FIME has announced that its GlobalPlatform certified test tool is equipped to validate the compliance of secure chips to the new GlobalPlatform Basic Financial Configuration for the banking sector. FIME, which is already qualified to run compliance tests with GlobalPlatform UICC Configuration for the mobile sector, is the first full service testing facility to receive […]

Absa, South Africa’s largest consumer bank, has announced that it will launch a contactless payments network in South Africa by the end of the year, according to Tech Central. As part of a long-term strategy to add “mobility and convenience,” Absa customers will soon be provided with contactless bank cards that can be used to […]

GlobalPlatform and the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 204 (ISO TC204) Working Group 8 (Public Transport and Emergency Services) are partnering to define technical standards that will enable transit operators to launch contactless ticketing via NFC-enabled phones and contactless payment cards. According to GlobalPlatform, Working Group 8 (WG8) is devising a standard mechanism for […]

The new QCard system at Connecticut-based Quinnipiac University isn’t exactly receiving the warm student welcome that administrators had hoped for, according to a university student newspaper. Students can now “tap” their QCard to access to certain campus buildings, in addition to purchasing meals in the school’s cafeteria. But students are discontent with the fact that […]

ID Tech has announced the release of its new Xpress CM100 module, enabling merchants to accept contactless payments from debit or credit cards, fobs and NFC-enabled mobile phones. According to ID Tech, the Xpress CM100 is complaint with ISO 14443 Type A/B, Mifare and EMV 2.0.1 standards and is certified to work with American Express’ […]

Siemens CMT (Communications, Media and Technology) has announced a new mobile payments platform that enables users to purchase goods, transfer funds, pay bills and recharge their prepaid accounts all from a mobile phone. Unveiled at the Mobile Money Global conference in Dubai earlier this week, “walletXpress” also offers services and products in multimedia, ticketing, energy […]

Parks Associates has released a report predicting that NFC technology will continue to be driven by consumer demand for mobile wallet solutions in the U.S., resulting in NFC as a standard feature on smart phones by 2015. The report, “Mobile Payment: Technologies and Business Models,” finds that 50% of U.S. smart phone owners today consider […]

VeriFone Systems has announced the acquisition of Global Bay Mobile Technologies in order to expand its mobile retail offerings. VeriFone, a supplier of point of sale equipment, says the acquisition is the latest development in their strategy to bring new smart phone and tablet-based shopping and payment experiences to retail organizations. Terms of the transaction, […]

PNC announced a new smart card for commercial customers who use PNC’s corporate travel and purchasing cards. The new PNC chip card features an embedded EMV microchip that will help to protect against fraudulent activity and to improve the point of sale experience when used outside of the United States. While the PNC chip card […]

The Smart Card Alliance announced its 2011-2012 board and seven-member executive committee. Elections were held during the 10th Annual Smart Card Alliance Government Conference at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, DC. The Smart Card Alliance elected executive committee is made up of the following board members: Chair: Willy Dommen, Accenture Vice Chair: […]