Wirecard launches new Internet payment service with virtual MasterCard

Berlin, Munich/Grasbrunn; Wirecard AG, one of the leading international providers of electronic payment systems with integrated risk management services, launches today a new Internet payment service in collaboration with MasterCard.

The MasterCard of Wirecard Bank is here:

■ Online payment at several million merchants
■ Send money comfortably via e-mail
■ Worldwide availability

"Wirecard", a product of the Wirecard Bank AG, allows consumers to easily and securely pay at several million merchants worldwide on the Internet.

After signing up at www.wirecard.com the consumer immediately receives a Wirecard Bank account which can be funded through a variety of different methods e.g. by direct debit or bank wire. As soon as the account has a positive balance the consumer receives a virtual MasterCard.

Norbert Gebhard, General Manager Central Europe for MasterCard welcomes the start of Wirecard as “the chance for consumers worldwide, that had up to now no or only limited access to credit cards, to use the virtual MasterCard to purchase at all merchants on the Internet that accept MasterCard”.

Additionally to the payment via the virtual MasterCard, registered users can also send funds in real-time to other Wirecard account holders. Thus Wirecard offers a quick, affordable and worldwide available alternative to the traditional bank wire or shipping of checks.

The Signup for Wirecard is free of charge. In order to load the account and for completed money transfers minor fees are charged to the account holder. For merchants with existing MasterCard acceptance, receiving payments via the virtual MasterCard incurs no additional charges.

Dr. Markus Braun, CEO of Wirecard AG, on the further development of Wirecard: “With the combination of an account and a virtual card we offer our customers a unique product. In the coming months we will continue to broaden our business offerings, for example by adding a physical MasterCard. This will enable our users to pay at more than 24 million merchants that accept MasterCard”.

The maximum yearly turnover of the Wirecard account is dependent on the level of identification of the consumer. After full identification has been provided, there are no limits and the consumer has a full-fledged account.

Through its virtual MasterCard, Wirecard provides merchants who accept MasterCard with an easy and cost efficient way to receive payments by wire transfer or direct debit. In this way Wirecard can support merchants to gain access to new geographic markets and target groups.

By integrating the Wirecard Logo on their payment sites, merchants can refer their clients to www.wirecard.com. There is neither the necessity to have a direct contract nor a technical integration with the Wirecard Bank AG.

Press Release

Wirecard-Media contact:
Wirecard PR&IR Office
Iris Stöckl
Bretonischer Ring 4
85630 Grasbrunn, Germany
Ph. : +49 (0) 89 4424 0424
Fax: +49 (0) 89 4424 0524
E-Mail: iris.stoeckl@wirecard.com
Internet: www.wirecard.com

MasterCard Media Contact:
Alexandra Stroh
PH. : +49 (0) 40 357460 44
E-Mail: astroh@webershandwick.com

Ilka Sulanke
PH. : +49 (0) 40 357460 62
E-Mail: isulanke@webershandwick.com

About MasterCard Worldwide:
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link between financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes more than 14 billion payments each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard Worldwide serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercardworldwide.com. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes more than 14 billion payments each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard Worldwide serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercardworldwide.com.

About Wirecard
Wirecard AG is one of the leading providers of payment systems with integrated risk management services. The Company provides customers with a wide range of national and global payment options. Being a Principal Member of Visa International Service Associates (VISA), MasterCard Europe sprl. as well as JCB International, Wirecard Bank AG supplements the portfolio of services. The software platform is being used by more than 6,000 enterprises across the globe, including dba, Gulf Air, HSE24 and QVC. Wirecard AG is listed on the German stock exchange in Frankfurt (TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060, WDI).
www.wirecard.com - www.wirecardbank.com