PRWeb.com Press Release Feed - PRWeb Press Release Account Feed http://www.rsspad.com/rss2a/71265.xml PRWeb.com Press Release Feed - Press Releases en xml@emediawire.com xml@emediawire.com 30 New Research Examines the Impact Alternative Debit Payments Are Having on the Market http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/06/prweb2554884.htm Mercator Advisory Grop report reviews the primary alternative debit payment models from the point of view of each of the major stakeholders in the transaction stream, including issuer, merchant, network, and consumer. (PRWeb Jun 22, 2009)

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]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/06/prweb2554884.htm Research Provides Updates on Worldwide EMV Migration: Global EMV Migration and the European Market 2009 http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/06/prweb2554774.htm Report from Mercator Advisory Group provides timely updates on overall EMV migration worldwide. Progress and trends in EMV card issuance and acceptance are also discussed. (PRWeb Jun 21, 2009)

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]]> Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/06/prweb2554774.htm Mercator Advisory Group Appoints Ian Rubin Managing Director of Custom Research & Consulting http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/06/prweb2491764.htm Mercator Advisory Group appoints Ian Rubin to Mercator's senior management team as managing director and vice president of the firm's custom research and consulting group. (PRWeb Jun 5, 2009)

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]]> Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/06/prweb2491764.htm Mercator Advisory Group Announces Primary Consumer Payments Research Series http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2355194.htm Mercator Advisory Group launches primary consumer research tailored to meet the needs of payments industry providers (PRWeb Apr 25, 2009)

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]]> Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2355194.htm New Research by Mercator Advisory Group: Prepaid Card Fraud and Risk Management http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2309934.htm Published discussion of the anti-money laundering (AML) aspect of prepaid risk management is significant, as is that of data security, and Mercator Advisory Group provides commentary surrounding both. However, the relative scarcity of information surrounding fraud in the prepaid space obliges Mercator Advisory Group to focus the majority of this research document on the crucial aspect of fraud management. (PRWeb Apr 10, 2009)

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]]> Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2309934.htm New Research by Mercator Advisory Group Probes Use of Credit to Extend Prepaid Into Financial Services Territory http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2307744.htm The Rise of Hybrid Credit/Prepaid Cards (PRWeb Apr 9, 2009)

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]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2307744.htm Credit Card Issuer Processing: State of the Industry http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2029924.htm This report from Mercator Advisory Group, "Credit Card Issuer Processing: State of the Industry" is a review and discussion of the current state of the credit card processing service bureau industry in the United States. In this study, the major account management service providers to the credit card issuing industry are reviewed, including both traditional service bureaus and agent bank service bureaus. The history of the major players is examined, as are emerging solution providers. (PRWeb Feb 13, 2009)

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]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2029924.htm A Guide to Achieving Greater Prepaid Volume: Six Channels That Drive Prepaid Success http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb1954634.htm This report from Mercator Advisory Group, "A Guide to Achieving Greater Prepaid Volume: Six Channels That Drive Prepaid Success" delivers a in-depth analysis of six different channels utilized by the prepaid industry and then evaluates the impact each channel has on four different prepaid product segments: One Loop Gift Cards, Open Loop General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) cards, Closed Loop Retailer Gift Cards and Closed Loop Online Services prepaid cards typically used to deliver online music, games, and telecommunication services. The six channels evaluated include: 1) Issuer Indirect via Prepaid Mall Distribution; 2) Issuer Indirect through Non-competitive Retail Partners; 3) Issuer Direct via Web Site Distribution (to consumers); 4) Issuer Indirect via Direct Sales to Businesses (for incentives/rebates/gifts); 5) Issuer Indirect via Internet to Businesses (for incentives/rebates/gifts), and; 6) Issuers Indirect via Prepaid Internet Aggregators. (PRWeb Feb 5, 2009)

