Cards Briefs: Issuer in Telephone-Firm Marketing Pact

Metris Cos., a credit card enterprise, has signed a marketing agreement with Talk.com, a company in Reston, Va., that offers long-distance telephone service.

Customers of Metris' card-issuing subsidiary, Direct Merchants Bank, who sign up for Talk.com long-distance service can get Internet access to their phone statements and have the charges billed to their credit cards.

"Talk.com provides yet another service we believe will be of interest to our customers, with the added convenience of direct billing to their Direct Merchants Bank credit card," said Metris president and chief executive officer Ronald N. Zebeck.

Talk.com chairman and chief executive officer Gabe Battista said the deal will expand his company's customer base and help Metris customers monitor their phone costs. Talk.com billing records are available on-line in real time.

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