PURCHASE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

The simple act of paying to board mass transit can add significant
stress to the daily commute. A new survey released today by MasterCard
Worldwide finds that many of the top frustrations cited by U.S.
commuters have to do with how they pay and that a majority recognize the
benefits contactless payments can provide to improve the commuting
experience.

The online survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of
MasterCard between November 21 and December 6, 2011 among 1607 adults
across seven major U.S. cities, evaluated common pain points transit
riders have experienced when relying on cash to pay for their trip:

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. commuters who use cash for mass transit (65
percent) worry about not having enough cash on hand to pay for their
trip, while more than one-third (36 percent) have actually been unable
to take mass transit because they did not have enough cash on hand.

More than two in five U.S. commuters (44 percent) have missed a bus,
train or subway while waiting in line to buy or add money onto a fare
card.

Two-in-five riders who use cash for mass transit (42 percent) say
worrying about needing correct change is one of their top frustrations
when paying for their commute.

“The grind of the daily commute should not be compounded by the way you
pay just to ride mass transit,” said Catherine Murchie, Senior Vice
President, MasterCard Worldwide. “From our survey, we know that
commuters want a better way to buy their fare and open-loop contactless
payment options such as MasterCard PayPass eliminate the need to
wait in line, fumble for exact change or carry multiple fare cards so [...] Continue Reading…

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mastercard-survey-finds-commuters-ready-160000708.html

PURCHASE, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

The simple act of paying to board mass transit can add significant
stress to the daily commute. A new survey released today by MasterCard
Worldwide finds that many of the top frustrations cited by U.S.
commuters have to do with how they pay and that a majority recognize the
benefits contactless payments can provide to improve the commuting
experience.

The online survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of
MasterCard between November 21 and December 6, 2011 among 1607 adults
across seven major U.S. cities, evaluated common pain points transit
riders have experienced when relying on cash to pay for their trip:

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. commuters who use cash for mass transit (65
percent) worry about not having enough cash on hand to pay for their
trip, while more than one-third (36 percent) have actually been unable
to take mass transit because they did not have enough cash on hand.

More than two in five U.S. commuters (44 percent) have missed a bus,
train or subway while waiting in line to buy or add money onto a fare
card.

Two-in-five riders who use cash for mass transit (42 percent) say
worrying about needing correct change is one of their top frustrations
when paying for their commute.

“The grind of the daily commute should not be compounded by the way you
pay just to ride mass transit,” said Catherine Murchie, Senior Vice
President, MasterCard Worldwide. “From our survey, we know that
commuters want a better way to buy their fare and open-loop contactless
payment options such as MasterCard PayPass eliminate the need to
wait in line, fumble for exact change or carry multiple fare cards so [...] Continue Reading…

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mastercard-survey-finds-commuters-ready-160000708.html

PURCHASE, N.Y. TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

MasterCard
Worldwide and Right
To Play International announced today a joint-initiative for the
development and implementation of the new Financial Fitness program
in Peru and Thailand.

Building on Right To Play’s innovative financial education program that
uses sport and play as a means of encouraging life skills development
and sustainable behavior change, the Financial Fitness program is
an opportunity for both Right To Play and MasterCard Worldwide to work
with youth in both countries. Young adults between the ages of 11 and 17
will benefit from this partnership and receive comprehensive training
sessions aimed at improving their leadership skills and financial
literacy.

“Right To Play programs use a fun, innovative approach to teaching
financial literacy,” says Patricia Devereux, group head, Corporate
Philanthropy and Citizenship, MasterCard Worldwide. “We are excited to
partner with them to make a difference in the lives of children in Peru
and Thailand.”

Through this program, more than 1,500 young people will participate in Financial
Fitness training and Celebration Days, to be implemented from March
through to May 2012. The training and Celebration Days will incorporate
sport and play-based learning activities to educate youth in financial
management, foster responsible decision-making, enhance problem-solving,
support leadership potential, and encourage community engagement.

