On the web:

• A Guide to PayPal Alternatives in Asia - SGEntrepreneurs
• Contactless ATMs: The New Wave of Banking? - Think Money
• Obama Campaign Is Using Square For Fundraising - TechCrunch
• Google Wallet Struggles to Gain Acceptance - Mobile Commerce Daily
• Is the U.S. Payments Industry Following in the Footsteps of the Netherlands? - Portals and Rails
• Green Dot to Launch Bank Account This Year - American Banker

On the wires:

• PayLane Becomes a Certified American Express Partner
• GE Capital Extends Consumer Financing Program with Art Van Furniture
• MusicSkins Partners With Virtual Piggy Offering Innovative Youth Purchasing System
• South Carolina Selects Heartland as Preferred Provider for Electronic Financial Aid Disbursement
• GE Capital Retail Bank and ShopNBC Announce Renewal of Consumer Credit Card Program
• Canada's Payfirma Updates Its Mobile Payment App

On the web:

• Why Mobile Payments Still Haven’t Revolutionized Retail - VentureBeat
• Personal Finance Platform HelloWallet Raises $12M From Morningstar - TechCrunch
• PayPal Formally Open Home Depot "POS" Pilot Program - PayPal Blog

On the wires:

• American Express Launches Social Media Show + Tell
• Green Dot Will Launch AARP Foundation Prepaid MasterCard
• Payment Data Systems Announces "Debit Only" Payment Product Offering
• Euronet to Deploy ATMs in German Airports, Tourist Hubs and Military Base Locations
• SHAZAM Launches Adaptive Payment's Pentagon Mobile Payment Application
• RushCard Announces Plan to Reduce and Simplify Fees, Enhance Customer Benefits and Help Consumers Achieve Financial Freedom
• Green Dot Acquires Prepaid Processing Assets of eCommLink

American Express has reported financial results for the fourth quarter 2011. Net income of $1.2 billion, up 12 percent from $1.1 billion in the year-ago period. Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer, American Express commented:

“Cardmembers spent a record amount on their American Express cards, continuing a trend that has translated into overall share gains during the last two years. Billed business rose 11%, showing broad-based improvements from the strong levels of a year ago. Online spending was strong as we capitalized on the accelerating popularity of digital commerce. Revolving credit balances grew, but at a much slower rate than spending as Cardmembers continued to manage their debt and household finances more cautiously. Credit quality remained excellent, with past-due loans and write-offs at historically low levels.

American Express announced an operating agreement with Lianlian Group which will allow Lianlian Group to use Serve in products and services it develops for its consumer and business customers in China.

The Serve platform, which American Express will license to Lianlian Group, is expected to help power a new Lianlian Group digital wallet that consumers can use to top up mobile phone minutes, pay bills and purchase products or services. American Express has also made an equity investment in Lianlian Pay Inc., an overseas company of the Lianlian group of companies (collectively “Lianlian Group”).

Experian and American Express have announced a partnership to offer international payment processing and foreign exchange services to Experian’s UK clients.

The partnership adds a global payment processing capability to Experian’s existing range of services, which already includes international bank account validation and domestic payment processing. A direct link to American Express’s Foreign Exchange International Payments product will be included within the Experian Payments Gateway, the most widely used Bacstel-IP service available in the UK.

On the web:

• The Demise of the Branch (for real) - NetBanker
• Mobile Wallet Still Years from Reality in Australia - Marketing Magazine
• Crowdsourced Bank Offers Peer-to-Peer Financial Services (UK) - SpringWise
• AmEx Looks to Broaden Appeal Beyond Credit Cards - MarketWatch

On the wires:

• VeriFone Deployments in Russia Reach 1 Million Milestone
• i2c Experiences Strong Growth as Banks Begin Adopting Prepaid
• New Mercator Report on EMV, NFC and Contactless Deployment in the US
• NetSuite and CyberSource Announce New SuitePayments Options for Australian Business
• Elan Financial Services Acquires $700 Million in Financial Institution Credit Card Portfolios
• Payfirma Exceeds $1 Million Per Day Processing Milestone
• txtNation see fast growth in Direct Operator Billing

American Express has announced a new suite of Payment Software Development Kits (SDKs) to support direct processing of payments from vendors and merchants across the globe.

“We built our Payment SDKs with a relentless focus on improving the developer experience to help ensure that our direct connectivity partners can easily develop and integrate to American Express payment processing services,” said Patricia Partelow, Vice President, Innovative Payment Solutions at American Express. “We expect this improved experience to greatly reduce the time and complexity of certification projects and accelerate the digital payments revolution for our merchants and cardmembers.”