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]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb1954634.htm Virtual Point-of-Sale: Diving in and Disappearing into the Line of Business Application http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb1940594.htm Mercator Advisory Group is pleased to announce the release of its latest report, Virtual Point-of-Sale: Diving in and Disappearing into the Line of Business Application. Since its inception, browser-based vPOS has helped countless merchants with MOTO and low-volume walk-up sales. It remains a useful approach for small merchants with only occasional need to handle card-based payments. It even has the option of supporting card present sales (PRWeb Feb 1, 2009)

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]]> Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb1940594.htm Social Networking is the New Community Banking: When Will Banks Stake a Claim in Emerging Online Financial Communities? http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1861664.htm The latest report from Mercator Advisory Group's Retail Banking Practice offers examples of new players in the financial services social networking space and provides commentary on their strategies that are working or that could work with the inclusion of additional functionality.In the past two years, a wide variety of social media/networking sites have appeared across the Internet and have been enthusiastically embraced by Web denizens representing a wide range of financial interests. Savers, bill payers, first time home buyers, new families, traumatized investors who refer to their "104-(k)s" and even consumers still interested in buying a boat, a car, or a credit card are all flocking to personal finance social networking sites seeking advice, comradery and community. (PRWeb Jan 15, 2009)

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]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1861664.htm China's Payment Card Market 2008 http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1836554.htm China's payment card market continued to grow at dazzling speed from an already sizable base over the past two years. By September 30, 2008, there were 1.73 billion credit and debit cards in circulation, up 18.8% from a year earlier. By the end of 2008 the number should reach over 1.8 billion, making China by far the largest card market in the world by card numbers. Even though payment cards' share of China's consumer spending still lags behind major developed card markets such as the U.S. and the U.K., there is tremendous upside potential for payment cards in China with the improving card acceptance environment and the growing consumer spending.The latest report from Mercator's International Advisory Service provides an overview on the latest developments in China's payment card market. (PRWeb Jan 9, 2009)

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]]> Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1836554.htm Small Business Credit Card 2008 Update: Issuers and Customers Seek Order amid Chaos http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1836594.htm This report examines recent developments in the highly competitive small business credit card marketplace. Small business credit, charge, and debit purchase volume is approaching an estimated $330 billion annually in the United States, and the market has offered above-average growth for issuers targeting the segment. While the final numbers for 2008 are not in, it has been a challenging year for issuers seeking to maintain control of credit quality, and for small businesses to maintain financial control in the midst of a challenging economic environment. (PRWeb Jan 9, 2009)

