Nova Information Systems has announced that it has acquired SouthTrust's merchant portfolio from Wachovia Bank and has also renewed and extended a long-term marketing alliance agreement for Wachovia's merchant referral business.

Wachovia has been pleased with NOVA's continued strong performance in delivering payment processing services and support to our customers," said Terry Terbrueggen, Senior Vice President, Wachovia Bank. "NOVA's robust product portfolio and powerful network infrastructure allow SouthTrust's merchant customers to take advantage of enhanced service levels and new value-added applications."

"NOVA's success stems from our strong commitment to provide the best possible service to our customers," said Pamela Joseph, president, chairman and chief executive officer, NOVA Information Systems. "We're pleased that a financial institution of Wachovia's caliber continues to turn to NOVA as a true merchant processing partner. SouthTrust's merchant customers will benefit from the speed and reliability of the NOVA Network, and will have access to a robust portfolio of solutions, fitting the needs of a wide variety of merchant businesses."

MasterCard has announced that Marriott will begin participating in April in its enhanced hotel folio data program. With the MasterCard enhanced hotel folio data program, corporations have access to room, tax, meal, telephone and business center fees, among other itemized expense details. The transactions are presented back to the corporation electronically and on its monthly invoice, streamlining expense analysis, management reporting and the accounts payable process.

MasterCard has announced an enhanced World MasterCard card program that allows card issuers to offer a uniquely customizable array of incentives to their cardholders.

"The enhanced World MasterCard program is a living demonstration of taking a winning approach and making it even better," said Ruth Ann Marshall, president of the Americas, MasterCard International.

"The new World MasterCard program underscores MasterCard's commitment to the affluent segment as we work with our issuers to provide cardholders with rewards and incentives specifically tailored to their needs and interests."

Card acceptance pricing for merchants of this new card program was not discussed in the announcement.

RBC Royal Bank and Starbucks Coffee have announced the Starbucks Duetto Visa Card for Canadians.

VeriSign has released ecommerce data analyzing online shopping activity in the period leading up to Valentine's Day earlier this week that showed a 30 percent increase in online spending this year vs. last.

"The growth in online sales for jewelry is a key indicator of increased consumer confidence in spending more money online," said Trevor Healy, vice president, payment services, VeriSign.

"With diamonds showing the highest increase in online revenue during the Valentine's Day shopping season, we not only see that consumers are comfortable making big-ticket purchases online, but also buying sentimental and significant items through secured e-commerce sites. This proves that online shopping has progressed past basic items, such as books and CDs, thus opening new sales opportunities for merchants from all categories."

Robin Sidel reports in the Wall St. Journal that JP Morgan Chase will be meeting with investors next week to discuss its credit and debit card business. At the meeting the bank is expect to announced how it will split up the card business between Visa USA and MasterCard.

Chase has posted the details for the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 23. This presentation will be hosted by William Campbell, Card Services' Chairman, and Richard Srednicki, Card Services' Chief Executive Officer.