High-End MasterCard Expanding in Europe

card for high-net-worth customers will be available in at least eight countries by yearend. The internationally accepted MasterCard, called Signia, incorporates travel consulting and other personalized services for the high-end market target by American Express' Platinum card. Signia debuted a year ago at Coutts & Co., a private bank in London. Union Bank of Switzerland has begun offering it to selected customers, and it will be introduced in Italy by a Deutsche Bank unit and in Sweden by SE Banken in the fall. Europay, based in Waterloo, Belgium, said banks in Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Turkey will join the program this year. "It is important to be able to service the needs of customers whose profile requires more attention to detail," said Sunnove Trygg, head of cards at SE Banken in Stockholm. "Signia matches this profile and provides valuable support in handling larger-ticket purchases."