On the web:

• Visa to Offer Mobile Payments in Developing Nations - NYTimes.com
• GSMA Says Handset Availability is Sparking NFC “tipping point” - Mobile Business Briefing
• PayPal Send Money App for Facebook - PayPal Blog
• China Sidelines MasterCard, Visa - Economic Observer Online

On the wires:

• Citi Renews U.S. Private Label Card Relationship with Sunoco
• Southwest Airlines Launches Rapid Rewards Shopping Powered by Cartera Commerce
• Cubic Selected for Chicago Open Standards Fare System Contract
• YODLEE and Open Solutions Launching Personalized Finance Capabilities for Consumers via Community Banks and Credit Unions

On the web:

• Consumers to Switch Banks Over Debit Fees - Bloomberg
• Google Wallet Picks Up Steam With NJ Transit Partnership - TechCrunch
• South Korean Credit Card Firms to Cut Domestic Transaction Fees - Korean Herald
• iZettle (the Square of Europe) Secures €8.2 million Funding - Wall Street Journal
• NetSecure Kudos Takes on Square in Mobile Payments - SlashGear
• Tagattitude Launches Audio-based Mobile Payments System in France - NFCNews

On the wires:

• Earthport to Extend Cross Border Payment Reach
• Moneris Brings Mobile Payment Acceptance to Smartphones in Canada
• Online Resources Signs American Heritage FCU For Advanced Banking Software
• Commidea’s Vanguard Payment Gateway Secures High Volume CNP Payments in UK
• BNP Paribas and Bottomline Technologies Announce SWIFT Service Bureau Partnership
• LINC New York Meeting - NFC: Next frontier for Commerce?

On the web:

• Ericsson adds in-app payments to IPX - Rethink Wireless
• Concept: ETRONIKA Kinect Gesture Banking Video - YouTube
• Online Banking Keeps Customers on Hook for Fees - NYTimes.com
• As Payments System Evolves, "funny" Money is Still No Laughing Matter - Portals and Rails
• Roundup of PayPal Announcements from BAI Retail & Delivery Conference - PayPal Blog
• Survey Reveals Small-Bank Jitters About Regulation, Fraud, Rapid Change - Digital Transactions

On the wires:

• Cubic Receives Contactless EMV Bank Card Type Approval for Next-Generation Tri-Reader 3

On the web:

• U.S. Gets to Catch Up On Credit Card Security - The Register Card
• Mobile Interactive Group Acquires Mobile Payments Startup Zaypay - TechCrunch
• FinCEN Delays Compliance With Some Prepaid-Access Regulations - WSJ
• Reviewed: The American Express Gift Card Store and its New eGift Card Option - NetBanker

On the wires:

• IP Commerce Closes $20.7 Million Investment from Intel Capital and Existing Investors
• HSBC Launches BUSINESS without BORDERS for U.S. Companies
• VeriFone Expands International Channels with Hypercom Distributors
• Western Union and TouchNet Team Up to Develop Payment Solutions for Universities & International Students
• Puerto Rico’s Conversion to All Electronic Toll Collection Debuts with Dramatic Results
• Nexon Rolls Out New Karma Koin Cards This Month to Retailers

On the wires:

• Reserve Bank of Australia on Payments System Issues Related to Multi-Function Cards
• TIO Network Surpasses 58,000 Physical Locations through MoneyGram Strategic Alliance
• Tyfone and Dexim Bring NFC Contactless Payments to the iPhone
• Arcos Dorados Selects VeriFone PAYware Merchant for Latin America McDonald’s Restaurants
• Digital Payment Technologies and Streetline Form Partnership

On the web:

• Rethink Wireless: Google May Get Tough On In-app Purchasing Too
• ReadWriteWeb: NFC in 2011: What's NFC, and Why Do I Care?
• Portals and Rails: Gains Made in Reducing Identity Theft, but Significant Fraud Losses Still Loom
• eMarketer: Consumers Continue Switch to Online Banking
• MIT Technology Review: Mobile Payments Try to Take Root in Afghanistan

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that by the end of 2012 readers across the whole TfL network will have been upgraded so that a touch of a contactless bank or credit card will allow passengers to pay for travel on the bus, Tube, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Tram, and London Overground network.

