The U.S. Federal Reserve has released the findings from an online survey, conducted in December 2011 and January 2012, examining the use of mobile technology to access financial services and make financial decisions.

One out of five American consumers used their mobile phone to access their bank account, credit card, or other financial account in the 12 months ending in January 2012 and an additional one out of five indicated they would likely use mobile banking at some point in the future.

The full "Consumers and Mobile Financial Services" report is located here.

Discover Financial Services has announced it has expanded its franchise agreement with Diners Club Ecuador (DCE) to include issuance of Discover cards in Ecuador. This is the first time in company history that Discover cards will be issued beyond U.S. borders.

The US Federal Reserve has reported its latest G.19 Consumer Credit statistics - finding that "consumer credit increased at an annual rate of 8-1/2 percent in January. Revolving credit decreased at an annual rate of 4-1/2 percent, while nonrevolving credit increased at an annual rate of 14-3/4 percent."

On the web:

• eBay Attempts to Explain PayPal Holds and Floats - eCommerce Bytes
• Square Competitor? Cashier Live Launches POS App For iPhone - TechCrunch

On the wires:

• Streamline and TNS Deliver Faster Payment Processing for Merchants
• Western Union Expands Its Online Business Payments Service in Europe
• Arroweye Solutions Partners with Convenient Cards, Rapid Financial, and Plastyc
• Silver Tail Systems Introduces Profile Analyzer to Protect Websites From Cyber Attacks and Fraud
• Micro Center Adds Kount Anti-Fraud Solution to Protect Growth
• Next Generation of eGifting Unfolds Via New Interactive Platform
• Collective POS Announces Launch of Interac Online for Canadian Merchants