Consumers Continue to Load Up on Prepaid Cards

The general purpose reloadable prepaid card is a relatively new consumer financial product that is growing in popularity. This report finds that prepaid cards became increasingly accessible in 2013, and in many instances are now more affordable than basic checking accounts. But, while prepaid cards offer many benefits, consumer protections lag far behind other banking products

The use of prepaid cards for banking the poor

Prepaid products can become an effective instrument for banking the poor, as they can be used for collecting microdeposits and so operate as a low-cost account. Prepaid platforms have characteristics that make them especially useful for developing low-cost microfinance business models. Indeed, customers using prepaid systems do not need bank accounts or debit or credit cards. Prepaid issuers do not need to develop or invest in new technologies, as this mechanism can be used on a range of platforms, including PCs, mobile phones, hand-held and set-top boxes. Furthermore, prepaid products are specially designed for offering services demanded by the poor, such as micropayments, microdeposits and even microcredits. Lastly, they allow users to monitor their cash flow by receiving statements (some providers offer this feature online, others provide physical statements) or accessing balances through PCs, mobile phones, hand-held and set-top boxes. Besides collecting microdeposits, prepaid products (or SVCs as they are called in the United States) offer other services that can be very valuable for serving the unbanked population. As explained in this paper, prepaid products generally lack the identification and credit requirements that effectively bar millions of individuals from opening traditional bank accounts, especially in the United States. Moreover, prepaid products can be purchased and reloaded at a growing number of locations other than bank branches, such as check cashers, convenience stores and other retailers. Prepaid instruments can also provide immediate availability of funds at a cost that, in some cases, is lower than other alternatives for unbanked consumers. Also, prepaid products are difficult to overdraw, thus reducing the likelihood of unexpected fees. Lastly, many prepaid issuers offer some sort of bill pay option, especially branded cards that enable signature-based transactions, and a significant number of them offer remittances.Prepaid card; microdeposits; mobile phone; store value card; e-money; banking the poor;

Conference summary: federal regulation of the prepaid card industry: costs, benefits, and changing industry dynamics

On April 8-9, 2010, the Payment Cards Center of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia hosted a conference that brought together leaders in the prepaid card industry, regulators, consumer groups, law enforcement agents, and industry researchers to discuss the economics of prepaid cards and the benefits and costs of their regulation from the standpoint of several different product categories. In particular, the conference examined ways in which prepaid card products can differ, how the industry has developed over time, ongoing industry dynamics, ways in which the usefulness of prepaid products to criminals might be limited, whether consumers who use prepaid cards are adequately protected, and the challenges facing regulators. This paper summarizes the highlights from the presentations given at the conference and the discussions that ensued.Point-of-sale-systems ; Consumer credit

The Credit CARD act of 2009 and prepaid cards

Recently enacted federal legislation contains a number of provisions that will affect the prepaid card industry. This note highlights some of these provisions, discusses how they might shape the prepaid card industry, and outlines the debate over whether prepaid cards should be defined as "monetary instruments" under federal law.Payment systems ; Credit cards ; Debit cards ; Law and legislation

Ohio Can Design a Leading Prepaid Debit Card for State Tax Refunds: New Approach Can Save Millions, Help Under-Banked Families

Over the last few years, state governments have begun issuing prepaid debit cards rather than paper checks for government payments to individuals. Unemployment compensation, supplemental food assistance (referred to as SNAP or food stamps), and most recently, tax refunds, are being provided by direct deposit or loaded onto prepaid debit cards.1 These electronic transfers and debit cards increase efficiency of payment and decrease state costs compared to paper checks, which fewer states are providing. The first type of transfer, direct deposit, provides a safe, reliable and convenient method of payment for taxpayers with bank accounts. The other electronic option, prepaid debit cards, can help unbanked clients if states get the fees and accessibility right.Ohio is considering legislation, Senate Bill 365, that would allow the state to issue a prepaid debit card as an option for those who do not receive direct deposit for their state tax refund. The state can save money by issuing the cards, but it is essential that Ohio set up a smart structure and appropriately regulate fees associated with the card.2 Getting these details right will ensure that Ohio families and communities fully benefit from tax refunds. This brief provides lessons Ohio can learn from experiences in other states and with existing cards here. According to the Department of Taxation, nearly 40 percent of those receiving state tax refunds -- 1.4 million Ohioans -- opted for a paper check and not direct deposit. Given the numbers of paper check filers, it is imperative that Ohio offers a prepaid debit card that is safe, transparent, and easy to use

Prepaid cards: an important innovation in financial services

This paper describes the characteristics of closed-system and open-system prepaid cards. Of particular interest is a class of open-system programs that offer a set of features similar to conventional deposit accounts using card-based payment applications. The benefits that open-system prepaid cards offer for consumers, providers, and issuing banks contribute to the increased adoption of these payment applications. Using these cards, consumers can pay bills, make purchases, and get cash from ATM networks. At the same time, consumers who hold prepaid cards need not secure a traditional banking relationship nor gain approval for a deposit account or revolving credit. By offering prepaid cards, issuing banks may meet the financial needs of consumers who may not otherwise qualify for more traditional banking products and these banks may do so with a card-based electronic payment application that essentially eliminates credit risk for the bank.Payment systems

Prepaid card markets and regulation

Prepaid cards, also commonly referred to as stored-value cards, are typically credit card-sized pieces of plastic that contain or represent an amount of pre-loaded value. They include a wide range of payment products, such as gift cards, payroll cards, teen cards, and travel cards. Despite significant product innovations, it is unclear whether and how existing federal and state laws that apply to other financial products (e.g., checks, credit cards, deposit accounts) apply to the different varieties of prepaid cards. Overall, the law in this area is very much unsettled. In an effort to understand the legal and regulatory issues facing prepaid cards, the Center invited Judith Rinearson, chief counsel to American Express’ electronic stored-value business, to present a workshop on the topic. This paper provides highlights from Rinearson’s presentation. It analyzes the different kinds of prepaid card products on the market and the federal and state laws that potentially apply to them.Regulation E: Electronic Fund Transfers ; Stored-value cards

Terms and Conditions of Mobile Remote Deposit Capture: The Disclosure Practices of Banks and Prepaid Card Companies

This report examined mobile remote deposit capture (mRDC) availability and terms for 50 banks and 51 prepaid card companies. Thirty-seven of the 50 banks and 21 of the 51 prepaid card companies offered mRDC services to their customers. This report focused on the terms and conditions provided by those financial institutions offering mRDC that consumers may consider essential before choosing to use the service, including cost, the speed at which their deposited funds become available to spend or withdraw, and customer eligibility requirements. Mobile remote deposit capture (mRDC) technology provides access to financial institutions for consumers who have difficulty getting to a branch or ATM or are disinclined to use them. It may provide a lower-cost alternative to prepaid card-loading facilities and to check-cashing storefronts and may offer convenience for busy consumers hoping to save time spent physically depositing checks and/or waiting for them to clear. Little research has been done to explore mRDC products and how they are presented to consumers

Prepaid card models: a study in diversity

Summary: On January 13, 2005, the Payment Cards Center of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia sponsored a workshop led by Gary Palmer, chief operating officer and co-founder of WildCard Systems, to examine the developing market for prepaid card products. Palmer described several distinct types of prepaid card value propositions, each with its own set of operational needs and customer servicing requirements. In addition, Palmer described new roles that exist in prepaid card programs that are not present in traditional credit and debit card programs. He emphasized that the variety of these programs’ requirements and the breadth of third party participants create complexities not only in the servicing of these accounts but also in the economics of these programs and the regulation of this payments category.Stored-value cards