eWise’s Secure Vault Payments technology was featured in Bank Technology News last Friday. The electronic payment network began working with genealogical site FamilySearch to provide a payment platform that will allow it to collect donation payments on its website:

“When processing donations via Secure Vault, financial institutions authenticate the payer and provide FamilySearch with fast authorization. Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank, which is the first top-ten bank to offer Secure Vault, is sponsoring FamilySearch International into the Secure Vault network, a role similar to that of a merchant acquiring bank.”

While there are no numbers on increased donations yet, there has been a reported increase in donor interest.

To learn more about eWise’s platforms, watch its FinovateSpring 2011 demo.

“With Secure Vault Payments, students or their parents initiate payments on a college or university web site and are automatically redirected to their own financial institution’s online banking platform to select which account they wish to use for payment. They are then returned to the school’s site, where they receive payment confirmation. Financial institutions authenticate the payer and immediately withdraw funds from the payer’s account and transfer funds to the school’s account the next business day.”

SVP launched in late 2009 as a new player in alternative payment solutions. It allows you to pay for goods and services directly through your online bank account. There are close to 50 banks (and counting) participating in SVP’s service and with US Bank as a new partner in this service, the availability has increased dramatically.

• No need to maintain an account with a third party:
  Since SVP works with your existing bank (current clients are US Bank, First Citizens Bank, and many more*) there is no need to set up an account somewhere else. This also removes the headache of remembering an additional username and password. 
• Security you can trust:
  Since the transaction takes place at your bank’s website and not a third party, it removes the middleman and improves perceived security. 
• Familiar user interface:
  You already know how to navigate your bank’s website, so there’s no need to learn a different interface.