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[M594]Momeni New Wave Collection

by Lynn Walford, Lyn

Contactless payments create a whole new field of payment options for merchants. Contactless payments are quick, simple and pave the way for greater profits. A smart computer chip, with data and an antenna is embedded into a credit card, debit card or fob. When the card or fob is tapped on a radio frequency reader, the reader sends out a radio signal that activates the card, the information on the card is read and the payment is processed without a signature for purchases less than $25.00 with no chargebacks to the merchant.

“Merchants don't need to worry about compatibility with their present systems or security” said, Mohamed Khan, President and Founder of ViVOtech, Santa Clara, Calif.-based developer of contactless software, transaction management systems and readers.

“We have been working closely with processors, card issuers and terminal providers to create an open system using the IS0 14443 standard. It uses secure encryption technology. The contactless card doesn't leave the customers' hands therefore it is more secure and there's no skimming of data,” assured Kahn who sees contactless as a great opportunity for merchants to increase revenue. He envisions contactless payments as a replacement for cash because they are faster, more convenient and cost less due to less shrinkage and less labor involved.

There are two types of contactless readers available: Peripheral Contactless Readers (PCRs) that plug in to existing POS terminals, and Integrated Contactless Readers (ICRs) that replace traditional readers and offer both magnetic-stripe- and contactless-reading capabilities. Merchants can purchase either type of reader. The PCRs usually cost around $150. Some merchant service providers such as Acies, however, are offering deals competitive plans and free readers with terminals.

David Robertson, Publisher of The Nilson Report (Carpinteria, Calif.) estimates that there are 12 million contactless cards currently in circulation in the U.S. He predicts that first contactless successes will be at the brand name retailers and then merchants in the areas where cards are deployed will follow suit when their customers ask to use their contactless cards.

Customers are asking for contactless in the New York Metro area where many cards have been “dropped,” says Oleg Frier CEO and President Acies, Inc, a New York City-headquartered national payment processing and financial services provider. Other areas where there are substantial contactless readers and cards include Atlanta, Philadelphia, Denver, Dallas and Orlando, says Khan.

Studies show the speed and added value of contactless payments because typically when someone does not pay with cash the amount of the transaction increases. Visa trials showed their contactless card transactions were 25% faster than cash. MasterCard PayPass trials showed an increase in transaction amounts and 12 to 18 second reductions in payment times for drive-thru transactions. Aite Group reports that CVS, the drug store chain, has found the average contactless transaction takes 12.5 seconds, versus 26.7 seconds for magnetic-stripe card payments and 33.7 seconds for a cash transaction.

Merchants who have a small time frame to service customers, such as fast food restaurants, coffee houses, movie theatres, drug stores, convenience stores and drive-thrus can benefit greatly from contactless payment methods. McDonald's, AMC Theatres, CVS, Meijer, Duane Reade, Regal Entertainment, Ritz Camera, Arby's, Cold Stone Creamery, Eckerd, Carl's Jr., Good Times Burger, KFC, RaceTrac, Subway, Sonic (Drive-In Restaurants) and Walgreens have installed contactless readers. Convenience stores are gearing up to accept contactless payments. Contactless readers are being installed in 5,300 7-Eleven stores and 350 Sheetz stores. WaWa markets is installing over 2000 readers in its 540 stores co-branded with a credit card and loyalty program.

Card associations are also gung-ho for contactless payments.

“It takes a village to launch a new technology, at Visa, we have an absolute commitment to assure success of contactless payments,” said Elvira Swanson, Visa spokeswoman. Visa, with four million Visa Contactless cards in circulation, offers collateral materials, online demos, and merchant support teams to help educate merchants.

“This is the real thing. Contactless is beyond the ‘chicken and egg' concept stage now, when you look at how many financial institutions have made the decision to offer contactless and the number of national merchants accepting it,” said T.J. Sharkey, Vice President, Business Development, U.S. Acceptance, MasterCard International. MasterCard is supporting contactless in many ways. Merchants who accept contactless payments are listed at the MasterCard Web site where there are demonstrations on how their Tap N Go, PayPass cards work. Television commercials illustrating their PayPass cards are airing nationally.

Banks issuing contactless cards include Citibank, MBNA, HSBC (debit cards), JP Morgan Chase, Key Bank (debit cards) and Citizen.

There have been several pilot contactless programs in sports stadiums including San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Recently, another form factor of contactless has been added into the mix, with the trial of NFC (Near Field Communications) contactless payments from cell phones at the Philips Arena in Atlanta. Season ticket holders with Chase-issued Visa credit accounts and Cingular Wireless accounts can make contactless payments by simply holding their Nokia mobile phones equipped with Philips' NFC semiconductor chips and ViVOtech software near one of the 150 terminals. NFC is compatible with ISO 1443 readers has other features such as the ability to transmit a coupon to a reader.

“Contactless payments are the wave of the future and will change the way the world pays for purchases,” Khan said enthusiastically.

Bank lending has been faced with a new wave of competition in the last decade as a surge of online lending companies and their new benefits have captured the attention of many prospective financial consumers. This has been particularly difficult for banks because of the convenience factor web companies. These companies offer expedient services and often require less paperwork. Banks, on the other hand, tend to be the most formal and often also the most stringent as far as bank lending procedures go.

There are many reasons that banks attract customers. Often, people already have a relationship with their bank based on their prior banking needs. They feel familiar and comfortable dealing with a name and people they are used to seeing. Banks are also the most traditional form of lending. The parents of today's generation often did not have many choices other than a bank. The internet did not exist, and smaller financial companies were rare. As a result, banks are often the first source that comes to mind with a person needs a loan. Banks often offer some of the lowest interest rates available.

There are many drawbacks to bank lending also, especially for the modern consumer. Where time is one of the most valuable commodities for today's business or individual, banks have the lengthiest lending procedures. They have extensive paperwork and documentation requirements. Additionally, due to the volume of bank lending loan requests they receive compared to relatively few associates, long waiting times are experienced by potential customers. Additionally, customers are limited to the bank's business hours, which can often create a schedule conflict. Web companies, by contrast, are available 24 hours a day.

The lending industry has become a prevalent part of the economy of the United States. Today, the foundation of our society is based on credit worthiness and the opportunities available as a result. Large corporations and even the government itself is reliant on various commercial lending and investment programs. On a personal basis, the average American can enjoy his or her high standard of living because of such lending opportunities as mortgages, car financing, and student loans.

Lending today has become a dynamic field that entails all kinds of businesses. Almost every new business get some kind of commercial lending or funding program to start up their new vision. Owning a home is almost impossible today without the assistance of a mortgage. And even day to day purposes today depend on lending extended by credit card companies.

With such a high demand for various lending products, it is no wonder that the lending industry as a business itself has grown my leaps and bounds. It has been forced to adapt to the vast spectrum of needs demanded by its consumers. With its customers ranging from commercial giants to those with great credit to those with bankruptcies and other credit problems, everyone poses a genuine need for various lending products.

The lending industry is no longer confined to just banks and credit unions. People interested in personal and commercial lending today find they have an array of options. Today furniture companies, clothing stores and even gas stations all have their own brand and format when it comes to lending products. The internet has added a vast base of financial companies that offer new and flexible lending products to its target market as well.

Today, web lenders offer a new window of opportunity for small businesses and individuals that need a fast start up loan approval process. Time is money! Lenders now offer cash in as little as 72 hours, with no tax forms, no business plans, and no collateral! Such lenders offer the straightest line to unsecured business loan funding, at great rates. In the modern world, financial products as efficient and dynamic as the business world must be available.

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