First Data Corporation, a provider of electronic commerce and payment processing solutions, has announced that it has been selected by European commercial bank UniCredit to assist in the execution of its mobile payment strategy.
The agreement will help both companies to bring to market a number of products and solutions that will broaden the range of payments services and help build an integrated payments experience to customers.
The concept of Universal Commerce is gaining popularity, where the entire shopping process –from marketing to payment- is integrated into one experience, and where transactions can take place anywhere, anytime and on any type of device.
UniCredit has deployed First Data’s Mobile Gateway to develop and pilot 2D Barcodes, also referred to as Quick Response or QR Codes, for mobile and eCommerce payments.
The pilot, currently underway in Italy, enables the generation and exchange of QR Codes between merchants and consumers to process payments in a secure and PCI compliant environment. First Data’s QR Code solution can also include value-added service applications such as couponing, offers, ticketing or bill payments to enhance customer experience and encourage loyalty.
John Elkins, president, International Regions, First Data, said, “The age of Universal Commerce is truly upon us and as a result First Data is enhancing its payments capabilities internationally to empower its financial institution clients.”
UniCredit has strong roots in 22 European countries and an overall international network present in approximately 50 markets, over 9,500 branches and 160,000 employees as of 30 September 2011.
