Barclays PLC's U.S. card-issuing unit, Juniper Bank, plans to issue its first university affinity credit card.
Juniper said Monday that it will start offering the Barclays-branded Harvard Alumni Association World MasterCard on Thursday. It will carry the Crimson Rewards program, which will include travel-related rewards or the opportunity to earn discounts on reunion fees and club dues.
The affinity card program will provide "significant funding" to graduate students through the Harvard Presidential Scholars initiative, Juniper said Monday. The initiative provides financial aid to graduates pursuing "careers in fields that make an impact in the world - such as education, public health, government, and academia."
Barclays, of London, bought Juniper, of Wilmington, Del., in December.
The Harvard card will be offered to the alumni group's 240,000 U.S. members.
