Curtis Arnold writes for CardRatings.com about the Federal Reserve's proposal to amend Regulation Z (announced on May 23) to "improve the effectiveness of the disclosures consumers receive in connection with credit card accounts and other revolving credit plans by ensuring that information is provided in a timely manner and in a form that is readily understandable." The Fed is asking for public comments on the proposal - which must be received on or before October 12, 2007.

While on a recent family vacation, one of our visits was to the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park just outside of Escondido, California. A wonderful experience indeed - except when it came to buying things. The card acceptance practices and technology at the Wild Animal Park could sure use some work.   » Continue Reading

The press continues having a field day with the checking account overdraft fee/overdraft loan issue recently highlighted by the Center for Responsible Lending. In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Péralte C. Paul explores the issue - saying "for those who are checkbook challenged when it comes to balancing the all-too-important checking account, that $4 Starbucks latte can end up costing that much plus another $30 in overdraft charges if the funds to cover it are lacking."

Ehab Bandar writes on his Banking Unwired blog about Google Checkout - and how consumers might get confused. He believes that "the benefits of Google Checkout are only truly realized with an all or nothing approach."

Morriss Partee of EverythingCU.com blogs about what he really wants in the way of mobile banking services: SMS-based query/retrieval of useful information including account balance, details within budgeting categories, etc.

From the Shanghai Daily comes this report on China UnionPay's efforts to expand merchant card acceptance in China. "With the growth, UnionPay has 616,700 merchants and nearly one million points of sale."