Leading Payment Card Research Firm Adds CardQue and Diamond+ Services

NAPLES, Fla., Sep 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CardWeb.com(R), the leading provider of news, data, and research services to credit card, debit card and payment card executives worldwide since 1986, today announced the addition of a new comprehensive "Diamond+" level of service including CardQue(TM).

CardWeb.com(R) pioneered the first daily news service for the payment card industry in 1995 when the Company launched its Web site. The new CardQue(TM) service will offer CardWeb.com(R)'s top clients instant online access to breaking raw news and fresh proprietary data before it appears in the widely distributed daily CardFlash(R) and CardFlash International(R) publications.

CardWeb.com(R) also announced a new "Diamond+" service that includes single, company wide custom password access to CardFlash(R), CardFlash International(R), CardData(R), CardWatch(R), CardExecs(TM), CardPixes(TM), and CardQue(TM) plus free inclusion in CardResource(TM), a 40% discount on special research projects, site advertising and private consulting as well as deeply discounted or complimentary access to payment card industry events via CardConferences(TM).

CardWeb.com(R) services include: CardFlash(R) (daily payment card news with more than 36,000 documents posted since 1995); CardFlash International(R) (weekly international payment card news with more than an 8,000 document archive); CardData(R) (monthly and quarterly payment card industry financial surveillance with more than 100,000 data points); CardWatch(R) (payment card marketing intelligence with more than 10,000 documents and exhibits); CardExecs(TM) (individual movers and shakers of the payment card industry with nearly 2,000 bios); CardPixes(TM) (payment card form and function with more than 4,000 product pictures and descriptions); CardResource(TM) (payment card vendor network of hundreds of top providers); CardConferences(TM) (calendar of dozens of payment card events) and CardQue(TM) (breaking news and data).

Robert McKinley, founder and chief executive of CardWeb.com(R) notes that Visa(R), MasterCard(R), American Express(R), and Discover(R) are now publicly-traded companies, helping to dissipate the fog surrounding the payment card industry. McKinley says his firm has long cut through the clutter and misinformation, providing an "edge" to thousands of financial institutions worldwide with the best intelligence and proprietary surveillance on competitors. "We are entering a new age of competition in the payment services business wherein consumers can pay with any device, not just cards," says McKinley "and CardWeb.com(R) services, which have never been replicated in more than 20 years, are poised to take clients to this advanced playing field with a 360 degree view of the New Payments World."

CardWeb.com(R), also announced special anniversary offers to new and existing subscribers including a 5% discount to all clients using a credit card, debit card or wire payment through October 15th. Additionally, purchasers of single user subscriptions to CardFlash(R) can add a second user for only $1 through October 31st.

source : http://www.google.com/news?

Have you got cash in your attic?

More and more people are using pawnbrokers as the credit crunch continues to bite. Maybe it is time to search the house for forgotten valuables? Sarah O Meara reports.

With the highest level of credit card debt in Europe, Britons are notoriously naughty spenders. Despite earning less money each year than we owe, as a nation we still love to spend.

While our love of high street shopping was fine while prices were low – and the words credit crunch only applied to money-themed breakfast cereals – now the bills are mounting up. Is is time to cut up the cards and start raiding the attic for things to sell?

Antique dealer Michael Hogben, former presenter of Channel 4's Name Your Price, says "you normally have to go back to Granny's assets" to make money from your home.

"Anything from jewellery to furniture, which is dated pre-1930s, becomes collectible and is almost guaranteed to make some money," he says.

Admittedly, many of us would probably prefer pay the average 18.9 per cent credit card interest than flog great-aunt Matilda's favourite chair. But in these times of looming recession, it might be time to put such emotional attachments aside and find our inner Del Boys.

One industry already taking advantage of our need to make instant cash is pawnbroking.

There are more than 800 pawnbrokers already operating in the UK and this number is increasing by 10 per cent each year.

John Nichols, chief executive of pawnbroking firm Harvey & Thompson, says letting go of a few things in the short term is a sound option.

"If you can't get a bank loan, have huge sums on credit cards and have got to the end of your overdraft, pawn-broking is a short-term good fix. There are no late payment penalties, no administration charges, just 8 per cent a month interest.

And you'll avoid the charges from an unauthorised overdraft or gaining more interest on your credit card."

With so many ways to make money from your home, it would seem a shame not to take advantage.

Research from T-Mobile revealed last month that Brits spend over a year of our lives hunting for the best deals. So despite our ability to accumulate debt, it would also seem we're also great at spotting a good deal.

Nichols and Hogben both agree that whether you're planning to hock or flog that crystal necklace, knowing the material value of your goods can be an enormous help.

"This is the biggest mistake that people make and they've been making it since way before the credit crunch – overvaluing their antiques," Hog-ben says. "If you're looking to sell then it's always worth going online to do a quick search to see what similar pieces are worth.

But I wouldn't use eBay as a reference; there are no experts, just the public's opinion. Go to one of the London sale rooms websites and look at their sales. If you're uncomfortable online, head to the library.

source : http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk

Gemalto Acquires Multos Business From Keycorp

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Sep 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Regulatory News:

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 - GTO), the world leader in digital security, today confirmed that it has completed the acquisition of Keycorp's smart card business, the leading fabless provider of MULTOS(TM) products and services to the Financial Services and Government sectors, and of Multos Ltd, the company that operates the remote activation service and high-security facility that is at the center of the MULTOS security architecture. Gemalto is paying 25.7 million Australian dollars (approximately 15 million Euros, or 22 million US dollars) for Keycorp's smartcard business assets, IP portfolio, trademarks and Multos Ltd.

The assets acquired include Keycorp's implementation of the highly secure MULTOS smart card operating system, the MULTOS brand, the associated patents and the Key Management Authority (KMA) that manages MULTOS card activations worldwide. Approximately 40 MULTOS experts will join Gemalto, mostly based in Australia and UK. The acquisition will contribute over 15 million of annual revenues to the Secure Transactions and Government Programs segments of Gemalto on an annual basis, with over half of the revenues coming from Asia.

MULTOS was previously owned by Mastercard Worldwide through Mondex, and is promoted by the Maosco consortium, which includes Infineon, Samsung, Dai Nippon Printing and Thales in its membership. MULTOS was the first smartcard operating system to receive the highest security certification possible, ITSEC E6 High / EAL6+.

"We will continue to develop and actively promote MULTOS in the payment and ID world" commented Philippe Cambriel, Executive Vice President for Secure Transactions. "In particular, for the high-end and multi-application segments of EMV payment cards, MULTOS fully complements our Java product and services range to provide a comprehensive portfolio. It extends our base of blue chip banking customers, and also brings a highly recognized secure post-issuance service for banking applications, with proven efficiency, scalability and value".

Olivier Piou, Gemalto Chief Executive Officer, added: "This important bolt-on acquisition reinforces our software and services offering across Gemalto business lines. It will allow Gemalto to leverage its large installed base of intelligent devices with a commercially-demonstrated highest-security post-issuance activation service, which will be critical for example in mobile payment and NFC (Near Field Communication) applications. The timing is also right: the turn-around of Secure Transactions has been successfully completed, the segment posted strong results in the first half 2008, and it is now operating on strong foundations, ready to pursue the next opportunities."

About Keycorp

Keycorp is a leading provider of complete secure electronic transaction solutions from multipurpose smartcards and payment solutions to fleet services comprising asset management, help desk support, training and consulting.

source : http://www.google.com/news?