Forum initiatives and participating in the NFC Forum testing andcertification program using Sponsors' own in-house test labs.
In addition, the NFC Forum has recently welcomed 10 new Associate, Implementer, and Non-Profit members from across the NFC ecosystem.
New Associate members:
New Implementer members:
New Non-Profit member:
"Intel's decision to increase its level of involvement with the NFC Forum highlights the rising importance of NFC technology to our members and its value to consumers and businesses around the globe. I'm delighted to welcome Intel to our Board of Directors," said Koichi Tagawa, chairman of the NFC Forum. "I extend the same warm welcome to our other new member organizations – representing nine countries and three continents – which will bring their particular expertise to our work and will share the benefits of NFC technology in their local markets."
"Intel believes NFC has great potential to enhance user experiences via simplified and secure device interaction. We are excited to have the opportunity to contribute to its evolution and growth in adoption across multiple platforms," said Ed Agis, Intel representative and new board member of the NFC Forum.
Information about the various membership levels offered by the NFC Forum is available at http://www.nfc-forum.org/join/, and a complete list of members can be found at http://www.nfc-forum.org/member_companies/.
About Near Field Communication Technology
NFC technology makes life easier and more convenient for consumers around the world by making it simpler to make transactions, exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch.
A standards-based connectivity technology, NFC harmonizes today's diverse contactless technologies, enabling current and future solutions in areas such as access control, consumer electronics, healthcare, information collection and exchange, loyalty and coupons, payments, and transport.
NFC technology is supported by the world’s leading communication device manufacturers, semiconductor producers, network operators, IT and services companies, and financial services organizations. NFC is compatible with hundreds of millions of contactless cards and readers already deployed worldwide.
About the NFC Forum
The NFC Forum was launched as a non-profit industry association in 2004 by leading mobile communications, semiconductor, and consumer electronics companies. The Forum’s mission is to advance the use of Near Field Communication technology by developing specifications, ensuring interoperability among devices and services, and educating the market about NFC technology. The Forum’s 160+ global member companies currently are developing specifications for a modular NFC device architecture, and protocols for interoperable data exchange and device-independent service delivery, device discovery, and device capability.
The NFC Forum’s Sponsor members, which hold seats on the Board of Directors, include leading players in key industries around the world. The Sponsor members are: Barclaycard, Broadcom Corporation, INSIDE Secure, Intel, MasterCard Worldwide, Microsoft Corp., NEC, Nokia, NTT DOCOMO, Inc., NXP Semiconductors, Renesas Electronics Corporation, Samsung, Sony Corporation, STMicroelectronics, and Visa Inc.

New Android NFC Smartphone Is First to Integrate AuthenTec’s AES850, the World’s Smallest Fingerprint Matching/Navigation Device


