Card Briefs: 7 Banks in Hong Kong Join Visa Cash Program

Visa International said seven banks have joined its Visa Cash program in Hong Kong, bringing total participation to 21 institutions.

Hong Kong, one of the most receptive markets in the world to smart cards, has seen 130,000 disposable Visa Cash cards issued since August 1996 and 80,000 of the reloadable versions since they were introduced in April 1997. Visa is projecting 400,000 cards by yearend.

Visa said it recorded 850,000 purchase transactions totaling the equivalent of $3.6 million through mid-January.

"These numbers are a clear indication of the far-reaching acceptance of Visa Cash ... not only for tomorrow, but for now," said Ivanov Yim, Visa country manager for Hong Kong and Macao.

Those officially joining Jan. 13 were Bank of East Asia, Chekiang First Bank, Citibank, Hong Kong Chinese Bank, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Wing Hang Bank, and Wing Lung Bank. Previously in the program were Bank of China Group, with 13 members, and Standard Chartered Bank.

The territory's largest bank, Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp., co-owns a joint venture with MasterCard International that is marketing and developing the competing Mondex smart card system in 13 Asian countries.

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