News

EFTA seeking nominees for EBT awards

July 31, 2003

HERNDON, Va. -- The Electronic Funds Transfer Association (EFTA), a trade association for electronic payment organizations, has launched nternet voting for its inaugural Electronic Benefits Transfer Project of the Year award.           

Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT, is the use of card technology to deliver government payments and services.

According to the release, nominations are also being taken for the first annual EBT Pioneer Award, which will honor an individual for long and distinguished service in the EBT business segment.

"Since 1984 EBT technology has transferred millions of dollars of benefits and payments safely and securely," said EFTA Executive Director Kurt Helwig. "For the past 20 years government and industry have built an electronic payments system that has become the preferred way to deliver government benefits. These annual awards will honor the outstanding achievements and individuals responsible for building that system."

EFTA's EBT Industry Council will conduct the voting, according to the release. Those interested in nominating projects or individuals as pioneers should log on to the Web site of the Council's annual conferenceand follow the directions for online voting.

The winners of the Project of the Year and Pioneer awards will be announced at the EBT Industry Council's annual conference, "EBT -- The Next Generation," Nov. 9-12 in Tucson, Ariz.