MBF Cards Signs Agreement To Expand JCB Card Acceptance in Malaysia

This will be derived from its existing 26,000 merchants and new merchant acquisitions, further cementing the card issuers reputation as one with the largest network and merchants. With this arrangement, JCB merchants in Malaysia will have doubled in a few years, significantly increasing the level of convenience for JCB cardmembers.Since the establishment in 1987, MBF Cards holds the largest merchant network numbered at over 26,000 in Malaysia. According to the Japan National Tourist Organization, more than 340,000 Japanese travelers visited Malaysia in 2005, an approximate 12% increase from the previous year. As Malaysia is celebrating a Visit Malaysia Year 2007 and its 50th anniversary of independence, JCB focuses its attention on these factors and anticipates the sharp increase in transactions that JCB cardmembers generate in this region. JCB has been building alliances with major banks and financial institutions to expand JCB cardmembers and merchants in Malaysia for 20 years. In 1985, JCB signed a licensee agreement with HSBC in Malaysia, soon followed by the partnerships with Malayan Banking Berhad, CIMB Bank Berhad and Public Bank Berhad. The agreement enhances the acceptance network for JCB card-holding tourists from outside of the country. JCB is further developing the issuing network in Malaysia. In order to establish another solid cardmember base in Asia, JCB continues to further develop both issuing and acquiring business concurrently.