Alliance Data Systems Corporation has announced that it has modified its market-facing name, dropping the word "systems" and will now be known as Alliance Data. A new logo accompanies this change.

The Economist Intelligence Unit has announced a new white paper sponsored by Visa International that assesses the
evolution of electronic payments systems in the six largest Latin American countries, as well as prospects for overcoming obstacles to full modernization. The study found that across the region collaboration between governments and the financial services industry has led to greater penetration of electronic payment products.

US Bank currently has a promotion on Health Savings Accounts running whereby new accounts opened before February 28, 2006 will have the $3.50 monthly maintenance fee waived for the life of the account.

Online Resources Corp. has released results of a study on the impact of its premium online financial management service, Money HQ, on deposit account balances showing that for those consumers who were enrolled in Money HQ for one year, deposit account balances increased 115 percent more than those of consumers who were not enrolled.

Washington Mutual has announced the launch of the Washington Mutual MasterCard Gift Card. The card costs $3.95 plus a $1.00 first class shipping and handling charge in addition to the value loaded onto the card.

First Data's TeleCheck Services has announced that it has significantly expanded its check services relationship with Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores.

• American Express Incentive Services Acquires New Patent Licensing Rights
• Many California DMV Offices to Accept ATM/Debit Cards
• Prepaid Cards Support Broader Consumer-Finance Propositions, TSYS Reports
• ViVOtech and USA Technologies Partner to Develop Contactless Payment System for the $1.32 Trillion Micro-Payments Segment
• Banks near deal on technology to speed up money transfer
• Majority of U.S. Adults Believe They Are More Susceptible to Identity Theft During the Holiday Season
• Austin Logistics Appoints New Advisory Board Members
• AOL Shopping Survey Finds High Gas Prices Provoke More Online Holiday Shopping
• UPS Survey Finds Shipping Critical to Online Buying Experience
• SF Chronicle: Health debit card offered - Visa, Blue Cross and Blue Shield will join forces
• Research Shows that Consumers Prefer Co-Branded Credit Cards - A Typical Co-Branded Credit Card Generates EUR37 More Profit Yearly than a Bank-Only Card
• Pre-paid credit cards coming to Manitoba soon
• Russia's St. Petersburg Times: Credit Cards Still Inspire Mistrust
• Newsday: Credit cards feature ethnic ties to Israel
• India: No unsolicited credit cards: RBI tells Banks/NBFCs
• Money, Gift Giving, Health and Workload Cause Holiday Stress According to FranklinCovey Survey
• Metavante to Acquire AdminiSource, Expanding Consumer-Directed Health Care Payments