Source: eFunds
American Express (NYSE:AXP), a leader in prepaid cards, and eFunds Corporation (NYSE:EFD), the company that delivers innovative payment processing and information intelligence solutions, today announced a global, multi-year strategic partnership in which eFunds will provide processing services for the American Express portfolio of prepaid cards.
The agreement combines the companies' industry-leading capabilities to support the future growth of American Express prepaid products. eFunds' prepaid card processing expertise will provide American Express with increased flexibility, greater capacity and enhanced functionality to handle the surging increase in sales and transaction volume of its prepaid card business.
eFunds will support the growing portfolio of American Express Gift Cards, which now includes personalized themed Gift Cards Especially for Kids, Especially for Teens, and Especially for Birthdays. American Express Gift Cards are redeemable at US retailers and restaurants that welcome American Express, offer recipients extras and special offers at 20 participating retailers, restaurants and other partners, and are available for purchase nationwide at tens of thousands of locations, including supermarkets, drug stores, shopping centers, banks and American Express Travel Service locations, as well as online.
eFunds will also provide processing services to American Express-backed gift cards sold by shopping centers nationwide; the Travelers Cheque Card, available online and at banks and travel agencies in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany in US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros; and incentive cards issued by American Express Incentive Services (Aeis), a joint venture of American Express and Maritz.
"Sales of American Express Gift Cards have more than doubled every year since we introduced the product in 2002, so we needed a partner with proven innovation, leadership and reliability in prepaid card processing. eFunds was the obvious choice," said Valerie Soranno Keating, President, American Express Travelers Cheques and Prepaid Services. "With eFunds, we can build an even stronger foundation for future growth in our prepaid business, and continue to deliver the high level of service, quality and convenience that our customers demand and expect."
Under the terms of the agreement, eFunds will take operational responsibility for transaction processing, including key tasks such as card activation, account maintenance and transaction authorization, among others.
"American Express' selection of eFunds further reinforces our position as the industry leader in providing integrated, reliable prepaid card solutions for large enterprises," said Paul Walsh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of eFunds. "Their commitment to delivering best-in-class, innovative payment card solutions for global customers is shared by eFunds, and we're delighted to be chosen as their strategic partner for this important endeavor."
According to Mercator Advisory Group, the open prepaid market is estimated to grow by more than 55 percent per year over the next four years, making it one of the fastest growing payments markets. Prepaid cards issued with global card brands, such as American Express, represent the fastest growing segment of the prepaid market, and are often referred to as open prepaid cards. In 2005, US $14.1 billion was loaded onto open prepaid cards, representing a US $5 billion increase over 2004, according to Mercator.