Bank of America this morning announced the launch of a new protection service called SiteKey that helps confirm a customer's identification online.

Bank customers can sign up for the service for free. Customers pick an image, write a brief phrase and select three challenge questions. The customer and the bank can pass that information securely back and forth to confirm each other’s identity.

Discover Financial Services and China UnionPay have announced they have entered into a strategic alliance that will lead to acceptance of Discover Network Cards at China UnionPay ATMs and point-of-sale terminals in China and acceptance of China UnionPay cards on the PULSE network in the U.S. Both also agreed to pursue ways to enable acceptance of China UnionPay cards at Discover Network's more than four million merchant and cash access locations in North America.

Ron Lieber reports for the Wall St. Journal on yesterday's announcement of the new American Express / Delta Air Lines SkyPoints credit card. The card gives customers a choice of earning discounts or miles for Delta flights.

People using the card earn a new frequent-flier currency called SkyPoints, which they can trade in for the airline discounts. The card also allows cardholders who don't want discounts to trade their SkyPoints for Delta frequent-flier miles.

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