Decoupled Debit has been billed by Mercator Advisory Group as “a possibly disruptive technology in the financial services industry.”

It is a new ACH debit card solution that uses both the ACH network and branded payment networks such as Visa. Decoupled Debit allows intermediate service providers to “step into the middle” of the transaction between the member and the credit union that has the member’s checking account. The “decoupling” of the declining deposit account (DDA) and the financial institution card issuer allows a service provider to offer his own debit card and capture the interchange income from card transactions which would have gone to the credit union.
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A backup tape containing credit card information from 230+ U.S. retailers on over 650,000 retail customers is missing, forcing retailers to warn their customers that they may become the targets of data fraud. The tapes were lost at GE Money, which manages in-store credit card programs for U.S. retailers.

GE Money said it first realized that a tape was missing from an Iron Mountain secure storage facility in October. The missing backup tape was unencrypted, and contained Social Security numbers of 150,000 customers. When matched with name and address information, Social Security numbers can be used to set up fraudulent credit card accounts, a common form of identity theft.

To date, GE maintains that there is no evidence that the tape in question has been stolen or that the data it contained was misused.

Member Access Pacific has launched a new Website (www.maprepaids.com) to complement their recently rebranded corporate home page at www.mapacific.com. The new site focuses on MAP’s sizable array of prepaid card products and business solutions.

“The new site offers one-stop shopping and concise, organized information about our most popular products and services,” said Cyndie Martini, MAP President and CEO. “We have also been redefining MAP’s brand, and what we want it to convey to the market and to our clients. Part of our brand promise is our ability to deliver quality card products and services that are easily implemented and communicated. We accomplish this with Websites that take clients directly to the heart of our products and services.”

Both of MAP’s Websites have been upgraded with intuitive navigation, clear information and updates from the latest industry news. Credit unions, corporations and card services resellers can visit www.maprepaids.com for dozens of prepaid solutions and ideas, including employee incentives, payroll solutions, gift card ideas and more. The enhancements are part of a larger technology push at MAP, which includes the rollout of a new teleconferencing training site through WebEx. “WebEx offers one of the most robust online teleconferencing platforms in the industry,” said Cyndie Martini. “Our new Teleconferencing services enhance our ongoing commitment to Member training and education. Pre-recorded modules for Member viewing convenience and live, interactive sessions with an expert will be available.” Customers will find a number of training resources and learning channels offered at both Websites as part of MAP’s commitment to providing flexible, easily implemented solutions.

“As prepaid cards continue to grow and take a more commanding position in the financial services marketplace, MAP is well prepared to help clients meet the increased demand. Credit unions and other companies come to MAP for our premium, hassle-free solutions because we are a familiar face and a trusted leader in both the prepaid card business and card processing industry.”

More ATM manufacturers are equipping ATMs with software deployment services that allow financial institutions to remotely install Microsoft Windows security patches to ATM machines in the field. This eliminates the need for someone to physically go out to each ATM to upgrade it with the latest software fixes for security vulnerabilities in the operating system. The initiative comes at a time when continued security threats and hacks are being launched on Windows and other operating systems. Diebold Senior VP Chuck Ducey said that automatic deployment of security fixes to ATM software addresses both security and compliance issues, and also reduces the cost of software-related servicing.

The credit card industry is tapping the “green” market. GE, Bank of America. Wells Fargo and Brighter Planet all have new environmentally friendly credit cards on the market or in the works. More issuers are likely to follow.

The green credit cards come in the form of affinity cards that donate a portion of consumer purchases (typically 1 percent through a rewards program) to a green cause. Sometimes the consumer gets to choose the specific cause, but most often the funds go to a general fund from which contributions are made to a variety of green causes of the affiliate company’s choosing.

Young consumers in particular are using the Internet to locate green causes that appeal to them. These consumers want to feel that the green causes they support are effective.

While green cards are popular, there is also a downside. The green credit card interest rate is about one percent higher than it is on other credit cards.

Member Access Pacific has redesigned its parent Website (www.mapacific.com), adding more quality content and efficient navigation. The updated logo and overall aesthetic reflect the company’s expanded presence and the global reach of affordably priced, cutting edge card processing solutions.

“The makeover was in response to our clients and online visitors. We have brought forward the most popular products like prepaid gift cards, and added more features and content,” said Cyndie Martini, MAP President and CEO. “We have also been redefining MAP’s brand, and what we want it to convey to the market and to our clients. Part of our brand promise is our ability to deliver best-of-class card products and services that are easily implemented and communicated. We accomplish this with Websites that take clients directly to the heart of our products and services.”

The new MAP brand identity is all about greater access. This commitment to broader global access and increased flexibility is embodied in MAP’s new slogan, “Access the World.” The new Websites deliver more graphics, options, news and ease of navigation. Visitors can also stop by for the latest industry information, and for custom articles that present tips and best practices.

The enhancements are part of a larger technology push at MAP, which includes the rollout of a new teleconferencing training site called WebEx. “WebEx offers one of the most robust online teleconferencing platforms in the industry,” said Cyndie Martini. “Our new Teleconferencing services enhance our ongoing commitment to Member training and education. Pre-recorded modules for Member viewing convenience and live, interactive sessions with an expert will be available.” Customers will find a number of training resources and learning channels offered at both Websites as part of MAP’s commitment to providing flexible, easily implemented solutions.

Diebold has introduced bulk deposit automation technology to its ATMs. The new technology facilitates the receipt and processing of checks and bill payment documents in bulk. Bulk deposit technology also accepts and magnetically reads checks inserted in any orientation—even upside down—through an insertion slot placed identically on all of the ATMs. Bulk document paper-handling can process crumpled, curled and creased checks.

Member Access Pacific recently completed a new Website (mapacific.webex.com) on WebEx, an online training conferencing platform.

WebEx offers one of the premier training teleconferencing sites in the industry.

“Our goal for the new WebEx MAP Website is to create more training teleconferencing opportunities for MAP and its members,” said Sandy Jenkins, MAP’s Vice President of Training. “Teleconferencing can reduce travel time and costs, and will make the training very convenient for our members.”

Jenkins said that MAP planned to initiate more teleconferencing training session with members in 2008, and had also planned to place prerecorded training on the MAP WebEx Website for member access and use.

Major technology investments are being made by communications and ATM manufacturers in the area of mobile phone banking. The goal is to create a seamless, secure and intuitive banking environment for individuals and businesses that wish to conduct their financial transactions from their cell phones or mobile devices. Development is also underway for “multi-touch, multi-user” technology that allows users to interact with touchscreen technology on a coffee table-like surface, with multiple touchpoints and interaction abilities.

New market research is out on how consumers are using ATMs, with some interesting differences between various age group segments:
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