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Case Study
Advanced Payment Solutions launches
Europe’s first Creditbuilder prepaid function
Listening to the voice of the cardholder
Back in September 2005, London-based
Advanced Payment Solutions (APS)
partnered with MasterCard to launch
Cashplus, the first general purpose
Chip and PIN prepaid payment card in
the UK. APS then followed with the
Cashplus prepaid Gold MasterCard ®
card, a first in Europe. Now, the company
has launched Creditbuilder, a new
feature of Cashplus that helps creditdisadvantaged
consumers build and
improve their credit rating.
Cashplus turns to gold
The original Cashplus card was positioned
as a solution for the ‘underbanked’ segment
of the consumer population. APS works
with distribution partners (primarily money
services businesses, such as currency
exchange bureaus and cheque cashers) who
deliver cash-based services to this customer
segment. Cashplus complements the
services that these businesses provide.
With Cashplus, people who previously
could not get a payment card have been able
to enjoy the freedom, flexibility and security
that having a MasterCard card provides.
The Cashplus prepaid Gold MasterCard ®
card continues to champion financial
inclusion. Winner of MasterCard’s Best
Cardholder Service Award for 2007,
the personalised, embossed Cashplus Gold
prepaid card has the look-and-feel of a Gold
MasterCard ® card and the distinction and
status that go with it.
APS Cashplus Gold & Creditbuilder
Two firsts in Europe
• Cashplus Gold is a fully serviced prepaid
MasterCard ® card for use at 25 million
merchant locations and over 1 million ATMs
worldwide
• APS provides customer services via a call
centre, the internet and text messaging
• No bank account or credit check is required
to set up an account
• Security through Chip & PIN
• Reload (free of charge) at over 14,500
locations in the UK
• Offers a simple way of establishing or
enhancing credit ratings
• Creates/extends customer relationships
through distribution partners
• Enhances cross-selling opportunities
Creditbuilder – responding to
evolving consumer needs
The latest innovation from APS is a new
feature of the Cashplus card called
Creditbuilder. A unique product that serves
a broad consumer market, Creditbuilder is
highly relevant in the current ‘credit-crunch’
economic climate. Endorsed by the UK’s
Consumer Credit Association, Creditbuilder
offers the some 8 million UK consumers
experiencing an impaired credit rating
(or no rating at all) a way of establishing
or improving their credit worthiness.
“Creditbuilder is a simple way for people
to demonstrate an ability to pay balances
on time. The function is our response
to strong demand from cardholders and
consumer advocacy services.”
Rich Wagner, APS founder and CEO

“We believe APS’ Creditbuilder solution is one
of the most innovative products we’ve seen in the
payments industry for some time.”
Chris Reddish,
Global Product Head of Prepaid Europe, MasterCard
Here’s how Creditbuilder works: APS creates a
simple ‘credit situation’ with the cardholder by
establishing an initial balance equal to
12 months of the standard monthly card fee.
Then, each month, the cardholder pays a monthly
instalment, which APS reports to the credit rating
bureau. At the end of 12 months, the initial
credit situation has been cleared and now counts
as a satisfied balance repayment towards the
cardholder’s credit rating.
APS company data shows that when the customer
pays on time, settles the initial balance in full, and
uses other credit products responsibly, their credit
rating goes up. It is important to note that the
cardholder pays no interest, early or late settlement
fees, or administration charges; and the full balance
can be settled at any time. Best of all, Creditbuilder
is absolutely free of charge.
Making life easier for the customer
Applying for a Cashplus card is easy and hasslefree.
Customers are eligible as long as they are a
UK resident, provide proof of address and are over
18 years of age. Cashplus also delivers peaceof-mind
to the customer by providing the added
benefit of Chip and PIN protection. If a card is ever
lost or stolen, APS will replace the card and refund
any unauthorised charges made on the account.
You can use your Cashplus card wherever
MasterCard is accepted – which means at over 25
million retail outlets and 1 million ATMs worldwide.
The card can also be used over the phone,
via mail order and via the internet. Cashplus
cards can be reloaded – free of charge – at over
14,500 locations, including any UK Post Office ® .
And now, with the Creditbuilder feature, customers
have the opportunity to learn how to manage credit
responsibly and prove their credit worthiness.
Programme Model
Financial Institution Sponsorship
Cardholder
Brand Network
Risk
Regulatory &
Compliance
Member
Service
Provider
Programme
design,
set-up &
management
Processing
services
Financial
Institution
Marketing
&
Distribution
Cardholder
services
To learn more about the APS Cashplus programme and how you can benefit from partnering with
MasterCard Prepaid Services, contact your MasterCard representative today.
MasterCard Prepaid Services
Delivering Growth Through Payment Innovation
MasterCard Europe SPRL
Chaussée de Tervuren 198A
B-1410 Waterloo
Belgium
Tel. + 32 2 352 51 11
Fax + 32 2 352 58 07
www.mastercard.com
©2008 MasterCard