The Wall St. Journal is reporting in Friday's edition that Visa International Chief Executive Christopher Rodrigues is stepping down and "won't be part of the team that helps the company's reorganize before it files for an initial public offering." Rodrigues has been CEO since mid-2004. The leadership page on Visa's corporate web site was updated earlier today to remove Rodrigues from the VIsa International leadership team. In its reorganization announcement last month, Visa indicated that a search for a new CEO for the future Visa Inc. was underway.

Javelin Strategy & Research has released a new report titled "Interactive Financial Messaging™" showing "how financial institutions can improve customer convenience and loyalty by using new interactive technologies to give consumers more control over their accounts."

Customers who feel they have a personal relationship with their bank are a rare breed for large banks, and that is translating into a significant impact on profitability, according to a study released today by BAI, in conjunction with research partners Accenture, SAP, NewGround, Unisys and ARGO Resource Data Corporation.

Obopay has announced it has received an add-on investment to the strategic round announced last September from Wolfensohn & Company, L.L.C.

CheckFree has announced that more than 40 financial institutions will deploy CheckFree FraudNet, its automated fraud detection and case management system, by the end of 2006. According to CheckFree, "two of the nation's top 10 national banks, five super-regional banks, as well as brokerage firms, credit unions and community banks, are among the institutions that have already implemented CheckFree FraudNet and achieved tangible results." CheckFree also announced today that consumers who pay bills online through banks that utilize CheckFree FraudNet will receive enhanced payment protection beginning in January 2007.

Aetna and Bank of America have announced the Aetna Healthy Living credit card for Aetna's medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health members. The credit card, to be available later this year to qualifying Aetna members, is a rewards-based credit card that facilitates payment of out-of-pocket medical expenses as well as everyday purchases while promoting healthy living at the same time. The Aetna Healthy Living credit card includes a rewards program based on Bank of America's WorldPoints platform.

MasterCard Worldwide and USA Technologies have announced that 5,000 additional self service point-of-sale terminals, including vending machines, will be equipped with the e-Port cashless transaction solution to begin accepting MasterCard® PayPass. According to the companies, the deployment is the largest rollout to date of contactless technology in self service point of sale and vending machines.

Visa International has announced that "five of the world's greatest rugby players - Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand), John Eales (Australia), Martin Johnson (England), Philippe Sella (France) and Joel Stransky (South Africa) - will be the "Visa Rugby Legends" and official spokespersons for Visa's global sponsorship of the Rugby World Cup 2007."

Firethorn Holdings has announced an agreement with Synovus to offer its mobile technology solution to the financial services company's customers by the end of second quarter 2007. Synovus will be one of the first financial institutions in the country to offer the Firethorn application.

• Computerworld: Fraud concerns lead to reissue of debit cards in Michigan
• Diebold's ImageWay(R) ATM Provides Seamless Integration of Imaging Technology
• APWG Establishes First Electronic Crime Academic Research Conference With Florida State Law Enforcement and Universities
• JCB Expands Acceptance Network in Austria; Agreement Signed with Europay Austria, a Major Payment Solutions Provider in Central and Eastern Europe
• Equifax APPRO Enables Business and Consumer Lending on One Platform
• Rabobank launches mobile banking and calling services