Interviews

Taking security to next level

Mon, Mar, 15 2010

Many of the largest banks in the US have been steadfast in their refusal to adopt EMV as a standard security measure on their payment cards and terminals. Much of the motivation behind this decision boils down to the enormous outlay that would be needed to replace current processing systems, especially ATM networks.

The never-ending fight against fraud

Wed, Feb, 10 2010

Fraud is a booming business. Perhaps no other group understands this better than retailers, for whom the true cost of fraud exceeds $191 billion a year in the US alone.

What is driving middle eastern prepaid?

Sun, Jan, 31 2010

VRL recently hosted a round table in London to discuss possible business opportunities for cards and payments in the Middle East. Representatives from some of the leading global payments institutions met to discuss and debate what is possible in one of the most promising regions for payments in the world.

What is driving middle eastern prepaid?

Sun, Jan, 31 2010

VRL recently hosted a round table in London to discuss possible business opportunities for cards and payments in the Middle East. Representatives from some of the leading global payments institutions met to discuss and debate what is possible in one of the most promising regions for payments in the world.

First Data sets sights on Middle East

Sun, Jan, 31 2010

Cash accounts for around 90 percent of most transactions in the Middle Eastern region, while cards as a payment method are generally distrusted by the local populations. Brian Quarrie, managing director of First Data in the Middle East, speaks to John Hill about the region’s card market development.

Focusing on small business savings

Tue, Jan, 12 2010

While the consumer credit card market stagnates due to economic pressures, the small business card market has seen a noticeable uptake in activity. MasterCard is now taking a small business savings programme pioneered in the US and hoping to replicate its success in the UK. Victoria C onroy reports

Gaining acceptance in emerging markets

Wed, Dec, 9 2009

With many Western European markets now approaching or already past the point of saturation in terms of cards issued, and a good level of payment infrastructure in place, attention is turning to the promising Central and Eastern European markets, the Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), where issuance efforts have rapidly gathered pace in the last couple of years.

What price customer loyalty?

Wed, Dec, 9 2009

VRL hosted its largest round table to date in London on 26 November. Representatives from some of the leading banking, payments and loyalty agencies in the U K and Europe met to discuss and debate loyalty in financial services – and the overall conclusion was that customer ‘stickiness’ is more important than ever

Citi's prepaid ambitions for Middle East

Wed, Nov, 11 2009

Citi made a name for itself in the prepaid area, having expanded in areas like Central and Eastern Europe.

New ideas from an ancient source

Tue, Oct, 27 2009

As a country that has been in a state of war for around half of the last 40 years, Lebanon has not been seen as the safest bet by many financial institutions. Maher Mezher, head of marketing for First National Bank, spoke to John Hill about how and why this view is rapidly changing – and how FNB is innovating.