The Federal Reserve provided its G.19 monthly update on consumer credit in the US - reporting
that revolving credit grew at 7.1 percent annual rate during May as compared to
declining 0.5 percent in April.

Earlier today, the US Department of Justice and Visa announced that Visa agreed to changing its operating rules to allow PIN-based debit transactions on small purchases without requiring cardholders to enter their PINs. Issuers will now have the choice on whether they will require a PIN for purchases under $25.00.

As a result, the Justice Department dropped an antitrust investigation of Visa and the PIN requirement.

Visa has allowed banks to permit merchants to waive the signature requirement when customers use Visa debit cards, usually on small purchases below $25, the department said. But Visa has prohibited banks from allowing merchants to waive the entry of a PIN if a customer chooses that route.

Visa said it is ending the prohibition on waiving PINs effective Tuesday.

Downloads

US Department of Justice Announcement.

AP Article

Make sure to check out our newest interview with Tom Lacey of Lacey and Sons Inc. (dba ColorTyme).  http://rto.monerisusa.com/media

Moneris to offer Discover Network card acceptance as part of their integrated processing services

CHICAGO, IL, April 29, 2008 – Moneris Solutions, one of North America's largest payment processors, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) whereby Moneris will offer Discover Network card acceptance as part of an integrated service to small- and mid-sized merchants.

Under this agreement, Moneris and their BIN-sponsored Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) will provide processing services for Discover Network acceptance enabling merchants to offer a broader range of payment options at the point-of-sale. Merchants will now receive an all-in-one payment processing solution with the convenience of a single source for statements, settlement, and customer service. Previously, merchants had to sign up separately with Discover. With this agreement, Moneris will serve as a one-stop-shop and will manage the processing, settlement, risk management, pricing and customer service for the merchant accounts.

"The ability to offer a consolidated payment solution that includes Discover Network card acceptance is a tremendous benefit to our merchants, banks, strategic partners, and ISOs, said Greg Cohen, president of Moneris Solutions US.” Not only will merchants be able to take advantage of expanded payment options for their customers, but they will also receive an inclusive payment solution from a company they know and trust."

“Our agreement with Moneris Solutions provides their sales channels a powerful, merchant-friendly sales tool, while helping to extend Discover’s reach in offering small- and mid-sized merchants a streamlined, integrated processing package that includes Discover Network card acceptance,” said Gerry Wagner, vice president acceptance and client relations for Discover Financial Services. “The success we are experiencing with our merchant acquiring model demonstrates this is the type of program small- and medium-sized merchants are seeking and is another example of how we are meeting their needs.”

About Moneris Solutions
Moneris Solutions, Inc. (www.monerisusa.com) has a 40-year history as one of North America’s largest processors of credit and debit cards, delivering payment processing capabilities through point-of-sale hardware, software, ACH, electronic check, e-commerce solutions and a gift card program. Moneris provides transaction-processing services nationwide through numerous agent banks and serves the small to medium-sized business market through direct sales and strategic partnerships. A joint investment of the Royal Bank of Canada and the Bank of Montreal, which have assets in excess of $700 billion, Moneris Solutions serves more than 350,000 North American merchant locations and has a staff of over 1,100 employees. Moneris’ U.S. headquarters are located outside of Chicago, IL.

About Discover Financial Services
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a leading credit card issuer and electronic payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. The company operates the Discover Card, America’s cash rewards pioneer. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. Its payments business consists of the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations, and PULSE, one of the nation’s leading ATM/debit networks. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.

TranSending™ is an end-to-end platform that automates merchant acquiring from application through development

SUNNYVALE, CA & CHICAGO, IL, April 15, 2008 – Moneris Solutions, one of North America’s largest payment processors, today announced that it is implementing the TranSending™ solution from Infonox. TranSending™ is a client-branded, web-accessed system that automates all merchant acquiring processes including Sales Management, Back Office functionality, and Merchant Reporting solutions.

Moneris will be using an integrated version of TranSending™ to automate their US portfolio and manage critical tasks including: organizing sales leads, online merchant application submission, customized underwriting, service level agreement reporting, and profitability analysis. In addition, Moneris will be able to use integrated third party services to automate both front and back end merchant boarding and terminal deployment. The ability to automate the merchant application process through a single point of entry, along with real-time boarding and customized reporting solutions, will translate into cost savings and customer service efficiency. 

Additionally, with TranSending™, Moneris is able to offer a merchant-branded portal through which its customers can view their current and historical processing information in a secure environment. This portal also acts as a document library, Help Center, and customized report repository, further empowering merchants with information about their statistical trends and transaction details.

“Moneris strives to offer our merchants high quality products and outstanding customer service. After evaluating a number of different solutions, we chose the TranSending System from Infonox because we felt it was the most comprehensive and versatile option available,” said Greg Cohen, president of Moneris Solutions, US Group.

Developed over several years by Infonox, TranSending™ is a scalable system that grows as a client’s merchant portfolio grows. The system is built in such a way that it allows for customization and enhancement to fit the specific needs of the client being served.  “Infonox is confident that TranSending™ will provide Moneris Solutions and its customers with a comprehensive and trail-blazing solution to support goals and growth plans in the merchant services industry,” said Safwan Shah, CEO of Infonox.

About Infonox

Infonox is the market and technology leader in delivering financial products and services to new and innovative distribution channels, including self-service kiosks, ATM's, PC’s and POS terminals, the web and mobile phones. The Infonox TransIT™ network provides on-demand access to a wide array of payment applications, including check cashing, money transfer, bill pay, ATM/POS, credit/debit and check processing, prepaid, gift cards and more. The Infonox TranSending™ platform provides businesses with complete sales force automation, underwriting, automated boarding, risk management, compliance management and customer service capabilities.  Infonox offers its services in a SaaS model, allowing clients to maximize their return on investment and realize the fastest time to market. Infonox serves major banks, processors, acquirers, retailers and service aggregators. Please visit www.infonox.com for more information.

