2009-12-09 21:22:37 -

PYMNTS.com : just published an interview with Vitor Bento (CEO, SIBS, leading payment processor in Portugal) and Oliver Bretz (Partner, Clifford Chance) who describe the state of the payments industry in Europe and the impact of the transition towards a single European payments system. The interview was conducted by David S. Evans, Founder/Market Platform Dynamics on December 3, 2009. Vitor is a former Visa Europe Board Member and Oliver advises payments companies through his law practice at Clifford Chance.

Highlights of the interview include a discussion of the health of the European payments industry vis a vis the European banking industry and the pros and cons of a "unified blanket" (US) vs the "patchwork quilt" (Europe) approach to the

payments systems structure in the US and Europe.

Evan's audio interview of their discussion of what's next for the European payments landscape in five years, can be found here.

PYMNTS.com, www.pymnts.com/sepa-what-s-next-in-payments-for-europe/ : .

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About Market Platform Dynamics (MPD):

MPD is a management consulting firm that ignites catalyst businesses by leveraging new technologies, business models and pricing strategies. MPD has a wealth of experience within industries that are characterized by complex platform-centered ecosystems, including payments, mobile/telecoms, digital and advertising-supported media, and software-based businesses.

MPD works with both incumbents and new entrants, offering a unique lens into the dynamics that shape the competitive playing field. In addition to traditional consulting-based services, MPD’s Catalyst Ventures provides intellectual and human capital to new firms. MPD’s experts include economists, econometricians, product development specialists, and strategic marketers who apply cutting-edge business theory and statistical methods to the practical problems of building and growing a profitable catalyst business. MPD is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, and has offices in London and Hong Kong.

For more information visit www.marketplatforms.com : .



About Business Wire

Business Wire : , a Berkshire Hathaway : company, is utilized by tens of thousands of member companies and organizations worldwide to functionally enhance :  and communicate investor relations : and public relations : content to target audiences. As a recognized disclosure service in the United States, Canada and a dozen European countries, Business Wire facilitates the simultaneous flow of market-moving press releases from corporations to financial markets and their audiences, including regulatory authorities, media, investors, financial information systems and consumer news services. Business Wire also handles XBRL tagging : , document formatting and regulatory filing into EDGAR, SEDAR, FSA and other systems.

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PYMNTS.comMarket Platform DynamicsJonathan Summey,

Senior Editor, 617-374-1336EVP, New Media sumj@pymnts.com : mailto:sumj@pymnts.com ORMarket
Platform DynamicsKaren Webster, President, 617-374-1330 Karen.Webster@marketplatforms.com : mailto:Karen.Webster@marketplatforms.com ORBusiness
WireLaura Sturaitis, SVP, +1-800-770-WIRE (9473) Laura.Sturaitis@BusinessWire.com : mailto:Laura.Sturaitis@BusinessWire.com