MasterCard and e-money experts Vincento Payment Solutions Ltd have extended their successful relationship by signing a new five-year strategic partnership agreement, which will see continued collaboration to bring innovative prepaid solutions to consumers across Europe.
For example, from March, the exclusive deal will enable all new cardholders to benefit from MasterCard PayPass 'Tap & Go' technology on their Kalixa prepaid cards.
In November 2011, MasterCard and Vincento partnered with LAKS to launch Watch2pay, the UK's first ever prepaid contactless wristwatch, which enables consumers to make fast, secure payments for up to £15 within seconds with a simple tap of their wrist.
Matt Lanford, Head of Prepaid at MasterCard Europe, said: "Prepaid has become the platform of choice for bringing together cutting edge technology and consumer needs. We've already worked with Vincento to bring prepaid and contactless payments together in a wristwatch for the first time in the UK and we're looking forward to extending our partnership to deliver other innovative firsts across Europe."
Kamran Hedjri, CEO at Vincento Payment Solutions, explained: "Our continued strategic partnership with MasterCard supports us in rolling out innovative payment features, such as our new Kalixa MasterCard PayPass facility. PayPass enables our customers to make fast and convenient contactless payments for small everyday purchases. Vincento is one of the first prepaid issuers to introduce this new technology and plan to roll PayPass out across all of Europe. Our agreement with MasterCard will help us expand into more European countries this year, building a strong and recognisable brand."