ANNOUNCEMENTSJudge Eduardo Robreno of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania sentenced former Check Site Inc. Chief Executive Officer Neil Godfrey to 15 months in prison, as well as ordered him to pay a $50,000 fine and enter a $100,000 forfeiture money judgment. Godfrey pleaded guilty to using Check Site to assist at least two fraudulent web-based merchants in obtaining consumer bank information to withdraw money from accounts; they relied on remotely created checks to facilitate the fraud.
Citi Mastercard credit customers in the United States can now use Citi Pay, a digital wallet that offers multichannel payments with tokenization protection. Existing Citibank online users can access the digital wallet with current login credentials to make purchases online and in-app via mobile devices through Citi's recent integration with Masterpass. Android users can also use the wallet to make in-store purchases at any near field communication (NFC)-enabled terminal.
NXT-ID Inc. subsidiary Fit Pay Inc. supports payments on the Token biometric identity ring. Token replaces day-to-day credentials, including credit cards and passwords, and utilizes proprietary two-factor authentication. "As we looked to add essential services to Token, contactless payment capabilities were a must-have and Fit Pay's platform offered the best end-to-end solution for our users," said Melanie Shapiro, Token co-founder and CEO.
Linkpay Merchant Services Inc. launched Linkpay.University, a video training system for merchant services professionals. Training consists of 12 courses and over 64 videos on merchant service topics, including an introduction to credit card processing, analyzing statements, how to sell merchant services, lead generation and sales calls. Merchant level salespeople who complete the training earn certified Linkpay Consultant status and are assigned a personal sales coach.
The U.S. Payments Forum recognized National ATM Council Inc. Executive Director Bruce Renard with an award for "Outstanding Contributions to The U.S. Payments Forum" in 2016. "Bruce's extensive involvement and the expertise he brings represent a significant investment and contribution on the part of NAC to protect and benefit America's independent ATM companies and the millions of retail ATM consumers we are privileged to serve," stated Greg Chiasson, NAC Treasurer.
Seattle-based digital currency payment provider POSaBIT Inc. raised $1.5 million in funding from Seattle angel investors and New York-based Digital Currency Group. To date, stores in Washington State have used the POSaBIT platform to process over $2 million in sales. "Securing the backing of DCG will allow us to execute and innovate faster, in order to support the needs of our customers and partners," said Jon Baugher and Ryan Hamlin, founders of POSaBIT.
SmartMetric Inc. achieved mass production of its biometric fingerprint activated credit card, which acts as a biometric reader and functions with existing POS systems. "We can now move forward with sales and marketing with card issuing financial institutions but as well adapt our biometric cards for other significantly large markets in the cyber and physical security industries," stated Chaya Hendrick, President and CEO of SmartMetric.
Veem integrated with QuickBooks Online to help QuickBooks users and accounting professionals streamline international payments. The integration allows users to automatically sync vendor bills in QuickBooks with Veem to make international wire transfers. When users enter bills into QuickBooks, the payment is automatically sent through the Veem multi-currency platform where the currency is converted and delivered in the appropriate form.
RESEARCHATMIA published a manual for the ATM industry entitled Defending Against ATM Explosive Attacks - Best Practices Digest, which offers security guidelines and best practices for protecting ATM systems in light of a series of recent attacks. The best practice guide defines and illustrates in detail the types and methods of explosive attacks, and how to defend against brute force attacks through enhanced site security and explosive-resistant safes, for example.
Blumberg Capital released results of a survey conducted online by Harris Poll in France, Germany, Israel, United Kingdom, and the United States. The survey looked at how financial technology is used in different countries and found mobile wallets, peer-to-peer lending, online cross-border trade and mobile banking are making an impact, but wide adoption of new payment technologies like Apple Pay, PayPal and Venmo have yet to reach all consumer groups.
Euromonitor International and Retail Asia launched the 14th Retail Asia Top 500 Retailers Ranking. According to the report, mobile retailing represents the fastest growing digital channel in the Asia Pacific, with sales totaling $328 billion in 2016, an increase of 64 percent year-over- year. Mobile commerce accounts for over 50 percent of total digital commerce in China, Indonesia and South Korea. Euromonitor expects the region to generate $795 billion by 2021, almost tripling North America's leading mobile commerce market size.
Strategies for Payment Providers: Opportunities, Risks & Competition 2017-2021 by Juniper Research Ltd. highlights the increasing dominance of Chinese companies in digital payments, with players such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Tencent Holdings Ltd. and China UnionPay seeking to bolster revenues through international expansion. According to Juniper, digital payment transaction values are expected to reach $5 trillion by 2021, up from $3.6 trillion this year, of which $3.4 trillion will come from sales outside mainland China.
A global online poll of 8,000 consumers conducted by YouGov on behalf ACI Worldwide found that easier, intuitive and more secure ways of accessing bank accounts are top priorities for ATM users worldwide. Other services consumers would like to see from ATMs include better and more detailed information about their account, the ability to dispense a new credit or debit card, and access to electronically signed official documents.
PARTNERSHIPSApriva integrated Parlevel Systems' micro market solution with Apriva's payment gateway platform, bringing secure cashless payments to Apriva resellers and self-service operators, while expanding cashless payment options to end users. Parlevel Micro Market utilizes Parlevel Pay contactless readers to enable operators to change pricing and product information, launch promotions, access inventory levels, and review software and security.
