Charter One Launch Make-A-Difference MasterCard Debit Card

Charter One Financial has unveiled the Make-A-Difference MasterCard, a first-of-its- kind debit card affinity program, supporting charitable giving to eight of the nations leading child-related philanthropies.The participating charitable groups include: Make-A-Wish Foundation, March of Dimes, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Cure Search - National Childhood Cancer Foundation, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Charter One will offer the Make-A-Difference cards free of charge to customers in its network of over 615 banking centers, presenting the card as an option for all new checking account relationships. The Make-A-Difference program is the latest in a series of innovative co-branded debit card offerings from Charter One. Each of the eight charities will have a distinctive card bearing the philanthropic organizations respective logos and images. Charter One is also making two additional cards available: a generic Make-A-Difference card, for those who wish to give anonymously without displaying the choice charity logo; and a special card called ONE FOR ALL that supports all of the charity organizations within the program. Charter One will also allow existing customers - at no cost - to convert to a Make-A-Difference card from the MegaRewards MasterCard debit card. Under the program, each time Make-A-Difference debit cardholders sign for purchases, a percentage of each transaction will be donated to the charity that the consumer has chosen. Donations will be presented to each of the charities annually. Like other Charter One debit cards, the Make-A-Difference MasterCard can be used for purchases at millions of merchant acceptance locations globally and allows for cash access at more than 900,000 ATMs worldwide.