B of A expands photo card offer.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Bank of America has expanded its photo credit card offering to the San Diego market.

The program went into effect April 25, giving cardholders the option of having their pictures and facsimile signatures printed on the front of their cards.

Another BankAmerica Corp. unit, Bank of America Arizona, had introduced the photo cards in that state last October. And the company's Seafirst Bank affiliate in Seattle introduced photo cards to Washington and Idaho customers early this year.

Market research shows customers feel more secure carrying a photo ID card, saying it would be more difficult to use if stolen.

The issuing bank benefits further because a cardholder must come into a branch to have the picture taken, creating a cross-selling opportunity.

Positive Responses Cited

"Our customers in Arizona, Idaho, and Washington have responded positively to the photo card, and we're pleased to expand the program to San Diego and, eventually, other markets in the West," said Stephen B. Galasso, senior vice president and director of marketing for Bank of America's Phoenix-based credit card division.

The bank has more than seven million MasterCard and Visa accounts and is one of the top 10 credit card banks in receivables, with about $6.5 billion at Bank of America and $1 billion at Seafirst.

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