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MasterCard Commercial Payment Card Applications

ORLANDO, FLA. - June 5, 2002 - MasterCard Worldwide today announced that its MasterCard SmartLink™ solution has been certified by the SAP^® Integration and Certification Centre in Walldorf, Germany, as an interface software to SAP software solutions. MasterCard SmartLink, the MISSING LINK™ in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, is a software solution that integrates transaction data from MasterCard commercial cards into an organization's SAP solution-based environment.

The integration of MasterCard payment data into an organization's SAP ERP system streamlines the monitoring, management and administration of direct and indirect corporate expenses. MasterCard SmartLink has been designed to specifically harness the controls in SAP R/3^® and other ERP systems, while eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming manual processes. Through MasterCard SmartLink, an organization can obtain full details of a transaction for review within 48 to 72 hours after the purchase has been made, anywhere in the world, so that irregularities can be immediately picked up.

"SAP ABAP Add-On certification sends a powerful message that MasterCard SmartLink is a compelling and differentiating solution tailored specifically to the unique environment of SAP solutions," said Philip Philliou, vice president, e-Business and Emerging Technologies, MasterCard Worldwide. "And SAP certification underscores MasterCard's strategy to support our member financial institutions in targeting corporate and public sector organizations worldwide which run SAP solutions today."

The MasterCard SmartLink software application is exclusively licensed to MasterCard Worldwide by SPS International Limited*. SAP ABAP Add-On certification of MasterCard SmartLink signifies that SAP engineers have performed technical due diligence on the software to ensure it functions in accordance with SAP requirements. The stringent certification process provides MasterCard a means for testing the interface and integration of MasterCard SmartLink with SAP solutions.

"The combination of SAP R/3 with MasterCard SmartLink and a MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Card enables a corporation to link its business processes with those of customers and suppliers, both online and offline," said Philliou. "The results include dramatic time and cost savings, improved supplier and employee responsiveness, as well as increased company profitability."

SAP is a leading provider of e-business software solutions, including its SAP R/3 business process software. This solution covers the full range of ERP requirements, including financial accounting, materials management, and human resources.

One of the first sites worldwide to install MasterCard SmartLink is the luxurious Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate in George, South Africa, where the prestigious President's Cup 2003 at The Links golf course is set to take place. Fancourt is owned by Hasso Plattner, co-chairman and CEO of SAP AG. Staff at the resort currently use MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Card cards issued by BOE Bank and leverage the MasterCard SmartLink solution.

"Our organization is continuously searching to improve our processes and to reduce costs," said Francois du Plessis, financial director of Fancourt Resort. "The certification of MasterCard SmartLink by SAP offers a leading indication to Fancourt that the solution will fully integrate with our SAP R/3 system in an efficient and cost-effective manner, extending the utility of our SAP solution and maximizing our investment."

A fully integrated expense management reconciliation system, MasterCard SmartLink is a major value-added component to MasterCard's Corporate Payment Solutions card programs. The data-capture and integration capabilities of MasterCard SmartLink ideally complement the MasterCard Corporate Purchasing Card^®, the MasterCard Corporate Card^®, and the MasterCard Corporate Multi Card^®.

Offered through MasterCard's global network of member financial institutions, MasterCard SmartLink provides organizations with a solution for driving effective e-procurement, as well as a very clear path to generating hard numbers on their ERP investments. MasterCard SmartLink enables an organization to automatically collect purchasing data, split transactions across cost centers, approve transactions, generate invoices, merge data with the general ledger, automatically reconcile the issuing bank's statement, and pay the bank on time, every time. In addition, MasterCard SmartLink automatically populates numerous background databases and processes while providing a detailed audit trail back to the original transaction, all while preserving the integrity of the SAP solution.

MasterCard SmartLink resides securely and separately on the SAP application server. Installation is fast and efficient, and can usually be completed within a few days.

*MasterCard SmartLink is the program name in the United States only. Outside of the US, the program is referred to as MasterCard's ERP Integration Program.

MasterCard Worldwide has a comprehensive portfolio of well-known, widely accepted payment brands including MasterCardâ, Cirrusâ and Maestroâ. More than 1.7 billion MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. An association comprised of more than 15,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in over 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is a leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. MasterCard's award-winning Pricelessâ advertising campaign is now seen in 81 countries and in 41 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. With more than 24 million acceptance locations, no card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than the MasterCard Card. At December 31, 2001, gross dollar volume exceeded US$986 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its World Wide Web site at http://www.mastercard.com.

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