Abstract
For many, automated teller machines (ATMs) are simply a way of life. There were introduced nearly 20 years ago and today, many bank customers never go into a branch after opening their account. But today's ATM cards can also be used to make purchases at retail outlets and even on the World Wide Web, another innovation which was not envisioned 20 years ago. The videophone has become video conferencing, and cameras which use film may be made obsolete by cameras which use a floppy disk for recording images. Electronic pagers, once the purview of doctors and others who needed to be notified in case of emergencies, have now become commonplace and are used to summon diners to their table.

From the Paper
"Introduction
For many, automated teller machines (ATMs) are simply a way of life. There were introduced nearly 20 years ago and today, many bank customers never go into a branch after opening their account. But today's ATM cards can also be used to make purchases at retail outlets and even on the World Wide Web, another innovation which was not envisioned 20 years ago. The videophone has become video conferencing, and cameras which use film may be made obsolete by cameras which use a floppy disk for recording images. Electronic pagers, once the purview of doctors and others who needed to be notified in case of emergencies, have now become commonplace and are used to summon diners to their table. This research examines each of these technologies and considers how the impact of technology extends beyond its stated use."

From the Paper
"INTRODUCTION
VeriFone, Inc. manufactures the credit or debit processing box that reads the magnetic strip on a bank card. The company was founded in 1981. At the time, retailers had to get a telephone authorization on most transactions, and there was little specialized equipment for immediate processing of transactions on the market. VeriFone had reached more than half the market for retail transaction processing terminals by 1990 and had become the industry leader in new products for specialized markets. The company is today believed to have about 65 percent of a market that is continuing to expand into new areas. Revenue projects for 1993 are $270 million. In recent years VeriFone has found new markets internationally and in retail sectors that have not previously used transaction ..."

From the Paper
"The International Banking Industry
Introduction and Statement of Purpose
As the world's banks enter the new millennium, they face a confusing paradox. On the one hand, they need to be bigger, more diversified, and offer more comprehensive services in order to compete globally. On the other hand, in a rapidly changing market, on the most agile and nimble will survive - let alone expand and increase profitability (Keeler, 2000). Banking has moved from a bordered, domestic set of activities to a truly international orientation. This is being driven by market factors encouraging mergers and consolidations, along with other forms of affiliation that are reshaping this entire sector (Keeler, 2000).
McMillan (1999) stated that the banking world enters the new millennium .."

Abstract
For many years, science fiction writers and futurists have predicted the end of the cash-based society. Advances in the technology which supports financial transactions has already greatly reduced the amount of cash necessary for many everyday events, and most individuals conduct at least some cashless transactions on a regular basis

From the Paper
"Introduction
For many years, science fiction writers and futurists have predicted the end of the cash-based society. Advances in the technology which supports financial transactions has already greatly reduced the amount of cash necessary for many everyday events, and most individuals conduct at least some cashless transactions on a regular basis. The move toward a cashless society has occurred over centuries, but the technology of the twentieth century has propelled it faster than ever before. Yet despite the rapid technological advances of recent years, a cashless society remains well in the future. This research examines the factors which have moved society away from an entirely cash-based system as well as those factors which prevent society from being entirely cashless today."

From the Paper
"Introduction
In 1991, the first Planet Hollywood opened in Manhattan; in the following four years, the chain grew to 28 outlets with locations from Honolulu to Helsinki. Each time a new restaurant opens, some of the more famous owners, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone, are part of the opening festivities. Inside the restaurant, which features burgers, chili and similar fare, diners sit among props from movies and are able to purchase Planet Hollywood merchandise, including jackets and baseball caps; in some locations, the merchandise is available well before the restaurant opens for business. The result is that the restaurant chain has posted significant profits in an industry typically characterized by low profit margins, and an initial public offering was favorable.."

From the Paper
"On the surface, the smart card is a means of gathering up loose change and loose economic threads, and moving toward a cashless society. In the real world, almost everyone carries paper money, coins, credit cards, checks, and the occasional debit card. These are the currently accepted financial instruments used in everyday transactions of money and credit. One or all of these instruments are accepted by whomever we choose to do business with. As the year 2000 draws near, the likelihood exists that stored value cards, often known as smart cards, will all but eclipse the use of small bills and coins (Morrall, 1995)."

From the Paper
"ELECTRONIC BANKING
Introduction
This research reviews the trends in electronic banking. Debit cards, so-called "smart cards" (such as Mondex), and other trends in the application of information technology are reviewed...'

