Bling Nation makes new hire

Bling Nation, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based mobile-payments firm, has hired Shan Mehta to maintain and expand the company's customer relationships.

Mehta also will lead Bling Nation's prospective strategic relationships, and he will focus on strategic partnerships for the company.

"As Bling Nation expands our strategic relationships nationally, we are looking to align with organizations that enable a rich payment experience for consumers, businesses and financial institutions," Meyer Malka, founder, co-CEO and director of Bling Nation, said in a statement.

Prior to joining Bling Nation, Mehta owned Evigna LLC, a Detroit-based promotional merchandise- distribution company. He sold the business this year.

Bling Nation's mobile-payment services connect local financial institutions and businesses, enabling customers to tap and pay for purchases with their cellular phones. The service also sends text messages to cell phone owners about account balances. The messages also confirm purchases at the point of sale.