MasterCard Launches First Online Directory To Connect Merchants with Acquirers and Member Service Providers.

Business Editors

PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 2000

MasterCard International today launched The MasterCard Merchant & Acquirer Referral Program, providing merchants, acquirers and Member Service Providers (MSPs) with one destination, the Internet, to meet and form business relationships.

This directory, www.mastercard.com/business/merchant/acqdir/, provides merchants in the U.S. and Canada with easier access and enhanced personalization to search for acquirers and MSPs, while facilitating acceptance of MasterCard branded payment card solutions. Until now the merchants, acquirers and MSPs had to find and contact each other on their own.

The MasterCard Merchant & Acquirer Referral Program is an online directory to assist merchants interested in accepting the MasterCard card as a payment option in finding acquirers and MSPs interested in working with them. By submitting an account profile, merchants can view a listing of MasterCard acquirers and MSPs that provide the bankcard acceptance services best aligned to their profile. Similarly, acquirers and MSPs can view a list of merchants that have received their profile and have visited their company website by also submitting a profile.

"MasterCard is dedicated to developing and strengthening programs and services that are important to its members. The MasterCard Merchant & Acquirer Referral Program is one more way that MasterCard is providing flexible solutions to member and merchant needs and differentiating itself in the marketplace," said Gerritt Kerkstra, vice president, Acquirer Relations, MasterCard International. "The program cuts down the time spent finding the right fit and allows more time for the merchant to concentrate on its business."

About MasterCard International

MasterCard International has the most comprehensive portfolio of payment brands in the world. More than 1 billion MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of 22,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is the leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. With more than 18 million acceptance locations, no card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than the MasterCard Card. In 1999, gross dollar volume exceeded US$727 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its World Wide Web site at http://www.mastercard.com.