Payroll Cards Provide an Efficient and Innovative Way for Companies to Distribute Salary to Employees

B-Dinar Payroll Cardholders in Kuwait will benefit from Convenient Access to Cash and ATM Banking

Kuwait City, Kuwait, 23 February 2012 -MasterCard Worldwide together with Burgan Bank today announced the conversion of Burgan Bank's existing proprietary B-Dinar Payroll ATM card to the B-Dinar Debit MasterCard Payroll Card.

The B-Dinar Debit MasterCard Payroll card combines all the uses of a standard ATM card, like access to cash and banking transactions, with the added convenience of shopping at local merchant locations within Kuwait. As a convenient and secure alternative to cash and checks, B-Dinar cardholders in Kuwait, will be able to access their salary in a more efficient manner using the ATM or Point of Sale machines available throughout Kuwait. Cardholders will also be able to benefit from greater control over their finances.

The B-Dinar Debit MasterCard Payroll card program will provide businesses with the advantage of paying their employees' salary through a secure and convenient MasterCard Payroll payment card. For businesses in Kuwait, the card program is a smart alternative to issuing payroll checks. By simply posting employees' salaries to an account tied to their personal Burgan Bank B-Dinar MasterCard Payroll card, businesses will be able to increase cost-efficiencies, while delivering a whole new array of benefits to their employees. It can also help to reduce payroll processing when it comes to, for example, expense management and one-off and final salary payments.

"As an enhancement to our existing B-Dinar ATM card program, we are delighted to launch an innovative payment solution in collaboration with MasterCard," said Raed Al Haqhaq - Chief Banking Officer at Burgan Bank. "The B-Dinar Debit MasterCard Payroll card is a great alternative solution to using cash or cheques. Employees will be able to now benefit from receiving their salary, while going about their daily lives, making purchases securely and conveniently in Kuwait."

"This is a great way for the banked or unbanked individuals in Kuwait to receive their monthly salary," said Safdar Khan, Market Manager, Qatar, Oman & Kuwait, MasterCard Worldwide. "Consumers will be able to benefit from a secure and convenient payment solution that will bring them additional benefits when making purchases and managing their finances.  We are delighted to support Burgan Bank in offering a payment solution that will bring valuable benefits to the working population in Kuwait."

The B-Dinar MasterCard Payroll card from Burgan Bankwill also feature an EMV chip, which means higher levels of card and data security when making purchases over at Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals.

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About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard(NYSE: MA),www.mastercard.com,is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter@mastercardnews, join the conversation on The Heart of Commerce Blog and subscribe for the latest news.

Contact:
Heba Hassan, GolinHarris Dubai, +971 4 332 3308, mobile + 971 50 6789617, hhassan@golinharris.com

© Press Release 2012