Visa expands mobile payment trial

Credit card giant Visa announced today the next step in its mobile payment trial, launching a pilot program testing the delivery of payment coupons and rewards via text messages, graphics and bar code images sent directly to consumer handsets. The pilot will initially extend to 500 California-based Visa employees, who will receive coupons and rewards available for redemption at locations on the company's corporate campus; Visa will expand the program to public trial over the next year.

According to a recent online survey conducted by Visa, 61 percent of respondents between the ages of 25 and 34 are interested in making purchases over their mobile handsets. The survey also indicates 64 percent of consumers are interested in receiving coupons via mobile device.

For more on Visa's pilot:
- read this release