Account Merchant Services

Traverse Global Communications Corp is now an authorized private label reseller for Wells Fargo and Authorize.Net merchant account services to provide online real time e-commerce transactions.

By offering private label merchant accounts through it's Credit Plus (http://www.creditplus.net/) subsidiary, Traverse Global will be able to leverage the depth of quality services that their new partners offer to their existing client base. For just $29.95/mo, clients of Traverse Global will be able to process credit cards in real time through their own website and receive free web hosting along with a free shopping cart to conveniently process their orders.

Fortis transformation reflected in new top management structures

Fortis will restructure its top management as of 1 January 2008.[1] The Executive Committee will be recomposed and responsibilities redistributed. A Business Executive Committee - which will replace the Fortis Management Committee - will be installed and will operate in closest collaboration with a Group Executive Committee. Taking into account the Fortis managers who have already taken up responsibilities within ABN AMRO, Fortis is convinced it now has the adequate management structure in place, not only to guarantee the successful integration of the acquired businesses, but also to develop Fortis as a whole.

1. The Group Executive Committee will consist of:

* Jean-Paul Votron, CEO and Executive Director (Audit reports directly to the CEO);

* Herman Verwilst, Deputy CEO and Executive Director (Human Resources, Public and External Affairs, Business Transformation Office report to the Deputy CEO);

* Gilbert Mittler, Member of the Group Executive Committee responsible for Finance, Risk and General Counsel;

* Filip Dierckx, Member of the Group Executive Committee responsible for Merchant Banking;

* Lex Kloosterman, Member of the Group Executive Committee responsible for Private Banking, Asset Management, Investor Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility;

* Camille Fohl, Member of the Group Executive Committee responsible for Retail Banking and for Global Branding and Communications;

* Peer van Harten, Member of the Group Executive Committee responsible for Insurance and for Real Estate;

* Alain Deschênes, Member of the Group Executive Committee responsible for Technology and Information Services, Operations, Facility, Purchasing and Process Improvement.

Makes banking cheaper and more efficient

The Single Euro Payments Area becomes a reality tomorrow. HSBC will be introducing a number of propositions that will make life much easier for both personal and business customers.

SEPA aims to make cross-border electronic payments in euro in the 27 countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area (Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) and Switzerland as quick, easy and efficient as domestic payments.

The implementation of SEPA will allow businesses and consumers to reap the benefits of a common currency and integrated payments system that have been established within the boundaries of the European Union.

Over the past year HSBC has been working hard to ensure its systems and tariffs are compliant with the requirements of the new payments area and which will result in cheaper and more efficient banking.