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EntroPay, a "virtual" prepaid card scheme United Kingdom-based Ixaris Systems Ltd. operates, plans to release a Visa-branded plastic card in the third quarter, William Lorenz, EntroPay's chief operating officer, tells CardLine Global. Last month, the scheme introduced its first plastic prepaid card, which carries the MasterCard Worldwide brand (CardLine Global, 30 Jan.). The scheme already offered virtual Visa cards but no virtual MasterCards. Virtual cards have card numbers and expiration dates, but no plastic is issued. EntroPay customers who already have a virtual card account can "upgrade" to the plastic cards, usable at ATMs and points of sale, Lorenz says. The plastic cards are meant to compliment EntroPay's virtual card business, he adds. They carry chips and cost customers 4.99 UK pounds (US$7 or 5.60 euros). Because EntroPay launched the plastic MasterCard only a few weeks ago, Lorenz could offer no figures about customer use. However, demand is "steep," he says. The company is relying largely on word of mouth to promote its plastic card offerings, Lorenz says. EntroPay works with two third-party issuers and three acquirers for its prepaid offerings, he says.