“This collaboration
is a wonderful achievement,” says Johann
Olav Koss, Right To Play President and CEO. “We have seen great
progress in the children and communities that we are working with in
Peru and Thailand, and we are very proud that with MasterCard
Worldwide’s help, we will be able to reach more youth and help guide
them toward a more prosperous future.”

About Right To Play:
[...] Continue Reading…

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mastercard-worldwide-play-international-collaborate-171500064.html

PURCHASE, N.Y. TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

MasterCard
Worldwide and Right
To Play International announced today a joint-initiative for the
development and implementation of the new Financial Fitness program
in Peru and Thailand.

Building on Right To Play’s innovative financial education program that
uses sport and play as a means of encouraging life skills development
and sustainable behavior change, the Financial Fitness program is
an opportunity for both Right To Play and MasterCard Worldwide to work
with youth in both countries. Young adults between the ages of 11 and 17
will benefit from this partnership and receive comprehensive training
sessions aimed at improving their leadership skills and financial
literacy.

“Right To Play programs use a fun, innovative approach to teaching
financial literacy,” says Patricia Devereux, group head, Corporate
Philanthropy and Citizenship, MasterCard Worldwide. “We are excited to
partner with them to make a difference in the lives of children in Peru
and Thailand.”

Through this program, more than 1,500 young people will participate in Financial
Fitness training and Celebration Days, to be implemented from March
through to May 2012. The training and Celebration Days will incorporate
sport and play-based learning activities to educate youth in financial
management, foster responsible decision-making, enhance problem-solving,
support leadership potential, and encourage community engagement.

“This collaboration
is a wonderful achievement,” says Johann
Olav Koss, Right To Play President and CEO. “We have seen great
progress in the children and communities that we are working with in
Peru and Thailand, and we are very proud that with MasterCard
Worldwide’s help, we will be able to reach more youth and help guide
them toward a more prosperous future.”

About Right To Play:
[...] Continue Reading…

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mastercard-worldwide-play-international-collaborate-171500064.html

<!– From oohh to ouch to ahhh –>

MASTERCARD customers and cardholders will enjoy the exclusivity reserved for VIPs as part of the company’s new tie-up with the Singapore Indoor Stadium (SIS) in an agreement brokered by World Sport Group.
MasterCard’s sponsorship of Singapore’s iconic venue means its invited guests will get to enjoy the full benefits of the exclusive SIS VIP Lounge before and after shows, as well as direct access to their VIP seats via the lounge, with access also to parking via a private driveway. The VIP Lounge, now renamed as MasterCard Lounge, is the first of its kind at the SIS.
MasterCard cardholders will furthermore enjoy the convenience of card acceptance at the stadium’s food and beverage via concessionaries as well as a priority line for expedited service.
The sponsorship of the SIS joins a reputable suite of MasterCard global sponsorship assets including the MasterCard Center in Beijing, a leading entertainment and sports venue which was used for the 2008 Olympic Games, and the MasterCard Centre for Ice Hockey Excellence in Toronto.
‘The past 12 months have been incredibly successful for the Singapore Indoor Stadium with an impressive line up of international acts and sporting events to offer something for everyone. The recent renovations of both the technology and our facilities have ensured an even greater enjoyment of our world class facilities for the public and promoters. We are delighted that MasterCard has come on board as the sponsor for the Singapore Indoor Stadium VIP Lounge and we look forward to working with them to build a dynamic entertainment environment for their customers and cardholders,’ commented Mark Collins, Managing Director, Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“The Singapore Indoor Stadium is one of the region’s premier sports and entertainment venues and MasterCard is proud to have formed a strategic alliance with the SIS for the benefit of its invited cardholders and customers,” said Stuart Cameron, vice president, Regional Marketing, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard Worldwide.

