Article Abstract:
Japanese on-line transaction processing systems in the banking industry are discussed, including automated teller machine (ATM) networks, home banking systems, and point of sale (POS) computer terminals. Japan's domestic exchange system (known as the Data Tele-Communication System of All Banks) precludes the need for personal checking accounts. Moreover, automated fund transfers in Japan are processed without time delays, in real time. The 39,700 ATM and cash-dispensing terminals in Japan process 150 million monthly transactions, and the recent combination of Japan's two major private electronic funds transfer systems allow bank customers to withdraw funds from terminals operated by competitor banking facilities. Other aspects of Japanese banking automation are discussed, including the history of on-line systems within Japan, distribution of debit cards throughout the nation's population, improvements in banking automation, and installation of computerized bank terminals at non-bank locations. Problems encountered during Japan's banking automation efforts are also briefly discussed, including: the banks' reluctance to have their individual transfer systems interfaced (for the convenience of competitors' customers); and the conflicting Japanese and international standards related to magnetic striping on bank cards (Japan set its magnetic stripe standard prior to the establishment of the international standard).
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Article Abstract:
Research performed by the Bank of France indicates that nationwide French banks process 3 billion checks annually. The risks involved with payment systems that depend so heavily upon check processing led to the development of the Monetics system of bank credit cards in France. Monetics, or Electronic Money (as it is also known in France), promotes paperless transactions among banks, retail marketers, and the public. Monetics also uses the Smart Card, a bank credit card containing a microprocessor with eight surface contacts and 8K memory. The Smart Card is safer than regular bank credit cards, primarily because PIN-related algorithms are stored within the cards, rather than the card readers. French bank customers' use of the Smart Card is related statistically, and possible future developments in the French banking industry related to home banking are discussed.
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Article Abstract:
Sweden implemented Postal Giro accounts in 1925. Under the Giro system, the Swedish post office provides banking services related to payments between Giro accounts and earns revenue from the float created by timing delays related to the processing of these financial transactions. Sweden's Giro system is up-to-date in terms of automation, using optical character reader (OCR), point of sale (computerized cash registers), and the latest in microcomputer technologies. The five Giro account services most popular among Swedish banking customers are described in detail, most of which relate to automation. These five services are: (1) the OCR Inpayment Integrated System, (2) the Invoice Payment System, (3) Autogiro, (4) the Outpayment M Service, and (5) the Rent Collection Service.
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