Payment Card Competitor Tracker, Quarter Four 2007

Table of Contents

• Overview
  • Catalyst
  • Summary
  • Methodology
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
  • Who is the target reader?
  • Changes to the format of the Competitor Tracker in 2007
    • The Payment Card Competitor Tracker is now organized by theme
    • An extended, topic-driven commentary replaces the Cards & Payments Team view
  • How to use the Payment Card Competitor Tracker
• Product, Services and Innovation
  • Roundup of the key developments in Q4 2007
    • Card product developments
      • Several issuers took advantage of the holiday season by launching gift cards
      • Environmental and charitable concerns remain at the core of several new products
      • Issuers have been busy issuing premium products
      • ANZ Bank has developed a loyalty program based on repayments
      • Issuers continue to see value in co-branded products
    • Processor product and service developments
      • First Data launches new merchant acquiring business in Canada
    • New technologies and product innovation
      • Issuers are increasingly using dedicated sites to reach to and educate their customers
      • Mobile payments remain firmly on the agenda
  • American Express
    • Cambodia: American Express launches card with MekongBank
    • US: American Express launches customizable gift card
    • US: American Express announces free delivery on gift cards for the holiday season
    • US: American Express announces fee-free gift card promotion
    • US: American Express offers free gift card with online purchase
    • US: American Express introduces online donation program
  • ANZ Bank
    • Australia: ANZ Bank offers rewards based on repayments
    • Australia: ANZ launches new website for women
  • Bank of America
    • US: Bank of America launches Brighter Planet credit card
    • US: Bank of America' s Mobile Banking announces strong growth
    • US: Bank of America launches Quarter Back Sweepstakes
    • US: Bank of America launches online banking microsite
    • US: Bank of America unveils new cash handling device
    • US: Bank of America re-launches BankAmericard credit card
  • Barclaycard
    • UK: Barclays launches gift card for Christmas
  • BBVA
    • Europe: BBVA completes SEPA credit transfers testing
    • Mexico: BBVA Bancomer deploys 13,000 mobile POS terminals in Mexico
  • Capital One
    • US: Capital One and NetSpend expand agreement
    • US: Capital One launches "Card Lab" online tool
  • Citigroup (incl. Diners Club)
    • Asia-Pacific: Citibank and DiGi offer SMS global remit
    • Asia-Pacific: Citi Malaysia offers SMS payment service
    • Bahrain: Citibank offers global service to customers
    • Belgium: Citibank introduces Citi Travel Pass MasterCard
    • Belgium: Citibank offers product to spread fuel payments
    • Greece: Citibank offers card reward program aimed at men
    • Greece: January Citibank Card purchases support charity
    • Hungary: Citibank offers global service to customers
    • Hungary: Citibank launches photo debit card
    • Japan: Citibank offers new service for Citigold customers
    • Japan: Citibank launches e-Savings online savings account
    • Korea: Citibank customers encouraged to switch to electronic statements
    • Malaysia: Citibank offers global service to customers
    • Malaysia: Citibank & Shell launch Shell Citibank Credit Card
    • Philippines: Citibank announces "green" credit card campaign
    • Philippines: Citibank offers midnight shopping to card holders
    • Philippines: Citibank and Rustan' s launch Christmas shopping campaign
    • Romania: Citibank facilitates bill payments collection in rural areas
    • Russia: Citibank Introduces 10% cash back on card purchases
    • Singapore: Citibank launches online portal
    • Thailand: Citibank launches rewards scheme with Thai Airways
    • Thailand: Citibank center offers extended service hours during holiday season
    • UAE: Citibank-Damas promotion gives away Dh1 million ($272,000) a month
    • UAE: Citibank offers global service to customers
    • UK: Citi offers added incentives to Polish nationals
    • UK: Citibank announces global payments service with Equiniti
    • US: Citibank announces fee-free money transfer to Mexico
  • Discover
    • PULSE introduces the DebitProtect fraud detection system
    • US: Discover launches Credit ScoreTracker
    • US: Discover Card launches eGift card
  • Erste Bank
    • Austria: Erste Bank introduces Junior ProfitCard for young savers
  • First Data
    • Canada: First Data announces new merchant acquiring business in Canada
  • GE Money
    • Poland: GE Money and Ryanair introduce co-branded credit card
    • Switzerland: GE Money, Migros unveil personalized credit card
    • UK: GE Money announce arrival of mobile phone financial system
    • US: GE Money announces the launch of co-brand card partnership with Joe' s Sports & Outdoor
    • US: GE Money renews co-brand card agreement with Thomasville Furniture Industries
    • US: GE Money and the NTA extend co-brand card deal
  • JCB
    • Group: JCB mobile contactless development through Gemalto
  • JP Morgan Chase
    • US: Chase launches World MasterCard for business
    • US: Chase launches debit card usage promotion
    • US: Chase announces expansion of credit card pricing scheme
    • US: Chase and Continental Airlines introduce World MasterCard
    • US: Chase offers Chase gift cards
  • MasterCard
    • Germany: MasterCard Worldwide launches travel data solution
    • US: MasterCard launches Payment Gateway
    • US: MasterCard launches World MasterCard for business
