The new card will be rolled-out in France from February 11th 2009 by Carrefour's financial services' subsidiary, Société des Paiements PASS.

Speaking on behalf of Carrefour, Gauthier Durand Delbecque, General Manager Financial Services at Carrefour Group said "We are determined to develop and accelerate the evolution of our financial services activities in France to establish Société des Paiements PASS as a significant card issuer. As such we had to bring the very best in global card payments to our customers and MasterCard was the right partner to enable us to do this."

"We believe the PASS MasterCard card, an innovative card with improved consumer benefits, will help not only to build customer loyalty, but also attract and retain new cardholders to our network".

Customisation of services, flexibility in use, and the very latest in card technology including the MasterCard PayPass ‘Tap & Go' contactless functionality has been combined into this new card programme designed specifically for the Carrefour consumer:

• A card at the cutting-edge of technology enabling cardholders choice in how they pay for their purchases; either immediately from the ir bank account or by credit thanks to the card's joint debit/credit functionality. As well as enabling the cardholder to choose their individual PIN number, the card is also one of the first in France to offer the MasterCard PayPass technology. As of 3Q2008, already available on nearly 44 million cards and devices across the world and as a safe, speedier and easier way to pay, cardholders simply Tap & Go for purchases up to 25 Euros.
• A customizable card which extends guarantees up to five years for electrical-product purchases such as televisions and washing machines with an additional benefit of an enhanced insurance package designed by the cardholder via an exclusive webportal provided for and operated by MasterCard.
• A looyalty card which enhances the existing Carrefour and PASS advantages such as the doubling of some discount benefits for cardholders making at least one monthly purchase in a non- Carrefour group merchant.

As a MasterCard card offering international acceptance, the card can be used in over 28 million points of sale across the world and includes all MasterCard insurance and assistance guarantees.

Commenting, Emmanuel Petit, President and General Manager MasterCard France, said "Throughout the development of this programme we' ve tried to rise to the very specific retail challenges of Carrefour and refine for their customers in France the best technologies and services available. Our experience elsewhere in the world has helped towards this but only with the support of our teams' full understanding of the French retail market."

Concluding, Alfredo Gangotena, General Manager Continental Europe at MasterCard Europe said "This programme is testament to the partnership that we've enjoyed with Carrefour. It demonstrates their willingn ess to drive into the French market the very ‘best-in-class' card technology and services for today's French consumers. This, I believe, will serve them well not only as a stakeholder in the fast paced evolution of the French banking card industry but more widely in the development of the single payment area in Europe."