Contour Prepaid Card By U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank has announced the U.S. Bank Contour Card – saying that the new card gives customers the convenience of a debit card, the control of a bank account and the freedom of cash. Giving customers innovative options to manage their finances. The Contour Card is the latest example. It’s a great tool to manage expenses by giving you the power to budget your money across multiple prepaid cards under the same account. Customers can use Contour as their primary payment card, but it is also a good fit for anyone who wants a new way to manage money.

Contour gives control over your spending in so many ways. From tracking your spending to transferring money between accounts, Contour gives customers the ability to manage it all from one location through their personal My Contour Dashboard.

Cardholders can open up to five additional card accounts that can be linked to their primary account. Cardholders can use Contour anywhere Visa Debit cards are accepted, get free cash withdrawals at any U.S. Bank or MoneyPass ATMs, and direct deposit paychecks to their accounts at no additional charge.

 

Posted in Financial Services Tagged with: account, ATMs, budget, card, cardholders, debit card, deposit, finances, money, MoneyPass, paychecks, prepaid, tracking, tranferring, U.S. Bank, US Bank, visa, withdrawals

Extreme Electronic Payments in a Cashless Society

As we move to smartphones and tablets as payment methods security and privacy concerns are a real issue. With recent NSA leaks shedding light on our data and the access others have to it, we have to consider security, privacy and health implications. This year alone e-commerce transactions on smartphones and tablets during the holiday season are set to grow by 15%. Although tablets, not smartphones will drive the bulk of that growth, smartphones are set to overtake mobile-commerce payments over the next 5 years. Tablet payments in the U.S. alone are expecting to reach $26 billion in transactions. Currently tablets are more convenient for m-commerce due to their size, but as far as the future of electronic payment processing, smartphones are where it’s at.

The smart merchant sees this coming and realizes frictionless transactions increase sales. The more comfortable and less complicated a transaction is for a customer, the better. Smartphones, tablets, PCs, laptops and more can already process electronic transactions from credit and debit cards, gift cards, electronic checks and more. Money movement is easier than ever and more convenient than cash. Cash is king however in situations where internet connectivity and power are an issue. In India for example, a poor electric grid makes power outages a common occurrence. During natural disasters, when resources are badly needed, power outages or severed internet communications mean no electronic transactions can be processed. So physical currency remains a must, in the future we may see payment technology evolve to where digital money like crypto currency (BitCoin) may be stored on the device itself similar to having cash. As these electronic payment systems evolve, merchants need to position themselves to accept what their market prefers to transact with.

The smart citizen also sees this coming and has concerns that things like a National ID program being established may compromise their privacy.
As an extreme example of electronic transactions, a nightclub in Spain used subdermally implanted RFID chips in a woman that allowed patrons to pay for food and beverages without a credit card.

Posted in e-commerce & m-commerce, Electronic Check Services, Electronic Payments, Gift & Loyalty Card Processing, Merchant Services Account, Near Field Communication, Smartphone Tagged with: bitcoin, cash, connectivity, credit, crypto currency, currency, debit cards, digital money, e-commerce, electronic, electronic checks, frictionless, Gift Cards, health, internet, laptops, leaks, m-commerce, Merchant's, mobile-commerce payments, money, national id, nsa, pay, payment methods, payment processing, PCs, privacy, processed, RFID, Security, smartphone, tablets, technology, transact, transactions

Reduce Credit Card Debt with Micropayments

Micropayments provide faster results and some immediate gratification that can keep you motivated. Rather than eating out or splurging on something that you don’t really need, immediately apply that money to pay down your credit card balance. Instead of paying a certain amount once a month, divide that payment in half and pay that amount every two weeks. Consumers can even sign up for an electronic transfer of your funds to take place every two weeks. By the end of the year, you will have made 26 payments or the equivalent of 13 monthly payments. The extra monthly payment resulting from this payment plan will enable you to pay down your debt at a faster pace.

