TSYS will provide the program development, implementation and ongoing delivery to make it easy for smaller banks to enter or re-enter the credit card market. Key to the offer is the strategic consulting services that TSYS will provide from newly-recruited card industry executives with years of experience in running profitable card programs.

"Over a period of years, the top issuers competed aggressively with marketing techniques, such as mass solicitations and teaser rates, to gain greater market share to the point that many smaller banks felt they couldn't effectively compete. Recent regulatory changes have altered the landscape and we believe the case for re-entry is there if we can demonstrate a compelling and profitable business case," said Philip W. Tomlinson, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of TSYS. The program targets the regional and community banks and credit unions interested in re-entering the credit card market, including those that want to maximize the profitability of their existing card programs and those that wish to start up a new credit card program.

TSYS' solution includes profitability analysis, portfolio management and campaign and marketing support combined with TSYS' core capabilities in data processing, card and statement production, customer care, analytics and loyalty.

"This solution offers an alternative to the traditional agent-bank relationships that exist today. Through this solution, we have solved the problem of start-up costs and created a win-win for the financial institutions and for TSYS," said Tomlinson.

The new division will be led by:

Wayne Johnson, who has more than 25 years of senior executive experience in the financial services industry, founded start-up bankcard issuing and consulting companies both in the United States and internationally. He served in senior positions at First Data, Providian Financial, Visa USA and First Interstate Bancard. Johnson holds a master's of business administration degree from Emory University and a bachelor of business administration degree from Mercer University.

Andrew Mathieson leverages more than 20 years of experience across the financial services, health insurance and travel industries. Most recently Mathieson was the chief executive officer and founder of Fintura Corporation. Prior to his role at Fintura, Mathieson was a managing director of InfiCorp Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of First National of Nebraska, Inc., where he had P&L responsibility for the company's credit card issuing and portfolio management business, covering client receivables in excess of $6 billion. Mathieson holds a master's of business administration degree from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan.

Patrick Fox has more than 25 years of experience in marketing and business development in the credit card industry. Fox has held various senior executive level positions including executive vice president of business development for Metris Companies, as well as roles with Citibank, Bank of America and Bank One's AARP Credit Card Program. Fox holds a master's of business administration degree from University of Detroit Mercy and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University.

Fred J. Grigsby III brings more than 16 years of financial services industry experience. Previously, Grigsby was chief marketing officer at Fintura Corporation. Prior to joining Fintura, Grigsby has held senior marketing positions with FleetCor Technologies, First National Bank of Omaha and its Atlanta affiliate InfiCorp Holdings, Inc., Wachovia Bank Card Services and Bank One. Grigsby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Ohio University.

George Whitley has more than 22 years of experience in the financial services industry specifically in the areas of financial planning and business performance analysis. Most recently as executive vice president, Whitley was accountable for Fintura's Business Performance and Analysis functions. Prior to joining Fintura, Whitley held positions with First National Bank of Omaha and its Atlanta affiliate InfiCorp Holdings, Inc, as well as Prudential Bank And Trust and The New York Stock Exchange. Whitley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Arizona State University.