Dubai, 10 May 2007 - MasterCard Worldwide today announced strong first quarter 2007 results for the Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA)[1] region. For the quarter ending 31 March 2007, the region witnessed double-digit growth in gross dollar volume (18.1%), purchase volume[2] (21.5%), purchase transactions (23.4%), cash transactions (27.1%) and cards issued (12.8%) versus the same period in 2006.  

As at 31 March 2007, over 187 million MasterCard cards (excluding Maestro® and Cirrus) had been issued by MasterCard customer financial institutions across APMEA. Cardholders in the region made more than 667 million purchase transactions in the first quarter of 2007 and could use their MasterCard cards at 25.1 million acceptance locations worldwide.

"The growth in MasterCard-branded volume in the first quarter is indicative of the confidence that our customers and merchants place in MasterCard, in particular the strength and value of our network, innovativeness of our products and ability to deliver customized solutions," said André Sekulic, president, Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard Worldwide. "Strengthening our customer-focused strategy is the key to our continued success."

For the quarter ending 31 March 2007, the Maestro® brand mark appeared on over 217 million cards in APMEA. Consumers can now make online debit point of sale purchases with their Maestro cards at nearly 981,300 merchant locations in APMEA.

In addition to the performance highlights, MasterCard in the APMEA region also reported a number of significant achievements for the quarter ending 31 March 2007.

  • In Taiwan, the strength of MasterCard PayPassTM was further solidified with the launch of MasterCard PayPassTM for mobile phones with NFC technology - a first across APMEA. In collaboration with Fubon Bank and Taiwan Mobile, the pilot combines mobile phone technologies and payment card solutions to offer consumers a convenient alternative to cash and allows for small-ticket purchases to be completed quickly and securely.

  • The APMEA region also saw significant momentum in the introduction of innovative premium and co-brand card programs. In Japan, MasterCard launched the SBI World MasterCard card - one of the most prestigious cards in the market with SBI Card Company. In China, the Century Ginwa Diamond Card was launched with China Merchant Bank and Ginwa Department Store - this platinum co-brand card is China Merchant Bank's first credit card in the city of Xian. In the United Arab Emirates, Citibank launched the "Ultima" program targeted at the affluent segment, while in Korea, Hana Bank launched the Doorihana Card. In India, MasterCard collaborated with the State Bank of India (SBI), to launch the SBI GE Gold MasterCard card.

  • In Global Commercial Products area, MasterCard launched the world's first MasterCard Meal card with UTI Bank in India. The program provides a more secure and convenient alternative to replace meal vouchers, coupons and cash currently used by corporations. In Australia, MasterCard was selected as the exclusive brand for BankWest Commercial Cards. For the next five years, all new programs will be issued in collaboration with MasterCard. In Singapore, MasterCard collaborated with UOB to launch the UOB SME Platinum MasterCard, the first commercial payment card in Southeast Asia that offers a 0.3% cash back rebate.

  • In the travel and tourism arena, MasterCard made significant announcements which included the launch of India's most comprehensive travel credit card in collaboration with Thomas Cook and ICICI Bank. Designed for the frequent travelers, the premium Titanium program provides cardholders with a complete set of benefits. In the Philippines, the Asian Spirit-East West MasterCard co-brand card was launched. The new program is the third MasterCard travel co-brand card in the market, demonstrating the increasing popularity of travel in the Philippines. In China, MasterCard launched the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank-Shanghai Airlines MasterCard Co-brand card and the China Merchants Bank Home Inns MasterCard Co-branded Card

  • In New Zealand, MasterCard Worldwide celebrated the official opening of its first office in New Zealand. The growth and sophistication of the New Zealand payments market were instrumental in the decision to establish the new office.

  • In Mauritius, MasterCard collaborated with Mauritian Commercial Bank to launch MasterCard Internet Gateway Service (MiGS.) The Bank has joined with several large merchants to begin immediate e-commerce acquiring.

  • Further expansion of MasterCard's knowledge leadership program saw the launch of the third title in a series of books on Asian consumer trends - Succeeding Like Success by Dr. Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, economic advisor to MasterCard Worldwide in Asia/Pacific. A number of topical MasterInsights Reports, a series of ongoing research and analysis of business and financial issues, were also published, including subjects related to the long-term economic growth prospects of Japan, and myth and reality of household debt in Korea.

  • MasterCard sponsorship of the Singapore Fashion Festival further strengthened its retail and card usage promotion platform across the APMEA region. MasterCard not only benefited from the branding and sponsor recognition but also reached out to premium cardholders with special offers and fashionable experiences.  A number of cardholder promotions were also launched in Kuwait, Egypt and India enhancing cardholders' retail and travel experiences.

  • To help educate consumers on financial management, MasterCard launched free tools that are designed to be easily understandable for consumers in order to help them manage personal finances. In Japan, MasterCard collaborated with well-know lawyer, Mr. Kazuya Maruyama, to launch the "Lawyer Maruyama's Introduction to Financial Management" website. This website is an extension of the MasterCard global Debt Know How program.

-Ends-

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 16 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to http://www.mastercard.com.

Contacts:
Georgette Tan,
georgette_tan@mastercard.com,
(65) 6390-5971

Priyanka Sivanandan,
psivanandan@webershandwick.com,
(65) 682- 8016

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release which are not historical facts, including statements about MasterCard's plans, strategies, beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking and subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Accordingly, except for the company's ongoing obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws, the company does not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking information to reflect actual results of operations, changes in financial condition, changes in estimates, expectations or assumptions, changes in general economic or industry conditions or other circumstances arising and/or existing since the preparation of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

? growth in MasterCard-branded volume in the first quarter being indicative of the confidence that the company's customers and merchants place in MasterCard; and

? the company's customer-focused strategy being the key to its continued success

Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including those set forth MasterCard Incorporated's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and Current Reports on Form 8-K that it has filed with the SEC during 2007, as well as reasons including difficulties, delays or the inability of the company to achieve its strategic initiatives. Factors other than those listed above could also cause the company's results to differ materially from expected results.

[1] Includes Asia/Pacific (A/P) and South Asia, Middle East Africa (SAMEA) markets.

[2] Growth in gross dollar volume and purchase volume are calculated on a local currency basis.

© Press Release 2007