Metavante has announced that it has been selected by Sterling HSA to be its exclusive provider of benefit debit card and healthcare payment technology. Sterling HSA is an independent, privately held company offering health savings account administration services to employers and individuals nationwide. READ MORE »

In an article titled "Next Consumer Backlash: Mandatory Arbitration" in today's American Banker, Maria Aspan writes about the decision announced over the weekend by the National Arbitration Forum Inc. to "stop handling such disputes by Friday as part of a settlement with Lori Swanson, the Minnesota attorney general." Aspan writes that the "Minnesota settlement comes as Congress is considering a bill that would ban mandatory arbitration clauses from credit card agreements, amid a larger debate about financial consumer protections and an agency to regulate them."

Mint.com has launched MintLife, an expanded, magazine-style online publication that "will deliver more in-depth features and advice to help its more than 300,000 monthly visitors better manage their money and more knowledgably navigate the current, difficult economy. Expanded content, increased interactivity, data-driven infographics and direct access to celebrity sources will enhance the award-winning value of the Mint.com money management and budgeting tools, furthering Mint.com on its mission to help Americans save and do more with their money." READ MORE »

Bill.com has introduced Bill.com ePayments - a payment method seamlessly integrated with Bill.com's bill management service, which let SMBs pay any employee, individual or vendor, regardless of size, via electronic direct-deposit rather than with paper checks. Bill.com ePayments enable payment from any US bank account using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network. READ MORE »

Monitise Americas has announced the launch of its Mobile Money application on the App Store. According to the company, "Mobile Money gives iPhone and iPod touch users simple access to their account information using a dynamic application that is easy to navigate and safe to use. Mobile Money is a leading global solution for mobile banking and payment services. It is the world's first mobile banking ecosystem, empowering consumers to perform banking and payment transactions using a single consistent interface -- regardless of choice of mobile operator." READ MORE »

One year after introducing a low-cost prepaid debit card option for Social Security check recipients, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Management Service (FMS) reports that more than half a million Americans have signed up for the Direct Express Debit MasterCard. According to a new survey of cardholders, 95 percent say they are satisfied with the card and 86 percent say they would recommend it to family members or friends who receive a federal benefit payment. READ MORE »

Equifax and FICO have introduced the Credit Capacity Index to give lenders and credit grantors easy access to a unique analytic tool to better assess consumer credit risk. The Index is "the first forward-looking risk management tool that rank-orders consumers based on their ability to take on future debt. Available through Equifax, Credit Capacity Index enables lenders to strengthen their account acquisition and account management strategies while minimizing exposure to potential losses while not burdening consumers with too much debt." READ MORE »

• Bloomberg.com: Citi’s Galant Orders Credit-Card Shakeup After Loss
• USATODAY.com: When settling credit card debt, watch out for scams
• The Bank of New York Mellon to Provide Global Mass Payments Services to Fulton Bank's Global Exchange Group
• Bling Nation and Viaero Wireless Deliver Improved Wireless Service, Mobile Payments to Residents of La Junta, Colo.
• JR’s POS Depot Introduces Anytime, Anywhere Payments with Hypercom’s Mobile Solutions
• New Celent Report: Key Trends in Mobile Financial Services in the European Union
• LowerMyBills.com(R) Celebrates 10 Years of Helping Consumers With 10 Money-Saving Ideas