PULSE Adds Issuers to Network, Expands ATM Coverage in 2011
Network Processes Record Dollar Volume, Up 19 percent Year-Over-Year
HOUSTON, 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.