MAP is offering semi-annual trainings and workshops for its clients named the “MAP Solutions Series.” Twice-a-year MAP offers no-cost, one-day workshops for its clients focused on new products and other special program areas that clients have identified for more training. MAP continues to offer regular online training, but as Sandy Jenkins, Vice President of Training, explains, the MAP Solutions Series will offer a special opportunity for in-depth learning.

“Many times our clients need more than one- to two-hour webinars for training and evaluation, “ she said. “This is especially true when they are planning or considering new products to introduce to their card portfolio.” The MAP Solutions Series will offer clients a comprehensive overview and learning opportunity. “Also important, clients will interact and learn from each other. Credit union people are special in that respect. They are always willing to help each other and work collaboratively. “

The first MAP Solution Series Workshop is June 15, 2010 and held at the Rainier Golf and Country Club in Seattle. This No-Cost Training will feature two guest speakers, Peggy Vasquez, Visa Business Leader for Visa Data Manager, and Penny Jurss, Visa Business Leader for ATM Product Services.

In the morning session, MAP will continue to build on its successful Marketing Analytics program with the introduction of Visa Data Manager, formerly called VisaVue Online for DPS.

The afternoon session will focus on the latest advancements in ATM marketing and technology. Participants will learn about ATM Content Manger, a web-based solution designed to assist your credit union in the management of your ATMs. ATM Content Manager includes ATM Campaign Manager, Remote Electronic Journal and Operational Command. ATM Campaign Manager’s real-time management and delivery will greatly enhance your institution’s marketing campaigns. Remote Electronic Journal is a web-based application that enables back-office personnel to view financial, administrative, and status message transactions for all terminals. Also part of the session is the ATM Cash Forecasting and ATM Profitability and Asset Management. These Cash Management Services offer clients a complete audit and view of ATM cash, allowing clients the best tools for managing cost and vendors. Finally, the latest in Deposit Automation tools will be covered, including host transmissions, unique transaction, and detailed receipts printing with options to display check images and currency break outs, supporting full migration to Check 21. For more information, please contact Sandy Jenkins at 866-598-0698 x1611. To sign-up for the June 15 MAP Solution Series, please visit the MAP Training Center (http://mapacific.com/resource-center/training.html) or by contacing Karl Kaluza directly at karl.kaluza@mapacific.com.

On March 23, 2010, the Federal Reserve Board issued the final rules to implement the Gift Card provisions in the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (The CARD Act). The rules, which amend Regulation E of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act of 1978, restrict fees and expiration dates on certain types of prepaid cards and require providers to “clearly” document terms and conditions on the cards.

The MAP Prepaid general-purpose reloadable card is not considered a Gift Card when:

1. * The card is used as a substitute for a checking, savings, or deposit account;
2. * The card is used to pay for a consumer’s health-related expenses - for example, a card tied to a health savings account;
3. * Card is used as a substitute for travelers checks or cash;
4. * Card is used as a budgetary tool, for example, by teenagers, or to cover emergency expenses.

However, the rules cover general-purpose prepaid cards when the card is marketed or labeled as Gift Cards. Examples of marketed or labeled as a Gift Card include:

1. * Using the word “gift” or “present” on a card, certificate, or accompanying material, including documentation, packaging and promotional displays;
2. * Representing or suggesting that a card can be given to another person, for example, as a “token of appreciation” or a “stocking stuffer,” or displaying a congratulatory message on the card, certificate or accompanying material;
3. * Incorporating gift-giving or celebratory imagery or motifs, such as a bow, ribbon, wrapped present, candle, or congratulatory message, on a card, certificate, accompanying documentation, or promotional material.

Understanding the New Restrictions:

The term “marketed or labeled as a gift card or gift certificate” means directly or indirectly offering, advertising or otherwise suggesting the potential use of a card as a gift for another person. A general-purpose reloadable card is marketed or labeled as a gift card even if it is only occasionally marketed as a Gift Card. For example, a Visa-branded general purpose reloadable card would be marketed or labeled as a Gift Card if the credit union principally advertises the card as a less costly alternative to a checking account but promotes the card as “the perfect gift” during the holiday season.

For credit unions choosing to offer Gift Cards, there are several new rules. Gift Card rules restrict dormancy, inactivity and service fees, as well as expiration dates. Fees kick in only after cards have been inactive for one year, and then only one fee can be charged per card per month. Additionally, all cards covered under the regulations must come with at least a five-year expiration date. Among the steps that need to take place before MAP can offer a new Gift Card product to our clients:

1. * Visa Inc. will have to update their Gift Card regulations.
2. * Cards and card packaging have to be redesigned and then undergo the card brands’ approval processes.
3. * New cards have to be manufactured and encoded.
4. * Retail displays may have to be modified.
5. * Card distributor agreements will have to be rewritten.
6. * Back-end data processing systems may have to be reprogrammed.

