Europay reaches 100 million cards.

WATERLOO, Belgium -- Europay International, the card-based payment system closely allied with MasterCard International, said its members have surpassed 100 million cards issued.

The total includes credit, debit, and check-guarantee cards carrying the MasterCard, Eurocard, Maestro/edc, Cirrus, and Eurocheque logos.

The Belgium-based card group said it reached the 100 million mark in June, rising from 94.4 million at yearend 1993.

The numerical growth so far this year is about on pace with the increase of 13.5 million in 1993, which equaled 16.7%.

Europay's card total is tops in Europe and represents 56% of the total market. But the company's dollar volume trails that of Visa International.

Europay's recent growth has been fueled by the opening of several new markets, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Ron H. Williams, director and chief executive of the two-year-old association, said: "100 million cards and the rapid growth of Europay's services are major accomplishments."

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