M/Chip 4 is at the core of MasterCard's smart card strategy and represents the latest generation of EMV payment applications. When customers adopt M/Chip, they benefit from instant access to an assortment of added-value applications and support services that strengthen the business case for migrating to chip. Related MasterCard products and services that help customers realize the greatest return on their M/Chip investment include Pre-Authorized, for driving more transactions from cash to card, and the Chip Authentication Program (CAP), for increased online security. M/Chip 4 also supports emerging solutions such as MasterCard PayPass, MasterCard's contactless payment program.

"We are extremely pleased that ten of the world's leading smart card vendors have now embraced the M/Chip 4 platform," said Dr. Toni Merschen, senior vice president, Chip Center of Excellence, MasterCard International. "This industry momentum shows that M/Chip 4 and EMV migration are realities. As a result, financial institutions are empowered to implement unique, value-added smart card programs that drive revenues and promote customer loyalty."

The ten card vendors that have recently signed the M/Chip 4 Development Agreement are: Austria Card, DNP, Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), Gemplus, Orga, Sagem, Setec, ST Microelectronics, Toppan and Winter AG. Together with these vendor partners, MasterCard anticipates an even greater EMV activation rate in 2004. At the end of 2003, MasterCard had helped customers migrate to chip through more than 400 individual chip implementations around the world, more than double the number of projects that were active at the end of 2002.

In the context of MasterCard's global M/Chip Deployment Program, the need to work closely with terminal vendors is also clearly recognized. For this purpose, MasterCard has developed its Terminal Quality Management (TQM) program - aimed at improving the reliability and security of terminal products. MasterCard is working actively with leading terminal vendors around the world to enroll them in the program - the first two leading vendors to receive TQM recognition to date are Ingenico and Thales.

In addition, MasterCard has enjoyed strong industry support for its pre-configured OneSMART MasterCard packaged smart card solutions:

OneSMART MasterCard Authentication, which provides both M/Chip payment and secure online identification through the Chip Authentication Program, is now supported by ActivCard, AOS-Hagenuk, Todos Data Systems, Vasco, Xiring.
OneSMART MasterCard Web, which includes M/Chip payment, the Chip Authentication Program, and the MasterCard Open Data Storage system, is additionally being supported by Pocket Server International LLC.