If you are planning to make micropayments, consumers may want to call their credit card company to verify that separate payments can be made and will be credited to their monthly minimum. See if your issuer has any restrictions or limitations on making additional payments.

Holiday shopping is just around the corner, and consumers need to have their credit card balances as low as possible in order to avoid costly interest charges. One way to do this is to make micropayments on their credit card bill. While we are conditioned to pay our credit card bill once a month, consumers can actually make a number of smaller payments throughout the month. Some banks and issuers allow payments to be made as often as once a day. If you carry a balance, micropayments can reduce the interest because most credit card companies charge interest based on your average daily balance during the month. Pay more often and you reduce your average daily balance and therefore the interest you pay that month.

If you have more than one card with a balance, keep paying the minimums for each card, but pick one card to pay off first. Select either the card with the highest interest rate (save more money) or the card with the lowest balance (pay it off faster). Stop charging on that card, using another card for purchases.

There are several other advantages to making micropayments when paying down credit card debt:

You may have better control of your payments. If you are paid weekly or bi-weekly, money can slip away by the end of the month. Designate a specific day after you are paid to send in a payment for your credit card. Four $50 payments or two $100 payments are sometimes easier to make than a monthly $200 payment. It is also easier to add a little extra money to smaller payments.

In time, micropayments can help raise your credit score. An organized, scheduled payment plan can help you avoid late payments and pay more than the minimum due. Both of these are important elements for a good credit score.

Micropayments can reduce financial stress. Making payments right after payday at a time when you actually have the money will likely reduce anxiety and financial stress.

The higher your interest rate, the more you will save.

The disadvantage to the micropayment plan is that it takes time, organization and financial discipline to make the plan work and this may be difficult for some people.

 

Posted in Electronic Payments, Financial Services, Visa MasterCard American Express Tagged with: balance, bill, consumers, credit-card, credited, debt, elements, financial, interest, issuers, limitations, micropayments, money, monthly minimum, pay, payments, purchases, shopping

Medical Credit Card Abuse Rising :National Transcription

Since Medical Transcriptions is one of the product and services by National Transaction Corporation under National Transcription Corporation I just want to share this topic.

The abuse of the medical credit card system is growing by the day because many doctors are making these cards appear like an in-house payment program. Most patients are inclined to pay their doctor for their services directly, but they are more hesitant when a credit card is involved. Some medical professionals are masking the true source of their lending services and thus putting their clients at risk.

An example of this form of abuse can be seen by a company called CareCredit. Nearly 90% of New Yorkers in the CareCredit program opted for a program with no interest if the amount was paid in full. A quarter of them ended up paying 26.99% interest on their accounts instead. CareCredit has more than seven million cardholders nationwide, and it is currently the defendant in a variety of civil lawsuits.

If you are offered a chance to take to a credit card to cover your medical expenses, you should fully research the card before signing on the dotted line. Fully understand the terms of the card before agreeing to anything so you don’t end up in heavy debt.

Medical credit cards are designed to help people pay for procedures they may not be able to afford on their own. These cards give patients a chance to undergo the procedures their insurance may not pay for, as well as giving the doctor the opportunity to get their money right away.

While this may seem like a great setup, most patients are pressured into getting medical credit cards without knowing the excessive costs sometimes associated with them. They can fall into a debt trap very quickly.

 

Posted in Credit card Processing, Electronic Payments, Medical Healthcare Tagged with: amount, cards, clients, credit-card, debt, doctors, heavy debt, interest, lending, medical transcriptions, money, paid, patients, payment, procedures, professionals, risk, services, signing, system, terms

Cash Back Credit Cards vs. Store Credit Cards

If you want to make the most out of your shopping adventures, you need to have a credit card that helps you save money. The question is, which option is better for you? Some people automatically think about store credit cards, and others go for cash back credit cards. Before you apply for a card, assess which type of card would be more beneficial for your personal needs.

