Credit card is the most popular online payment method

The measures have also been driven by the findings of the 2004 Pago Study. This study, entitled Status Quo of E-Retailing in Germany and Europe, came to the conclusion that the credit card is the No. 1 payment method in global E-commerce. As a consequence, Pago is putting the credit card at the centre of its payment and risk management service portfolio. This shift by the Cologne, Germany, company has been accompanied by the redesign of its website www.pago-international.com, which has now been online since the middle of February. Acceptance and Payment Processing Merchants based in Europe can sign acceptance contracts directly with Pago. The German acquirers licence area for Visa and MasterCard stretches from Malta to Finland and from Ireland to Turkey, including all of the new EU member states. By using Pago Online Acceptance, merchants can conveniently and quickly accept credit card payment from customers, without having unwieldy relationships with several different providers. Pago PoS Acceptance is a new service tailored to merchants trading both online and within the traditional bricks-and-mortar environment. The implementation of PoS acceptance allows the transfer of transaction data directly to Pago, who processes clearing and settlement. Combined with Pago Online Administration Pago merchants benefit from the ability to continuously monitor all transactions, whether executed over the internet or on the PoS terminal, and to intervene promptly as necessary, be it with regard to receivables or chargebacks. In addition to focussing on the credit card and certain national payment methods in Europe, Pago has also started a Partner Program. In addition to this Pago has opened the door to E-payment providers, certified to Pago standards, to join the Partner Program enabling them to distribute Pago services. The service shift is clearly demonstrated by Pagos newly redesigned website, which provides merchants with all relevant information on payment and risk management and steers them to suitable Pago Partners. The German site can be found at www.pago.de; international customers and visitors should go to www.pago-international.com.