Latest news with #contactlesspayments
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
The Panel with Madison Burgess-Smith and Mike Williams Part 1
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Madison Burgess-Smith and Mike Williams. Starting off, the Panel hears how homelessness and rough sleeping is on the rise across the country and then they discuss the government's move to ban on-card payments in-store, saving shoppers from being stung with surprise fees when paying with contactless technology. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Stc Bahrain becomes first telecom to launch Samsung Pay, pioneering digital payments
Manama, Bahrain: stc Bahrain, a digital enabler, has announced a significant milestone in its commitment to digital innovation with being the first telecommunications provider to launch Samsung Pay, offering its customers a secure and efficient way to make contactless payments using compatible Samsung devices. This service, which is available now on My stc BH App, enables users to complete transactions for bills, add-ons, and digital gift cards with ease, reflecting stc Bahrain's commitment to introducing innovative solutions that align with modern digital lifestyles. Commenting on the launch, Karim Tabbouche, Chief Consumer Officer at stc Bahrain said: 'We are excited to announce the new payment addition of Samsung Pay on My stc BH App, for our customers. We are committed to embracing digital technology across all our products and services, to redefine our customers' experience. With Samsung Pay, we aim to empower our customers with solutions that elevate their digital interactions and set new standards for convenience and security.' The integration of Samsung Pay introduces advanced security measures, including tokenization and biometric authentication, ensuring safe and reliable transactions. With this launch, stc Bahrain continues to enhance its digital ecosystem by adopting technologies that prioritize customer convenience and simplify payment processes. This initiative highlights stc Bahrain's role in driving technological advancements across the Kingdom, empowering customers with tools that streamline their everyday interactions.
RNZ News
20-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Can the national ticketing project get back on track?
The nationwide ticketing project would allow NZers to tag on to buses, trains and ferries using contactless payments. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King The long awaited $1.4 billion national ticketing project needs to get back on track, says the transport minister, with Waka Kotahi advice earlier this year seen as "overly optimistic" about the project's viability. Meanwhile, the US firm responsible for its development has seen its credit rating drop this month. The nationwide ticketing project would - for the first time - allow New Zealanders to easily tag on to buses, trains and ferries using contactless payments across the country. In 2022 an almost $500 million was signed with US defence contractor Cubic to deliver the plan, with rollout having started in December with a pilot on Route 29 in Christchurch. It has since fallen behind targets to be piloted in other parts of the country, due to technical complications with the project. In April , Auckland councillor Andy Baker said it may be time for the city to walk away from the plan and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown told RNZ he was very concerned about it. It was meant to be on public transport across the country by the end of next year, but a review of the project has been launched, and a revised rollout plan was due to be announced in August. In a briefing document to Transport Minister Chris Bishop from NZTA Waka Kotahi in February, the transport agency was positive about the project's rollout. "The NTS project is on target to be completed on time and within budget". The paper did note that there were some time and budget pressures with the payment overhaul, but further information on this was redacted in the document. When RNZ approached Bishop's office with the briefing he said although the Christchurch pilot showed "some promising signs", he was concerned about the project. "I believe NZTA may have been overly optimistic in their evaluation of the project's viability moving forward in their briefing from February." Bishop said he had met with the NTS governance group to stress the significant investment in the payment plan and "encourage them to exercise leadership to get the project back on track". "The group has commissioned an independent review into the project to identify opportunities for improvement in the programme, and I expect to receive a copy of its findings in July, along with a plan to deliver the project." He was advised that its budget was not an issue. In a response to RNZ, NZTA Waka Kotahi said the NTS Governance Group was working to address challenges with complex parts of the technology. "In May 2025 the NTS Governance Board commissioned an independent review of the programme to provide an independent assessment on the current plan, the challenges for delivery and approach to managing programme delays, and to support the successful delivery of the NTS programme. "The independent review is expected to be completed with a final report presented to the NTS Governance Board at the end of July 2025." US defence and transport contractor Cubic has developed the ticketing overhaul with Waka Kotahi. On 9 July the financial agency Fitch Ratings downgraded the company's credit rating from B negative to triple C negative - rating which indicated that there was a substantial credit risk for the technology business. The change was due to the company completing a restructure of its debt. In a statement to RNZ, Cubic said that it had reached an agreement with its financial sponsors and lenders that would enhance its liquidity, strengthen its capital structure and position it to accelerate its strategic investments. Both the transport minister and NZTA Waka Kotahi would not comment on whether they were concerned about the company. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Finextra
15-07-2025
- Business
- Finextra
MB Way enables NFC payments on iPhone
MB WAY, Portugal's leading mobile payment app, is now the first euro-denominated application in Europe to offer NFC (Near Field Communication) payments on iOS devices. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. iPhone users can now make secure, contactless payments directly with MB WAY, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of mobile payments in Europe. This development follows the enforcement of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires Apple to grant third-party apps access to the iPhone's NFC chip - a functionality previously restricted to Apple Pay. With this update, MB WAY users on iOS can now enjoy the same seamless contactless experience already available to Android users since 2017. 'This is a breakthrough moment for digital payments in Portugal and across the EU,' says Madalena Cascais Tomé, CEO of SIBS. 'By enabling NFC payments on iPhone, MB WAY ensures a consistent and inclusive user experience across platforms - reinforcing our commitment to innovation, convenience, and freedom of choice. We believe this evolution strengthens the European digital economy and sets a precedent for fairer access to key mobile technologies. At SIBS, we remain focused on developing secure, interoperable, and future-proof solutions that simplify everyday life for people and businesses.' Launched by SIBS in 2015, MB WAY has grown into the comprehensive and most widely used mobile payment solution in the Euro Zone. It allows users to make instant transfers, shop online, create and manage virtual cards, split bills, and pay in-store via QR code or contactless technology. With more than 6,5 million users, more than 1bi transactions yearly, and widespread acceptance across PSPs and merchants, MB WAY has become the preferred consumer mobile solution in Portugal and plays a central role in the Europe's digital economy. With this new functionality, MB WAY further strengthens its position as a benchmark for user-centric, interoperable payment solutions in Europe. QR code payments remain available in the app and continue to offer a convenient alternative for everyday transactions. MB WAY and SIBS are also founding members of EuroPA (European Payments Alliance) - an initiative that brings together national payment solutions from across Europe to create a unified, interoperable payment network. The goal of EuroPA is to enable users to make cross-border payments using their local apps, fostering a more connected and competitive European payments landscape.
