Chase Paymentech Solutions has announced a new data security compliance program targeted to small-to-medium sized merchants -- those who process less than 20,000 e-commerce and/or one million card present transactions of a single card brand annually.

Dave Alexander writes for the Muskegon Chronicle about the launch of new Debitman-based debit cards by Muskegon, Michigan-based Wesco that he says "will provide the regional chain of gas stations and convenience stores relief from high bank card transaction fees and provide discounts to customers." Wesco and Debitman announced the new card program last week.

Evolution Benefits has announced a pilot test with the Hartford Public Schools of TeacherDollars, a new debit card program developed with funding from The Robert & Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation, card technology from Evolution Benefits, and program leadership from the Hartford Public Schools.

Jerry Gleeson reports for the Journal News (NY) about New York State's plans to begin paying unemployment benefits into accounts that will be accessed via debit cards.

MasterCard has announced zero liability protection for small business cardholders effective September 1, 2006 along with a "Build Your Business" sweepstakes to promote its small business product offerings. MasterCard is also launching a new MasterCardBusiness.com site, "where small business owners can find further information about the "Build Your Business" promotion and zero liability protections, as well as tips on how to manage employee benefits, ways to market their businesses on a budget, and helpful money management advice."

China Unionpay (CUP), China's only national electronic payment and interchange network operator, has announced it has opened its first regional representative office in Singapore. The new representative office will "facilitate collaboration in the regional payment industry, as well as further develop trade ties between Singapore and its neighboring countries. CUP is planning to launch similar offices in Europe, the United States and other parts of Asia in the future.

Fredricka Paul reports for The State News that Michael Kasavana, Michigan State University National Automatic Merchandising Association-endowed professor, predicts that vending machines that accept credit and debit cards will become more popular in coming years. "By 2009, half of the six million vending machines will be capable of having cashless technology," Kasavana said. "About half of those will have card readers."

RSA Security has announced that Goldleaf Technologies is now offering the RSA Adaptive Authentication solution to its banking and credit union customers.

Ellen Rosen reports for the New York Times on the parking payment system developed by Parcxmart Technologies and its CEO John J. Regan.

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