Business Insight
Living

Article source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/03192012/liv5.html

<!– From oohh to ouch to ahhh –>

MASTERCARD customers and cardholders will enjoy the exclusivity reserved for VIPs as part of the company’s new tie-up with the Singapore Indoor Stadium (SIS) in an agreement brokered by World Sport Group.
MasterCard’s sponsorship of Singapore’s iconic venue means its invited guests will get to enjoy the full benefits of the exclusive SIS VIP Lounge before and after shows, as well as direct access to their VIP seats via the lounge, with access also to parking via a private driveway. The VIP Lounge, now renamed as MasterCard Lounge, is the first of its kind at the SIS.
MasterCard cardholders will furthermore enjoy the convenience of card acceptance at the stadium’s food and beverage via concessionaries as well as a priority line for expedited service.
The sponsorship of the SIS joins a reputable suite of MasterCard global sponsorship assets including the MasterCard Center in Beijing, a leading entertainment and sports venue which was used for the 2008 Olympic Games, and the MasterCard Centre for Ice Hockey Excellence in Toronto.
‘The past 12 months have been incredibly successful for the Singapore Indoor Stadium with an impressive line up of international acts and sporting events to offer something for everyone. The recent renovations of both the technology and our facilities have ensured an even greater enjoyment of our world class facilities for the public and promoters. We are delighted that MasterCard has come on board as the sponsor for the Singapore Indoor Stadium VIP Lounge and we look forward to working with them to build a dynamic entertainment environment for their customers and cardholders,’ commented Mark Collins, Managing Director, Singapore Indoor Stadium.
“The Singapore Indoor Stadium is one of the region’s premier sports and entertainment venues and MasterCard is proud to have formed a strategic alliance with the SIS for the benefit of its invited cardholders and customers,” said Stuart Cameron, vice president, Regional Marketing, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard Worldwide.

Business Insight
Living

Article source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/03192012/liv5.html

The number of transactions that are handled by Mastercard’s payment services is expected to almost double in the next six years, to 53 billion. The reason, according to analysts, is because of the company’s extensive growth in the world of mobile payments. It’s a segment that is seeing a lot of attention right now, and one that will enable Mastercard to get billions of new customers.

That’s right – billions. There are five billion mobile phone users in the world, and right now very few of them use their phone to pay for things, much less at a brick-and-mortar store. Mastercard has been pushing forward with its mobile payment efforts, and even though they haven’t been as glamorous as some of the recent new services, they’ve been doing a very good job.
Mastercard is focusing in particular in areas where traditional banking is less common than it in in deveoped parts of the world, like Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Only a small portion of the populations there have bank accounts but a growing amoung have mobile phones. Case in point, a venture called Wanda, which has provided mobile payment solutions to more than 87 million customers in Latin America alone. In total, the company says it can expect to enroll more than 2.5 billion under-served consumers with its mobile products.
[viaForbes]

Article source: http://www.slashgear.com/mastercards-transactions-to-double-by-2018-thanks-to-mobile-payments-16218880/

The number of transactions that are handled by Mastercard’s payment services is expected to almost double in the next six years, to 53 billion. The reason, according to analysts, is because of the company’s extensive growth in the world of mobile payments. It’s a segment that is seeing a lot of attention right now, and one that will enable Mastercard to get billions of new customers.

That’s right – billions. There are five billion mobile phone users in the world, and right now very few of them use their phone to pay for things, much less at a brick-and-mortar store. Mastercard has been pushing forward with its mobile payment efforts, and even though they haven’t been as glamorous as some of the recent new services, they’ve been doing a very good job.
Mastercard is focusing in particular in areas where traditional banking is less common than it in in deveoped parts of the world, like Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Only a small portion of the populations there have bank accounts but a growing amoung have mobile phones. Case in point, a venture called Wanda, which has provided mobile payment solutions to more than 87 million customers in Latin America alone. In total, the company says it can expect to enroll more than 2.5 billion under-served consumers with its mobile products.
[viaForbes]