Globe and Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Buy 3 AI-Powered Giant Financial Transaction Services Stocks for 2H25
The financial transaction services industry is expected to benefit from expanding transaction volumes resulting from the widespread adoption of digital means. The ongoing digitization movement across the globe is a major catalyst for this industry. In addition to global digitization, the financial transaction services providers are expected to benefit from the rising adoption of contactless and cross-border payments, resilient consumer spending and strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Advancements in technologies like BNPL, biometrics and cryptocurrency are also expanding market reach and boosting revenues. At this stage, we recommend three financial transaction services bigwigs with a favorable Zacks Rank. These companies are increasingly adopting high-end artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to provide a secure, top-quality service. These companies are: Visa Inc.V, Mastercard and PayPal Holdings Each of our picks currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Financial Transaction Services Industry Thriving Resilient consumer spending has benefited providers of financial transaction services, contributing to increased transaction volumes and higher revenues. The continued growth of e-commerce, supported by broader Internet penetration and widespread smartphone use, will likely sustain strong consumer spending. Moreover, continued technology investments and expected interest rate cuts support long-term growth and innovation across the space. The Zacks-defined Financial Transaction Services industry is currently within the top 18% of the Zacks Industry Rank. Since the Internet Software industry is ranked in the top half of Zacks Ranked Industries, we expect it to outperform the market over the next three to six months. The chart below shows the price performance of our three picks in the past three months. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Visa Inc. Visa's strong market position is underpinned by consistent volume-driven growth, acquisitions and technological leadership in digital payments. Expansion in cross-border volumes, rising digital transactions, and investments in AI and stablecoin infrastructure enhance V's prospects. Visa's strategic acquisitions and alliances are fostering long-term growth and consistently driving revenues. V is fueled by continued increases in payments, cross-border volumes and sustained investments in technology, and is witnessing significant profit growth. The ongoing shift to digital payments is advantageous for Visa, with strong domestic volumes supporting its overall performance. With fraud cases on the rise and AI adoption increasing, V's services are in high demand. V has embedded AI and generative AI into over 100 products, primarily for fraud prevention and cybersecurity. Visa has invested $3.5 billion in rebuilding its data platform. V's technology helps prevent $40 billion in fraud attempts annually. Through strategic diversification, innovation, and AI-driven security, V is well-positioned for long-term growth. Visa has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 10.2% and 12.9%, respectively, for the current year (ending September 2025). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.1% in the last 30 days. Mastercard Inc. Mastercard's acquisitions are helping it to grow addressable markets and drive new revenue streams. We expect MA's net revenue to rise 13% year over year in 2025. The accelerated adoption of digital and contactless solutions is providing an opportunity for MA's business to expedite its shift to the digital mode. Strong cash flow supports its growth initiatives. Mastercard is aggressively adopting AI technologies to enhance security and customer experiences. MA is using AI in five different aspects of its operations. First, fraud detection and prevention. Second, optimize the payment processing services. Third, customer experience personalization. Fourth, deeper analysis of customer behavior using predictive AI analytics tools. Five, use of high-end AI technologies to enhance merchant services. Mastercard has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 13.1% and 9.7%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.1% in the last seven days. PayPal Holdings Inc. PayPal Holdings is benefiting from robust growth in total payment volume. Strengthening customer engagement on PYPL's platform is a major positive. Venmo's improving monetization efforts and rising adoption rate across various platforms are aiding total active accounts growth. The solid momentum of core peer-to-peer and PayPal Checkout experiences is a tailwind. Well-performing merchant services are also a positive. Strengthening presence in both the United States and international markets is contributing well. Accelerating transaction revenues of PYPL are likely to continue driving the top line. PayPal is significantly leveraging AI across its platform to enhance fraud detection, personalized experience and operational efficiency. PYPL's agentic AI ecosystem enables the company to simplify and streamline integration across all its services. PayPal Holdings has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 3.7% and 8%, respectively, for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current-year earnings has improved 2.2% in the last 30 days. Higher. Faster. Sooner. Buy These Stocks Now A small number of stocks are primed for a breakout, and you have a chance to get in before they take off. At any given time, there are only 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. On average, this list more than doubles the S&P 500. We've combed through the latest Strong Buys and selected 7 compelling companies likely to jump sooner and climb higher than any other stock you could buy this month. You'll learn everything you need to know about these exciting trades in our brand-new Special Report, 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
