All articles by Douglas Blakey
Douglas Blakey
Cardholders value combined loyalty schemes
Combined rewards programmes linking credit and debit cards are valued by 6 out of 10 users, according to a report from consultants Synergistics. The survey reported that almost 7 in 10 households use both debit and credit cards and one-fifth of respondents said linked card reward programmes were very valuable. The US-based survey of 1,000 householders aged 18 or older also found that younger consumers were more likely to find value in combined rewards schemes, compared with older consumers.
ANZ remains top sustainability slot
Australias ANZ has been ranked the most sustainable bank globally in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for 2010. Published each year since 1999, the DJSI aims to provide a benchmark of sustainability leadership and employs a best-in-class approach, analysing corporate, economic, environmental and social performance The DJSI assesses 2,500 companies worldwide, with just over 10% or so admitted into the index
Missed TARP payments continue to rise
The number of US banks failing to repay bail-out funds continues to rise, with 115 missing their latest dividend payments due to the US Treasury
Polish miracle astounds analysts
Poland has the distinction of being the only economy in CEE to boast positive real GDP growth in 2009, a strength that extends to the countrys well-capitalised banks
Lower provisions boost Alfa Bank’s H1 earnings
Alfa Bank, Russias largest privately owned banking group, has reported a first half net profit of $296m compared to just $6m in the first half last year.
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FICO forecasts US credit gap to widen
US credit availability will fall short of consumer demand until the end of the year, according to FICO.The third-quarter credit survey, conducted for FICO by the Professional Risk Managers International Association said:
ACI, First Data extend payment, processing relationship
ACI Worldwide and First Data have agreed a multi-year global enterprise relationship to provide customers with payment and transaction processing services. First Data already uses ACIs payment solutions, including its BASE24-eps, BASE24 and ACI Proactive Risk Manager products, to offer a wide range of payment processing and fraud management solutions around the world According to the vendors, the new agreement allows First Data to cost-effectively develop new products and drive infrastructural efficiencies, creating even more competitive services
Unity eyes prepaid success with ALTO
Since its foundation in 1984, UK-based Unity Trust Bank has carved out a reputation as a bank for which social responsibility and responsible lending is at the heart of its business model Unity Trust Bank, the UK-based specialist lender for trade unions, charities, credit unions and social enterprises, has weathered the economic crisis better than most of its larger high street rivals.
MasterCard and Telefónica sign co-branding deal
Spanish telecommunications company Telefnica has signed a multi-year co-branding agreement with MasterCard Worldwide, targeting its mobile phone customers and the unbanked segments of the Latin American market. As part of the multi-year deal, MasterCard and Movistar, a Telefnica brand, will issue co-branded credit cards in 11 countries across Latin America including: Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Benefits of the co-branded cards include, discounts at Movistar and the ability to accumulate points that can be exchanged for phone equipment or additional airtime.
Serverside granted customisation patent
Serverside Group, the card customisation subsidiary of Gemalto, has been awarded a European patent for its One Customer-One Card (OC-OC) technology. OC-OC is a digital print technology designed for the manufacturing of payment cards on demand Serverside said the technology allows an unlimited number of designs to be processed at the same time and there are no minimum order requirements.