First Commercial Service in the U.S. That Bundles Offers, Transaction Alerts and a Locator Service; Chase Visa Customers First to Enjoy Visa Mobile
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 2008--Visa (NYSE:V), a global leader in payments, today announced that Visa Mobile, its advanced mobile payment-related services, are now operational on mobile devices powered by Android, the Open Handset Alliance's open source platform for mobile devices, including the T-Mobile G1(TM) phone.
Chase (NYSE: JPM) Visa credit and debit cardholders will have exclusive access to the Visa Mobile application for a limited time. The application will allow select Chase Visa cardholders to receive notifications about transaction activity on their accounts; obtain offers from a wide array of merchants; and use the integrated Google mapping technology to quickly find nearby participating merchants or ATMs that accept Visa.
"Visa is thrilled to make these applications available to mobile users and offer the first commercial service in the U.S. that bundles offers, transaction alerts and a locator service into one easy-to-use application," said Tim Attinger, Head of Global Product Innovation at Visa Inc. "Combining technologies from innovative companies like Visa, Google, and other members of the Open Handset Alliance delivers consumers convenience and value in their everyday mobile lives."
Fourteen leading national merchants are supporting the initial launch of Visa Mobile on Android by providing offers to Visa cardholders, including 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Bonefish Grill, eBags.com, eMusic.com, FragranceNet.com, Jos. A. Bank, Lenovo, Overstock.com, Planet Hollywood, Restaurant.com and Shoes.com. Visa cardholders will be able to receive special offers from these merchants directly to their Android powered mobile device, including discounts and coupons. Google mapping technology guides consumers to nearby locations of merchants sending them offers.
"The mobile channel represents an exciting opportunity for Chase to deliver added value, services and information to our card holders," said Rob Rosenblatt, general manager, Chase Card Services. "Chase is delighted to serve as Visa's initial launch partner delivering these capabilities via Android and the T-Mobile G1 phone."
Three powerful services
Visa mobile applications for Android will help make consumers mobile lives easier, improve their ability to manage and protect their Visa accounts, and get valuable offers from merchants that are tailored specifically for their interests. Visa cardholders with Android powered devices can download the Visa Mobile application from the Android Market, and simply enroll to receive services. Consumers are also able to "opt-out" at any time, preserving their privacy.
The services include:
-- Alerts:Near real-time notification of Visa account activity based on cardholder preferences, such as the size of the transaction, or whether the transaction is in foreign currency. Because these alerts are triggered by the transaction as it passes through the Visa network, consumers will receive notifications almost immediately after completing their purchase. This service is intended to increase cardholders' peace of mind by enabling them to better track Visa spending. It also provides Visa with a new way to combat payment card fraud.
-- Offers: Consumers will be able to receive offers from any of the participating merchants directly to their phone. These offers - ranging from discounts, loyalty points and statement credits - could be based on a consumer's previous purchase activity. For consumers and merchants alike, this service will ensure the most relevant offers are sent in a timely manner, helping increase merchant traffic, loyalty and customer satisfaction. Merchants benefit from better targeting and more efficient marketing spend and cardholders get more of the offers they want.
-- Locator: A service that is integrated with Google Maps(TM) and Google location-based services to show consumers the nearby locations of merchants sending them offers, or of an ATM that accepts Visa. The location would be highlighted on a map on the mobile device's screen and the user would also be able to get driving directions to the location.
Demonstration at the WIRED Store
Visa's applications will be demonstrated by Visa and Google representatives at a December 15 special live premiere of Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis and Simon Rich series of digital short films, THE LINE, at the WIRED Store in Manhattan. Invited guests at the party will have a chance to touch and experience the Visa mobile services on the T-Mobile G1(TM).
The WIRED Store is a "pop up" store operated by WIRED magazine, and sponsored in part by Visa, that is open just for the holiday season. Operating this year at 15 West 18th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues in New York City, the store gives consumers a chance to see some of the hottest new technologies in the market. The T-Mobile G1(TM) is expected to be one of the most popular items on display, both at the special event and during the remaining two weeks of the season.
"This is a great opportunity for shoppers to see just how Visa's mobile services can make their lives easier and more rewarding," said Attinger. "We're confident that, once they have the chance to try it, consumers will be eager to become Visa Mobile users."
About JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. The company has about 157 million credit cards issued. Under the Chase and JPMorgan brands, the firm serves millions of consumers and businesses in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients. Information about the firm is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
About Visa
Visa Inc. operates the world's largest retail electronic payments network providing processing services and payment product platforms. This includes consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, which are offered under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world, and Visa/PLUS is one of the world's largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
CONTACT: Visa Inc.
Elvira Swanson, 415-932-2564
globalmedia@visa.com
or
Chase Card Services
Gail Hurdis, 302-282-2553
gail.hurdis@chase.com
Source: Visa Inc.