  • NTT docomo “with” series REGZA T-01D integrates AuthenTec AES850 for effortless security
  • AuthenTec enables phone and application lock/unlock and secure NFC mobile payments with the swipe of a finger
MELBOURNE, Fla.--()--AuthenTec (NASDAQ: AUTH), a leading provider of mobile and network security, announced that its AES850 smart fingerprint sensor is now integrated on a new Fujitsu smartphone, the REGZA Phone T-01D Android model now available from NTT DOCOMO, Inc. AuthenTec’s AES850 - the world’s smallest fingerprint matching and navigation device for mobile phones - enhances the features and functionality of the waterproof REGZA Phone T-01D by providing security that locks and unlocks the phone, locks/unlocks user-chosen applications and enhances the speed and security of NFC mobile payments.
“We value our long-term relationship with mobile security leader AuthenTec and are pleased to incorporate their very small but capable sensor into our newest REGZA smartphone where it enhances user convenience and security”
AuthenTec’s AES850 helps improve the speed and security of Osaifu-Keitai™ NFC mobile wallet transactions via fast and highly secure fingerprint authentication on the REGZA Phone T-01D. This helps users conduct quick yet secure mobile wallet transactions via this Android smartphone at more than 500,000 NFC mobile payment terminals in Japan. The REGZA Phone T-01D also incorporates AuthenTec’s DataDefender app, allowing users to lock and unlock favorite Android applications with one swipe of a finger across the AES850 smart sensor.
“We value our long-term relationship with mobile security leader AuthenTec and are pleased to incorporate their very small but capable sensor into our newest REGZA smartphone where it enhances user convenience and security,” said Katsumi Takada, head of Mobile Phone Group of Fujitsu. “We have significantly expanded our smartphone lineup and appreciate the security and NFC expertise that AuthenTec brings to Fujitsu as we launch these mobile platforms inside and outside of Japan.”
“This carries on AuthenTec’s long legacy in enabling effortless security for NFC mobile payment transactions in Japan, home of the world’s first mobile payment systems,” said Art Stewart, AuthenTec Vice President of Smart Sensor Solutions. “Our AES850 waterproof module offers the compact size, symmetry, durability and performance that smartphone makers want, plus effortless security and enhanced usability that enrich the user experience.”
30 Fujitsu phone models have incorporated AuthenTec fingerprint sensors, encompassing many millions of mobile phones beginning with the mova F505i which began shipping in 2003.
The docomo with series REGZA Phone T-01D is a waterproof touchscreen smartphone that offers excellent visual entertainment and combines Toshiba’s image-processing and Fujitsu’s human-centric technologies. Powered by the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS, the T-01D features a 1.2 GHz OMAP 4430 processor, 1 GB of RAM, an HD (720 X 1280 pixel) LCD, 13.1 Megapixel camera with advanced picture taking capabilities, and Toshiba’s Mobile REGZA 5.0 Engine for 720P HD video capture and playback.
Designed using AuthenTec’s 8.68mm by 8.68mm TouchStone™ II package, the AES850 utilizes a high-definition 92 pixel by 8 pixel sensor array to produce outstanding fingerprint image quality at 500 dot-per-inch (DPI) resolution. The ultra-thin 1.0mm LGA package is designed for easy integration into smartphones where it replaces navigation-only devices such as directional pads, trackballs or optical joysticks. It features touch-based cursor and menu navigation for precise cursor control and turbo-scrolling.
AuthenTec offers complete security solutions for handset makers, mobile operators, and rich content providers, including fingerprint sensor hardware, identity management software and embedded security. The Company has shipped more than 15 million fingerprint sensors for use in mobile devices. AuthenTec’s proven embedded security offering includes its DRM Fusion™ Agent for content protection that supports multiple industry standards, and its QuickSec™ Mobile VPN solution tailored specifically for Android and iOS phones and tablets.
Osaifu-Keitai is a trademark or a registered trademark of NTT DOCOMO, INC. in Japan and other countries.
About AuthenTec
AuthenTec solutions address enterprise, consumer and government applications for a growing base of top tier global customers. Already shipped on hundreds of millions of devices, the Company's smart sensor products, software and embedded security solutions are used virtually everywhere, from the PC on your desk to the mobile device in your hand to the server in the cloud. AuthenTec offers developers and users secure and convenient ways to manage today's rapidly evolving digital identities and security needs. For more information, visit authentec.com or follow us at twitter.com/authentecnews.

Oberthur Technologies to Deploy One of the Most Advanced Strong Authentication Solutions for Banca Monte Paschi Belgio

Oberthur Technologies logo
Image via Wikipedia

NANTERRE, France--()--Banca Monte Paschi Belgio, the Belgian branch of the oldest banking group, has selected Oberthur Technologies, the world’s second largest provider of security and identification solutions and services based on smart card technologies, to provide one of the most advanced end-to-end Smart Authentication solutions, certified by MasterCard.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with Banca Monte Paschi Belgio and Oberthur to provide this innovative payment solution. Built in cooperation with NagraID Security, Oberthur Technologies' dual interface Smart Display Card will enable MasterCard customers to offer the full range of remote authentication and information services to consumers.”
Oberthur Technologies’ complete offer comprises the innovative Smart Display Cards, the authentication server and the Access Control Server (ACS) to secure the e-shopping services.
The Smart Display Card is an all-in-one dual interface banking card and a two-factor authentication device equipped with a display and key-pad, all embedded in the ISO card form factor. The Smart Display Card provides an innovative and simple answer to financial institutions willing to improve the overall security of their online services. The authentication server and the ACS provided by Oberthur Technologies will be hosted in one of Oberthur Technologies’ PCI-DSS-certified service centers.
Dino Albanese, Member of Banca Monte Paschi Belgio Executive Committee: “Result of a strong partnership with MasterCard and Oberthur Technologies, we are very proud to offer this unique, innovative, secure and convenient payment solution to our customers.”
Stephane Thiry, Vice President Product Sales Benelux at MasterCard: "We are very pleased to collaborate with Banca Monte Paschi Belgio and Oberthur to provide this innovative payment solution. Built in cooperation with NagraID Security, Oberthur Technologies' dual interface Smart Display Card will enable MasterCard customers to offer the full range of remote authentication and information services to consumers."
Eric Duforest, General Manager Europe at Oberthur Technologies: “We provide a “one-stop-shop”, end-to-end Smart Authentication solution that brings the most cutting edge technologies and innovations to Banca Monte Paschi Belgio customers.”
About Oberthur Technologies
Oberthur Technologies is a world leader in the field of secure technologies: systems development, solutions and services for smart cards (payment cards, SIM cards, access cards, NFC…) and for secure identity documents, traditional and electronic (identity card, passport, health care card). Created in 1984, Oberthur Technologies employs 5,700 employees. With 50 sales offices across 5 continents, Oberthur Technologies’ international network serves clients in 140 countries.
For more information: www.oberthur.com

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