The gift card can be customized with a company logo, a recipient's name and an embossed message. The cards are available exclusively through a newly launched website.

"We know that small business owners are always looking for creative ways to positively showcase their business and build loyalty among employees, customers, and potential customers," said Bruno Perreault, Group Head, Global Small Business and Mid-Sized Enterprises, MasterCard Worldwide. "This innovative MasterCard program provides a direct and easy way for them to powerfully extend their business's brand among employees and customers. It gives small businesses an innovative way to acknowledge relationships at the holidays and throughout the year."

The ability to use a gift card at almost any retail store is very important to gift card recipients. MasterCard research shows that 79% of gift card recipients would rather use a MasterCard gift card versus a retailer- branded gift card. Additional MasterCard research shows that 75% of small business owners are interested in putting their company logo on a card.

Specifically designed for the small business market, the MasterCard gift cards for small businesses are available in any denomination from $10 to $500 and can be used anywhere in the world where MasterCard debit cards are accepted.

Orders can be shipped directly to the small business or a recipient within 5 days, depending on the quantity ordered and level of personalization needed. Small businesses that use MasterCard BusinessCard and Debit MasterCard BusinessCard to purchase a gift card will also be eligible for special discounts.

In addition to their business logo, small businesses can personalize the front of the card to include a recipient's name and a custom embossed message for a variety of occasions such as building loyalty among employees and customers or fostering new relationships with prospective clients. For example, a small business owner may present a MasterCard gift card to thank a client for their business, to present an employee a holiday bonus, or as a business development tool for prospective customers.

The MasterCard-branded gift cards are issued by KeyBank, which is the first bank to join the program. The KeyBank MasterCard gift cards will be distributed by Springbok Services, a leading provider of branded prepaid cards for businesses.