DIY US online tax prep filings up 11%

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc has released an analysis of the Online Tax Preparation segment for the tax season ending 18 April 2012, which showed that the volume of tax returns or units filed online grew 11% from the previous year. Among online do-it-yourself (DIY) tax preparation providers, comScore data showed that Intuit continued to lead the market with nearly 60% of all tax units filed online through the end of the tax season. The three largest DIY online tax preparation providers (Intuit, TaxACT and H&R Block) accounted for more than 92% of DIY tax units filed online for the season. 4 Jun 2012 11:58

IMD announces its 2012 World Competitiveness Rankings

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND: IMD, a top-ranked global business school based in Switzerland, has announced the findings of its annual World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY). The WCY rankings measure how well countries manage their economic and human resources to increase their prosperity. 1 Jun 2012 10:44

Chapter 11 bankruptcy: How it works

This article refers to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US, but the information and guidance it contains can be applied in any country, anywhere... Bankruptcy is bankruptcy - the trick is to avoid it in the first place, or, if you cannot, then take those actions that will ameliorate its affects as far as possible; hence, this article... 30 Mar 2012 06:28

Clickatell announces Connect API

REDWOOD CITY, US: Clickatell, a global leader in personalised priority messaging (PPM) through all mobile devices, today announced the availability of the Clickatell Connect API to enable developers to integrate SMS text messaging seamlessly with their web or mobile applications. 12 Mar 2012 08:53

US tax sites category grows 15% vs year ago

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, has released an analysis of US visitation to the online taxes category in January, which showed nearly 1 in 7 US Internet users visited the category to compile information and begin filing their 2011 tax returns. This number represented a gain of 15% versus January 2011. 6 Mar 2012 05:39

MasterCard launches partnership program

PURCHASE, US: MasterCard has announced a global initiative called the MasterCard Mobile Money Partnership Program to help more than 2.5 billion financially-underserved consumers worldwide gain access to formal financial services through their mobile phones. 28 Feb 2012 11:08

US customer satisfaction grows for financial institutions and banking websites in 2011

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc, a leader in measuring the digital world, has released the 2011 edition of its annual State of Online and Mobile Banking report, which provides a comprehensive view of the key online and mobile banking trends in the US in 2011. 3 Feb 2012 10:20

Four in five US consumers won't tolerate a monthly debit card fee

CHICAGO, US: Consumers are quickly becoming fed up with banking fees. If your financial institution began charging US$2/month for the convenience of having a debit card with your cheque account, what would you do? 8 Dec 2011 10:06

comScore to speak at the Credit Suisse 2011 Technology Conference

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc has announced that Kenneth Tarpey, chief financial officer, will present at the Credit Suisse 2011 Technology Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. 24 Nov 2011 11:49

Mobile banking app usage in the US up 45% from Q4 2010

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc has released an analysis of mobile financial services usage in the US showing that 32.5 million Americans accessed mobile banking information on their devices at the end of Q2 2011 in June, representing 13.9% of all mobile users. 31 Oct 2011 11:56

Trust, transparency issues emerge for banks

NEW YORK, US: As public perception sours about the banking industry, financial institutions need to rebuild relationships and credibility with consumers by being more fair, transparent and innovative in their products, services and communications, according to new research by GfK, a leading global market research firm. 27 Oct 2011 07:31

Mood of the World report shows most of world focuses on inflation

NUREMBURG, GERMANY: British consumers are facing the double whammy of still feeling the effects of recession even as rising costs fuel inflationary worries. They are not alone in the world, though, according to GfK Roper Consulting's 2011 Mood of the World Report, which is based on a global survey of more than 32 000 consumers ages 15 and older in 25 countries. 25 Aug 2011 11:21

US$37.5 billion* in Q2 2011 US retail e-commerce spending, up 14% vs 2010

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc has released its Q2 2011 US retail e-commerce sales estimates, which showed that online retail spending reached $37.5 billion for the quarter, up 14% versus year ago. 10 Aug 2011 09:13

Bank customers quick to sign up for debit rewards programs - but slow to redeem

CHICAGO, US: Debit rewards programs have often been touted as an easy way to gain and retain customers. However, as banks eliminate debit rewards programs as a result of changing legislation, Mintel Comperemedia surveyed consumers on their debit reward behaviour and attitudes. 28 Jul 2011 10:33