  • RBS
    • UK: NatWest & RBS update on Use Cash Machine Initiative
    • UK: RBS trials mobile payments
  • Standard Chartered
    • Thailand: 5% cash back with Standard Chartered credit card and Caltex
  • TSYS
    • China: CUP Data Completes Data Conversion in China
  • Visa
    • Australia: VCARD launched in Australia
    • Europe: Visa Europe presenting multi-application cards
    • Europe: Visa Europe launches Instant Issuance Solution
    • Europe: Visa Europe and Monitise plc developing mobile prepaid shopping voucher
    • Europe: V PAY card issuing commitments at 20 million
    • Global: Visa announces more mobile payment trials
    • Hong Kong: Visa' s short term promotional campaign in Hong Kong International Airport
    • India: Visa Money Transfer on mobile in India
    • Switzerland: Visa payWave launched
    • UK: Visa Europe announces first large scale UK mobile pilot for payments
• M&A, Partnerships and Organic Growth
  • Roundup of the key developments in Q4 2007
    • Merger and acquisition activity
    • New partnerships and contract renewals
    • Organic growth and expansion
  • American Express
    • Lithuania: American Express launches card with Parex Bankas
    • US: First Data and American Express sign sales and servicing agreement
    • US: American Express forms gift card partnership with Bank of America
    • US: American Express accepted at Food Lion Stores
    • US: American Express and Simon Property Group launch joint gift card
    • US: American Express announces marketing partnership with Clear
    • US: American Express adds Virgin and Hawaiian Airlines to Flight Finder
  • ANZ Bank
    • Australia: ANZ opens its 80th branch
  • Bank of America
    • US: Bank of America launches partnership with Health Net
    • US: Bank of America completes purchase of LaSalle Bank
  • Capital One
    • US: Capital One and NetSpend expand agreement
  • Citigroup (incl. Diners Club)
    • Hungary: Citibank opens banking center in Budapest
  • Erste Bank
    • Croatia: Erste Bank sells stake in Diners Club Adriatic
    • Slovenia: Erste Bank announces cooperation with Kärntner Sparkasse
  • First Data
    • Asia-Pacific: First Data and Standard Chartered launch joint venture
    • Brazil: First Data completes acquisition of Check Forte
    • Canada: First Data to provide processing services for Tim Hortons pre-paid card
    • Canada: First Data launches merchant acquiring business in Canada
    • Europe: First Data to support Société Générale Consumer Finance expansion
    • Ireland: First Data acquires Deecal
    • Russia: First Data signs processing contract with Moskommertsbank
    • US: First Data renews contract with National City Bank
    • US: First Data' s Telecheck and Meijer reach electronic check acceptance agreement
    • US: First Data to offer MasterCard Payment Gateway
    • US: First Data and StoreNext to provide check acceptance to grocers
    • US: First Data and American Express sign sales and servicing agreement
  • HSBC
    • China: HSBC begins rural bank operations in central China
    • Latin America: HSBC to expand branch network in Peru
    • Taiwan: HSBC to acquire The Chinese Bank
  • JCB
    • China: JCB record cardholder progress in China
  • JP Morgan Chase
    • US: First USA and Webster Bank renew credit card agreement
    • US: First USA and Smart Choice announce partnership
  • KBC
    • Russia: KBC and Absolut Bank detail Russian expansion strategy
  • MasterCard
    • US: First Data to offer MasterCard Payment Gateway
  • Discover
    • US: Discover enters into issuer processor agreement with TSYS
    • US: Discover announce alliance with Jones Long LaSalle
  • Nordea
    • Sweden: Nordea enters into agreement with Svensk Kassaservice
  • RBS
    • Group: Updates on the acquisition of ABN AMRO by Fortis, RBS and Santander
  • Standard Chartered
    • China: Standard Chartered opens regional call center
    • Hong Kong: Change of CEO in Standard Chartered Hong Kong
    • Hong Kong: Standard Chartered opens Wanchai branch
    • Hong Kong: Standard Chartered opens SME Banking Center in Mongkok
  • TSYS
    • Global: TSYS to offer Paymentflex credit system
  • Visa
    • Asia-Pacific: Partnership agreement with Asiatravel.com
  • Westpac
    • Westpac ends Virgin credit card partnership
• Staffing and Strategy
  • AEON Credit Service
  • BBVA
    • Spain: BBVA restructures Spanish business
  • Capital One
    • US: Capital One appoints senior executive
  • Citigroup (incl. Diners Club)
    • Taiwan: Citi adopts five-pronged strategy to grow small & medium enterprise market
  • Erste Bank
    • Austria: Erste Bank announces Austrian growth plans
    • Romania: Erste Bank appoints interim CEO
  • JP Morgan Chase
    • Australia: JP Morgan announces board changes
    • US: JP Morgan announces new phase of Euro Payments Strategy
  • KBC
    • Poland: Kredyt Bank implements management changes
  • MasterCard
    • US: MasterCard reports new appointments
  • TSYS
    • Group: TSYS to become fully independent
  • Visa
    • Asia-Pacific: COO appointed for Visa Inc., Asia Pacific
    • Europe: European Commission decision on Visa Europe and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
    • Group: Visa Inc. completes global restructuring
    • Group: Visa Inc. files for proposed initial public offering
    • Group: Visa and American Express settle legal dispute
    • US: Visa mandates use of secure payment software
    • US: Visa and TJX agree to provide US issuers data breach claims
• APPENDIX
  • Methodology
  • Further reading
  • Ask the analyst
  • Datamonitor consulting
  • Disclaimer