|
Credit Cards InformationMasterCard: Then, Now and Why
by:
Lucky Balaraman
Copyright 2005 http://master-card-information.info
* Then *
Way back about 1947, many an banks in the US started doing their premium customers a favor. The banks gave them a piece of paper for the customers to flaunt at stores. The paper said, “ We, the bank, wish pay you on behalf of the customer. Simply send us the bill.”
One can imagine how privileged and special those customers felt. One can likewise visualize how those customers would-be stay secured for life to their various
banks, as would-be their succeeding generations.
This practice of banks actually caught on because it promoted client loyalty and brought in new accounts. Which is why in 1951, The Franklin National Bank, New York, offered the 1st credit card as a formal business enterprise instrument.
Throughout the fifties, this idea was franchised; a single bank in each large city would-be allow chosen merchants to accept cards instead of cash. The Interbank Card Association (ICA), which later became MasterCard International, evolved from this situation in August 1966.
ICA was a member-run organization, and banks formed the majority of members. They nonappointive
governing members and committees from amongst themselves to frame rules for ICA’s functioning and to implement those rules. In short, ICA was and is run like a true corporation.
In due course, like a typical corporation, ICA put plans in motion to expand internationally. The 1st steps took place in 1968, once
ICA signed agreements with partners in Mexico, Europe and Japan.
By about 1978, ICA had much
covered all the continents. It changed its name to MasterCard to reflect its international stature. 1987 was a watershed year: MasterCard arrived in the People's Republic of China, where
no else credit card had stepped foot in the history of banking. The really next year, the Soviet Union fell to that smart little piece of plastic.
*Now*
The situation now, to quote MasterCard Incorporated, is simple: “No else payment card is accepted in much locations about the earth than MasterCard.”
MasterCard presently has a staggering 25,000 shareholders. A list of MasterCard's largest current shareholders with their holdings reads like this:
1. JPMorgan Chase - 11.7%
2. Citigroup - 6.2%
3. Bank of America - 6%
4. Monetary unit
Kartensysteme - 5.2%
5. Europay France - 5.0%
* Why *
So why do millions of folk carry MasterCard?
Well, to start with, and as mentioned earlier, it is accepted by much merchants the earth over than any else credit card. Add to that the fact that where
you may be on earth, you have an ATM near that wish disgorge you cash if you have a MasterCard. How many an ATMs are we talking about? Simply 780,000!
Also, the intermediate and premium cards, Gold and Platinum, carry attractive value-added features. Such as “Road Assist”, which provides access to emergency service to travelers anyplace
in the US. Or “PayPass”, which is a smart MasterCard that you simply tap on the PayPass reader at active locations for your card account to be debited (no swiping or giving your card to checkout counter staff).
If you are in the US, you likewise have MasterCard’s far-famed zero liability benefit: you are not liable if your card is purloined and misused.
* Conclusion *
MasterCard offers customers one of the greatest advantages in today’s commercial world: cashless transactions. Coupled with all the benefits mentioned above, it is really difficult to prove why you should not acquire one! Count on MasterCard International to evolve on the far side
plastic into state-of-the-art personal technology, like credit-loaded mobile phones… stay tuned!
Simply simply about the author:
Lucky Balaraman is a graduate engineer who writes on a variety of subjects. Discover much simply about MasterCard from his site,
http://master-card-information.info
Circulated by Article Emporium
| |
