The Payments Council has announced it is funding the development of a centralized database to facilitate mobile payments innovation in the UK.

The Payments Council is building a central database that will allow customers to link their mobile phone number to their account details, regardless of who they bank with. It will be available to UK banks and building societies before the end of this year as a platform for them to build their own competitive service for their customers. VocaLink has been appointed to build the central database.

Elavon announced that it has partnered with DataCash, a MasterCard Company, to launch Elavon’s Global E-commerce Gateway solution in Europe.

“The combination of Elavon’s acquiring experience, processing reach, and financial stability, with DataCash’s gateway expertise, fraud controls and unmatched connectivity results in a win-win for our customers,” said Simon Haslam, president of International Markets, Elavon. “We are pleased to be able to provide one point of service and support to our clients as their global commerce needs evolve.”

PaymentOne announced its support for the emerging HTML5 standard and the immediate availability of the PayOne HTML5 API. "The PayOne HTML5 API provides an HTML5-compliant Web-based payment flow for developers of mobile games and applications looking to monetize their offerings across all platforms and devices with a highly secure and frictionless 'charge it to my mobile phone bill' payment method."

PreCash has announced that it has added three features to its Vision Visa Prepaid Cards.

"Like Americans with banking relationships, prepaid customers want optional services associated with their cards. PreCash developed these features: a savings account for people to plan for the future, roadside assistance to provide them with comfort in the case of car emergencies, and cash back on gas purchases to reward them for using the card," remarked Mia Mends.

Equifax reported today that nearly 60 of the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) hardest hit by credit card debt realized double-digit declines in the percentage of income owed to credit card companies -- up to 24% in some areas.

The reduction in U.S. consumer credit card debt began a steady decline in the fourth quarter of 2010 that continued through the end of 2011, as consumers remained cautious of their spending and focused on deleveraging debt. Consumers owed up to 17% of their income to credit card companies in 2010, according to Equifax's analysis.

On the web:

• EMVCo Picks GlobalPlatform Secure Element Compliance Program - NFC World
• Not All Coupons You Buy Online Are Honored By Merchants - MSNBC.com
• Security in the Mobile Wallet: Is It Good Enough Yet? - Portals and Rails
• Facebook Fast-Tracks Its Payments Business - American Banker

On the wires:

• Braintree Develops Mobile Apps Payment Solution
• Microsoft Extends Successful Direct Operator Billing Agreement with MACH
• Irish Mobile Payments Provider boxPAY Opens North America for International Sellers
• Alliance Data Signs Multi-year Private Label Renewal Agreement With Buckle
• CHARGE Anywhere Introduces Spanish Language Mobile Payment App for Android
• New Mercator Report on Global EMV Migration and Adoption
• New Aite Group Report on Small Business Credit Cards