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BillMatrix Unit of Fiserv
Briefs California Public Utilities Commission
Payment Industry Experts Providing Counsel
on Implementing Recent Legislation
DALLAS, Texas – March 20, 2006 – BillMatrix Corporation,
a provider of outsourced telephone- and Internet-based payment
services and a subsidiary of Fiserv, Inc. (Nasdaq: FISV),
today briefed the California Public Utilities Commission on
the use of credit cards, ATM debit cards, electronic checks
and recurring transactions for bill payment. Requested to
participate in an informational workshop on the implementation
of the California Assembly’s recent legislation (AB
746) allowing California consumers to pay their utility bills
using credit or debit cards, the regulatory agency called
upon the company’s twelve years of experience in providing
electronic payment services. Three other state utility regulatory
bodies have asked BillMatrix to provide similar information,
including the Rhode Island and the New Hampshire Public Utilities
Commissions and the Kansas Corporation Commission.
BillMatrix reviewed industry best practices, consumer adoption
trends and the intersecting regulations surrounding electronic
payment methods with the California Commissioners and their
staff. The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates
privately owned telecommunications, electric, natural gas,
water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation
companies. They are responsible for ensuring that customers
have safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates, protecting
against fraud, and promoting the health of California's economy.
Jerry Portocalis, BillMatrix’ Senior Vice President
of Sales and Marketing, delivered the presentation to the
group. “We appreciate this opportunity to provide input
to the utility industry regarding the upcoming changes,”
said Portocalis. “Rapid advances in payment solution
technologies are presenting more options for the consumer.
With precise planning, utility companies will be poised to
optimize revenue intake options while enhancing the overall
customer transaction experience.”
About BillMatrix Corporation
Founded in 1994, BillMatrix Corp. provides outsourced alternatives
to traditional payment methods using the latest automated
technologies. BillMatrix, which became part of Fiserv in August
2005, works with more than 120 companies to supplement paper-based
methods of remittance with convenient, efficient and cost-effective
electronic payments. Consumers, customer service representatives
and other third-party agents are able to make payments via
hosted Internet and telephone systems using credit cards,
ATM debit cards and electronic check payment options. For
more information, visit www.BillMatrix.com.
Fiserv, Inc. is a provider of information management systems
and services to the financial and health benefits industries,
including transaction processing, outsourcing, business process
outsourcing and software and systems solutions. The company
serves more than 17,000 clients worldwide, including banks,
credit unions, financial planners/investment advisers, insurance
companies and agents, self-insured employers, lenders and
savings institutions. Headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., Fiserv
reported $3.7 billion in processing and services revenues
for 2005. Fiserv was ranked the largest provider of information
technology services to the U.S. financial services industry
in the 2004 and 2005 FinTech 100 survey by the American Banker
newspaper and the Financial Insights research firm. Fiserv
can be found on the Internet at www.fiserv.com.
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