Abstract
This paper uses secondary data to analyze the credit card industry along five constructs: (1) Competitive analysis: Porter's Five Forces and PEST analysis, (2) monopoly vs. perfect competition, (3) standardization vs. localization, (4) competition vs. collaboration and (5) revolutionary vs. evolutionary change. The author points out that the existing credit card industry is a mature market, but it still has room to grow as more people become familiar with the allied financial services their credit and debit cards can provide. The paper relates that VISA enjoys the most powerful credit/debit card position in consumer cards especially in business credit cards, with it has extensive and integrated work in payments processing; however, the founders of First Data/Concord EFS were particularly aggressive business people. Many tables and charts.

Table of Contents
Introduction
In Brief
Background
Flies in the First Data Ointment
Objective
Methodology
Structure of the Dissertation
Literature Review
Competitive analysis
Porter's Five Forces
Porter's Five Forces Example
PEST Analysis
Economic Factors
Socio-Cultural Factors
Technological Factors
Literature Review
Monopoly vs. Perfect Competition
Standardization vs. Localization
National Initiatives
Competition vs. Collaboration
Revolutionary vs. Evolutionary Change
Opportunities
Overview of Credit and Debit Card Industries
Top Ten Card Issuers Compared
Bank Card Profitability
Differences between Credit and Debit Cards
U.S. Payment Cards-in-Force (in millions)
Off-Line Debit History
Top 10 U.S. Issuers by Card Loans
Developed vs. Less Developed Nations' Credit Card Use
VISA Volume
2003 Top 10 Countries
Global Financial Cards in Circulation - 2003
Corporate /Commercial vs. Consumer Use
Analysis of VISA's Strategy
VISA's Strengths
VISA's Weaknesses
VISA's Opportunities
VISA's Threats
STP Strategy (Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning)
Conclusion
Conclusions and Recommendations

From the Paper
"From the merchant's point of view, the merger was seen as one that would give them an alternative to VISA and MasterCard. Shortly after the merger, major STAR network contracts with high-profile banks such as Wells Fargo, Wachovia and BankOne were set to expire; this opened the field to some turmoil, in all likelihood, because VISA was already making a play to sign the same institutions for its processing and acceptance capabilities. FirstData/Concord was assumed to have the upper hand, however because analysts thought those two institutions, despite their disparate original sizes, understood contracts of that sort and banks themselves better then VISA. As it turns out, STAR did lose some of its bank contracts, reducing the value of the merger somewhat from the First Data standpoint."

Tags:billpay, constructs, star, debit, aggressive

Abstract
This paper discusses the various payment methods across the United States. These payment methods consist of paper currency, checks, traveler's checks, debit cards, credit cards and newer payment methods. The newer payment methods are typified by PayPal which is clearly becoming a widely used and accepted form of payment beyond its original use related solely to eBay purchases.

From the Paper
"Payment methods have evolved over time with and at the same pace as advances in technology. While physical currency is under no threat of disappearing in the near to mid-term, the changing buy and consumption habits of the United States' consumers is moving in tandem with evolving payment methods in a manner that makes physical currency seem less relevant. Some researchers describe this dynamic in the following manner: "All consumption activity has increasingly become technologically mediated over the past few decades. The shopping experience has been transformed by its technological infrastructure" (Lally, 2002, p.117). Increasingly, this technological mediation in the consumption experience is currency and payment related. No longer is cash considered king and many of the once cutting edge payment methods available to consumers are now considered quaint or archaic."

Tags:checks, debit, credit

Abstract
This paper provides an overview of electronic payment methods and outlines the relative advantages of electronic payment methods both for customer service and increased profitability. The main features of electronic payment cards, which include credit cards, virtual credit cards, debit cards, and charge cards, are described, and the main characteristics of successful e-payment methods are outlined. The recent successes of PayPal and VeriSign are outlined, and the author's personal interest in the subject is discussed.

Outline
Electronic Payment Methods
Main Features of Electronic Payment Methods
Electronic Payment Methods, PayPal and VeriSign
Personal Interest in Electronic Payment Methods
Additional Information on Electronic Payment Methods

From the Paper
"Successful e-payment methods share a number of characteristics. These are: independence, interoperability and portability, security, anonymity, divisibility, ease of use, and transaction fees. Independence refers to the ability of e-commerce methods to operate without installing specialized software. Those e-commerce methods that do not require specialized hardware or software are more likely to be successful. Interoperability and portability refers to the ability of forms of e-commerce to interlink with other enterprise applications and systems. Security is an important consideration that encompasses the safety of the transfer and the chance of the transfer being intercepted. Anonymity is a characteristic of cash payments, where payment cannot be traced back to the buyer."

Tags:paypal, verisign, credit, cards, debit, charge