Article source: http://www.slashgear.com/mastercards-transactions-to-double-by-2018-thanks-to-mobile-payments-16218880/

Visa and MasterCard Payment Volumes March Higher

Trefis Team
Contributor

Mobile Payments Unchained: Pay Your Bar Tab with Paypal

Trefis Team
Contributor

Payment Processors Too Plump: MasterCard Stock Going To $353, Visa To $90

Trefis Team
Contributor

American Express Launches New Cards, Stock Charging To $51

Trefis Team
Contributor

Image via Wikipedia

The MasterCard Mobile Money Partnership Program is a global initiative by MasterCard to provide financial services to more than 2.5 billion financially under-served consumers worldwide through their mobile phones.
Through this program, the company hopes to reach its next billion customers, and it will be fueled by collaboration and innovation by all the players in the ecosystem including technology providers, mobile network operators and financial institutions. [1] MasterCard is well ahead of its bigger rival Visa in the mobile payments market race.
See our complete analysis of MasterCard

MasterCard has launched its Mobile Money partnership program with Indian mobile services provider Comviva, mobile messaging service Sybase 365, and a Singapore-based mobile financial services company Utiba as initial partners.
There are about 5 billion mobile phone users in the world, and MasterCard is providing them access to traditional financial services like the ability to transfer funds, pay bills and purchase goods and services at brick-and-mortar stores or through e-commerce websites through a device they already own. This service has tremendous growth potential in regions such as Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe where banking infrastructure is not well developed and only a small proportion of the population is banked.
MasterCard has inked several new partnerships and collaborations around the globe in the mobile payments space during the past few months, including:
Wanda – A joint venture between MasterCard and Telefonica that is designed to provide mobile payment solutions to over 87 million customers of Movistar in its Latin American markets. Customers will be able to transfer [...] Continue Reading…

Article source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2012/03/16/mastercard-targets-its-next-billion-customers-with-mobile-partnerships/?feed=rss_home

Thought marketing plastic on campus was a thing of the past? Not so fast. Credit card marketers have all but disappeared from college campuses, thanks to new rules from the Credit CARD Act of 2009 that sharply limit their ability to market credit cards to college students. However, two years after the CARD Act went into effect, banks are still on campus. Instead of pushing credit cards, they now lure new customers with college ID cards that double as debit cards. “College costs are rising and new financial products are being pushed into the marketplace,” says Rich Williams, a higher education advocate for the consumer activist group PIRG. And a special hybrid product — campus debit cards, which aren’t covered by the CARD Act — are taking center stage. As more colleges are making deals to provide student ID cards that look like credit cards , a fresh debate is brewing between financial services companies and consumer advocates who say some fee-heavy campus cards are presenting new problems for college students.   These new hybrid cards are taking the place of a once-lucrative student market pulled out from under credit card issuers. A few years ago, card issuers commonly paid high sums to universities for the right to set up tables on campuses and offer free pizza and T-shirts to students who filled out credit card applications. The CARD Act banned on-campus marketing, forced card issuers to reveal their payment deals with colleges and restricted the availability of cards to those under 21. Those measures had the intended purpose, drying up on-campus credit card marketing. Now, the on-campus marketing of plastic has morphed. Instead of deals to issue credit cards, deals abound to issue combo ID/debit cards. ID cards double as debit cards Campus cards come in multiple forms. Some look just like regular debit cards, except they’re co-branded with a college logo. Others are linked to a student’s college ID card so the student can use the ID to buy books for class or burgers for dinner both on and off campus. Some are prepaid debit cards . Others are standard debit cards linked to a checking account. The type of campus card students use depends on the financial institution a college chooses to partner with, and that irks consumer advocates. “Sometimes the contracts are being created that are good for the schools and good for the banks, but not necessarily the students,” says Williams. Bank fees vary widely among campus card programs [...] Continue Reading…

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/student-id-debit-card-combos-120000971.html