The Mobile Money Exchange has a great visual tool that nicely illustrates the proliferation of mobile money deployments around the world.

This tool was originally developed by the GSMA Mobile Money for the Unbanked team (covering the countries under their remit) and has been extended to include all worldwide mobile money deployments.

The global deployment tracker requires the Google Earth browser plug-in; its worth getting it if you don't already have it.

On the wires:

• Vesta and Jibe Mobile Deliver Integrated Mobile Payments Application
• Banks Launch Integrated Mobile Banking Solution from First Data
• VeriFone’s VeriShield Total Protect Integrated with ISD’s Card Data Security Suite
• iSmartCheck Identifies Why Merchants Need to Add Electronic Checks to Their Payment Options
• Naked Facts Report: QR Code Use Explodes by 1200% in the Last Half of 2010

On the web:

• BAI Banking Strategies: Crossing Borders with ACH
• Bank Systems & Technology: Debit Card Fee Caps May Be No Big Deal
• Wall Street Journal: KT to Become Largest Stakeholder in BC Card in Korea
• Inside Mobile Apps: Android Opens Up More NFC Access for Developers
• RCR Wireless: DoCoMo and KT announce NFC Joint Venture in Asia/Pacific
• RFP Connect: Ukash Extends Its Presence into Brazil and Argentina
• Wall Street Journal: Chargebacks Create Small-Business Headaches
• WebProNews: PayPal Digital Goods Payment Product Released

Following the recent entry of paysafecard into the Latin American market, GlobalCollect has announced it has increased the number of countries where it offers this payment method to include Argentina. According to the companies, "paysafecard enables consumers to make online cash payments in local currencies without needing a bank account or credit card. In a region where - according to the World Bank - only 30% of adults have a bank account, offering alternative payment methods such as cash and prepaid is crucial for e- commerce merchants to succeed. paysafecard is being distributed via 3,500 outlets in Argentina, which will be the company's base for further expansion into Mexico." READ MORE »