Here is an idea... a collection of thoughts actually.
An open payments card system owned by the companies/people who use it.
A mutual society which issues its own cards, allows deposits into accounts by online banking transfer, eft payment, cash deposit at local angencies etc. The card is adminstered by the mutual society which verifies new cardholders, re-issues lost or stolen cards, deals with the business end of things.
The card itself would operate like a prepaid debit card. Able to be used for all sorts of online purchases.
Applications for cards can be taken at point of sale, all kinds of inducements and discount arrangements can be put in place to encourage card use.
Universal access would be a main feature of this system and might even eventually bite the arse of Visa/Mastercard.
If such a system was established and the shareholding of the operating companies in each country was evenly distributed (ie: one share per customer) then the power really would be in our own hands.
An open payments card system owned by the companies/people who use it.
A mutual society which issues its own cards, allows deposits into accounts by online banking transfer, eft payment, cash deposit at local angencies etc. The card is adminstered by the mutual society which verifies new cardholders, re-issues lost or stolen cards, deals with the business end of things.
The card itself would operate like a prepaid debit card. Able to be used for all sorts of online purchases.
Applications for cards can be taken at point of sale, all kinds of inducements and discount arrangements can be put in place to encourage card use.
Universal access would be a main feature of this system and might even eventually bite the arse of Visa/Mastercard.
If such a system was established and the shareholding of the operating companies in each country was evenly distributed (ie: one share per customer) then the power really would be in our own hands.

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