An updated version of EMV 3-D Secure will be available in time for retail's peak season, EMVCo and the PCI Security Standards Council reported. The organizations disclosed their collaboration Sept. 29, 2016, at the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) Community Meeting in Las Vegas. The news was welcomed by global cybersecurity experts in attendance, many of whom are well aware of numerous details and compliance requirements related to the launch. 3-D Secure is shorthand for 3 Domain Security and is commonly abbreviated 3DS.

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Strategic initiatives aimed at lowering electronic transaction times reflect a growing interest in faster electronic payment transactions in public and private sectors, payments analysts have noted. Some attribute heightened awareness of transaction times to efforts at implementing EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) technologies following the Oct. 1, 2015, liability shift. Others credit an ongoing scourge of high-profile data security breaches for the retail industry’s interest in real-time payments as a deterrent against fraud.

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As the U.S. payments industry approaches the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 1, 2015, EMV (Europay, Mastercard and Visa) liability shift, a majority of card-accepting merchants have not implemented chip card technology, according to a study issued Sept. 20, 2016, by The Strawhecker Group, a payments industry consultancy. TSG researchers based their findings on 79 payment service providers responsible for more than 3.4 million merchants. This represents nearly half of the U.S. merchant services market.

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New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, in cooperation with the state's Department of Financial Services (DFS), proposed legislation requiring New York banks, insurance companies and financial institutions to implement cybersecurity programs aimed at protecting consumers and financial services. Introduced Sept. 13, 2016, the bill will be subject to a 45-day public comment period prior to being enacted into law. Cuomo called New York the financial capitol of the world and said it leads the nation in protecting U.S. consumers and financial system from economic harm by rogue state-sponsored organizations, global terrorist networks and other criminal enterprises. "This regulation helps guarantee the financial services industry upholds its obligation to protect consumers and ensure that its systems are sufficiently constructed to prevent cyber-attacks to the fullest extent possible," he stated

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While Arizona's warm, desert breezes whispered through palm trees on the grounds outside the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa; inside, the Western States Acquirers Association wowed attendees and exhibitors who came from as far away as Florida, Puerto Rico and Ireland. Vibrant and informative, the show was a reminder that WSAA and other regional acquirers associations provide exceptional value for the industry's feet on the street for several reasons.

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Experience the Magic of RDC was the theme of the 2016 RDC Summit Conference, hosted by RemoteDepositCapture.com. The ninth annual event, held Sept. 14 to 16 in Orlando, Florida, drew more than 200 executives from banks, credit unions and technology solution providers. Sponsors and exhibitors included Burroughs Inc., Cachet Financial Solutions, Canon U.S.A. Inc., Digital Check Corp., Epson America Inc., Ensenta Corp., Fiserv Inc., Mitek Systems Inc., Panini and RDM Corp. A range of in-depth sessions covered industry trends in risk management, pricing strategies, mobile deposit, integrated receivables and emerging digital technologies.

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Fintech companies met Apple Inc.'s Sept. 7, 2016, launch of the iPhone 7 series with an array of market-ready solutions. Many had anticipated the company's decision to eliminate the iPhone's audio jack. Apple's move ‒ hailed as "courageous" by the company and widely panned by consumers and merchants who rely on audio jack access for their ear buds and payment card reading peripherals ‒ spawned an immediate array of aftermarket solutions. Payments analysts expect some products to have longer shelf lives than others. Many view wireless payment card readers as more future-proof than dongles designed to convert the Lightning port on iPhones into makeshift audio jacks.

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A strategic initiative between PayPal Inc. and Mastercard, disclosed Sept. 6, 2016, builds on existing ties between the global payment brands. Targeting merchants, consumers and card issuers, the agreement introduces an expanded menu of cross-channel payment options designed to build brand value among millions of downstream cardholders, PayPal customers and participating financial institutions, the companies stated. PayPal President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Shulman called Mastercard a trusted partner that has collaborated with PayPal in multiple partnership agreements over the years, which have made it easier for PayPal users to manage money online, in app and in-store.

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The security community has been sharply critical of Dropbox for not sharing pertinent details of a massive security breach initially reported in 2012. The system-wide hack of the cloud-storage firm could potentially impact up to 68 million subscribers; security experts have warned consumers and business owners to update passwords and keep a close watch on payment and online activity. “Our security teams are always watching out for new threats to our users,” wrote Dropbox representatives in a statement to the press. “As part of these ongoing efforts, we learned about an old set of Dropbox user credentials (email addresses plus hashed and salted passwords) that we believe were obtained in 2012.

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A co-branded loyalty program launched Aug. 30, 2016, by Uber Technologies Inc. and Visa Inc. is now available in the latest version of the Uber app. Uber Local Offers began a phased rollout in San Francisco and Los Angeles; additional cities are planned. The in-app program requires no additional access codes or coupons. Consumers are rewarded for things they already do, earning a point for every dollar they spend at local enrolled merchants. When they reach a balance of 100 points, riders receive a $10 discount off a future Uber ride. The companies stated this enriches the shopping and dining experience for Uber riders, while helping small merchants acquire more customers, drive loyalty and increase sales.

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