Dave Schneider, the president of PULSE, delivered the opening address during the general session. While debit is less affected by economic shifts, such as a recession, and though it also continues to have a great deal of room for growth.

Schneider said some financial institutions, namely credit unions, have attained debit card penetration of 90 percent, and two-thirds of annual debit business growth comes from the assimilation of new users.

Schneider said the tough economic times will lead to change and force FIs to reconsider what core operations they want and need to focus on.

Geoffrey Colvin, senior editor-at-large for FORTUNE Magazine, delivered the keynote address. Colvin outlined some of the underlying events that help define a recession. At the top of the list, Colvin said, is consumer behavior.

Colvin, like Schneider, said the recession does offer opportunity, especially for smaller players who are willing to be flexible, to compete.

WRG this year exhibited for the first time at the PULSE conference, highlighting its low-cost entry-level ATMs for off-premises deployments.

From left are Mark Aldana and Gene Polito of FTSI, a third-party ATM service provider, at the FTSI booth.

Exhibitors network in front of the Retail Decisions booth.

Chuck Brewer of Caricatures by Chuck entertained attendees during the reception extravaganza Thursday afternoon.

Jamie Conrad of ICUL Service Corp. hosted the ICUL booth. ICUL is part of the Illinois Credit Union System.

Attendees mix it up at the reception.

Attendees networked before the sessions began Thursday morning.

Danielle Duclos of Acculynk talks with an attendee in front of the Acculynk booth.

Mark McCarley of USA Payment Systems and an attendee at the USA Payment Systems booth.