Because they have counted this as a cost, they say that minimum capital requirements should be calculated on the basis of credit-card assets net of expected losses.

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The frugal, who pay in cash, also suffer a net loss from the existing credit card system.

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Giving credit card details over the Net need not be more risky than handing plastic to some anonymous shop assistant.

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Underworld Connections (Previewed by MagicFriends.net) will give players access to vast card advantage, reminiscent of the classic Phyrexian Arena .

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Net 1 also faces competition from banks and credit card companies.

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Net 1, he says, is working on smart card systems for Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Colombia.

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These transactions come right out of your Battle.net account balance, which can be funded by credit card, or PayPal.

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American Express earns revenues from card licensing fees, royalties on billings, charge volume, net spread revenue and cards in force, foreign exchange conversion revenue and also a share of the discount revenue earned by the operator.

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While the overall net liability to the consumer is usually about the same, with a credit card one can limit the direct impact.

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But even in South Africa, Net 1 hasn't moved beyond 4, 000 merchants that use its smart card reader.

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First Data owns Western Union and is also the top credit-card transaction processor in the U.S. Sales grew 12% in 2002 and net income was up 42%.

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