On the web:

• War Over the Digital Wallet - Wall Street Journal
• Verizon Blocks Google Wallet on Nexus - Rethink Wireless
• Launch of Apple's EasyPay Retail Self-Checkout Deemed a Success - AppleInsider
• One in Four Starbucks Transactions Now Done via Starbucks Card or Mobile App - Mashable
• AmEx Introduces 'Get $10, Share $10' Program for Serve Activations - Facebook
• Debit-Card Fee Cap Has Nasty Side Effect for Small Merchants - WSJ.com
• Small Businesses Use Square for Credit Deals – USATODAY.com

On the wires:

• Transaction Wireless Powers Finish Line Personalized E-Gift Cards for the Holidays
• Port Chester, New York Increases Parking Revenues by 40% With New Parking Meters From Digital Payment Technologies
• CHARGE Anywhere Adds Support For Bluetooth Card Reader & Receipt Printer
• New Mercator Report on Consumer Prepaid Distribution

American Express has announced The Gift Chain, "an innovative new program that presents a surprise gift to cardmembers each time they shop at participating online retailers and spend $25 or more (up to 10 gifts, while supplies last). The Gift Chain consists of hundreds of thousands of gifts, ranging from $500 American Express Gift Cards to one-year ShopRunner memberships to $5 statement credits, and more. Plus, some gifts are shareable with three Facebook friends."

On the web:

• Mobile Melee (Infographic) - Fast Company
• American Express Serves Up P2P "Pay Me Back" on Ticketmaster - NetBanker

On the wires:

• ReD Targets Previously Anonymous Cyber Criminals with New IP Intelligence
• Despegar Selects GlobalCollect as Preferred PSP to Drive Latin American Expansion
• Western Union and USAID Launch Second African Diaspora Marketplace with Small Business Workshops in Seven Cities
• QVC Selects CashStar to Power its New eGift Card Program

On the web:

• Simply Tap Mobile Payment Service Rolled Out by UK Retailers - Computer Weekly

On the wires:

• AmEx Launches American Express for Target Prepaid Card in More Than 1,000 U.S. Target Stores
• Chase Paymentech Launches of Safetech Fraud Tools in Europe

American Express has announced a new multi-year digital commerce initiative designed to help identify and develop innovative technologies, and plans to invest $100 million in early stage startups in the digital commerce space.

“American Express is a 162 year old company that has continuously reinvented itself,” said Dan Schulman, Group President, Enterprise Growth, American Express. “As we enter the next chapter in our history, we recognize the need to work with emerging technology companies to inspire change, encourage innovation, and ultimately deliver the best products and services to our customers.”

American Express has announced the launch of the University of North Florida’s (UNF) Osprey 1Card, the company’s first prepaid campus ID Card. "Starting today, all current and new UNF students can obtain an Osprey 1Card with American Express prepaid functionality embedded in the card, allowing students the ability to use their ID Card for on campus dining meal purchases and off campus at the millions of locations around the world that accept American Express Cards."

Bank of China (BOC) and American Express have announced a new strategic partnership, whereby Bank of China will begin issuing American Express-branded credit cards in China.

"China is a key growth market for American Express, and we are delighted to partner with Bank of China to offer the first American Express-branded credit card that targets the fast-growing, private banking customer segment in China. The launch of the Bank of China Private Bank American Express Card represents an important opportunity to further expand the reach of our brand and offer world-class benefits and services to the growing number of affluent consumers in China," said Dave Keung, Vice President and Group General Manager, American Express Global Network and Merchant Services, American Express.

American Express has reported financial results for the third quarter 2011. Net income was $1.2 billion, up 13% from $1.1 billion a year ago. Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer, commented:

Cardmember spending was strong during the period, growing 16 percent to record levels and again outpacing most of the major bank card issuers. Credit quality continued to be excellent, with key lending metrics improving from the historically strong levels we achieved earlier in the year. The growth in operating expenses moderated this quarter, as planned, and we expect to further slow that growth towards the end of this year and into next.

On the web:

• Debit Card Fees Are Robbery (Lloyd Constantine Op-Ed) - NYTimes.com
• BillGuard's Monthly Credit/Debit Card Scan Report - NetBanker
• Office Max on board with Google Wallet - NFCNews
• Cyberspace Trust: Proving You're Not a Dog - Portals and Rails

On the wires:

• American Express and Virgin America Team Up on Reward Redemption
• Pier 1 Imports and Alliance Data Sign New Private-Label Credit Card Agreement

The Wall Street Journal and others outlets have recently reported that American Express has partnered with Tencent Holdings to enable Tenpay users to make online purchases outside of China using a new American Express services called 'GlobalShop'. Tenpay is the number two online payment enabler in China, after Alipay, with roughly 20% market share.

American Express has announced the launch of American Express Merchant Financing, "a set of financing products that provide qualified merchants with quick and simple access to cash for their business needs. Eligible merchants now have the opportunity to leverage their relationship with American Express to tap into a convenient and hassle-free source of capital, which is repaid automatically through settlement charges and accompanied by low fixed fees."

TechCrunch is reporting that American Express has acquired Sometrics, a virtual currency platform and in-game payments provider serving the online game industry, for $30 million. Supposedly, Sometrics will be used within American Express' Serve digital payments platform. No details have been disclosed, but AmEx has confirmed the acquisition with a tweet.

