MasterCard Announces Debit Promotion Rewarding Women for Everyday Debit Usage; The ''MasterCard Monthly Bonus Sweepstakes'' Runs Through May 31

Business Wire, March 23, 2006

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- MasterCard International today announced its spring debit promotion entitled the "MasterCard Monthly Bonus Sweepstakes." Targeting women, this promotion offers MasterCard debit cardholders in the U.S. the chance to win a $1,000 monthly bonus over the course of 10 years.*

From April 1 through May 31, every time you sign when making a purchase with a Debit MasterCard(R) card will serve as an automatic entry for a chance to win.* Tap N Go(R) purchases made with a Debit MasterCard PayPass(R) will receive double entries, and three winners will be selected in July. The bonus will be deposited directly into the winners' checking accounts each month.

According to a MasterCard survey conducted by Millward Brown, 61 percent of the heaviest debit users are women. Moreover, approximately 75 percent of women hold the primary responsibility for managing financial activities for their households, including reviewing and paying bills. Debit allows women to simplify their purchases, avoid fumbling for cash or change, easily track their spending, and ultimately save time and energy.

"Today's woman needs a payment solution that enables her to streamline her life by offering simplicity, transparency, security and control. The functionality of a MasterCard debit card accomplishes all of these," said Laura Kelly, group head, Debit Strategy and Business Administration, MasterCard International. "The MasterCard Monthly Bonus Sweepstakes recognizes women specifically for all of their hard work and gives them a chance to win and do something special for themselves or for those who matter most to them."

A MasterCard survey conducted by Guideline Research revealed that 43 percent of participants would use a $1,000 monthly bonus to reward themselves or their family, either in the form of family vacations, nights on the town, shopping, or trips to a spa. The remaining participants (57 percent) said they would use the money to pay bills.

The MasterCard Monthly Bonus Sweepstakes will be supported by radio and print executions of the award-winning Priceless(R) advertising campaign. MasterCard will also provide direct marketing support to customer financial institutions, including statement inserts and in-branch communications. Online content, promotional information, and educational debit background will be available on www.priceless.com.

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. PIN-based & international transactions ineligible. Starts 4/1/06. Ends 5/31/06. Restrictions apply. Call 1-800-MC-ASSIST or visit www.priceless.com for Official Rules & complete details.

About MasterCard International

MasterCard International is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members' credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programs. MasterCard manages a family of well-known, widely accepted payment card brands including MasterCard(R), Maestro(R) and Cirrus(R) and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award-winning Priceless(R) advertising campaign is now seen in 105 countries and in 48 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information go to www.mastercardinternational.com.