Andrew Reinbach, editor of Electronic Payments Week, has recently written about how he sees merger and acquisition activity progressing during 2006 and what the personal implications might be if you're employed in the payments industry. Here's Andy's latest analysis - including some fascinating speculation - posted with permission.

CyberSource has announced that it has acquired BidPay.com, Inc. from First Data Corporation. In exchange for $1.8 million in cash, CyberSource acquired proprietary technology, databases, and certain intellectual property rights, including exclusive rights to the BidPay.com brand.

TowerGroup has announced a new report titled "Building a More Responsive Banking Industry: The Bell is Ringing, But Are Banks Salivating?" by Jim Eckenrode, managing director of Banking and Payments research.

Michelle Innis reports for the Sydney Morning Herald about the new Bopo prepaid Visa card from Australian prepaid specialist Bill Express.

Oprah, Google, Harley Davidson and other high-profile brands will soon have a greater opportunity to become Mobile Virtual Network Operators, according to "MVNO 3.0," a white paper released today by management consulting firm DiamondCluster International.

Note: Throughout the day, as Payments News happens, this post is updated.

• Reuters UK: Mobile commerce gets renewed push
• MasterCard International reports strong business growth across the Asia Pacific in 2005
• Fitch: U.S. Credit Card Chargeoffs 'Fully Digest' Bankruptcy Effect, Drop Resoundingly
• Security Focus: Citibank issues ATM fraud statement
• Bank of America Strengthens Card Solutions with Successful Deployment of ePayables- Automated Corporate Purchasing Card Payment Solution Moves Paper-based Processes to Electronic, Reducing Costs
• First Data International Selected by Credisson
• Associated Bank Renews with First Data; 25-Year Relationship Continues
• Computing (UK): Lloyds TSB security trial wipes out online fraud
• Certicom Offers Multi-layer Approach to Securing Voice over IP
• HSA Bank Continues to Lead HSA Industry
• VeriFone Sells More than Half a Million Vx Solutions
• Prague Daily Monitor: Czech credit card numbers up at 700,000 in 2005
• Washington Post: Government Smart-Card Project Hits Snags on Fingerprints, Costs
• Sydney Morning Herald: Fraudsters target Citibank (resulting in reissued debit and credit cards)
• AP: War on payday loans takes religious turn in Oregon
• NY Daily News: MetroCard bug derails rush hour (MetroCard vending machines were unable to accept credit or debit cards)
• UK: Card use fuelling consumer debt