On the web:

• Banks Quietly Ramp Up Consumer Fees - NYTimes.com
• Samsung Adds First Paypal-Capable App To Smart TV Apps Store - HDTVtest
• Square Mobile Payments Surge to $11M a Day - FierceMobileContent
• How Visa Protects Your Data - Fast Company
• Evidence for PCI’s Effectiveness in the Fight Against Fraud - Portals and Rails
• Isis Says It Continues to Make Progress - MobilePaymentsToday.com

On the wires:

• InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions Enhances Capabilities with New Discover Prepaid Cards
• FirsTech Launches Mobile Payments to Complete their Capabilities Suite
• Adyen to Power Pathé Payment Platform
• New Aite Group Report on Global Non-Cash Payments Market
• CardinalCommerce and STAR Network Announce Universal PIN Debit Service Initiative
• New Service Provides Small and Medium Businesses with Secure and Efficient Online Banking and Payment Services via the Cloud

First Data has announced that The Bankers Bank, of Oklahoma City, has selected the STAR Network to provide electronic funds transfer (EFT) network services to its customers. Owned by nearly 100 community banks, The Bankers Bank serves correspondents in Oklahoma, Texas, and throughout the Midwest.

The STAR Network recently announced STAR CertiFlash, a new PIN debit application that advances POS security using one-time card number technology. The STAR CertiFlash technology is programmed onto a contactless chip embedded within a payment device. For each transaction, the chip encrypts and transmits a card number that is good for only a single use.

First Data Corporation has announced that its STAR Network has signed a multi-year agreement with SunTrust Banks Inc. to provide PIN-secured debit point-of-sale (POS) and ATM access to its cardholders. SunTrust is one of the top 10 debit card issuers in the US.

“This is a huge win for us,” said Kevin Barry, general manager for the STAR Network. “Our new relationship with SunTrust is a validation of our commitment to lead the industry with superior customer service and the most innovative products. SunTrust’s progressive view of payments will be a great match for STAR and our members.” READ MORE »

The STAR Network has launched a redesigned web site at STAR.com.

The new STAR.com is content-rich and easy to navigate, designed to serve as your one-stop resource for information about STAR and PIN debit. Our experts will offer their points of view on key industry topics in the Insights section. And the About STAR section houses the newsroom, with recent STAR announcements, press releases, and media relations contact information – all organized so you can quickly find the information you need."

A feature on the new STAR.com site is a series of 9 tips for retail bankers about how they can enhance their investment in PIN debit.