Remittances to Mexico, free trade and cross-border banking are the focus of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas'
latest issue of Southwest Economy (PDF). According to the Fed, "over the last decade or so, inflation-adjusted remittances [to Mexico] have grown at an average annual rate of 15.6 percent. Since 2000, the rate has risen to 20.4 percent."

Aaron Elstein reports for Investment News on the leveraged buyout of First Data Corp by KKR - and the potential challenges ahead in getting the deal's financing completed over the next five weeks.

In an article titled 'Charge It!", Elizabeth Holmes writes for the Wall St. Journal about how small businesses can get the best deal on merchant payment card processing. Holmes writes that "navigating the payment-card processing system can be an overwhelming and costly burden. With fees tacked on by as many as 12 intermediaries, from the equipment provider and the Internet service to the card issuers themselves, payment processing is often the third- or fourth-highest expense for a small business."

Online Resources and Fair Isaac have announced a partnership to "accelerate access to industry-leading collections and payment capabilities for hundreds of collection agencies and debt buyers."

Federal Reserve vice chairman Donald L. Kohn and Karen E. Dynan, a Fed economist, have written a paper titled "The Rise in U.S. Household Indebtedness: Causes and Consequences" (PDF) that, according to David Leonhardt writing for the New York Times, "says that consumer debt soared over the last six years mainly because of the rapid increase in housing prices. The research suggests that consumer spending may slow down over the next few years."

• Lloyds TSB Helps Americans Avoid Delays in Setting Up UK Bank Accounts Through 'Borderless Banking' in Dollars, Sterling and Euros
• Qualys and AsiaPay Partner to Deliver On Demand Risk and Compliance Solutions to Asia
• Cyveillance Reports 63 Percent of Malware Distributed by US-based Web Sites
• GMAC Financial Services Names Al de Molina to Newly Created Position of Chief Operating Officer
• Wachovia Surpasses $1 Billion in Daily Remote Deposit Capture Transactions
• PSCU Selects Sterling Commerce B2B Transaction Solution for Centralized Credit and Bill Payment Services
• Elder Care Bill Pay From Premier Payment Services Pays Bills, Manages Money for Seniors
• Caliber Data, Inc., Online Local Advertising Provider, Signs Letter of Intent to Partner with enStage, Inc. - a Global Provider of Purchase Transaction and Consumer Loyalty Card Tracking Services
• New Scientist: Enter your PIN using only eye movements
• TransUnion Enhances Fraud Management Role in India with Strategic Hire
• Wachovia Launches Podcasting Technology on Wachovia.com
• Visa Warns Merchants of Deadline for PCI Compliance