Short Cuts

Neil R. Austrian has been named as the interim chairman and chief executive at Office Depot Inc., following the resignation of Bruce Nelson as chairman and chief executive officer. Austrian will relocate from Florida to Connecticut to assume his new responsibilities, as the board of directors begins a search for a new CEO. Austrian has served on the board since 1998.

Internet commerce is a driving force behind consumers’ growing use of electronic payments. Between 2002 and 2007 electronic payments are projected to increase by 43%, according to MarketReseach.com .

Arthur Blank & Co. has added new equipment and expanded the capacity of its Boston plant to manufacture plastic cards used for loyalty marketing campaigns, credit cards and other types of marketing programs. The firm now has the capacity to manufacture 1.3 billion cards annually.