The global microfinance resource center CGAP has announced it is making a new four year commitment to identify, fund, research and champion technology-enabled banking services for 25 million people in 20 countries. CGAP CEO Elizabeth Littlefield will announce the plan at the Clinton Global Initiative's "Mobile Banking Call to Action." READ MORE »

In a post titled "1000 Miles To Go For The Enterprise And True Customer Relationships", Christopher Carfi blogs from Oracle's OpenWorld conference this week. Scroll down in his post for highlights of a proof-of-concept demo given during the conference showing how an iPhone mobile application could be used by a retailer (Body Shop) to give more power to the customer. The demo includes the consumer reviewing other customer reviews on a product, being presented with an opportunity to redeem loyalty points at purchase, and generating the discount coupon to be applied at POS.

• Blue Bamboo Announces TSYS Certification
• AFP: Leaders in Treasury and Finance Address Managing in the Banking and Credit Crisis
• Cellpoint Mobile Boosts Mobile Payment System with Development of Advanced Features for Enterprise Mobile Pay Solution
• Heartland Payment Systems Leverages VeriFone Managed Services for Tableside Payment System
• Guardian (UK): Lloyds TSB offers mobile bank transfers
• FTC Warns Consumers About Charity, Home Repair, and Identity Theft Scams In Connection with Hurricane Ike
• Lloyds TSB expands mobile banking
• FTVentures Commits $30 Million to Mu Sigma (Analytics)
• Canada: Retailers getting riled by boost in credit card 'interchange' fees
• Canada: Restaurants fight rising credit card fees