Jim Beitel

The Dawn of Debit Cards Jim Beitel

The Dawn of Debit Cards is a first-person recollection of the creation of the world's first debit card-driven electronic funds transfer system; how it came about, how it was received, insights regarding how innovation can happen in unlikely places, and a few personal anecdotes. Not a lot of information remains available regarding this milestone. Just a couple of archived legal journals refer to proceedings involving this innovation, but lack much context from those involved. Other references to the event contained in publications aiming at a broader context tend to be quite shallow if not downright inaccurate. This book attempts to fill in much of this context. Technology buffs should be amused as the systems of the day are described. Bottom line: this book aims to satisfy curiosity regarding how debit cards got started, with historical context and a bit of a humorous perspective.