Cash Back Credit Cards

The main perk to having a cash back credit card is the fact that you can use it anywhere. It still acts as a traditional credit card. The only difference is that you get rewards from the money you spend on it. The average cash back credit card offers 1% cash back on all purchases. Some may also pay an additional 2% to 5% cash back on select purchases made with the card. Example, the Citi ThankYou Preferred Card offers 2 reward points per $1 spent on dining and entertainment. Blue Cash Everyday card from American Express offers 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and 1% on all other purchases. You could earn a great deal of your money if you choose the right cash back card and use it correctly.

The problem with cash back credit cards is that the rewards structure can sometimes be confusing. The Discover It Card features an attractive rewards program, but its 5% cash back offer changes every three months. It may be on home improvement purchases during one quarter, but during another quarter, it may be applicable on purchases at gas stations and for holiday shopping. You have to keep up with the rewards calendar to get the most out of your credit card. You also have to consider any fees associated with your credit card. Some cash back cards on the market have an annual fee, and many have a slightly higher interest rate than the average card. Review the terms of any card you are considering for so you can pick the perfect one for you.

 Store Credit Cards

Store credit cards are usually easy to apply for and just as easy to obtain. Some of them can be used like regular credit cards, and others have to be used at a specific store. For instance, the traditional Walmart credit card can only be used at Walmart, but the Walmart Discover card can be used anywhere Discover is accepted. You need to know this about your card before applying for it. Many people get a store credit card because they receive some type of introductory offer when they apply for one. You might be able to save 10-15% off your initial purchase, or you might get a certain amount of cash back after making your first purchase. These offers are designed to lure you into getting a card, even though you may never use it again. What you may not realize in the euphoria of the introductory offer is the very high interest rate you typically have on a store credit card.

When you start looking at store credit cards, consider what kind of rewards you can get and how those rewards are accumulated. Do they only come from purchases at that store, or do they come from any transaction? Are you required to use rewards in the store, or can you use them online? Does the card have an annual fee? You must go through this type of analysis before deciding if a store credit card is worth getting.

Are Cash Back Credit Cards Better Than Store Credit Cards?

In our opinion, yes. This isn’t because we’re biased towards cash back cards. We just like the idea that you can earn rewards wherever you make a transaction. You aren’t limited to one store, either in the way you spend money or the way you collect your rewards. In addition, store cards usually have a higher interest rate. With that said, there are people who benefit from store credit cards because they shop at those stores all the time. If you spend thousands of dollars a year at Lowe’s for your construction company, a Lowe’s credit card may provide substantial savings for your business.

Don’t get overly excited when you reach the checkout counter. That one-time savings on a store credit card may not be worth it in the end. Think over your shopping habits and see if a cash back credit card is more suited for your needs. If so, you have plenty of them to choose from.

Posted in Electronic Payments, Financial Services, Gift & Loyalty Card Processing, Visa MasterCard American Express Tagged with: %, accumulated, American Express, annual, assesses, average, beneficial, calendar, cash, cash back, checkout, credit cards, dining, Discover, earn, entertainment, fee, improvement, interest, lowe's, market, money, online, pay, points, preferred, purchases, quarter, rate, rewards, savings, shopping, store, traditional, transaction, walmart

Big Data Solution For Travel Spend Reveals MasterCard

Buoyed by an improving economy, business travelers are once again taking to the skies and spending more on corporate travel. The Global Business Travel Association has projected that $273.3 billion in travel dollars will be spent in 2013, and “that’s a whole lot of spending for corporate travel managers and individual business travelers to evaluate and track.”

Recognizing this problem, MasterCard launched Travel Controller on October 21. The new product is designed to give corporate users greater control over their travel expenses by directly addressing data concerns.

“Companies today are more than ever looking for more and better ways to help manage their corporate travel expense, to manage travelers that are outside of policy, and most importantly, reduce the amount of money they spend on travel.