On the wires:

• Verifi Selected by Marketing Architects for Real-Time Fraud Analysis
• New eLayaway 2.0 Beta Release Enhances Both Merchant and Consumer Experience
• Panini First to Market with RDC Solution for Apple Macintosh Users
• Parago Announces Surging Rebate Activity in 2010
• New BCG Report - 'Global Payments 2011'
• Crédit Agricole Selects Gemalto for Its Mobile Contactless Payment Program in Nice
• New Juniper Research Report - Mobile Money Transfer & Remittances
• Guardian Analytics Finishes 2010 with Record Growth in Customers and Revenue

On the web:

• Wall Street Journal: Fed Proposes Implementation Of Two Dodd-Frank Provisions
• TechCrunch: BillGuard Raises $3M To Track Hidden Fees, Billing Errors On Credit Card Bills
• PayPal Blog: PayPal teams with Points.com to turn airline miles into cash
• codebutler: New 'FareBot' Android App Can Harvest Data from Public Transit Cards
• O'Reilly Radar Report: ePayments: Emerging Platforms, Embracing Mobile, and Confronting Identity

Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners:

• Vindicia Wraps Another Record Breaking Year, Company’s SaaS Billing Solutions Continue to Outpace Competition
• Cubic to Test Open Payment Technology on PATCO
• CHARGE Anywhere Launches Mobile Payments in Nigeria with GPAY Africa
• Fathead Brings eBillme’s Secure Cash Checkout Option to Sports Enthusiasts

• Visa Blog: Visa CEO Joe Saunders On Debit Card Regulation

Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners:

• NFC Forum Publishes Transport Ticketing White Paper
• Kohl’s to Partner with First Data on Private Brand Credit Card Processing
• Western Union Announces Major Bank Signing in Russia
• Higher One Joins the Secure Vault Payments Network
• SAP Enables New Approach to Billing for Telecommunications Industry
• NEOVIA To Acquire Optimal Payments

• Forbes: How $150 Oil Prices Help MasterCard
• Bloomberg: PayPal Argues Against Fee Cap as Fed Decision Looms
• Wall Street Journal: US Bank To Raise Checking Pricing Earlier Than Expected
• Bloomberg: Barney Frank Backs Changes to Debit-Card Swipe Fees
• New York Times: Debit Card Predators (Editorial)
• SmartMoney: Banks Begone: Can You Really Go Cash-Only?
• Digital Money Blog: Mobile Challenges to the Financial Sector
• Daily Mail: Fake £20 Elvis Presley Banknote Fools Teller in German Central Bank

Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners:

• Foregenix launches FScout Enterprise to Help Organizations Achieve PCI-DSS Compliance
• Smart Card Alliance to Provide Full-day Open Bank Card Payments Workshop for Transit
• Acculynk Bringing PaySecure to the Mobile Channel

• SpringWise: SwipeGood: Rounding up Credit Card Purchases Creates a Monthly Donation to Charity
• postalnews blog: USPS to try selling gift cards at post offices
• Digital Transactions: Acquirers Will Benefit from Durbin, But Gain Could be Short-Lived
• BostInnovation: Mobile Self-Checkout AisleBuyer Looks to National Retailers in 2011

Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners:

• First Data Announces Big Brand Additions to its eGift Social Marketplace
• American Express to Eliminate Foreign Currency Transaction Fees on U.S. Platinum and Centurion Cards
• WesPay and Northwest Clearing House Association announce intention to merge operations
• Visa Europe launches new contactless payment solution for London’s black cabs

• New York Times: Fed Proposes Rules to Cut Debit Card Fees
• BusinessWeek: Ingenico Gets EU1.44 Billion Offer From Undisclosed Buyer
• globeandmail.com: Rising Credit Card Fees Raise Merchants' Ire In Canada
• Bloomberg: American Express to Buy Munich-based Loyalty Partner

Visa announced today that commuters in NY and LA can use Visa to pay for bus, subway and train fares. In NY, Visa is allowing riders to pay using Visa payWave-enabled cards and mobile phones, while commuters in Los Angeles can use a special Visa prepaid card to ride the LA metro system. Visa has brought similar payment services to commuters in Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore, London and Paris."

