The Pew Research Center has just released a new research report titled "Info on the Go: Mobile Access to Data and Information" . "58% of adult Americans have used a cell phone or personal digital assistant (PDA) to do at least one of 10 mobile non-voice data activities, such as texting, emailing, taking a picture, looking for maps or directions, or recording video. And 41% of adult Americans have logged onto the internet on the go, that is, away from home or work either with a wireless laptop connection or a handheld device. Taking account of overlap between the two groups, this means that 62% of all Americans have some experience with mobile access to digital data and tools. That is, they have either used a cell phone or PDA for a non-voice data application or logged on to the internet away from home or work using a wireless laptop connection or with a handheld device or both."

TRX and COA Solutions Ltd have announced the launch of a joint Card Management Services solution for airlines desiring to lower their distribution costs and credit card fees. According to the two companies, "the solution supports the airlines' corporate direct invoicing and payment solutions as well as the Universal Air Travel Plan (UATP) network. In production since October 2007, the system is already processing approximately $600 million on an annualized basis in UATP and various payment products for a major North American airline."

The Center for Financial Services Innovation has published a new report titled "Nonprofit Distribution of Prepaid Cards" . "This paper explores how three organizations—the Center for Community Change, the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley, and the Service Employees International Union—are combining a new product, prepaid debit cards, with new marketing and distribution methods to provide economical and convenient financial services to their communities."

The Center for Financial Services Innovation has published a new report titled "Innovation Trends in Financial Services to the Underbanked" . "The market opportunity represented by underbanked consumers is being met by a number of startup companies with innovative consumer products, marketing methods and distribution channels, and/or risk management tools. CFSI's evaluation of several of these companies based on customer impact, financial return, and innovation reflects important trends in the underbanked market. Through alternative data, prepaid cards, and marketing and distribution models, these companies provide underbanked consumers with the services needed to access the path to financial prosperity."

Secure Identity Systems has announced it is bringing a new Israeli technology named mConfirm to the U.S. that it says "thwarts credit and debit card fraud, and potentially stops ID thieves in the act. This in turn helps banks better protect customers, stem losses due to fraud, and attract new depositors with free identity protection services."

Discover reports that its Discover U.S. Spending Monitor "steadied in February as spending intentions flattened, while pessimism about the economy increased. After sharp spending cutbacks in December and then January, following the end of the holiday season, consumers steadied their spending, but were cautious about any increases."

One of my partners at Glenbrook yesterday suggested that we should include links on each individual story page to the previous story and the next story. We've had those links for a long time - but they're down at the bottom of the page and not at all obvious. So, we've added next story and previous story links right up top on the individual story pages. You can also use keyboard shortcuts: CTRL-p for previous story or CTRL-n for next story.

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