Identive Group Inc. has announced a deal to acquire a majority stake in Hamburg, Germany-based payment solution AG, a cashless payment system provider for stadiums, arenas and other types of entertainment venues.

payment solution’s systems use contactless smart cards to enable faster payment methods at event sites. The systems incorporate payment management software, smart cards and reader and communication infrastructure. Clients may purchase either a turnkey solution or a multi-year contract where payment solution operates and maintains the system in return for a revenue share. 

A new survey from Euro Kartensysteme shows that Germans are starting to embrace the idea of contactless and NFC payments.

Out of 1,040 Germans aged 18-59, 43% responded that they would like to make contactless payments if given the opportunity, of which 58% percent would make their payments with a debit card card, 41% with a credit card and 50% with an NFC phone. 

StarChip and CEA-Leti have inked a partnership agreement to develop a contactless front end for smart card applications.

The partnership includes technology and know-how transfer to StarChip. With this combined experience in secure integrated circuit development and contactless technology, StarChip will roll out state-of-the-art smart card products to enable applications in transport, banking and identity.

The CEA-Leti will bring to StarChip the added benefits of its more than ten years’ experience in contactless technology, in order to extend StarChip’s product portfolio.  

Visa and Imperial Parking Canada Corp. (Impark) are teaming up to offer Visa payWave contactless payments to 72 of its attended parking facilities across Canada.

Customers at participating parking lots can now simply wave-and-pay, when purchasing parking at a payWave enabled Impark parking lot. Based on EMV chip technology, payWave transactions are fast and secure - convenient for Visa both merchants and cardholders. 

Credit Agricole, a retail banking group based in Paris, is teaming up with Gemalto to launch a large-scale deployment of contactless EMV banking cards in France.

The deployment will leverage the secure Optelio contactless EMV banking card certified by “Groupement d’Interet Economique – Carte Bancaire” (GIE_CB). With it, cardholders can make purchases by simply waving or tapping their card in front of a contactless reader at the point-of-sale for transactions less than 20 euros (approximately USD $26); purchases above that amount will require a PIN verification. 

MasterCard introduced a road map focused on advancing the U.S. electronic payments system. The map, which includes the path for migration from magnetic stripe to EMV technology available on chip cards, will serve as the foundation for the next generation of products and services.

As payments evolve to include new devices and new channels, such as mobile and eCommerce, the road map takes steps to address how consumers shop, providing them greater security and control in their payment choices and the potential to integrate loyalty programs and offers into the purchasing experience. 

British Columbia is moving forward with plans to upgrade its CareCard program. According to The Vancouver Sun, the new card will provide access to a variety of regional services including electronic health records, driver license and school registration for children.

The local government plans to sign a $20 million, six year deal with Toronto-based SecureKey to provide all of the necessary technology, including contactless readers which enable citizens to tap their card to access the government stored information.