This most recent patent is in the rapidly emerging mobile payments area. "Decoupled debit" payment methods refer to situations in which a US checking account holder from any bank or credit union is able to accomplish an electronic payment without needing to use a card issued by the bank or credit union they have their checking or debit card with. NPCA's decoupled debit technology is of particular interest to merchants seeking to have the lowest method of payment settlement fees in the marketplace, which now includes mobile payment.

The patent is United States Patent Number 8,205,791, titled "Payment System and Methods". The patent contains 28 claims, including various independent claims for a consumer to fund a mobile wallet via an ACH payment method for the holder of a United States checking account with a financial institution to accomplish a purchase at a retail site. Some examples of a payment token useable by consumers include a smart phone, a cellular device, and a wireless device.

"With the emergence of mobile payments as an option, merchants are seeking methods of payment that represent the lowest transaction cost to them while at the same time allowing consumers to use the convenience of a mobile devices," said Joe Randazza, CEO and President of NPCA. "This patent is a logical extension to our current patent portfolio." NPCA will be making announcements over the next several months that its mobile payment settlement platform has been selected by various merchants and POS vendors.