Card Offers Self-Banked Consumers Access to Mainstream Financial Services
BURNABY, BC, May 3 /CNW/ - Today, ExxonMobil, along with TIO Networks
Corporation and NetSpend Corporation, has announced the launch of the TIO(R)
Prepaid MasterCard at participating Exxon and Mobil convenience store
locations across the United States. The card is issued by MetaBank.
This spring, consumers in participating locations in the U.S. can
purchase a TIO(R) Prepaid MasterCard and use TIO's automated self-serve kiosks
to instantly activate the card and load it with funds. The cards will provide
consumers the ability to make purchases or gain access to cash anywhere Debit
MasterCard cards are accepted worldwide.
"From the beginning of our relationship, ExxonMobil's management team has
exhibited vision and openness to new products and services, and we are excited
to partner with NetSpend to enhance our relationship with ExxonMobil by
offering the TIO Prepaid MasterCard to their customers," said Hamed Shahbazi,
Chairman and CEO of TIO Networks. "This card is an effective alternative for
millions of people in the U.S. who are self-banked."
The TIO Prepaid MasterCard features include free Direct Deposit - the
automatic deposit of paychecks on the card - and free Anytime Alerts, balance
and transaction details sent to a cardholder's e-mail or cell phone. TIO will
support cardholders with a dedicated online portal accessible through
www.thetiocard.com.
"We are very excited to partner with TIO Networks to bring a general
purpose reloadable product to customers via their unique kiosk functionality
that sells and reloads prepaid cards," said Rick Savard, Chief Executive
Officer, NetSpend.
Cardholders can load funds onto their TIO Prepaid MasterCard at NetSpend
authorized reload locations across the country and maintain up to a $5,000
balance. Funds are deposited at MetaBank (Member FDIC) and are covered by
pass-through FDIC insurance.
About TIO Networks Corp.
TIO Networks Corp. is North America's largest multi-retailer network of
non bank financial services for the 'cash preferred' consumer marketplace. The
Company operates in more than 2000 locations and provides safe secure access
to bill payment and other key financial services. For more information, please
visit www.TIOnetworks.com
About NetSpend Corporation
NetSpend Corporation is the leading provider of innovative, accessible
prepaid cards that enable financial freedom and growth for self-banked
consumers. Grounded by a mission of financial empowerment, NetSpend is
committed to meeting its customers' financial services needs on their terms
while offering the convenience, security and acceptance of conventional
financial services. NetSpend's proprietary processing platform is unique in
the industry and allows it to support prepaid card programs end-to-end from
customer acquisition and card fulfillment to customer service and risk
management. The NetSpend(R) Prepaid Card Network includes leading consumer
brands and the foremost companies serving the un-banked and under-banked
markets, and its strategic relationships include card issuers, EFT networks
and payment card associations. For more information, visit www.netspend.com.
About MetaBank
MetaBank is a federally-chartered savings bank headquartered in Storm
Lake, Iowa. Meta Financial Group, Inc.(R) is the bank holding company for
MetaBank, MetaBank West Central, Meta Payment Systems(R), and Meta Trust
Company(R). The Meta Payment Systems division of MetaBank based in Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, serves banks, processors, and third party marketers by
providing prepaid cards, credit cards, ACH origination, merchant acquiring,
ATM sponsorship, and money transfer. Meta Financial Group is traded on the
NASDAQ - Global Market: CASH. For more information call 605.275.8052 or visit
http://www.metacash.com.
The TIO Prepaid MasterCard is issued by MetaBank, pursuant to a license
from MasterCard International Incorporated.
ExxonMobil, Exxon and Mobil are registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil
Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed this news release and does not
accept responsibility for its adequacy and accuracy.
For further information: Behshad Hastibakhsh, Media Relations, TIO
Networks, Tel: (604) 298-4636, Ext. 250, Toll Free: (888) 679-3322, Email:
pr@TIOnetworks.com; John Lewis, Business Development, TIO Networks, Tel: (416)
364-2266, Email: jrlewis@TIOnetworks.com; Joe Gimenez, GCI Read-Poland for
NetSpend Corporation, Tel: (512) 472-4122, Email: jgimenez@gcigroup.com;
ExxonMobil Media Line, Tel: (703) 846-4467