According to recent Visa new release, "Spectators at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony this Saturday can expect a unique entry process with their all-in-one DBS Visa Prepaid cards."

The all-in-one card replaces the usual paper ticket and serves as an entry pass to the Opening Ceremony. In addition, it allows cardholders to make purchases at places that accept Visa cards, including Youth Olympic venues. It also comes with a contactless EZ-link transit function that enables cardholders to enjoy free public transport to competition venues on event days. The card can be used as a regular transit card after the Games.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PATH), NJ TRANSIT (NJT) and MasterCard have announced the launch of a six month pilot program in which MasterCard PayPass will be accepted for fare payments on select train and bus routes throughout New York City and New Jersey. According to the companies, the service "enables riders of the three transit systems to purchase fares and transfer between transit systems simply by tapping a single type of contactless credit or debit card or device." According to a press release, the service will be "available exclusively to MasterCard PayPass customers during the first two months of the trial" before being opened up to other payments brands. READ MORE »

Visa has announced the launch of the first Visa Prepaid card that combines payment, transit fare and event ticketing features all in one card. The Visa Prepaid card’s functions include payment for trips on Singapore’s public transportation system, making purchases at Visa merchants, as well as serving as a ticket for entry to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore. The Games will be held from 14 to 26 August 2010. READ MORE »

The Smart Card Alliance Transportation Council has announced the availability of two new white papers to help transit agencies who are planning to upgrade their fare collection systems. The white papers are: "Planning for New Fare Payment and Collection Systems: Cost Considerations and Procurement Guidelines" and "A Guide to Prepaid Cards for Transit Agencies". READ MORE »

Smart card manufacturers Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) and Oberthur Technologies, and chip suppliers Infineon Technologies AG and INSIDE Contactless have announced the launch of an industry initiative to provide "a new security solution for next-generation smart card based public transport applications. The solution will build on an open standard now being implemented by the four partner companies, which will eventually be governed by an independent body. Companies active in the smart card arena - providers of chips, smart cards, application-specific operating software, reader devices and transportation systems - are invited to join the initiative for the advancement of more secure public transportation applications." READ MORE »

In an article titled "New York’s Cabbies Like Credit Cards? Go Figure", Michael M. Grynbaum writes for the New York Times about how New York cabbies have grown to appreciate the benefits of payment card acceptance as they've emerged as "an unlikely savior for New York’s taxi industry." When initially introduced two years ago, cabbies were very unhappy with the requirement to accept cards. According to Grynbaum, all of that has changed.

Over the last few years, we've been watching various acceptance environments abandoning cash and moving to only card-based payments. Perhaps the best examples are the airlines - who moved over a relatively short period to eliminating cash acceptance for meals and drinks purchased in-flight. Now comes word from the Miami Herald in south Florida that Florida's Turnpike is being turned into a cashless toll road. "By February 2011, all cash collection on the Turnpike's southernmost stretch will end, and crews will begin tearing down every toll booth."

ReadWriteWeb takes a look at London's Oyster card, the RFID smart card used for electronic ticketing on London's public transport services.

In an article titled "Taxi Commission Says Credit Cards Help Drivers", William Neuman writes for the New York Times "that credit cards may be saving the industry from feeling the worst effects of the recession." It turns out that since all cabs in New York City are now equipped for credit card payments, "many corporations that once ordered black cars for their employees have begun telling them instead to take a cab (which costs less) and charge it." One in five taxi trips are being paid for using payment cards.

