Card briefs: Maestro Acceptance Widens in Pacific Rim

NEW YORK - MasterCard is broadening the international acceptance base for its Maestro on-line point of sale debit program.

The association has added Standard Chartered Bank Berhad in Malaysia to MBf Card Services Sdn. Bhd. and MBf Finance Bhd. as Maestro issuing and acquiring members in the country. In Australia, approximately 6,000 taxis are expected to begin Maestro acceptance over the next 12 months, following an initial test group of 230.

In Taiwan, ChinaTrust Commercial Bank will add 250 merchants for Maestro this year, including department stores, supermarkets, and restaurants.

Among those recently committing to issue Maestro cards are Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore, the Bank of China, and People's Construction Bank of China.

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