American Express has launched a mobile offer engine that recommends and ranks relevant merchant offers in real time for US Cardmembers based on their spending history and location – a Cardmember’s “spend graph.”

“In an increasingly crowded marketplace, where consumers are bombarded with daily deals, we saw an opportunity to help our Cardmembers save time as well as money by curating meaningful offers for them,” said Josh Silverman, president of the U.S. Consumer Services Group at American Express. “At the same time, we can help our merchant partners build their business by helping them reach the right Cardmembers with the right offers at the right time. We developed our mobile offer engine with three key points of differentiation in mind: relevance, convenience and value.”

American Express and Isis have announced an agreement to make American Express’ U.S. Consumer, OPEN Small Business and Serve Cards available in the Isis Mobile Wallet, starting in Salt Lake City, Utah and Austin, Texas later this year.

“Now our Cardmembers and merchants can benefit from the ease and convenience of a tap-and-go experience on a mobile phone and still enjoy the benefits, services and support of American Express,” said Josh Silverman, President, U.S. Consumer Services for American Express.

On the web:

• It's Apple vs. Google vs. Everyone In The Mobile Payments War - Forbes

On the wires:

• 99Bill's Smartphone Card Reader to Enable Mobile POS in China
• Major Retail Brands Select VeriFone GlobalBay Mobile POS
• RunningShoes.com Activates New MasterCard PayPass Online Wallet
• Ogone Named as European Launch Partner for PayPass Wallet Services by MasterCard
• ESI Partners with InstaMed to Launch Electronic Healthcare Payment Solutions
• AmEx to Launch American Express® Campus Edition Prepaid Card in 500 Campus Bookstores

American Express has reported financial results for the first quarter 2012, including first quarter net income of $1.3 billion, up 7% from $1.2 billion a year ago.. Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer, American Express commented:

“Higher cardmember spending, excellent credit metrics and disciplined expense management helped us to start 2012 with record first-quarter earnings and revenues,” said Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer. “Spending on the American Express network rose 12 percent, remaining strong throughout the quarter, both in the U.S. and internationally. Credit quality continues to be among the best we have ever experienced, and our lending portfolio continued to grow at moderate levels.

American Express and Transaction Network Services have announced the launch of the American Express Payment Gateway - calling it "a payment service provider solution that offers a single-source for all sized merchants looking to establish online payment functionality."

“Through our relationship with merchants, we know they are looking for a more reliable, global and stand-alone e-commerce payment solution,” said Suzan Kereere, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Network Business at American Express. “We are delighted to work with TNS to address this need. The American Express Payment Gateway will enable businesses to focus their efforts on expanding their market reach, while we manage the processing, security and service behind online card acceptance.”

On the web:

• Amazon Tests In-App Purchases to Challenge Apple, Google - Bloomberg
• ARM Joins European Partners for Mobile Security Standard - WSJ TechEurope
• ANY PLACE, ANY TIME: MOBILE DEVICES HELP CONSUMERS FIND BETTER VALUE - Serve Blog
• Google/TxVia - Tom Noyes
• GoPago’s line-skipping mobile payment system launches in San Francisco - GigaOm
• New Zealand mobile operators join effort to bring mobile payments to market - GeekZone

On the wires:

• Uber Simplifies Sign Up Process: Just Hold Up Your Credit Card & You’re In!
• ROAM Data to Launch Payment Industry’s First Device Agnostic Mobile NFC and Magnetic Card Reader Combo called “NFC Swipe”
• Fiserv White Paper Evaluates How Mobile Access is Reshaping Banking Across Channels

American Express announced that the American Express Prepaid Card, a prepaid reloadable Card with no monthly or maintenance fees, will soon be available at select Office Depot stores.

“Office Depot is pleased to offer a prepaid reloadable card for the first time to our customers,” said Farla Efros, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Office Depot. “Reloadable prepaid cards are quickly gaining traction for many different uses. We are excited to offer the American Express Prepaid Card which delivers premium value with no hidden fees, enables our customers to use the card immediately upon purchase and is backed with the safety and security that is synonymous with American Express.”

On the web:

• Making Plastic Credit Cards Smarter at SXSW - CardSpring
• Isis’ campaign to win over consumers starts at SXSW
• Can Banks Avoid Being Friends with Facebook?
• 63 Minutes With Jack Dorsey
• No wallet? No problem. PayPal Now Available Through the Tabbedout Mobile App
• Luxury Daily: Are retailers ready for mobile payments?
• How mobile payments might drive health behavior change
• Apple Wins Patent for iWallet: The one that will rule the World
• AMEX’s new Twitter integration is “brilliant” marketing
• On the mobile payments front at MWC: Much ado about nothing
• Clover Raises $5.8M From Andreessen Horowitz; Launches As A One-Click Mobile Payments Platform
• 15M Facebook users bought virtual goods with Credits in 2011
• Virtual Currency Is The Next Big Platform
• Best Buy snags Starbucks tech guru

On the wires:

• Green Dot to Acquire Loopt
• Discover Financial Services and National Payment Corporation of India Announce Strategic Alliance Enabling Increased Network Acceptance

On the web:

• Jumio Raises $25.5M From Andreessen Horowitz; Will Hit $100M In 2012 Revenue - TechCrunch
• AmEx Testing Prepaid Cards in Some Wal-Marts - MarketWatch

On the wires:

• PayPal Now Available Through the Tabbedout Mobile App
• Virgin Gaming Selects Mazooma as Its U.S. Payments Partner
• Linkable Networks Launches “MyLinkables” Mobile App and Social API
• mopay and Wargaming.net Join Forces In Enhancing Monetization Services
• Ceridian Stored Value Solutions (SVS), offers Multiple Fulfillment Solutions to Optimize Program Management
• MoneyGram and Grupo Elektra Reach Agreement for Money Transfers in Mexico
• Curaxian Debuts Payments Reporting and Analytics Service
• New Mercator Report on China Payment Card Market

The Nilson Report has announced that American Express overtook MasterCard to gain second place among credit card brands in the U.S., based on spending at merchants.

“This is the first time since MasterCard was known as MasterCharge back in the 1960s, that American Express has experienced more purchase volume,” said David Robertson, publisher of The Nilson Report. While purchase volume increased for all four card brands (Visa, Amex, MasterCard, and Discover), American Express credit cards had an increase of 13.4% to $540 billion dollars, vs. an increase 6.1% to $508 billion for MasterCard credit cards.

TSYS announced that both its front-end authorization and capture as well as back-end clearing and settlement platforms are now enabled to process American Express OnePoint transactions.

“This is a mutually beneficial agreement for both TSYS and our clients to expand our processing and merchant portfolios respectively,” said Eric Barth, senior director, product management, TSYS. “For the first time, TSYS will be able to offer our clients complete processing services for all card brands with the convenience of a single deposit and one billing statement to merchants.”

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.