MINNETONKA, Minn. - Metris Cos. Inc. will be the first credit card issuer to market its products on MasterCard International's Spanish-language credit card information Web site, mastercardenespanol.com
Metris said its card-issuing subsidiary, Direct Merchants Credit Card Bank, will use this link to try to expand in a steadily growing market. A year ago Metris introduced a cobranded credit card with the retailer La Curacao. In August, Direct Merchants purchased Banco Popular's U.S. bank card program, which has 283,000 accounts and about $180 million of receivables.
Joseph Hoffman, Metris' executive vice president of consumer credit card marketing, would not say how many Hispanic customers Metris has. He did say the card to be offered through MasterCard en Espanol will have the same features and enhancements Metris typically offers moderate-income customers and that Metris may modify the product "as we get to know more about this segment and their needs," he said.