Travel Controller is designed to be a modern solution to the problems posed by traditional lodge cards. Unlike these options, Travel Controller allows corporate users to identify individual travelers, trips and transactions, providing businesses greater insight into this spending than the available offerings that dominate the market.

Travel controller uses latest virtual card technology to generate a unique account number for each individual transaction, each hotel reservation and each ticket that’s purchased. And when its generating that card, it captures that data that’s important to the company for how they manage that.

Whether that’s the details of the transaction or things more specific to the trip or traveler or the way the company manages its budgets, all of this information is provided 100 percent of the time. This removes the headaches associated with central travel while still giving that control element that companies are looking for.

Travel Controller is around the goals of an end user organization, as a company that’s trying to manage their travel expenses more effectively.

There is a defined data set, and built in flexibility for companies to define their own customer-specific fields, that are important so that the data you get back isn’t just thousands of pieces of information, but rather its those things that are most important and its brought to you in a way that makes it easy to take advantage of.

Posted in Best Practices for Merchants, Credit card Processing, Financial Services, Merchant Services Account, Travel Agency Agents, Visa MasterCard American Express Tagged with: account, addressing, amount, association, business, card, controller, corporate, data set, dollars, dominate, element, expenses, generating, global, improving, individual, information, lodge, market, MasterCard, money, policy, reduce, spend, spending, traditional, transactions, travel, travelers, trips, unique, virtual

What Electronic Check Processing is and How it Works

What is an electronic check?

Electronic Check also known as Echeck – is an electronic version of a Paper Check. Electronic Checks allow merchants to convert paper check payments made by customers to electronic payments that are processed through the (ACH) Automated Clearing House Network. It’s a fast, efficient, and secure way to process check payments.

Because of the many benefits and increased security methods that electronic checks offer, this method of payment is quickly growing in popularity. In 2007, electronic check conversion increased by 30%, with more than 3.1 billion paper checks converted to echecks through in-store transactions. Familiarizing yourself with how electronic checks work, the benefits and security features they offer, and how you can get started with electronic check conversion will save you time and money and help you provide greater protection for your business and your customers.

How it works:

Electronic check conversion is a simple method of processing payments, and the changes to how you do business are minimal. One of this method’s greatest advantages is that you can electronically submit checks instead of having to physically take them to the bank, saving you time and increasing employee efficiency.

When you receive a paper check payment from your customer, you will run the check through an electronic scanner system supplied by your merchant service provider like National Transaction Corporation (NTC). This virtual terminal captures the customer’s banking information and payment amount written on the check. The information is transferred electronically via the Federal Reserve Bank’s ACH Network, which takes the funds from your customer’s account and deposits them to yours.

Once the echeck has been processed and approved, the virtual terminal will instantly print a receipt for the customer to sign and keep. Employees should mark the paper check as “void” and return it to the customer. Your merchant transactions will be available online for viewing with customized detailed reporting, which may vary in features depending on the merchant service provider you choose.

Using electronic check conversion to process your customers’ payments holds many benefits over paper checks:

Benefits:

1. Received Funds Sooner. Businesses that use electronic check conversion have funds deposited almost twice as fast as those using the traditional check processing method, with billing companies often receiving payments within one day.

2. Reduced Fraud and Fewer Errors. Echecks are processed using an automated system, which cuts down the number of people who must handle the check, reducing the potential for error and fraud. Merchant service providers (NTC) also maintain, monitor, and check files against negative account databases that store information about individuals or companies that have past records of fraud to help decrease fraudulent activity.

3. Reduced Processing Costs. In general, the cost to process an echeck is substantially less than that of paper check processing or credit card transactions. Echecks require less manpower to process and eliminate incidental costs such as deposit and transaction fees that accompany paper checks. With Echecks, you can save up to 60% in processing fees.

4. Sales Increase. If your business didn’t accept paper checks in the past, you can expand the payment options available to your customers and increase sales by offering echecks. If you are converting from accepting paper checks to echecks, you can still expand your customer base by being able to accept international and

out-of-state checks without the worry of fraud. Echecks require account validation and customer authentication processes that identify bad checks within seconds.

