Last week, we "soft launched" the new Glenbrook Partners web site. The new "minimalist" design of glenbrook.com is the first major update to the site since we launched it about five years ago. Learn more about who we are - we'd really welcome your visit!

Chase Card Services and Mall Networks have announced the launch of Chase Rewards Plus, calling it "a dynamic shopping program that provides cardmembers with a rewarding online shopping experience. With Chase Rewards Plus, millions of Chase rewards cardmembers will now be able to earn unlimited bonus rewards and take advantage of special offers and discounts while shopping at hundreds of leading online retailers through www.chase.com/rewardsplus."   » Continue Reading

American Express has announced what it is calling "a unique online initiative called The Members Project that enables American Express Cardmembers to come together as a community by submitting and sharing their project ideas for making a positive impact in the world."   » Continue Reading

TowerGroup has announced new research finding that the "adoption of online banking by U.S. consumers is going strong, outpacing growth rates for every other method of retail banking delivery" - including everything from ATM to call centers. The firm says that "the long touted promise of online banking is now hitting its stride."   » Continue Reading

Tempo Payments has announced that "Murphy USA has joined the Tempo Payment Network and is initiating a system-wide implementation of Murphy-branded PIN debit cards at more than 1,000 gas stations, with an initial roll-out to 111 stores in Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Houston." Tempo said that Murphy USA will reward consumers using the card with a one cent per gallon discount at the pump.   » Continue Reading

Javelin Strategy & Research has announced new research that it says "uncovers significant product marketing requirements for building banks' consumer usage of mobile services. While consumers are better primed for mobile banking now than they were in 2000, financial institutions (FIs) should not consider the mere availability of mobile banking a guarantee of success. FIs should prepare for measured, rather than widespread and immediate, adoption, even though consumers, handsets and mobile networks have made tremendous advancements."   » Continue Reading

MobileCrunch writes about Geezeo Mobile, a Massachusetts-based startup company that has launched a beta service that enables mobile phone users to register multiple bank accounts and then access account balance information while on the move. A screencast provides the details on the service. A blog post by the company's CTO Theron Parlin addresses questions about the security of the service - noting that they're using CashEdge as their third party information provider.

Visa has announced that Joseph (Joe) W. Saunders has been named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa Inc. Visa's regional boards of directors unanimously approved Saunders's appointment after an extensive six-month search. Saunders previously had been named the designated Executive Chairman of Visa Inc.'s Board of Directors, a role he assumed in February 2007.   » Continue Reading

PayPal has announced it has been granted a banking license for the European Union by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg, effective July 2, 2007. According to PayPal, "under this new charter, PayPal will be able to continue its European expansion by offering its services to more online merchants across Europe. In addition, PayPal will be moving its European headquarters to Luxembourg."   » Continue Reading

SVPCO, the check image and paper check business of The Clearing House Payments Company L.L.C., has announced that its average daily check image items and dollar value exceeded its paper check items and dollar value for the first time in its history during April.   » Continue Reading

• CheckFree Completes Acquisition of Corillian Corporation
• International Reach Leads United Commercial Bank to Join PULSE® ATM/Debit Network
• Fiserv and NetEconomy Launch NetPractice, a Thought Leadership Best Practice Community to Advance the Fight Against Financial Crime and Fraud
• UK: Chip and pin for online banking
• New anti-counterfeit teams in place as Canada lags internationally in bogus bills
• MagTek Develops Tri-band Card Reader with PC/SC Support
• Changes Sweep Mobile Roaming, Financial And Data Clearing Industry - Cibernet merges with MACH to create super company
• Commercial Bank of Qatar issues its first EMV Chip Card with TSYS Card Tech
• Qatar National Bank Goes Live with TSYS Card Tech's PRIME 3
• Survey Suggests Significant Progress Toward PCI Compliance Among Restaurant Chains

We have received news of the following recent management changes:

• Kate Lepow has been named director of global payments for Arvato Finance Services based in Mountain View, California. Earlier, Lepow spent nearly 10 years with Apple in various positions, including as director of global payment processing where she was responsible for all commerce areas, including online and iTunes storefronts, and as director of global treasury operations. Lepow holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor of science in commerce, both from Santa Clara University.