Network Processes Record Dollar Volume, Up 19 percent Year-Over-Year
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 29, 2012--
PULSE, one of the nation’s leading debit/ATM networks, achieved strong
growth in 2011, adding 129 direct financial institution participants to
its network. In addition, the number of ATMs nationwide that accept
PULSE grew in the last fiscal year to more than 380,000 from 350,000 in
2010.
“We have seen demand from both large and small financial institutions to
add the PULSE network to comply with the Federal Reserve’s prohibition
on network exclusivity arrangements,” said Dave Schneider, PULSE
President. “We expect continued growth in 2012, driven by consumer
preference for debit and PULSE’s superior overall value, national reach,
customer service and highly reliable ATM and POS switching and
settlement services.”
Total transaction volume on the network grew significantly in 2011,
totaling more than 3.8 billion transactions, an increase of 16 percent
compared to 2010. Total dollar volume grew even faster to $140 billion,
a 19 percent increase over 2010.
Other key PULSE accomplishments in 2011 included the successful
migration of the network’s debit processing and development platforms to
state-of-the-art HP NonStop Blade server technology; expansion of
Internet PIN debit to include recurring payments and subscription-based
bill payments; enhancements to the DebitProtect® fraud
mitigation system, including the addition of custom fraud-alert rules;
and the launch of DebitSavvy.org, a website designed to engage consumers
and explore all facets of debit card use.
PULSE provides participants with a comprehensive range of payments
solutions, including ATM services, PIN and signature debit products,
Internet PIN debit, PINless bill payment, advanced fraud detection
services through the network’s propriety DebitProtect system, and, PULSE
Select®, an optional surcharge-free ATM solution.
PULSE also offers value-added services such as webinars and other
professional development programs, research related to electronic
payments, and publications to keep participants informed of developments
at PULSE and in the industry. Resources include the annual Debit
Issuer Study series commissioned by PULSE, the PULSE Conference and
the Debit Regulations Resource Center.
About PULSE
PULSE, a Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) company, is a leading
debit/ATM network, serving more than 6,300 financial institutions across
the United States. This includes 4,300 issuers with which PULSE has
direct relationships and more than 2,000 additional issuers through
agreements PULSE has with other debit networks. PULSE links cardholders
with ATMs and POS terminals at retail locations nationwide. Through its
global ATM network, PULSE provides worldwide cash access for Diners Club
and Discover cardholders through more than 800,000 ATM locations. The
company also is a source of electronic payments research and is
committed to providing its participants with education on emerging
products, services and trends in the payments industry. For more
information, visit www.pulsenetwork.com
Source: PULSE
PULSE
Patty Sendelbach, 832-214-0395
patty.sendelbach@pulsenetwork.com
or
DPK
Public Relations
Daniel Keeney, 832-467-2904
dkeeney@dpkpr.com