5. Safe, Simple and Smart. Electronic check conversion is easy to set up and relies on the ACH Network for processing, the same reliable and trusted funds transfer system that handles Direct Deposit and Direct Payment. Plus, echecks are a smart choice for the environment, helping to reduce more than 67.4 million gallons of fuel used and 3.6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions created by transporting paper checks.

Increase security with electronic checks – Electronic check conversion leverages the latest information protection features such as encryption and message authentication. Because of this, many retail merchants, merchant service providers, and financial institutions consider it to be one of the most secure payment methods in the electronic payment processing industry.

 Authentication – Merchants must verify that the person providing the checking account information has the authority to use that checking account. There are a number of authentication services and products available to merchants, including:

Digital Signatures or Digital Certificates are a way of Encrypting information that gives the receiver a more reliable indication that the information was sent by the claimed sender. They are used by programs on the Internet to confirm the identity of a customer to concerned third parties, serving a similar purpose as a handwritten signature. Digital Signatures cannot be easily tampered with or imitated and are easily transportable, thereby making them a reliable method for verifying identity when implemented correctly. Digital Signatures are often used to implement Electronic Signatures, a broader term that refers to any Electronic Data that carries the intent of a signature.

Duplicate Detection and prevention is another way to reduce fraudulent activities. Financial institutions have software and operational controls in place to prevent duplication of the scanned electronic representations of customer checks.

Encryption The ACH Network automatically encrypts messages using 128-bit encryption and a secure sockets layer (SSL).

 Public Key Cryptography is an Encryption/Decryption Security Method that uses one key to Encrypt a sent message and another to Decrypt it. With Electronic Check Conversion, the Private Key is a secret mathematical calculation used to create the digital signature on the Echeck, and the Public Key is the corresponding key given to anyone who needs to verify that the sender signed the echeck and that the electronic transfer has not been tampered with. Public Key Cryptography is another way to ensure authenticity of the Electronic Transfer of Funds.

 What is the (ACH) Automated Clearing House Network?

The Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network is a funds distribution system that moves funds electronically from one entity to another. This highly reliable and efficient nationwide electronic network is governed by the rules established by the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) and the Federal Reserve (Fed). The ACH payment system also handles debit card transactions; direct deposits of payroll, Social Security, and other government benefits; direct debit payments; and business-to-business payments.

How to get started with Echeck:

Useful advice to help make the implementation of electronic check conversion at your business run smoothly:

Choose a processing company that is well established in the market. While a competitive pricing package may also be of importance, having a processor that is reliable with a good reputation is essential.

Look for a processor that enables you to easily align your current business processes with your new electronic processing system. Ensure that you can easily export customer data and smoothly integrate the electronic payment processing system with your business management software.

Notify your customers that your business will begin using electronic check conversion to process payments. Federal rules require you to post a notification about this change in practice as well as to give your customers a takeaway copy of the notification. You must also provide customers a telephone number to request more information about electronic check conversion.

 

 

Posted in Electronic Check Services, Electronic Payments, Financial Services Tagged with: ach, authentication, automated clearing house, bank, check, checks, conversion, deposited, digital, echeck, electronic, electronically, encryption, fees, in-store, market, merchant, merchant service provider, money, online, payments, process, Processing, reporting, scanner, Security, signature, submit, terminal, transactions, virtual

Partner for mobile commerce US Bank, Monitise

U.S. Bank and Monitise will develop a mobile shopping experience that includes product selection and instant checkout payment capabilities. Leveraging digital and audio watermarking and scanning technology for product discovery, an initial pilot will integrate mobile action codes, mobile shopping and mobile payments.

Mobile money solutions provider Monitise and U.S. Bank announced an agreement to accelerate the delivery of a product discovery and shopping service that the companies say will make it easier for top-tier retailers to help consumers interact with and buy from leading brands via mobile.