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]]> Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1836594.htm Open-Loop Retail Reload Networks: Drivers of Increased Retention or Agents of Churn? http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1743724.htm Although cardholders of reloadable network branded solutions have the ability to reload their prepaid cards at the point-of-sale (POS) today, the various arrangements with the reload networks results in cardholders receiving a multitude of service experiences and impedes the sustained usage of general purpose reloadable products. NEW RESEARCH REPORT BY MERCATOR ADVISORY GROUP (PRWeb Dec 14, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1743724.htm Brave New World Order: The Recent Mega-Mergers, the Economy, and Their Impact on the Payments Industry http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1743584.htm Several of the largest commercial banks in the United States are currently involved in mergers that stand to have a significant impact on the payments industry. The recent merger activity and consumer payment trends are driven by an economy in recession. All of the major key indicators are pointing to a steep recession just in its beginning stages, providing a dramatic backdrop for the mergers. NEW RESEARCH REPORT BY MERCATOR ADVISORY GROUP (PRWeb Dec 14, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1743584.htm P, Broadband and Dial-up Access: Will Cost Savings Close the IP Deal? http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1743644.htm Mercator Advisory Group is pleased to announce the release of its latest report, IP, Broadband and Dial-up Access: Will Cost Savings Close the IP Deal? Remarkably, while broadband access is available to nearly every US worker and advanced IP device configuration is performed by consumers daily on their home Internet and Wi-Fi gear, merchants continue to rely on dedicated telephone lines to transact payments. This new report examines the barriers, drivers and nuances that continue to drive Level 4 Merchants and their ISOs to choose dial-up point of sale terminals in what is an otherwise all Internet Protocol world. (PRWeb Dec 14, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1743644.htm The Japanese Payment Card Market 2008 - New Research Report by Mercator Advisory Group http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1743714.htm With close to 800 million credit and debit cards in circulation at the end of 2007, Japan is one of the countries with the highest payment card penetration. Japanese residents on average have 6.2 credit or debit cards per person, higher than their peers in most card markets around the world including the United States where an average resident has 3.6 cards. However, the usage of these payment cards is quite low compared to their large numbers. An average Japanese resident spent just about $30 (US) on their credit and debit cards in 2007 while the number was close to $180 (US) in the US. As a result, Japan remains a cash-centric society and the payment market opportunities remain largely un-tapped by electronic payments. (PRWeb Dec 14, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1743714.htm Cross Border Payments: U.S. Banks Imperiled by Lagging Deployment of Real Time Gross Settlement Systems http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1744074.htm New Research Report by Mercator Advisory Group (PRWeb Dec 14, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1744074.htm Risk Management in the Corporate Credit Card Market: A Problem Waiting To Be Solved? http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1697244.htm Consumer credit cards were created from the simple idea of "buy now, pay later" and from their humble beginnings in the 1950's to their lofty status in the payment universe today, that basic value proposition has not changed for any stakeholder. In much the same way, business credit cards were created from the simple idea of providing organizations with a convenient, generally accepted method of paying for and tracking company expenses. Since the first commercial credit cards were issued until today, these products have been refined to appeal to specific corporate market segments, including small business (less than100 employees), middle-market commercial (100-500 employees), and corporate commercial (more than 500 employees). Different products, certainly, yet also not so different, in that any credit card account is still a loan. Regardless of the use, a lender is underwriting the purchases made on any credit card and in so doing, accepts a certain level of risk that their money may not be paid back. (PRWeb Dec 4, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1697244.htm ATMs: The Bank Brand Sitting in the Footprint of a Microwave http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1697144.htm This newest report from Mercator Advisory Group's Retail Banking Practice is focused on the ATM and the multifaceted role it plays in the retail banking market. While ATMs are no larger in footprint than a microwave, they are a strong tool for keeping customers connected to their money, and more importantly, to their bank. Automated teller machines in service today far outnumber traditional bank branches, and so can extend the bank's brand well beyond its expensive bank branch system. Technology enhancements, footprint deployment saturation, surcharges/surcharge-free networks and transaction channel optimization are keys to banks leveraging their current and future installed base of ATMs. (PRWeb Dec 4, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1697144.htm Declining Credit Card Growth 2008: A (Leaking) Glass Half Full http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1697314.htm Declining Credit Card Growth 2008: A (Leaking) Glass Half Full (PRWeb Dec 4, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/12/prweb1697314.htm Prepaid Market Forecasts to 2011 http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1648264.htm This latest report, the final of three reports that thoroughly benchmark the entire Prepaid Industry, provides a forecast of growth for all 33 Prepaid Market Segments which includes the load volumes and cards issued. The report finds that the total for load volume across all 33 Prepaid Market Segments, including all Open and Closed Solutions, will reach $362.3 Billion by 2011. The Closed Loop market will represent $237.7 Billion of that total while Network Branded solutions will represent more than half of the entire market at $124.6 Billion. (PRWeb Nov 22, 2008)

