Bremer Bank Selects MasterCard for Signature Debit Brand Exclusivity
St. Paul, Minn. - April 13, 2011 - Bremer Bank and MasterCard Worldwide today announced that Bremer has converted its signature debit portfolio to MasterCard. Bremer now issues Platinum Debit MasterCard® cards for general banking customers, Debit MasterCard BusinessCard® for business clients and World Debit™ MasterCard cards for private banking clients.
“We immediately recognized the value of partnering with MasterCard to meet the diverse needs of our cardholders,” said Rita Juul, vice president and Enterprise Product Manager, Bremer Bank. “MasterCard has a unique suite of debit products that offer our clients enhanced value in their everyday spending. Through this agreement, we are differentiating our card portfolio to help ensure that our cardholders enjoy flexibility, security and control in managing their finances, combined with access to discounts and special offers.”
In Debit MasterCard BusinessCard, Bremer’s business clients now have access to increased purchasing flexibility, convenience and safety for all their business-related expenses, as compared to cash or checks. Detailed monthly statements enable easy account reconciliation and expense reporting for efficient money management. In addition, the card reduces the need to use personal funds for business purchases and provides capabilities to set spending controls for employees.
With World Debit MasterCard, Bremer Bank will provide a premium debit product that meets the unique, everyday payment needs and preferences of affluent cardholders. World Debit MasterCard cardholders receive exclusive benefits, including access to World.MasterCard.com, MasterCard MarketPlace Plus, where they can take advantage of invitation-only VIP shopping, exclusive access to private events, free shipping, gifts, and other unique privileges. In addition, they can enjoy enhanced built-in security features and MasterCard Purchase Assurance® coverage against theft protection for greater peace of mind when shopping.
“Consumers and business owners are looking to get the most out of their daily financial activities, from maximizing savings and time to having access to unique offers and experiences,” said John Ainsworth, Group Head, US Markets, MasterCard Worldwide. “Bremer Bank’s decision to convert to MasterCard as its exclusive debit partner will help enhance its card offering and better respond to the needs of its retail banking customers.”
Bremer Financial Corporation
Bremer Financial Corporation is a privately-held, $8 billion regional financial services company owned by its employees and the Otto Bremer Foundation (OBF). Founded in 1943 by Otto Bremer, the company is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota and provides a comprehensive range of banking, investment, trust and insurance services to its nearly 100 locations in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. OBF uses its share of dividends to distribute charitable grants to Bremer Bank communities. For more information, go to bremer.com.
About MasterCard Worldwide
As a leading global payments company, MasterCard Worldwide prides itself on being at the heart of commerce, helping to make life easier and more efficient for everyone, everywhere. MasterCard serves as a franchisor, processor and advisor to the payments industry, and makes commerce happen by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, governments, businesses, merchants, and cardholders worldwide. In 2010, $2.7 trillion in gross dollar volume was generated on its products by consumers around the world. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network – the fastest payment processing network in the world – MasterCard processes over 23 billion transactions each year and has the capacity to handle 160 million transactions per hour, with an average network response time of 130 milliseconds and with 99.99 percent reliability. MasterCard advances global commerce through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro®, and Cirrus®; its suite of core products such as credit, debit, and prepaid; and its innovative platforms and functionalities, such as MasterCard PayPass™ and MasterCard inControl®. MasterCard serves consumers, governments, and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information, please visit us at www.mastercard.com. Follow us on Twitter: @mastercardnews.