Readying for the Transition

MAP will be out front in helping our clients prepare for the transition. In addition to continuing to offer our very popular general-purpose reloadable card product, we will offer a new Gift Card product that fully complies with the 2009 CARD Act. The following is an overview of MAP’s Action Plan to respond to the Federal Reserve’s New Gift Card Rules:

1. 1. Webinars on Selling Existing Card Stock. We know that you will most likely have existing card stock “on hand” on August 22, 2010. Your existing card stock of general-purpose reloadable cards fully complies with the new Gift Card rules as long as it is not marketed as Gift Cards. MAP will offer Webinars beginning in July to assist you in selling your existing card stock and moving forward with a successful Prepaid Card program.
2. 2. Webinars on the Sale of Gift Cards. In many ways, you will be able to sell Gift Cards as you have sold the general-purpose reloadable cards, using PAT and through mail order. However, Gift Cards do require new stock that includes terms and conditions that are printed on the cards. MAP will offer Webinars and training to help you fully understand the new Gift Card rules.
3. 3. Five (5) Free Gift Cards. Once MAP has its Gift Card program in place - one that fully complies with the new rules - we will send you Five (5) Free Gift Cards and an agreement addendum. These tools will assist you in choosing how you want to continue to sell Prepaids at your credit union.

Want to transfer money on the move? There’s an app for that. As the popular Apple ad goes, more Americans are discovering the benefits of mobile banking and the applications that facilitate it.

Read More http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/01/mobile-banking-payment/#ixzz0oUPnwTU6

A battle is heating up over the right to process payments when you wave your cellphone over a sensor to buy goods at a local merchant. Visa made waves this week by announcing a collaboration with DeviceFidelity, which makes an iPhone case called In2Pay with a near-field communications microSD card embedded in it that will allow iPhone users — whose devices lack a microSD card — to get in on the action.

Read More http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/05/visa-seeks-to-extend-retail-dominance-with-pay-with-iphone-service#ixzz0oUO6×9El

DeviceFidelity partnered with Visa to provide mobile payments using an iPhone app and a special case with a microSD payment card inside it (photo courtesy of DeviceFidelity).

One in five adults use their mobile devices to make purchases online, according to a recent survey. The survey, released by the Mobile Marketing Association in association with Luth Research, reports approximately 17 percent of the respondents have purchased applications, ringtones and other content via mobile. Nevertheless, 6 percent used their mobile phone to receive coupons or discounts and another 6 percent to buy physical goods or non-mobile content or services.

The survey has also shown that BlackBerry and iPhone owners tend to be the most fervent m-commerce users since more than half of iPhone owners and 34 percent of BlackBerry owners have purchased content for their smartphone. Furthermore, the research has pointed out that 56 percent of mobile content purchases were made through a carrier, and 43 percent used a bank or credit card account for payment.

The survey has been performed on a number of 1,000 US adult consumers in April 2010.

By placing a removable In2Pay microSD into the protective case, iPhone users can take advantage of In2Pay’s secure contactless capabilities where contactless transactions are offered. They range from buying goods in retail stores and at unattended kiosks, to transit ticketing, and even securely accessing buildings and computers networks. Trials are scheduled to start during the second quarter of 2010.

“The more than 200,000 apps on the App Store are an integral part of iPhone users’ lives,” said Amitaabh Malhotra, COO, DeviceFidelity. “With our In2Pay solution, we want to give both iPhone users and app developers the power to do even more, by putting the convenience of interactive secure mobile transactions, right at their fingertips, anywhere they are.”

DeviceFidelity and Visa collaborated to combine Visa’s contactless payment technology, Visa payWave, and In2Pay technology to transform a mobile phone with a microSD memory slot into a mobile contactless payment device. Today’s announcement extends this functionality to iPhone and has the potential to accelerate the adoption of mobile contactless payments globally, especially in geographies where merchants have already upgraded payment terminals to accept contactless transactions.

“Visa is working to bring the security and convenience of digital currency to mobile users around the world,” said Dave Wentker, Head of Mobile Contactless Payments at Visa Inc. “Our collaboration with DeviceFidelity can extend the reach of Visa mobile payments to millions of iPhone users.”

The In2Pay solution gives iPhone users the ability to add greater convenience, flexibility and functionality. The In2Pay solution is designed to stay attached to iPhone and provides a micro USB slot for users to sync and charge their devices. DeviceFidelity’s In2Pay microSD provides secure, convenient one-click access to contactless transactions. Compatible with smart card industry standards, the microSD can be issued and personalized like traditional smart cards or in the future through a secure download of the account information via a mobile network.

DeviceFidelity has multiple patents pending in the USA and several international countries for microSD and handset case based plug-and-play technology. DeviceFidelity has recently launched a partnership program allowing application and Trusted Service Manager system developers to upgrade their NFC solutions by adding support for the In2Pay microSD. The In2Pay microSD can be inserted securely and easily into the In2Pay Case for iPhone.