On the web:

• Socially Awkward Teens May Drive Mobile Payment Adoption - AllThingsD
• American Express Seeks Acquisitions to Expand E-Commerce, Mobile Payments - Bloomberg
• Mobile Payments to Overtake Cards Within Ten Years - NFC World
• French Carriers Launch 'Buyster' Web and M-payment System - Telecompaper

On the wires:

• Start-Up Ready Receipts Enters Digital Receipts Market
• Mobile Payments From Bango Increase GoSpoken.com eBook Sales
• Accumulate and PayPal to Cooperate on Mobile Solutions

American Express has announced the launch of the American Express eGift Card, "a new virtual gift card to be purchased and used online. This new virtual gift card mirrors the revolutionary American Express Gift Card, with no fees after purchase—including no fees for activation, no fees for checking a balance, no fees for monthly servicing, and the funds do not expire."

American Express and Groupon Hong Kong have announced that the two companies are partnering to let American Express Cardmembers redeem Membership Rewards for Groupon cash vouchers at a 60% discount.

The collaboration sets a major milestone for both American Express and Groupon Hong Kong. Groupon Hong Kong has become the first Membership Rewards partner of American Express from the online group-buying category, adding a new dimension to the American Express Membership Rewards program and offering American Express Cardmembers broader choice in their rewards selection.

In related news, American Express also announced a new reward card for business customers that earns double points for spending on online advertising.

On the web:

• RIM Waits on Carrier Plans for NFC with new BlackBerry Line - FierceWireless

On the wires:

• ViVOtech Ships EMV Payments and NFC mCommerce-Ready Reader
• Sprint Selects American Express for Rebate Cards
• Citi Renews Credit Card Issuing Relationship with Shell
• Yardi PAYscan Mobile (for Mobile Invoicing) Available at Apple’s App Store
• Citi Introduces the New ThankYou® Rewards App
• Dynamics Announces Manufacturing and Personalization Facility for Electronic Stripe Cards

American Express and Verizon Wireless have announced they will integrate American Express' Serve on many Verizon mobile phones and tablets. "Over the coming months, Verizon Wireless customers will be able to establish Serve accounts that will enable them to make payments and redeem offers for goods and services directly from their mobile phones and tablets using Serve." READ MORE »

On the web:

• Finally, a Facebook Credit Card Connection to Really Like (Thanks American Express) - NetBanker
• Interview with Card.io Co-founder Mike Mettler re Card Image Scanning - MyBankTracker.com
• 20 Silicon Valley Startups To Watch: SwipeGood - Business Insider
• 3 Mobile Cash Registers - Inc. Magazine

On the wires:

• J.P. Morgan Treasury Services to Provide Enhanced FX and Cross-Border Payment Capabilities to Fundtech’s PAYplus USA Clients
• NCR and Scopus Tecnologia Sign Agreement to Accelerate Growth in Brazil

American Express has reported financial results for the second quarter 2011. Net income was $1.3 billion, up 31% from a year ago. Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer, commented:

Cardmember spending was at an all-time high, growing 18% (15% adjusted for foreign exchange conversions) and we saw broad-based strength across the consumer, small business and corporate sectors globally. While net interest income was down from last year because of a lower yield on our portfolio, cardmember borrowing rose 2%, reversing the pattern of the past couple of years.

Isis, the national mobile commerce joint venture between AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, has announced that "Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express will join Isis in making mobile commerce a reality for millions of U.S. consumers and merchants."

“Since the formation of Isis in November, we have been committed to building a mobile commerce platform that aligns and advances the interests of consumers, merchants and banks,” said Michael Abbott, chief executive officer for Isis. “By working with the nation’s payment networks – Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express – we significantly advance the vision of an open and secure platform that provides banks and merchants with a new and highly relevant way to connect with consumers.”

American Express has launched a new Facebook app called "Link, Like, Love" that delivers cardmember deals and experiences based on the likes, interests and social connections of cardmembers and their Facebook friends."

Starting today, on the American Express Facebook page, cardmembers can link their cards to the program and choose their favorite deals; American Express will send statement credits to cardmembers’ accounts as they shop online or in stores, without the need to pre-purchase anything, print out or show a coupon at the point of sale. In the coming months, American Express will also deliver Membership Rewards® points offers, entertainment access, exclusive content and special events through the application, all based on a cardmember’s Facebook social graph.

American Express also unveil a “Go Social” offer tool for small businesses to distribute coupon-less, location-based cardmember offers in Facebook Places and other digital platforms.

American Express and Sprint have announced an agreement that will provide Sprint customers with easy access to Serve, American Express' recently launched digital payments platform.

“Sprint is pleased to join with American Express to offer this convenient tool for sending and receiving money to friends, paying bills and making purchases online,” said Kevin McGinnis, vice president-Product Platforms, Sprint. “Our relationship with American Express is a great example of Sprint’s open enablement strategy. Sprint brings practical, easy-to-use apps and services to our customers from trusted brands like American Express.”

American Express OPEN has announced the launch of YourBuzz, a "free tool to help small businesses manage their online presence, learn what is being said about them and their competitors, and connect with customers in the places where they are most vocal—social media."

YourBuzz is powered exclusively for American Express OPEN by Clickable, an award-winning developer of online advertising solutions. The product is available for all small business owners and not limited to American Express Cardmembers.