Digital River Inc. teamed with sound and communications specialist Jabra to expand the brand's global ecommerce business. Together, in just 24 months, the companies launched localized direct-to-consumer online stores for Jabra in more than 50 countries. "Digital River's ability to take on the local payments, compliance and tax requirements has been key to our rapid expansion," said Jonas Forsberg, Vice President, Global Online Sales and Marketing for Jabra.
FIS and Cardtronics plan to integrate FIS Cardless Cash across Cardtronics' U.S. ATM fleet. FIS Cardless Cash leverages the FIS Mobile Banking app to enable bank customers to withdraw ATM funds without plastic cards. "Enabling cardless cash access at our ATMs is just one more way Cardtronics can help banks transitioning to more digitally focused, self-service strategies," said Brad Nolan, EVP and Managing Director, Global Product and Marketing, Cardtronics.
Cloud-based payment provider Salucro Healthcare Solutions LLC now offers Parasail Health Inc.'s payment plans through its new patient financing portal for select customers. San Francisco-based health-finance startup Parasail launched several tech-based products to help patients pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Patients can now select one of Parasail's payment plan products to access financing options, as well as over 12 payment options.
Planet Payment Inc. and ACI Worldwide launched UnionPay International's SecurePlus to enable UnionPay debit and credit card acceptance online. Several key features differentiate SecurePlus, including acceptance of cards without a redirect to the UnionPay Hosted Payment Page, the companies said. "We are pleased to work with ACI and UnionPay International to be one of the first to launch SecurePlus," said Paul Levine, Senior Vice President, Planet Payment.
USA Technologies Inc. and Chase Paymentech are expanding joint efforts to help more self-serve and unattended retailers go cashless. Through a strategic marketing agreement, the two companies aim to provide consumers with a better understanding of the opportunities available when paying with credit or via mobile wallet. The partnership also provides retailers with tools to better engage with customers at the point of sale.
Verifone and Sage Group plc teamed to offer integrated POS and business accounting solutions on Verifone Carbon 8, an open, scalable and portable POS system, which has the capability to incorporate Sage One accounting and payroll software with Verifone's payment solutions. The two companies plan to set up retailers with an end-to-end business solution that includes accounting, payroll, inventory, staffing and customized applications.
Visa Inc. and Denmark-based Klarna Inc. formed an agreement involving a Visa equity investment in Klarna and a future strategic partnership between the two companies. Klarna is one of Europe's fastest growing online payments companies, serving 60 million consumers and 70,000 retailers. "Visa is committed to partnering with a new generation of partners and payment providers to bring secure, online commerce to many more consumers in Europe," said Jim McCarthy, Executive Vice President, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Visa.
ACQUISITIONSNetherlands mobile service provider CM acquired Docdata Payments from its American owner Ingram Micro Inc. Docdata processes payments for European companies, mainly in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium. Its 35 employees will be transferred to CM. "Docdata Payments not only possesses a large and diverse client portfolio, the infrastructure is also very extensive with many languages and currencies," said Jeroen van Glabbeek, CEO of CM.
Evertec Inc. completed the acquisition of EFT Group S.A., commercially known as PayGroup. Based in Chile, PayGroup offers payment processing and software services targeted primarily to financial institutions throughout Latin America. The purchase price was approximately $38.5 million at current exchange rates.
First Data Corp. and CardConnect successfully completed First Data's tender offer to purchase the outstanding shares of CardConnect common stock for $15 per share in cash. First Data also subsequently completed the acquisition of the remaining CardConnect shares of common stock not acquired in the tender offer through a merger. CardConnect is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Data.
APPOINTMENTSIngenico Group appointed Nicolas Huss as Executive Vice President, Strategy and Performance. Huss brings 28 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently as the CEO of Visa Europe. He started his career with GE Capital where he held operational and leadership positions in France, Mexico and Spain. In his current role, Huss will lead Ingenico's innovation, strategy, M&A and operational excellence activities.
Webgility appointed Melanie Kalemba as Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Business Development. Kalemba, a former BigCommerce Pty. Ltd. executive, will develop strategic relationships with key players and lead the company's partner program. Kalemba started her career in marketing with Cisco Systems Inc. and Dell Inc., moving on to become President and CEO of Movero Inc.
Christina McGeorge, D3 Banking Chief Product Officer and Vice President of Product Ownership, was appointed to the executive leadership team of NACHA's recently established API Standardization Industry Group (ASIG). ASIG was formed to develop a standardized API ecosystem to better support the payments and business needs of financial institutions, financial technology providers and other industry participants. McGeorge brings more than 25 years of experience in payments software architecture and development.
Monetary LLC Chairman Jeff Katz today indicated Shelley Plomske, co-founder and President, will assume the role of CEO in addition to her other duties. Prior to Monetary, Plomske was one of the first employees and later became Chief Technology Officer at Mercury Payment Systems. "Shelley's vision and passion have shaped Monetary over the last two years," said Katz.
Israel-based EverCompliant moved its headquarters to New York City as the company continues to expand in North America. Ron Teicher, CEO will join Daniel Klein, Chief Operating Officer in the new office, as will newly appointed Alasdair Rambaud as Chief Revenue Officer. Sophie Chetboun was named General Manager of the Israel office. Rambaud brings over 20 years payments and Internet security experience; and Chetboun over 20 years in cyber security. 
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