NMI Launches Mobile Processing Solution

Network Merchants Inc. (NMI) has launched a mobile processing module. It is a simple, fast, and secure application for the iPhone/iPad/iTouch to process credit cards anywhere in the world over a cellular or wIFI connection. The mobile processing module will process keyed or swiped transactions using cutting edge hardware encrypted card readers, geo-tag locations on the receipt where the transaction occurs, e-mail receipts, capture digital signatures, and perform partial or full refunds within the transaction history log. Network Merchants, Inc. builds e-commerce payment gateways for companies that process retail and online transactions in real-time anywhere in the world.

Google China, Alipay join forces for online payment

Google China and the Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba have joined forces to enable Chrome users to use Alipay’s digital certificates. Chrome users will be able to connect their Alipay accounts to their online banking usernames and passwords, via Alipay’s “Kuaijie Zhifu” (“Fast Pay”) product, in order to make online payments without the need to log into their banks' websites. Initially, the service was available only for the browsers based on the lE rendering engine, requiring users of Firefox and Chrome to switch browsers or download a plug-in to enable them to use IE from within their preferred browser.

Visa announces 2010 LAC results

Visa's payments volume grew by 23.2% in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region last year reaching $270bn. Payments volume for 2010 grew 24.6% in Brazil and 16.8% in Mexico, with other LAC countries grouped to show a 22.8% growth. This performance is the outcome of a sound global strategy: to migrate cash transactions to VISA global processing network. The new Visa personal payments service eliminates the inefficiencies of cash and checks for payments between individuals through technical enhancements to VisaNet, Visa's global payments processing network, and through the introduction of a new Visa transaction type that allows financial institutions to accept incoming funds.

Amex enters digital arena with Serve and e-wallet

American Express (Amex) has launched digital P2P platform Serve, designed to unify multiple payment options and aimed at cash-led consumers. Consumers can make purchases and P2P payments online via mobile phones and at any merchant that accepts Amex cards. Serve accounts can be funded by a bank account, credit, debit or charge card, or by receiving money from another Serve account. Serve is a payment platform that isn't tied to a single card or mobile operating system. Amex will use Serve to expand into new segments of the market that do not rely on traditional charge and credit cards to manage their day-to-day finances.

Wells Fargo pilots Visa Smart Card Programme

Financial services company wells fargo has chosen to pilot the Visa Smart Card - a card that includes both a magnetic stripe and EMV technology - in a bid to widen its card acceptance worldwide. This will enable both signature and PIN-based verification for its cardholders. The pilot is the industry's first chip programme by a national bank and includes 15,000 wells Fargo consumer credit card customers who travel internationally.