OneSMART(tm) Mastercard(r) Launched in NZ

OneSMART(tm) Mastercard(r) Launched in
New Zealand - First in Australasia

More smart choices in applications, platforms and designs for
financial institutions to optimise smart card programmes

Auckland, 24 March 2004 – Building on its global leadership position in smart card technology, MasterCard International has launched its OneSMART(tm) Mastercard(r) programme in New Zealand this week, offering financial institutions a myriad of technological solutions for migration to EMV-compliant smart cards.

The first of its kind in Australasia, OneSMART MasterCard features, under one umbrella, all the technological solutions and support required for financial institutions to migrate to EMV-compliant cards and terminal solutions. All new smart card-capable EFT-POS terminals in New Zealand are required to be EMV-compliant by January 2006. After that, banks and retailers will be held liable if non-EMV terminals are used to process EMV cards.

The OneSMART MasterCard programme unveils a comprehensive list of New Zealand-based partners and technical experts who will provide their respective state of the art products and services to help financial institutions optimise and tailor their smart card programmes to meet the needs of their individual cardholders. These include ETSL, Cadmus and Security Plastics. These partners will provide support in five main categories – personalisation systems, smart cards, terminals, host systems and applications. The list is expected to expand, as MasterCard collaborates with more programme partners, to bring the utmost of technological options and flexibility to financial institutions.

Smart payment cards are equipped with the application to carry loyalty programmes, cardholder data storage, healthcare details, transportation applications and enhanced security, thus providing cardholders more personalised and customised cards to suit their unique lifestyles.

John Evans, projects and certification services manager for ETSL, one of MasterCard’s New Zealand programme partners, says “We’re pleased to be able to work with MasterCard in building a competitive advantage for our customers in the EMV area.”

According to Bob Whiddon, senior vice president business development and country manager New Zealand, MasterCard International, “At MasterCard, we believe that the smart card platform is an ideal tool for achieving real competitive differentiation in today’s marketplace. The New Zealand OneSMART MasterCard® programme is a reflection of MasterCard’s commitment to provide financial institutions with more smart choices in developing a customised approach to EMV migration.”

OneSMART MasterCard is a comprehensive global support programme. Under this new banner, all of MasterCard’s global smart card solutions, technical expertise, and marketing support have been consolidated. OneSMART MasterCard covers every aspect necessary to launch a successful smart card programme, integrating the key areas of consumer value proposition, market-ready technology solutions, end-to-end implementation support and global marketing initiatives. With OneSMART MasterCard, financial institutions can issue smart payment cards capable of delivering the control, flexibility, and security that today’s cardholders are seeking.

MasterCard continues to be a leader in the multi-application smart card arena with 17 million smart cards in Asia/Pacific. Worldwide there are more than 180 million MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus branded smart cards issued, with more than half of these carrying value-added applications like loyalty, digital ID, e-ticketing, e-coupons and personal data storage.

About MasterCard International

MasterCard International is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members’ credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programmes. MasterCard International manages a family of well-known, widely accepted payment card brands including MasterCard, Maestro and Cirrus and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award-winning Priceless advertising campaign is now seen in 96 countries and in 47 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information go to www.mastercardinternational.com.

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