Latin America is Ready for EMV Cards

From gtnews.com.

An excellent entry point to the Card transaction market with partnership from IPM.

Smart cards that comply with global payment standards are set to take the Latin American market by storm now that previous barriers to the adoption of EMV cards - high cost, the small card user base and lack of guidelines in the region - have been overcome.

The use of EMV cards (smartcards that comply with the global standard for payment systems) is exploding in some Latin American applications, such as prepaid wireless and closed-loop stored value cards. But the conversion from magnetic-stripe cards to EMV cards in the region's banking sector, which was loudly predicted five years ago, has not yet happened. InfoAmericas believes the region will see watershed change, with rapid EMV card adoption over the next few years.

Two important obstacles that stood in the way of this transition are now being overcome. The first was the lack of uniform acceptance guidelines in a region dominated by international banks. Until recently, there were no well-established specifications that could allow smooth adoption of the EMV standard across terminal platforms that vary from country to country. The second obstacle was the enormous cost of transitioning to EMV technology given the relatively small card base and its concentration in the affluent market. The benefits to financial institutions, retailers and cardholders were not seen as sufficient to justify the switch, especially considering that EMV cards are also more expensive to produce than magnetic-stripe cards. The market was stuck in a gridlock situation where no EMV terminals were being installed because there weren't enough EMV cards in circulation, and banks were not issuing EMV cards because there weren't enough terminals.

Debit and Credit Cards Reach Critical Mass

Now, however, sustained growth in the debit and credit card market has finally established the critical mass necessary to drive EMV implementation. Twenty-five million new credit cards have been issued since 2001, while the number of debit cards in circulation expanded by more than 30 per cent. This has created the economies of scale needed to support implementation of a variety of EMV card solutions and products.

Previously, the most compelling arguments for adopting EMV cards did not apply to the Latin American market. The card base was too small for issuers and retailers to benefit from the enhanced customer profiling capabilities that EMV cards offer. Fraud was also seen as insufficient justification, since until 2003 the incidence of card fraud in the region was among the lowest in the world.

Other less prominent factors also contributed to the reluctance to adopt EMVs. Many Latin American banks were in the midst of consolidation or acquisition, which was poor timing for any new technology. Banks were focused on expanding their market presence through expanded ATM networks and promotion of financial services. Retail loyalty programs were also limited, as a result of shaky economic recoveries and a generally unsophisticated and untested consumer market.

Fraud Reduction is the Leading EMV Driver

The Latin American card market has grown rapidly over the past few years as it shifted focus towards new lower socio-economic segments and multiple card possession. The expanding card base fostered an increase in fraud, which in turn strengthened the economic case for EMV card adoption. Although the fraud-loss rate in Latin America remains below 0.4 per cent, it is nearly five times higher than in the US market, and growing an alarming 12 per cent a year.

A recent InfoAmericas study revealed that only about half of the banks surveyed believed that the level of card fraud in their portfolios had already reached unacceptable levels. On the other hand, 73 per cent stated that, within the next three years, fraud levels will reach a point where they cannot be offset by portfolio growth, leading to the adoption of EMV cards. Pilot tests conducted by Visa indicate that counterfeiting can be cut by 70 per cent and fraudulent use of lost and stolen cards could be chopped by 90 per cent with EMV cards. Visa and MasterCard are also in the process of changing the rules that allocate responsibility for fraudulent charges, and they will apply these new rules to Latin America beginning in January 2006. After that, the cost of any fraudulent transaction that could have been prevented with EMV technology will be shifted from the card issuers to banks not using EMV.

The Largest Untapped Stored Value Card Market in the World

When reading this article from the Shanghai Star about the cash based economy of China and the desire or in fact the "imperative" of a card based economy, one realizes just how big an opportunity exists for stored value card provider companies.

Even though this article was written in 2003, one can realize that the extremely large and growing Chinese market is far from having a society where stored value and credit cards are ubiquitous.

At International Personnel Management, LLC (IPM) we stand ready to facilitate the entry into the Chinese economy for secure card based transactions.

Ukraine One of the Biggest Money Transfer Countries

Ukrainian workers in Europe transfer many Euros back home to their relatives and the amount is increasing. News out of Ukraine is that the tendency of Ukrainian workers in Europe to use electronic money transfers will increase during 2007.

The entry of large money transfer companies will increase competition in the money transfer business and will increase awareness of new money transfer solutions through abundant advertising.

As of now the primary means of money transfer is through existing banking methods which is the traditional wiring of money from one bank branch to another. So far there is not much use of stored value cards or card-to-card transfers. International Personnel Management, LLC (IPM) is positioned to change that.

Stored Value Remittance Card Systems

Reference the PR Newswire and the MiCash, Inc. website.

The MiCash Card is not by any means the only card system that performs stored value, purchase and remittance functions. The MiCash Card is an example of the types of capabilities that we at IPM are able to implement worldwide.

Through a partnership of existing providers and technologies a robust remittance, merchant and customer system can be beneficial to many populations in areas around the world. International Personnel Management LLC has the expertise to bring together the proper technologies with the decision makers and civil society to implement workable systems.

A Better Way to Wire Cash Home

Reference: Hispanic Business.com

"Atsumasa Tochisako's $2 million, 60-employee microfinance and remittance processing upstart, Washington [D.C.]-based Microfinance International (MFIC), wants to shake up the $268 billion worldwide remittance industry, traditionally dominated by Western Union (WU)."

