These University Smart Cards (USC) are issued to universities in Brazil with agreements with Banco Santander and represent the largest deployment of its kind in South America. The Gemalto Santander solution combines the security of EMV with the speed and convenience of contactless transactions using MasterCard(R) PayPass(TM) features. It also offers a range of features including digital ID for access to university facilities, as well as a variety of everyday features and student services, while eliminating the hassle and risk of carrying multiple cards and cash.

Students at PUC-Campinas (Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Campinas) one of the most prestigious universities in Brazil, were among the most recent adopters of Gemalto's contactless technology. The multi-application card allows students - who are also, optionally, Santander's customers - to access their bank accounts and make low-value purchases by simply waving their card in front of a contactless reader. Brazil has the world's second largest contactless payment network, with around 1.5 million NFC-ready terminals scattered throughout the country. Students are also eligible for exclusive discounts at participating bookstores, restaurants and study centers. There are more than 3 million Santander University Smart Cards in Brazil, which demonstrates the success of the project, already used by more than 7.9 million users at 302 universities in 12 countries worldwide.

"Our long-standing partner, Gemalto, helped us create a culture of trust in contactless technology built upon smart cards that offer a seamless path for migration to NFC implementations in the future as the marketplace is ready for adoption," said Vicente Prior, Director Products and Channels, Santander Universities. "Gemalto's local presence helps us quickly deliver and provision cards as well as activate banking features onto existing University Smart Cards creating a path for launching additional technologies that can be leveraged for all Santander customers."

"University Smart Card is an important tool for financial inclusion for young people, as well as a technology enabler to academic activities," said Marcelo Tangioni, Products Vice President at MasterCard Brazil and South Cone. "The student already has an extremely busy life and he needs useful tools that make his daily tasks simpler. These cards provide a great support at the beginning of the student's financial life."

"Millions of secure University Smart Cards are already activated and growing every day across Brazilian university campuses," said Diego Schpilberg, Senior Vice-President of Secure Transactions for Latin America at Gemalto. "Students love the new technology because it simplifies campus life and payments while improving security, giving Santander the opportunity to start building brand loyalty early, with many first time bank users."