Cubic Transportation Systems has announced it is providing new capabilities for the Cubic designed Tri-Reader® to enable an all-in-one reader that will process bank cards, prepaid cards and smart card-enabled mobile phones through an exclusive software development and licensing agreement with ViVOtech, a provider of point-of-sale (POS) readers for contactless and Near Field Communication (NFC) mobile phone payments. READ MORE »

The Utah Transit Authority is showcasing its new electronic fare collection system this week at an event held in Salt Lake City by the Smart Card Alliance. According to the UTA, "the new electronic payment system for the transit agency is the first full-system rollout of a transit payment system based on the open payment network." READ MORE »

Moversa, a joint venture between NXP and Sony Corporation, has announced it will unveil its latest security chip – the Universal Secure Access Module (U-SAM) – at this year’s Mobile World Congress (16-19 February in Barcelona, Spain). According to the company, "the chip manages contactless smart card applications, regardless of protocols and operating systems, in Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled mobile devices. The potential of the U-SAM will be showcased on the NTT DOCOMO stand (Stand B117, Hall 8) in a demonstration featuring how multiple applications based on different contactless technologies, can be accessed on one mobile handset." READ MORE »

MasterCard and RATP have announced that "they are cooperating at developing the functional and technical requirements and feasibility of using MasterCard PayPass contactless payment cards to access public transport services." According to MasterCard, "the goal is to help French and foreign travellers gain faster access to public transportation by simply taping their MasterCard PayPass bank card in front of a validator. In association with la Banque Postale, lab and field tests could also be conducted in the course of 2009."

[Editor's note: Today seems to be the day for contactless transit payments - apparently the new "killer app" for contactless. Earlier, Visa also announced trials of its PayWave contactless payments as part of a strategy focusing on transit payments. Since widespread deployment contactless acceptance is a precursor to supporting local mobile payments, transit payments may be emerging as an ideal, high-frequency acceptance environment for mobile payments - as it has been in Japan for several years.] READ MORE »

As part of a strategy focused on enabling Visa card usage for transit payments, Visa has announced that it is working with the Los Angeles transit authority to allow train, subway and bus riders to speed through turnstiles and past fare boxes with a simple wave of their Visa payWave-enabled contactless card. In parallel, Visa Europe has announced it is collaborating with the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), the major transit operator responsible for public transportation in Paris and its surroundings, to demonstrate that Visa payWave acceptance at a Paris metro fare gate is technically feasible. READ MORE »

Creative Mobile Technologies (CMT) has announced a 10-year deal with Taxi Affiliation Services, a Chicago based company providing services to Yellow, Checker and Blue Diamond taxicabs in the City of Chicago. Yellow, Checker and Blue Diamond, together form the nation's oldest and largest continually operating taxicab fleet, and comprise 2,600 taxicabs in Chicago. CMT's deal will bring Chicago taxi passengers a credit card payment system in the rear seats of vehicles. READ MORE »

The NFC Forum, a non-profit industry association that advances the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, has announced that it is sponsoring and participating in the Mobile Transactions Workshop at the Mobile Internet World Conference and Expo, October 22 at 2:30 PM, at the Boston, Massachusetts Convention & Exhibition Center. READ MORE »

Libercard, ViVOtech and Inteligensa have announced they have "collaborated to develop the first Transit & Retail combination contactless payment implementation in Latin America. With the new technology, Brazilians in the city of Fortaleza use a single contactless payment card to ride local transit and make retail purchases. Libercard has enabled tens of thousands of transit riders with dual-purpose prepaid contactless cards to ride transit, pay for purchases and perform top-ups at several hundred retail stores in Fortaleza that use ViVOtech contactless payment devices implemented with Inteligensa integration expertise." READ MORE »

Over on the Digital Money Forum blog, Dave Birch writes about a student In London who spends a whole day using just his Barclays OnePulse card - and then comes home to find his wallet (with his cash) on the kitchen table. Some believe that, in a few years, he wouldn't even need his card - just his ever-present mobile phone!