“Technology is creating new ways to bank and buy, and U.S. Bank is committed to playing a leading role in the digital commerce revolution as money becomes more mobile,” developing mobile money services has been a key focus for the company.

“As mobile technology accelerates the convergence between the offline and digital worlds of banking, payments and commerce, banks are identifying new revenue streams and driving value for both retailers and consumers,”

Posted in e-commerce & m-commerce, Electronic Payments, Financial Services, Mobile Payments Tagged with: banking, banks, checkout, convergence, electronic, etailers, mobile, mobile action codes, mobile shopping, money, payment, Scanning

What is Merchant Cash Advance and Reasons to Consider Merchant Cash Advance for your Business.

Merchant Cash Advance was originally structured as a lump sum payment to a business in exchange for an agreed upon percentage of future credit card and/or debit card sales.

Notion Merchant Cash Advance companies provide funds to businesses in exchange for a percentage of the businesses daily credit card income, directly from the processor that clears and settles the credit card payment. A company’s remittances are drawn from customers’ debit- and credit-card purchases on a daily basis until the obligation has been met. Most providers form partnerships with card-payment processors and take payments directly from a business owner’s card-swipe terminal.These Merchant Cash Advances are not loans – they are a sale of a portion of future credit and/or debit card sales. Therefore merchant cash advance companies claim that they are not bound by state usury laws which limit lenders from charging excessive interest rates. This technicality allows them to operate in a largely unregulated market and charge much higher interest rates than banks. This structure has some advantages over the structure of a conventional loan. Most importantly, payments to the merchant cash advance company fluctuate directly with the merchant’s sales volumes, giving the merchant greater flexibility with which to manage their cash flow, particularly during a slow season. Advances are processed quicker than a typical loan, giving borrowers quicker access to capital. Also, because MCA providers typically give more weight to the underlying performance of a business than the owner’s personal credit scores, Merchant Cash Advances offer an alternative to businesses who may not qualify for a conventional loan.

Usage Merchant cash advances are most often used by retail businesses that do not qualify for regular bank loans, and are generally more expensive than bank loans.  Competition and innovation led to downward pressure on rates and terms are now more closely correlated with an applicant’s FICO score.

Generally there are three different types of repayment methods for the business.

1. ACH (Automated Clearing House) Withholding: When structured as a sale, the finance company receives the credit card processing information and deducts its portion directly from the business’s checking account via ACH. When structured as a loan, the finance company debits a fixed amount daily regardless of business sales activity.

2. Lock Box or Trust Bank Account Withholding: All of the business’s credit card sales are deposited into bank account controlled by the finance company and then the agreed upon portion is forwarded onto the business via ACH (Automated Clearing House), EFT ( Electronic Funds Transfer) or wire. This is the least preferred method since it results in a one-day delay in the business receiving the proceeds of their credit card sales.

3. Split Withholding: When the credit card processing company automatically splits the credit card sales between the business and the finance company per the agreed portion (generally 10% to 22%). This is generally the most common and preferred method of collecting funds for both the clients and finance companies since it is seamless.

Opting for a merchant cash advance is a decision made by small business owners every day of the week across this country.  If you’re having a hard time establishing a business line of credit or getting approved for a business loan, a merchant cash advance may very well be the best option available to you to help you finance your business.

Here are reasons why a business cash advance makes sense.

A. Can take out more advances as advance is repaid

Most business loans will not be extended as you pay off your balance, but with a merchant cash advance, you can get more money as you pay off your advance.

B. Even with less-than-perfect credit, you can be approved

No worries about being approved if you have less-than-perfect credit, a high credit score is not a major factor in whether you are can receive business funding from a cash advance.

C. Flexible repayment terms – repayment is based on sales volume, not a flat rate

Some businesses can run into financial hardships with traditional business loans that require flat-rate monthly payments, but with merchant cash advances your monthly payments are dependent on your sales volume.  This means that if you have a slow month, you pay back less.

