Free new offer for restaurants from LevelUp

Boston technology company SCVNGR announced a new pricing plan for merchants using its LevelUp platform that brings the cost of credit card processing to zero. In a statement to reporters, SCVNGR spokesman Seth Priebatsch compared the shift to the decision Google made to charge nothing for use of its search engine. (Google is a strategic investor in SCVNGR.)

Surveys show that customers do not need extra credit cards

Nearly two in three Americans say they would stop using their credit cards if retailers start tacking on extra fees for paying with plastic.

The scientific survey found that 65 percent of Americans who use credit cards would pay another way if any fee was charged, no matter how small.

MasterCard PayPass for food and beverage

For the second year in a row, payment platform companies used European music festivals as proving grounds for contactless credit card technology. Last year, Isle of Wight Festival organizers encouraged VIP ticketholders to pay for food and drink with wristbands linked to prepaid debit card accounts. This year, the festival issued wristbands to over 10,000 concertgoers.

Bank of America changes in financial tactics

Hold this truth to be self-evident: If in the late ’70s, FM acts Styx, Kansas, and Foreigner decided to form an arena supergroup, complete with a panoply of lasers and dueling keyboardists, they’d have sold out world tours well into Iran-Contra. Try pulling off the same thing today, however, and SKF & Co. would barely fill the auditorium at Staten Island High.

A small increase Mortgage Rate

Mortgage Rates began in higher territory this morning, though some lenders released improved rate sheets in the afternoon.  On average, rates are still slightly worse than yesterday, falling more in line with Tuesday's offerings.  The Best-Execution rates for 30yr Fixed, Conventional loans is still in a state of flux between 3.5% and 3.625%, having only recently moved up that middle ground after several weeks at 3.5%.