Paysafecard, the Vienna-based global market leader in prepaid online payment methods, and member of Skrill Group, a worldwide provider of online payment technologies, announces that Dr. Hartwig Gerhartinger (36), Senior Legal Counsel at paysafecard, has been selected to join the governing body of the Prepaid International Forum (PIF). As a not-for-profit trade association, PIF represents the global prepaid industry and the interests of all its member organisations. The forum acts as an interface between industry, governmental and regulatory authorities, consumer organisations and the media, with the objective of advancing the relevance and use of prepaid payments.

Born in Graz, Austria, Gerhartinger has worked at paysafecard since 2012 as an expert in electronic payments, e-money, data privacy and AML legislation. In his role as Senior Legal Counsel, he works closely with the executive board on all regulatory matters, analysing and evaluating the effects of draft laws and acts of law on both a European and international level. Gerhartinger wrote his doctorate on regulatory and civil law aspects of electronic money. He is the author and co-author of numerous publications in the fields of financial services law and IT law, and is also a guest lecturer at University Krems.

Hartwig Gerhartinger on his new role as a non-executive director at PIF: “For the past two years as Chairman of the PIF AML Working Group, I’ve been responsible for legal assessment and continuing updates on legal developments in the area of money laundering. As a new member of the PIF board, I look forward to bringing my know-how and experience in the area of electronic payment and prepaid services to work even harder on the strategic development of PIF.”

Craig James, Chairman of PIF, looks forward to the latest addition: “Gerhartinger brings comprehensive industry knowledge and leadership expertise to our already exceptional board. I’m certain he will contribute enormously to further strengthening our position as a vigorous and integral representative of prepaid institutions, and increase the added value for our members even further.”