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]]> Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1648264.htm Text Messaging and Mobilizing Prepaid Financial Services: You Can't Beat Ubiquity http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1635494.htm This new report examines the critical role text messaging is playing in the mobile financial services and marketing ecosystem, the willingness of consumers to use SMS and the impact of "superphones" like Apple's iPhone and Android-powered handsets. The report includes a review of the complex ecosystem created to connect prepaid mobile and card accountholders to their provider of specific financial service offerings. The fractured nature of mobile-enable financial services is a function of numerous point solutions brought to market from scores of program issuers. (PRWeb Nov 20, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1635494.htm The State and Evolution of the European Acquiring Market http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1635714.htm The European card acquiring market is the second largest regional market in the world with significant upside as consumers increasingly use cards for their daily purchases and emerging card markets continue to grow. However, the acquiring market is fragmented as most countries remain largely separated. Different domestic debit card networks, market and rules, membership requirements, technical standards, fee structures, among other factors, have made it very difficult for acquirers to expand into different countries. The separation of country acquiring markets also doesn't help in creating a big enough market to achieve higher level of economies of scale for pan-European acquirers. There is limited space for non-bank acquirers and ISOs/MSPs to operate in Europe except in a couple of countries such as the U.K., as European banks tend to do all the acquiring businesses in-house. (PRWeb Nov 20, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1635714.htm Fraud to the Left of Me, Risk to the Right http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1635614.htm Problems of merchant fraud and risk management in the acquiring space are nothing new. As merchant card acceptance services organizations within banks grew in the early days of the bankcard industry, either organically or through merger and consolidation, exposure to the various forms of risk associated with acquiring payment card transactions naturally arose. (PRWeb Nov 20, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1635614.htm Financial Supply Chain, Payment Opportunities for Innovative Banks http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1635864.htm Supply chain management has proven to boost business performance and profitability. By making operational adjustments a business can increase their earnings per share as much as 20%. Financial supply chain deals with the business' cash flow up and down the supply chain. Businesses are shifting their attention to inefficient payments processing and adopting new strategies to maximize working capital and speed up cash flow. At each step of a supply chain life cycle there are buy/sell transactions. A manufacturer needs to purchase raw material to produce their product. Their product is a component of a much larger solution purchased directly or indirectly through a distributor. Finally, the finished solution is sold to the end user. Each buy/sell transaction is part of a procurement-to-pay process that affects the buyer's and seller's cash flow. Any disruption potentially slows down the process and affects the entire cycle and impacts cash flow. (PRWeb Nov 20, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1635864.htm Re-examining Debit Rewards at the Top Fifty Banks http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1556644.htm New Research Report by Mercator Advisory Group. Financial institutions are expanding and diversifying debit reward program offerings as more consumers are using debit cards to pay for their everyday purchases than ever before. Forty of the Top Fifty banks currently have at least one reward program in place, and nearly half of these financial institutions offer multiple loyalty programs to debit cardholders. Most debit loyalty programs at top fifty banks only reward signature-based transactions, while a select few reward both signature and PIN based transactions. Most of the reward programs are funded by interchange revenue, which is substantially greater for signature than PIN debit transactions, but significantly less