Looking to Enter the Market

Why prepaid? Although the prepaid market in Europe is still developing, prepaid cards will rapidly become more mainstream. Independent research tells us that, by 2015, people across Europe will collectively have around 418 million prepaid payment cards in thier pockets at any one time.

The research also indicates that the prepaid market is likely to generate a turnover of €132 billion across the predicted 418 million cardholder base, with transaction volumes of 4.4 billion by 2015. Looking at the opportunities from an open-loop only perspective, the market is expected to turnover around €79 billion and account for 45% of the overall prepaid transaction volume.

Offering MasterCard or Maestro prepaid card solutions can be beneficial to you in a number of ways:

• Enter new markets
  Gift and travel card solutions, for example, position you to take advantage of the growing consumer demand for these kinds of products.
• Attract and retain customers
  Because they're more accepted, secure, and convenient than cash, prepaid cards are a great way to reach new customers while growing and strengthening your existing relationships.
• Create new revenue streams
  With unsurpassed POS and ATM acceptance worldwide, prepaid cards can meet your customers' needs while improving financial return.
• Leverage the MasterCard brands
  Globally recognised payment products and acceptance, consumer trust and security protection: these advantages come with the MasterCard family of brands.

Source: pse research, August 2008