U.S. Bank has launched Healthcare Payment Management (HPM) Essentials, a physician-focused payment tool that enables doctors’ offices to collect more patient self-pay balances – such as co-pays and deductibles – at the time and point of care. READ MORE »

Coinstar E-Payment Services has announced that it will launch a line of digital entertainment products in U.S. retail locations. According to the company, it has "partnered with leading online game companies including Aeria Games, Rixty Inc., Spare Change and Wild Tangent, to offer more than 15 products that provide consumers flexible online spending options. The new prepaid offerings are expected to be available at more than 500 Cumberland Farms retail locations this summer, and Coinstar plans to roll out the program to additional retailers later this year." READ MORE »

Elavon has announced enhancements to its international processing platform that expands multi-currency, cross-border and Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) capabilities for merchants. Elavon’s network now has the ability to authorize in 89 currencies, settle in 16, and convert up to 48 currencies for DCC. In addition, Elavon has launched DCC in Germany, where the processor can currently convert 27 currencies, giving its merchants the ability to generate a new revenue stream by sharing in the conversion fees. READ MORE »

Capital One has launched Card Lab Connect, a credit card affinity program that Capital One says helps nonprofits expand their giving channels while providing their supporters with a convenient and meaningful way to donate to charity programs. Unlike most affinity card programs which generally cater to larger, national organizations, Capital One Card Lab Connect is available for nonprofits of all sizes. READ MORE »

• Reuters: Visa sees credit card industry restructuring
• Check Into Cash Signs Walk-in Bill Payment Agreement with Fiserv
• Digital Transactions: Pressure for Mobile Banking Spurs Faster Deployment Technology
• Internet Retailer: It’s a jungle out there, but a gift card site secures $4.8 million (Plastic Jungle)
• The Globe and Mail: The harsh costs of missed card payments
• ABC News: Worst Cities For Credit Card Debt
• Axway Delivers Financial Exchange Solution to Support Changes in Global Financial Systems
• First in France: LCL Chooses Gemalto to Launch a Banking Card with the User’s Photograph
• Jenkon Partners with ProPay, Keeping Direct Sales PCI Compliant Without Costly Overhead
• Futura Card Services Extends Mobile Financial Services to Prepaid Card Platform
• MoneyGram International Expands Customer Loyalty Program to Europe and Canada
• MasterCard to Participate in the UBS Electronic Payments Summit
• NCR Announces Investment to Create Jobs, Drive Innovation and Develop Talent