Underscoring its commitment to debit cards, MasterCard International announced a realignment that makes its debit subsidiary, Maestro U.S.A., an integral part of the U.S. corporate structure.
The move gives the debit business equal billing with the credit card and remote banking areas -- each reporting to MasterCard U.S. president Peter S.P. Dimsey.
Arthur D. Kranzley, president and chief operating officer of Maestro U.S.A., which had been operating at relative arm's length, becomes senior vice president and general manager of debit products.
Daniel Murray, senior vice president of marketing, becomes senior vice president and general manager of credit products. Mr. Murray has been overseeing MasterCard's current "Smart Money" advertising campaign.
|Maximizing the Synergies'
"By moving all of our payment systems into one division, we are maximizing the synergies we are able to develop between these programs," Mr. Dimsey said.
Mr. Dimsey said this is a major step in evolving into a multi-service "payment franchise." "It's important," Mr. Dimsey said. "I think that's where the industry's moving and that's what our members want."
He pointed out that each division will remain distinct, with the credit division generating the most revenue.
In April, MasterCard selected Glenn Santmire to head its remote banking program as senior vice president.
Member Relations Post Open
The card association has yet to fill the senior position in member relations, which would be on the same level as the three promoted executives.
More than 15 million Maestro debit cards have been issued in the United States since their introduction in 1991. The cards, which facilitate instantaneous transfers between a customer's transaction account and a retailer's, are accepted at 10,000 merchant locations.
MasterCard said Maestro U.S.A.'s staff will continue to report to Mr. Kranzley.
John Smith, executive vice president of MasterCard debit services, will continue to oversee debit product development worldwide. Separate domestic and international boards will continue to govern the products.
Mr. Murray's credit products division is responsible for the standard, gold, and business cards, plus advertising, promotion, market research, and creative services.
