The interchange fee debate took an interesting turn after a former McDonald’s employee in Pennsylvania sued the hamburger chain for refusing to pay her in anything but a debit card. A detailed report by the Citizen’s Voice newspaper revealed that the Shavertown McDonald’s forces workers to be paid only one way: with a payroll debit…

“The proposal is a lose-lose-lose for merchants, consumers and competition,” says NRF CEO. The National Retail Federation’s Board of Directors has authorized the Federation to go to court to block the proposed $7.25 billion settlement of a federal antitrust lawsuit over skyrocketing Visa and MasterCard credit card swipe fees that cost consumers hundreds of dollars…

First compliance deadline set for April 2013. American Express issuer is joining MasterCard, Visa and Discover in integrating EMV chip-based contact, contactless and mobile payments for its American Express-branded cards in the U.S., Contactless News Online reported. Merchants, processors and issuers of AmEx cards will need to comply with its requirements and deadlines: • April…

Makes strong case for credit-card reform. In a news story today, USA Today exposed some of the myths banks propagate about hidden, exorbitant “swipe” fees the banks charge retailers when customers buy with credit or debit cards, the Merchants Payments Coalition reported. The article also makes a strong case for reforming the way Visa and…

Smart safes are getting smarter and so are the convenience store operators who use them. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor It’s all about the money, so handle it intelligently. Having a smart safe—and training employees to use it effectively—relieves a lot of the traditional headaches associated with handling cash, according to Los Angeles-based retail security…

After its competitors dropped their planned fees, and faced with public backlash, BOA cuts plans for a new debit fee. Bank of America Corp. (BOA), which announced plans for a $5 monthly debit card fee in late September, has abandoned the idea following nationwide backlash from consumers and lawmakers, Bloomberg reported. The bank fee would…

With gas prices again on the rise, consumers are pumped about loyalty programs that offer discounts on gasoline. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Today’s competitive retailing environment makes it tough to attract and keep customers, so convenience stores are turning to loyalty programs that allow the faithful to earn points as they shop and redeem…

Customers can now save five cents per gallon with debit card and PIN. Thorntons has launched a new fuel savings program in Lexington, Ky., where customers can instantly save five cents per gallon at the fuel pump. This new program began on Tuesday, March 15 at all 10 Lexington area Thorntons locations. Customers save five…

“We’re not looking for a free ride. What we’re looking for is fair and reasonable,” notes 7-Eleven Franchisee Dennis Lane. Thursday, Feb. 17, marks the eighth public hearing on debit and credit card swipe fees. The hearing, scheduled for 10 a.m. is set to be held in the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer…