Westpac Launches First Titanium Credit Card

22 September 2005
For immediate release

Westpac Launches First Titanium Credit Card

Westpac New Zealand today launched Australasia’s first Titanium credit card and with it, New Zealand’s first ever mini card.

The Titanium MasterCard offers high levels of credit, exclusive cardholder benefits and unique security features with each cardholder receiving a complementary ‘mini-sized’ version of the main card.

The smaller-sized Titanium SideCard has a daily purchasing limit that can be set by the cardholder at a low amount to reduce the amount of credit exposed when using the SideCard online, when travelling or in other situations where limiting access to cash is desirable.

The SideCard cannot be used in ATM’s or to withdraw cash, making it perfect for use online, when travelling or as an emergency card for family use.

Westpac’s Head of Cards, Ross Jackson, said the new Titanium MasterCard with SideCard gave New Zealanders access to a range of lifestyle enabling features and benefits never before seen in this market.

Westpac’s Titanium MasterCard targets high income earners, by offering:

- a 24-hour concierge with Home Assist service

- a high loyalty points earning rate

- complementary travel, purchase protection and extended warranty insurance services and

- zero fraud liability charges.

Mr Jackson said the SideCard reported on the same statement as the main Titanium Card, and should the card be lost or stolen, the SideCard could be changed without affecting the main card or continuity of statements.

“Its size and flexibility means the SideCard can be attached to a key ring removing the need to carry a wallet for a night on the town or day out on the boat,” he said.

The card’s unique design includes rounded corners and a patented ‘stippled’ strip to make it easier to pull out of a wallet and harder to counterfeit.

“Titanium is the first of a new generation of credit cards and Westpac is the only bank offering it to New Zealand customers,” he said.

Australasia’s independent financial services research group, CANNEX notes that there are a number of New Zealand firsts in the Titanium product.

Head of Institutional Services for CANNEX, Steven Anderson, said “Westpac Titanium is the only card in New Zealand to score 100% for premium facilities using Cannex’s credit card star ratings™ methodology

“The Titanium card with SideCard is innovative and meets much of the recognised consumer concerns with regard to fraud protection. I am highly impressed by this new product,” he said.

ENDS

Additional information:

- Westpac’s Titanium MasterCard is the first Titanium card in New Zealand

- The new Westpac Titanium MasterCard is available to all New Zealanders who qualify for a minimum credit limit of $15,000

- Westpac Titanium MasterCard is the only credit card in New Zealand to score 100% for premium facilities using CANNEX’s credit card star ratings methodology.

Westpac Titanium MasterCard members are entitled to exclusive member only special offers and rewards such as:

- Complementary SideCard

- 1.5 hotpoints for every dollar spent using the card

- Exclusive offers such as accommodation packages at luxury resorts, V8 Hotlaps and digital music systems

- Concierge Service for entertainment and travel bookings

- Home Assist for 24-hour home maintenance and repair services

- Free travel insurance for travel purchased with the card

- Free insurance for up to three months on purchases made with the card.

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