Amex Licenses Serve
to Chinese Payments Company
Jan. 19, 2012
American Express has signed an operating agreement with
Lianlian Group that will enable the Chinese mobile payments company to use
American Express’ Serve platform in a mobile wallet in China. The Chinese
company operates a network of mobile top-up agents that also facilitates
customer payments for airline tickets, video gaming credits and utility bills.
Lianlian Group will employ Serve in its mobile wallet that will initially
enable mobile top-up transactions and eventually let consumers use a mobile
device to purchase other products and services. “Our partnership with Lianlian
Group will allow a more flexible payment option for consumers in China,” said
Dan Schulman, group president of enterprise growth for American Express. “By
leveraging Serve into its infrastructure, Lianlian Group will be well
positioned to enable consumers to bridge the gap between the limitation of
paying with cash and the opportunities associated with digital commerce.”