United Jersey Bank Offers Visa Debit Card That's Aimed at the Small

With Visa U.S.A.'s help, United Jersey Bank has designed a debit card to serve small businesses.

The United Jersey Global Access Business Check Card functions like a corporate credit card, but it is tied to a business checking account.

Targeting small companies with sales under $2 million, the card can be used by employees for purchasing supplies, travel and entertainment, and cash advances.

Each card carries a $1,500 daily limit, with a $400 limit on cash withdrawals. The bank provides a detailed checking account statement, which reflects all transaction activity, listed in chronological order.

The $15 billion-asset bank is working with Visa on a system to group transactions by cardholder, as in a corporate credit card account, making the debit program more accessible to larger firms with a multitude of users.

United Jersey Bank, looking for creative ways to serve the business community, formulated the idea because of the success of its consumer debit program, said Ray De Quintal, vice president of product management and development.

With 250,000 debit cards in use, United Jersey is the 10th-largest Visa Check Card issuer, according to The Nilson Report.

Having sold its credit card portfolio, the debit card provides the bank with an opportunity to lure business accounts. But Mr. De Quintal said the bank's primary emphasis is serving existing customers.

There is no fee for using the card for purchases, but a $1 fee is charged for foreign ATM withdrawals. Mr. De Quintal said

There is a $1,000 minimum balance requirement to be eligible for the program.

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