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Sydney, 9 June 2009 - MasterCard Incorporated today announced a 62.5% increase in Debit MasterCard gross dollar volume in the first quarter of 2009, versus the same period in 2008, in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa region.

The value proposition of the "buy now, pay now" feature of Debit MasterCard card offers cardholders the choice to use their own cash for payments as funds are deducted from the cardholders' designated bank account when transactions are made. Debit MasterCard provides cardholders with a safe and convenient way to pay for goods and services at 28.8 million acceptance locations worldwide without the hassle of carrying cash. Additionally, cardholders can securely use their Debit MasterCard card to make purchases online, over the phone and when traveling overseas.

Recent Debit MasterCard card launches include an EMV chip-enabled card with the Commercial Bank of Kuwait, four new debit card programs with BLOM Bank sal in Beirut, and a Chien-Ming Wang Access Debit MasterCard card for fans of the New York Yankee's pitcher.

"More and more consumers across the region are realizing the benefits of debit. We are seeing that more consumers are increasingly choosing Debit MasterCard card for daily purchases," said Rob Walls, vice president, group head, Debit Product Management and Development, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard Worldwide. "Debit cards provide consumers with the ease and convenience of having greater access to their bank account wherever they are, and help them better manage their finances. MasterCard will continue to work closely with our customer financial institutions to develop innovative and relevant debit programs for cardholders and at the same time offer educational information to consumers on the importance of smart money management."

The following are examples of Debit MasterCard programs that have been launched in APMEA:

• The Premium Debit MasterCard, which has been designed to meet the needs of the mass affluent in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, provides a mix of travel benefits, relevant rewards, exceptional customer service and global acceptance. Over the years, the product has been launched by customer financial institutions in several markets including DBS Bank in Singapore, Alliance Bank in Malaysia, Bank Rakyat in Indonesia and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank in the United Arab Emirates.
• In Malaysia, the world's first Islamic Debit MasterCard with PayPass was launched in June 2008, called the EONCAP Islamic Debit MasterCard card. The card program is Syariah-compliant.
• In Australia, the first business Debit MasterCard card with Westpac was introduced in January 2008. The Westpac Business Debit MasterCard card is the first Debit MasterCard card program for businesses in Australia, replacing checks, making payments quicker, more secure and convenient.
• In Malaysia, the world's first multi-application EMV-compliant Debit MasterCard PayPass card was launched with EON Bank in September 2007. The EON Bank Combi Debit MasterCard card is the first card program in the world that encompasses debit, contactless, EMV and ATM functionalities.

MasterCard Incorporated advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more nformation go to www.mastercard.com.

Statements in this press release which are not historical facts, including statements about MasterCard's plans, strategies, beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking and subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Accordingly, except for the company's ongoing obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws, the company does not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking information to reflect actual results of operations, changes in financial condition, changes in estimates, expectations or assumptions, changes in general economic or industry conditions or other circumstances arising and/or existing since the preparation of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

• the company's ability to provide consumers with the ease and convenience of having greater access to their bank account wherever they are, and help them better manage their finances; and
• the company's ability to work closely with its customers to develop innovative and relevant debit programs for their cardholders and offer consumer education information.

Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including those set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, the company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that have been filed with the SEC during 2009, as well as reasons including difficulties, delays or the inability of the company to achieve its strategic initiatives set forth above. Factors other than those listed above could also cause the company's results to differ materially from expected results.