"With more than 30 million potential customers and 20,000-plus agent locations, MFIC will see its remittance processing capability expand from its current reach of 10 countries in Latin America to 85 countries, with additional locations in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Northern Africa."

"Tochisako, a 53-year-old former Japanese banker, says he doesn't want to create the next Western Union. He's more interested in proving to the world that a financial services company can benefit poor people and make money by adapting traditional microfinance models to serve immigrant populations in the U.S. and underserved people in the developing world, a goal he set for himself after witnessing abject poverty in Mexico while first working there in 1979."

International Personnel Management, LLC (IPM) is positioned to link companies like Microfinance International with public authorities and civil societies to facilitate economic growth and increased personnal lifestyles in developing countries.

Remittance from Japan to Peru

There is a large population of Peruvians of Japanese decent (Nikkei people) who live in Japan. The number of Nikkei people in Japan has been growing since the late 1980's. Japanese banks have up to now not been in the business of facilitating the transfer of money from the Peruvian workers back to Peru.

An organization called Convenio Kyodai was formed to help Peruvians working in Japan to overcome language and cultural barriers. An informative narrative on a Peruvian experience in Japan can be found here.

There are growing numbers of Dekasegi entrepreneurs who return to Peru from Japan to start new businesses. Japan has an increasing linkage to Latin American countries especially Brazil, Peru and to a lesser extent Argentina.

There are many opportunities to create robust remittance networks beyond the United States and Latin America. We at IPM are uniquely positioned to facilitate remittance transactions worldwide because of our established long term relationships.

International Remittance Market Sparking Interest from Big Banks

The international remittance market has become so lucrative and beneficial that large international banks are taking an interest in "taking back" a market that has gone to money transfer companies.

Big banks (especially those based in the United States) faces some challenges in the international remittance market because of the many post-911 restrictions imposed upon them by the U.S. government. Despite these challenges the banking industry is exploring opportunities because the remittance market is expected to "grow 10.1% through 2008."

As can be seen in this article on CNN Money.com, the barriers both real and perceived faced by immigrants to use money transfer technology are being broken down by younger generations acceptance of being "plugged into tech."

We at IPM are poised to guide banks, money transfer companies, merchants and end users through this dynamic time in the international remittance market.

Credit Unions Have Robust Remittance Capability

As seen on a CUNA press release.

CUNA (Credit Union National Association) & Affiliates [in May 2003] entered into an agreement with the World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU) and Travelex to make international money remittance services more broadly available to credit unions in the United States.

The new international money remittance program will operate under the umbrella name “IRnet” which has been licensed by WOCCU to CUNA & Affiliates for use in the United States. The agreement gives U.S. credit unions the option of using Travelex’s Worldwide Money Remittance system or the Vigo Remittance service, the service currently used by WOCCU.

“This agreement means U.S. credit unions can provide international money remittances to their members and potential members efficiently and economically to the consumer,” says CUNA President and CEO Daniel A Mica. “The IRnet name is well-established, so licensing it from WOCCU gives the program instant name recognition and credibility in the marketplace.”

Credit Unions increased their remittance capability in 2003 and continue to expand. More and more systems facilitating international remittance transaction mean that IPM and our business partners will continue to bring state of the art solutions to our customers.

Recipients' Interest in Joining the Banking System

From the study conducted by Visa International found on the Payments News website there are listed benefits for remittance recipients to join the banking system. From the article (Thanks to Bankwatch for the source):

"Key findings highlight the recipients' interest in joining the banking system.

• Approximately 50 percent of the remittance volume to the region is distributed through financial institutions, but only 11 percent is received in bank accounts; the remainder is distributed in cash. This shows that despite the participation of financial institutions in the process, recipients are not yet receiving the benefits provided by banking.
• 56 percent of interviewees expressed an interest in establishing some type of formal relationship within the financial system. Similarly, 70 percent showed a favorable attitude toward banks.
• Remittances are not the only source of family income. Nearly half of the beneficiaries are employed part-time or full-time, and for 52 percent of them remittances represent supplemental income. Only one of eight beneficiaries considers remittances the only source of income.
• 15 percent of beneficiaries save or invest the money they receive because remittances increase their income by 50 percent.
• Most frequent uses include purchasing goods, developing a business, savings in foreign or local currency, paying debt, and certain luxuries such as traveling.
• The level of solvency, spending potential, savings and investment are higher among remittance recipients than among people of similar socioeconomic levels who do not receive remittances. Nearly half are economically active people.
• 24 percent of senders interviewed have been living abroad for 10 to 15 years and continue to send remittances periodically, showing the consistency of this business in the long term."

We at IPM are uniquely positioned to benefit provider companies, civil authorities and end users.

Banking Potential of Remittance Recipients

As shown in an article by Payments News:

"Visa International, Latin America and Caribbean Region, has conducted a study that "revealed the banking potential of remittance recipients, as well as their interest in establishing more productive relationships with financial institutions. The remittance market reached US$52 billion in 2005, marking a 15 percent increase over the previous year."

This idea goes against the conventional wisdom that most remittance participants don't trust banking institutions and will remain un-banked. This is of great interest to us here at IPM and to banking institutions.

The statistics keep showing a revolutionary change is occurring in cultural attitudes about banking and the transaction of money.

Hat Tip: Bank Watch