About Moneris Solutions/Moneris USA

Moneris Solutions, Inc. (www.monerisusa.com) has a 40-year history as one of North America’s largest processors of credit and debit cards, delivering payment processing capabilities through point-of-sale hardware, software, ACH, electronic check, e-commerce solutions and a gift card program. Moneris provides transaction-processing services nationwide through numerous agent banks and serves the small to medium-sized business market through direct sales and strategic partnerships. A joint investment of the Royal Bank of Canada and the Bank of Montreal, which have assets in excess of $700 billion, Moneris Solutions serves more than 350,000 North American merchant locations and has a staff of over 1,100 employees. Moneris’ U.S. headquarters are located outside of Chicago, IL.

Check out the supporting article by APRO that supports the fact that electronic payments are increasing in popularity.

Byron Blanchard of Quality Furniture & Appliance has won our RTO Information Portal "Win and iPod" contest.  Byron is the proud new owner of a 16GB Apple iPod touch!

Quality Furniture and Applicance has one location, and has been in business since 1999.  They are located at 218 South Main Street, in St. Martinville Louisiana.

Congratulations Byron, and thanks to all who helped get the word out about our new site!

News release: "The Federal Reserve’s 2007 study of the composition of the check market released today shows that nearly 50 percent of checks written are consumer-to-business checks. The Check Sample Study reports on the composition of the check market based on responses from nine large financial institutions that together account for about one quarter of total U.S. paid check volume. The study, which categorizes the use of checks by payer, payee, and purpose, is the third component of the 2007 Federal Reserve Payments Study. Results of the first two components of the study were released December 10, 2007."

Web browser-based application helps process payments quickly and efficiently without the need to install special software

CHICAGO, February 19, 2008 – Moneris Solutions, one of North America's largest payment processors, today announced the launch of eSELECTplus^®, an easy-to-use, multi-functional Internet-based application that uses a PC and Web browser to process card payments.

Developed by Moneris Solutions, eSELECTplus enables merchants to process electronic payments more quickly, securely, and efficiently than with a traditional credit card terminal. With eSELECTplus, credit cards, signature and PIN-based debit cards, and ACH (e-check) transactions can all be processed without the need to install any special software. In addition, eSELECTplus offers an easy to use API for integration into business management software applications. eSELECTplus offers a variety of modules tailored to different types of businesses, and can work in both customer-present and customer-not-present environments.

“After listening to feedback from the market, we saw a true need for this type of product,” said Greg Cohen, president of Moneris Solutions, U.S. Group. “eSELECTplus is perfect for merchants and software providers who want to integrate retail solutions and payment applications into the same platform,” Cohen said.

With the ability to access eSELECTplus over the Internet through a PC or PC-based POS or business management system, merchants do not need to purchase any additional equipment or software to process card payments. eSELECTplus resides on Moneris’ PCI certified secure payments server and each user has their own password-protected account to access transaction and business information.

“Through eSELECTplus, merchants can set-up recurring and automatic payment plans to help reduce their paperwork and save some time. Fraudulent transactions can be quickly identified, the work of collecting missed payments can be reduced, and merchants can have access to monthly reports and data at any time,” said Pat Albright, senior vice president of marketing and business development.

About Moneris Solutions

Moneris Solutions has a 40-year history as one of North America’s largest electronic transaction processors, delivering advanced payment card processing capabilities through point-of-sale hardware, payment processing software, e-commerce solutions and a gift card program. Moneris provides transaction-processing services nationwide through numerous agent banks and serves the small to medium-sized business market through direct sales and strategic partnerships. A joint investment of the Royal Bank of Canada and the Bank of Montreal, which have assets in excess of $700 billion, Moneris Solutions serves more than 350,000 North American merchant locations and has a staff of over 1,100 employees. U.S. headquarters are located outside of Chicago, IL.

Rent-to-own, Moneris and the Kennedy Center - a natural triumvirate, yes? Well, it was last night when the more than 100 rent-to-own small business owners gathered for an evening's dinner in Washington, D.C. at the famous Kennedy Arts Center. APRO, the national trade association for the rent-to-own industry and Moneris the debit/credit card processing company partnered in grand Capital Hill fashion as the social event for APRO's annual Legislative Conference. 

As Pat Albright from Moneris told me last night, he is hooked. Hooked on Moneris obviously but also hooked on rent-to-own, politics and the combination thereof. And he should. We were honored with the personal visit from Rep. William Lacy Clay's Senior Policy Advisor, Frank Davis, who exclaimed how much he appreciates the professionalism the industry displays with each and every congressional office. After he addressed the large crowd, Frank received a standing ovation from a group of small business dealers who exemplify the passion and customer dedication worthy of praise and admiration. And, speaking of praise and admiration, Moneris falls in that category as well hosting last night's dinner and joining the rent-to-own industry in our journey to explain our business, industry and our customers to the U.S. Congress.

We know from fact and experience when we explain the rent-to-own industry and transaction to new customers, the public, the media and Congress the appreciation and support for rent-to-own becomes much greater and apparent. We at the Kennedy Center last night celebrated that point in full form. Especially after you heard the dozens of stories of new congressional co-sponsors for the industry supported federal bills - H.R. 1767 and S. 1012 - and the new friends made on Capital Hill.

And, again, thanks to Moneris for helping us tell our rent-to-own story and, especially, for celebrating our story in perfect D.C. fashion at the Kennedy Center for APRO's Annual Legislative Conference.