than credit card transactions. As such, most debit reward programs are less lucrative than their credit card counterparts. While traditional airlines, points-based and cash back programs are still common, a number of financial institutions are offering philanthropic rewards whereby cardholders can choose to donate their reward earnings to a cause of their choice. Such programs enable customers to give more painlessly, and allow financial institutions to benefit from tax deductions. Rewards that promote savings and cash back are the most popular, especially since many consumers are facing financial challenges given current unfavorable economic conditions. Banks are increasingly promoting business across product areas and rewarding customers for using multiple services at the same bank. For example, financial institutions are allowing their customers to earn reward points faster from multiple types of accounts with the same back, and redeem them for additional deposit or a reduction in fees. (PRWeb Nov 2, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1556644.htm Credit Card Issuer Fraud Management: From Technology Inside To People Inside http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1555824.htm This report examines the evolving solutions space for issuer fraud management in the credit card industry. Technology-based solutions help issuers to detect fraudulent credit card transactions in near or real time, and have been critical to the containment of issuer fraud losses since introduced in the 1990's. Both outsourcers/processors and card networks serving the industry are also making significant contributions to issuers of all sizes in managing the ever-changing range of fraudulent activities. (PRWeb Nov 2, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1555824.htm Credit Card Rewards Programs 2008: Trends, Challenges, and the Demand of Innovation http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1556374.htm New Research Report by Mercator Advisory Group.United States credit card issuers are facing many challenges today. The weak economy and turmoil in the financial industry are making it harder for issuers to deal with the soaring costs of their reward programs. Rewards have become a key driver of card acquisition, usage, and retention. The pressure from the uncertainty surrounding the disputation and pending bill about interchange fees, which is the main funding source of card rewards, also pose a significant threat to the survival of today's credit card rewards programs. At the same time, consumers' needs and expectations are also changing, calling for credit card issuers to offer more attractive and relevant products and services. Merchants, while pushing for more regulation on interchange fees, also face their own problems to attract and retain customers and encourage spending. All these factors represent challenges as well as opportunities to the credit card industry. (PRWeb Nov 2, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1556374.htm 5th Annual Prepaid Closed-loop Market Assessment http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1556454.htm New Research Report by Mercator Advisory Group.This report is the second of three reports that provides a thorough analysis of the growth and ongoing development of the Prepaid Industry. It documents the spending, growth, and market dynamics for the 23 prepaid segments that directly participate in the closed-loop market. This report provides an overview of spending in each category and delivers details on the dollars loaded in each segment, the growth over the last five years, and the market dynamics that impact each segment. This report is unique in that it clearly defines all 33 segments that make up the total prepaid market and then documents the spend and growth of all 23 closed-loop segments. It delivers a historical perspective on these markets using data that goes back to 2003 - providing the industries only independent and consistent data set measuring the growth and dynamics of the prepaid industry for five years. (PRWeb Nov 2, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1556454.htm Loyalty & Rewards Bank Retention Strategy http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1556774.htm New Research Report by Mercator Advisory Goup.This report from Mercator Advisory Group's Corporate Banking Advisory Service explores loyalty and customer retention from a banking perspective, specifically how and why these principles can be applied to build stronger business banking relationships. (PRWeb Nov 2, 2008)