D. Frees up time because of the simple application/approval process

The application and waiting process for a business loan or even a business line of credit can be outstanding –sometimes you have to wait 30 days just to receive notice of approval from your application, add the wait time to the back and forth calls, document signing, etc – and it can be an arduous process.  However, by choosing a merchant cash advance, you can quickly qualify online or by phone.

E. Gives you more money in your pocket to improve cash flow

Cash advances can give you the opportunity to receive more money than you would be able to borrow from a bank.

F. Gives you money right away

With a merchant cash advance you literally can have your cash in as little as 72 hours from your applications approval – and most businesses get their funding in less than a week.   Now that’s a simple process

G. New business friendly

Many small business loans require that you have a well-established business (2 years or more) to even consider you for business funding.  With a cash advance, you can receive funding even if your company is newly in business.

H. No personal liability for repayment of the cash advance

Much unlike with business lines of credit and small business loans, you are not personally responsible for repayment of the advancement.

I. Non-restrictive usage on what you use the funding for

 Too many times business owners are restricted by what they can do with their business loans.  But, because a cash advance is designed to help you improve your cash flow, you can use your new funds wherever your business needs them.

J. Qualification is easier than with traditional business loans

Banks have a lot of stipulations for businesses that they loan money to or extend credit lines – cash advances have minimal qualifications and high approval rates.

Posted in Best Practices for Merchants, Merchant Cash Advance, Merchant Services Account Tagged with: ach, automated clearing house, bank, business, businesses, capital, cash advance, credit-card, eff, electronic, excessive, flat-rate, funds, loan, loans, merchant, money, online, pay, payments, Processing, purchases, Rates, signing, transfer

U.S. Bank integrates to simplify mobile money transfers with Western Union

U.S. Bank integrates to simplify mobile money transfers with Western Union

U.S. Bank has offered Western Union Money Transfer services since 2009, but now customers can do so via mobile. According to U.S. Bank, it is the first bank in the United States to integrate the Western Union Money Transfer services into its mobile app.

U.S. Bank is collaborating with Western Union to let U.S. Bank customers use the Western Union Money Transfer services via the U.S. Bank mobile application. “Adding Western Union enhances overall digital money movement strategy.”

“Primary goal is to make it easier for customers to send money on any device to anyone across the country or around the world.” Giving customers the most convenient banking experience by delivering and allowing customers to bank anywhere and anytime they want.

Money transfer

In order to qualify for the new service, customers must have been a customer of U.S. Bank for at least a year and have a registered mobile phone and eligible deposit account. Western Union Money Transfer services let consumers conveniently pay other consumers via mobile or desktop.

Eligible U.S. Bank mobile banking customers will now see the Western Union logo in the person-to-person money transfer options. Online banking customers will see Western Union as a funds transfer option.

U.S. Bank decided to offer the new service to make moving money as convenient as possible for its customers. Customers will be able to send money around the world from the comfort of their own home.

When consumers receive a payment through the Western Union services, they can be paid in cash and use it immediately.

Mobile banking

U.S. Bank has rolled out a number of mobile initiatives in the past few years.

In July, U.S. Bank integrated with the Square digital wallet, enabling users to fund payments made via the mobile application from their bank account.

Earlier this year, U.S. Bank even offered customers the ability to pay via NFC by providing a customized U.S. Bank Go Mobile iPhone case equipped with NFC technology.

The bank also rolled out mobile photo bill pay services last year to let customers pay their bills by simply snapping a picture of the document using the camera on a smartphone or tablet.

“As device ubiquity grows, as people become more comfortable using their phones for all their banking activities, a lot of new ways to leverage a phone’s capabilities to make banking easier for customers, customers expect their bank to offer a full rich set of money management and movement capabilities on their phones, tablets and laptops.”

Posted in Digital Wallet Privacy, Electronic Payments, Mobile Payments Tagged with: banking, mobile, money, nfc, payment, transfers, U.S. Bank, US Bank, western union