Zapp: putting banks back in the m-payments picture

"Among the more than 1,500 exhibitors at the Money2020 in Las Vegas this week, Zapp, the mobile payments initiative, is probably one of the few that is aiming to put banks firmly back into the middle of the payments process.

Formed earlier this year as a separate subsidiary of VocaLink, the UK payment processor, Zapp expects to launch next year with the backing of most of the major UK retail banks, Peter Keenan, chief executive of the venture, says that at the time of launch the Pay by Zapp service will be available to 40% of UK current account holders, and it will have the backing of 50% of the nation’s online and mobile retailers – including well-known brands." Continue Reading

Consumers set to Zapp mobile payments

"Consumers will be able to use their mobile smartphones to pay for goods at thousands of stores across Britain from next year. A deal between mobile phone app company Zapp and payments firm Worldpay, which provides card machines at tills and payment software for online retailers, will allow retailers to accept payments from your mobile.

Among the first stores which have signed up to the scheme are WH Smith, Lidl, Superdrug and McDonald's. Due for launch in summer 2014, the app will work by using a code sent to a customer's smartphone when they are at the till or online checkout. Alternatively, customers will be able to scan a code into the handset from a bill in a restaurant or the screen on a modern card machine." Continue Reading

Mobile Banking Updates - Aug 8

Mobile Banking, Payment, Core Sales Drive Fiserv Profits
"Fiserv shared solid results for the second quarter Tuesday night, including revenue of $1.1 billion and an 18% increase in adjusted earnings per share to $1.50. Revenue came from three main sources: mobile banking software and services, payment services and core banking software sales (the latter mainly through Fiserv's acquisition in Open Solutions earlier this year)."

Podcast: Mobile Banking Threats
"Kaspersky Lab expert Denis Maslennikov explains the vulnerabilities and possible threats of mobile banking apps."

Sterling Bank Expands Its Digital Capabilities through Retail and Business Digital Solutions from FIS
"Engaging customers on their own terms is the future of banking, and Spokane, Wash., based Sterling Bank, the principal operating subsidiary of Sterling Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STSA), is meeting those needs with the help of FIS™ (NYSE:FIS). FIS, the world’s largest provider of banking and payments technology, today announced that the $9.94 billion bank signed a multi-year agreement to deploy FIS’ Business eBanking and Mobile Banking solutions – creating new and easier ways for customers to manage their money, while also supporting the bank’s plans for growth."

Q2 Ties Banking Software With Geezeo
"Austin-based mobile banking software developer Q2 (formerly Q2ebanking), said today that it has partnred with financial technology firm Geezeo. Geezeo is a developer of personal finance management software, aimed at consumers."

Thoma Bravo Completes Acquisition of Intuit Financial Services; Newly Launched as Digital Insight
"Thoma Bravo, a leading middle-market private equity firm, announced today it completed the previously announced acquisition of Intuit Financial Services, a division of Intuit, Inc., to form a stand-alone company that provides digital banking and payments capabilities to financial institutions. The transaction, valued at $1.025 billion, establishes a new company with a familiar name in banking, Digital Insight."

Mobile Payment Startup Secures Head Honcho & New ‘Dream Team'
"Zapp, which enables real-time payments on people’s mobiles through their mobile banking application, allowing secure payments between consumers and merchants, is set to hit the market in 2014. Ahead of its debut the company, which is part of the VocaLink group, has today announced key founder members of a senior management ‘dream team’ – who are responsible for launching the new mobile payments system."

Mobile banking innovations
"As you're standing in line at your local grocery store waiting to checkout, you quietly observe the people in front of you. They pull out a checkbook and begin to write a check. You silently sigh and roll your head because you now have to wait for this ancient process to finish- when they could have just slid a debit card and be done."

Shop Smart: Banking services you can bank on
"In recent years, banks have introduced new products and services that have significantly enhanced consumer convenience, notes Consumer Reports Money Adviser. For example, rising consumer preference for paying by debit card at the cash register has reduced the need to find automated teller machines. With smartphone banking apps, you almost never have to set foot inside a bank branch."

International Mobile Banking Updates - July 1

Kenya: Barclays Bank Launches Mobile App
"In Kenya, The Star reports that Barclays Bank of Kenya has introduced a mobile banking app (BarclaysKenya), said to have similar functionality of the financial institution’s full online banking platform. The service is freely available and accessible to customers who have registered successfully for Barclays Internet Banking writes The Star."

Mobile-solution company Tagit to expand in the Philippines
"SINGAPORE-based mobile-solution company Tagit is planning to expand its business in the Philippines by offering mobile-banking application software to banks, its top official said. Sandeep Bagaria, chief executive officer of Tagit, in a recent interview with the BusinessMirror said he is talking with some banks in the country and offer mobile banking applications using Tagit’s Mobeix platform software."

NAB opens digital wallet and takes aim at CBA’s Kaching
"National Australia Bank is poised to kick off digital wallet trials with payments rivals Visa and MasterCard, as it assesses plans to take advantage of growth in mobile banking. The bank will also unveil its response to Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s Kaching payments app at the end of next month, after an internal trial. NAB’s executive general manager of digital and direct banking, Antony Cahill, said the bank was focusing on developments for smartphones and tablets after 76 per cent growth in uptake of mobile banking among its customers in the past 12 months."

High street banks unveil Zapp mobile payments system
"VocaLink has today unveiled a new mobile payment service backed by the UK's major high-street lenders, which provides the infrastructure behind Bacs, Direct Debit and Mobile Top-Up. VocaLink, which is owned by a consortium of 18 banks and building societies, including Barclays, RBS, Lloyds, HSBC and Santander, has named the service Zapp and set up a web page touting its advantages to businesses and individuals at zapp.co.uk."

Money On The Move Has Africa Clicking
"The ability to transact, to withdraw, deposit and manage personal finances anywhere at anytime is an attractive proposition for consumers. This is one of the core advantages of mobile banking services that mobile service providers and financial institutions are looking to invest in- and transfer to their markets. Another driver behind the market is the intention to bridge the gap between Africa’s increasing number of un-banked citizens and its banked community, particularly in terms of access to banking services."

Mobile banking doesn't pay off: Credit Suisse
"Banks are spending too much on digital banking, despite the rapid growth in customers managing finances on their mobile phones and tablets. A report by brokerage Credit Suisse said competition among banks was spurring on a massive investment in mobile technology although it was yet to have little material benefit to the banks. Mobile banking still accounts for less than 10 per cent of the value of digital transactions, despite the number of mobile banking customers surging to 6 million earlier this year."

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking arm to roll out mobile card acceptance
"Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking is to develop a suite of mobile card acceptance solutions aimed at small retailers and business owners. The brand has announced a partnership with Monitise, which will see the release of the mobile point of sale (mPOS) payment products, while also intending to offer additional banking services and businesses solutions."

Some 50% of account holders prefer mobile banking
"THE Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) on Thursday said the bank anticipates double-digit growth on mobile-banking transactions this year, its top official said. Carlo Gatuslao, BPI vice president and head of Channel Marketing and Sales Division, said more than half the number of account holders make use of their mobile-banking applications or apps to transact with the bank. BPI launched its first mobile-banking apps for Apple and android smartphones in 2011."