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]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1556774.htm The ACH Network: The Bedrock of Alternative Payments; New Research Report by Mercator Advisory Group http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1473664.htm The ACH Network began as a low volume network transmitting large recurring transactions between well-established entities; however changes in rules and business models have brought about significant changes in the nature and volume of ACH activity (PRWeb Oct 31, 2008)

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]]> Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1473664.htm Credit Card Rewards Programs 2008: Trends, Challenges, and the Demand of Innovation - New Research Report by Mercator Advisory Group http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1517734.htm United States credit card issuers are facing many challenges today. The weak economy and turmoil in the financial industry are making it harder for issuers to deal with the soaring costs of their reward programs. Rewards have become a key driver of card acquisition, usage, and retention. The pressure from the uncertainty surrounding the disputation and pending bill about interchange fees, which is the main funding source of card rewards, also pose a significant threat to the survival of today's credit card rewards programs. At the same time, consumers' needs and expectations are also changing, calling for credit card issuers to offer more attractive and relevant products and services. Merchants, while pushing for more regulation on interchange fees, also face their own problems to attract and retain customers and encourage spending. All these factors represent challenges as well as opportunities to the credit card industry. (PRWeb Oct 25, 2008)

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]]> Sat, 25 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1517734.htm Credit Card Issuer Fraud Management: From Technology Inside To People Inside http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1507254.htm This report examines the evolving solutions space for issuer fraud management in the credit card industry. Technology-based solutions help issuers to detect fraudulent credit card transactions in near or real time, and have been critical to the containment of issuer fraud losses since introduced in the 1990's. Both outsourcers/processors and card networks serving the industry are also making significant contributions to issuers of all sizes in managing the ever-changing range of fraudulent activities. (PRWeb Oct 23, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1507254.htm Electronic Bill Pay: Niche Opportunities Still Abound http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1376914.htm This newest report from Mercator Advisory Group's Retail Banking Practice outlines the opportunities within electronic bill pay that continue to arise as new technologies, new networks and new marketing creates an overlay of bill payment services (from both consolidators and billers) and mutable consumer needs. (PRWeb Sep 25, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1376914.htm Merchant Funded Discount Networks: Adding to the Payments Value Chain http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1354924.htm New Research Report By Mercator Advisory Group (PRWeb Sep 20, 2008)

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]]> Sat, 20 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1354924.htm Remote Deposit Capture Supplier Review http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1257724.htm This report provides a primer on Remote Deposit Capture (RDC). It reviews the state of the industry, the impact of RDC on check processing trends, and provides an overview for 10 RDC service suppliers. (PRWeb Sep 4, 2008)

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]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1257724.htm Retail Credit Cards: New Interest In An Old Topic http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1260684.htm New Research Report By Mercator Advisory Group. This report examines the venerable world of private label and co-branded retailer credit cards, and the market forces that are shaping this segment. The vast majority of retailers have turned their programs over to third party issuers, but these retailers' interest in payments as a sales enabler and relationship building tools have never been higher. And with more payment vehicles and providers at their disposal, retailers increasingly focus on developing their optimal payments strategy. (PRWeb Sep 3, 2008)

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]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1260684.htm 5th Annual Network Branded Prepaid Market Assessment Measuring the Phenomenal Growth of the Open Prepaid Industry http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1257694.htm The assessment is the first in the Mercator Advisory Group's annual series of three reports that provides a thorough analysis of the growth and development of the Prepaid Industry. It benchmarks the spending, growth, and market dynamics for all Network Branded Prepaid Solutions. This includes a review of the dollars loaded on Network Branded Prepaid products in 22 different market segments, up one segment from last year's 21 segments. As before, we have measure load for Travel, Events & Meetings, Employee & Partner Incentives, Consumer Incentives, Relocation Card, Campus, In-Store Gift Cards, Distributed In-Store Gift Cards, TANF, Court Ordered Payments, Transit (Tolls & Light Rail), State Unemployment, Insurance, Payroll Benefits, FSA/HSA Tax Deferred Programs, and Purchasing, and this year we have added the Social Security segment. (PRWeb Sep 2, 2008)

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]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1257694.htm Self-Service Kiosks, Bill Pay and Getting It Right http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/08/prweb1260584.htm Mercator Advisory Group is pleased to announce the release of its latest report, "Self-Service Kiosks, Bill Pay and Getting It Right. For C-level and operational leadership of financial institutions and operators of financial services for underserved markets, this new report reviews the self-service kiosk market, its role in bill payments and the operational considerations when employing these devices. (PRWeb Aug 30, 2008)

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]]> Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/08/prweb1260584.htm Driving Consumers toward Mobile Money Services: Lessons from South Africa, the Philippines, and Kenya http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/08/prweb1257604.htm In many developing economies, more citizens own mobile phones than own traditional bank accounts. There are a variety of reasons why a large number of consumers remain unbanked, including affordability and accessibility limitations. However, some financial service providers and mobile operators are leveraging mobile technology to increase access to formal financial services, particularly to low-income and underserved consumers. Such mobile phone-based money services include person-to-person funds transfer, prepaid airtime purchases, prepaid electricity purchases, utility bill payment, remittance transmittal, and other functions. These mobile money services do not require new technology infrastructures or their costs, but can be employed using existing technologies in a new application. For example, in the Philippines and Kenya, short message system (SMS) is used for a variety of financial transactions. SMS can be used in rural areas with limited data coverage, with most account types, prepaid and postpaid, and with most mobile handsets, even low-end and basic models. (PRWeb Aug 29, 2008)

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