Manuel Bueno has published "An Overview of the Mobile Phone Banking Industry" - a 12 page examination of mobile phone banking business models: key drivers, common critiques and future challenges. It was published by Next Billion staff writer Manuel Bueno in February 2008 as an Instituto de Empresa Teaching Note, under the supervision of Professor Juan Luis Martinez.

JupiterResearch says it has found "a growing segment of consumers totaling 30 percent is interested in receiving coupons on their cell phones, although at one percent, adoption remains low. During the next year, more advertisers are expected to tap this interest using mobile coupons or promotions, although anticipated growth will remain in single digits. In order to be truly successful, however, such mobile tactics must focus on highly relevant offers, deliver value, manage frequency, and give the consumer control."

TowerGroup has published a new report titled "The Ignition of US Mobile Banking in 2008: Do the Core Banking Vendors Hold the Key?" that finds that core banking technology vendors have a big role to play in helping mid-tier and small institutions take advantage of the emerging mobile banking channel and that doing so will soon just be a cost of doing business.

Barclaycard Business has launched Prepaid Solutions, a product it says "will enable retailers to offer gift cards and other stored value solutions to their customers in a more cost effective and convenient way, with the ultimate aim of increased sales and enhanced customer loyalty. The nationwide launch today follows the completion of a successful three month pilot of a Gift Card with Autonomy, a ladies tailoring and special occasion clothes chain with 27 stores nationwide."

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Payment Cards Center publishes a quarterly Legislative Update containing a summary and update of payment-card-related legislation, regulation, and judicial activity at the federal level and for the Third District states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Among other topics, the fourth-quarter 2007 Legislative Update contains detailed descriptions of final rules to implement the Basel II capital accord and proposed rules that would regulate the accuracy of consumer credit reports.

Visa Inc. has filed with the SEC Amendment No. 5 to its Form S-1 Registration Statement along with employment agreements for several senior executives.

INSIDE Contactless has announced the MicroPass 4000 contactless microprocessor family, calling it "a next-generation platform designed to bring a host of new contactless applications to mainstream markets in the U.S. and elsewhere, with two initial product offerings intended for contactless payment applications."

APACS, the UK payments association, has announced the creation of the Payment Industry and Police Joint Intelligence Unit (PIPJIU) as an integral part of its Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU). According to APACS, "this enhanced intelligence unit is the result of the amalgamation of the banking industry’s Fraud Intelligence Bureau (FIB) – the body that formerly distributed information between the banking industry and law enforcement throughout the UK – and the intelligence section of the DCPCU."

Chase Paymentech has announced it has formally opened the doors of its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. Within three years, the new office will provide operational support for a 100-person team across Europe responsible for expanding Chase Paymentech operations, marketing initiatives and customer support activities outside the United States.

Discover Financial Services has announced the launch of Discover EDGE - calling it "an online resource dedicated to helping consumers become more savvy when it comes to managing their time and money. Designed to help Discover Cardmembers stay in control of their finances, Discover EDGE provides consumers with everyday financial advice to help them get ahead – and stay there."

Ameriprise Financial has announced it will be issuing a suite of branded payment cards with MasterCard Worldwide. The suite includes the Ameriprise World Elite MasterCard, Ameriprise World MasterCard and Ameriprise MasterCard cards as well as the Ameriprise Bank Debit MasterCard.

Billeo and Payment Reporting Builds Credit (PRBC), an alternative credit bureau that collects, reports and scores rental and bill payment data, have announced that they are working together to enable consumers to build credit by doing what they do each month – pay their recurring bills on time.

• NY Times: Banks Springing Up to Serve the Underserved
• Washington Post: Small Loans, Significant Impact - After Success in Poor Nations, Grameen Bank Tries New York
• First Data to Provide Merchant Services to Cathay Bank
• Capital One Successfully Completes Bank Integration and Changes the Name on North Fork Bank to Capital One Bank
• MagTek’s IntelliCAT System Selected by Schools Financial Credit Union for PIN Verification at the Teller Window
• NXP Introduces New Security and Performance Benchmark With MIFARE Plus
• nCircle Announces New PCI Partnerships
• India: Banks step up vigil against card frauds
• Financial Week: Will Visa IPO deter antitrust lawsuits?
• Business Week: Extra Credit for Visa's IPO
• Pakistan: Bank Alfalah’s new card product live on First Data’s VisionPLUS® platform
• UK: MBNA and MasterCard Bring Tap&Go(TM) Technology to Manchester City Football Club
• Experian Chooses EnCase® Enterprise Platform